Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: Pittsburgh City Paper
ISSN: 1066-00621
Website: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/
Purpose, objective, or mission: This publication provides weekly information on current local news about entertainment, events, politics, sports, and other local interests. Most readers look to this as a guide for weekly events.2
“As Pittsburgh’s independent voice, we offer a unique prospective on local politics and news, intelligent and fresh cultural reporting, the most comprehensive calendar of events, and stories you will not find anywhere else.” 3
Target audience: Pittsburgh city residents.
Publisher: Eagle Media Corp.4
Peer reviewed? No.5
Type: Civilian, alternative newspaper.
Medium: Print and online.
Content: Information on local music, art, entertainment, sports, news, and politics.6
Frequency of publication: Weekly.7
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/FreelanceInternGuide/Page
Types of contributions accepted: The guidelines state: “We use freelance talent every week, and we value the contributions made by our freelancers. But we don’t just take freelancers from off the street; that’s how we hire editors. When a prospective freelancer wants to write for us, we have two questions: Is this person able to bring us stories we can’t get on our own? and Is this person capable of actually writing the story? To answer the first question, you need to bring us some story pitches. These should be stories you think we’ll want — and stories we don’t already have.”8
“How can you tell what sort of material qualifies? The easiest way is to look at the paper. See what we already publish … and what we don’t. Tailor your ideas accordingly. Here are a few hints to get you started. What we are interested in: Stories about local artists. Stories about local news and politics. Stories about Pittsburgh, in all its love and squalor. What we’re not interested in: Political screeds about how great President Obama is. Political screeds about how awful President Obama is. First-person essays. Your problems.”9
“As to that second question — can this person write the story themselves? — we’re looking for skilled writers and thorough reporters who know the territory. The best proof of these qualities is clips of previously published work. Articles for your college newspaper, freelance stuff you did for community papers, Pulitzer Prize-winning multi-part series from The New York Times … we’ll look at almost anything.”10
Submission and review process: Submission method depends on the type of article. The guidelines provide the editors responsible for each type and their preferred contact method. Review and acceptance of submissions responsibility of editors.11
Editorial tone: Informal and clever.
Style guide used: Not specified in guidelines.
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
This publication provides a fair opportunity for LIS authors residing in Pittsburgh or familiar with the area. Potential for publication of book reviews, local information services, and content about local programming and events that would interest the younger audience of the newspaper. Authors from the Pittsburgh area, with personal knowledge of the area and population, would find it easier to write for this publication. Because this publication is free both in print and online, it has the potential to meet a wide audience within the city.
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: 58,000.12
Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Metro Pittsburgh area.
Reader characteristics: Readers are described as “younger and more affluent,” though the age breakdown in the media kit indicates that readership spans a range of age groups, with 25% between 25 and 34 and 20% over 65.13
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: While some readers will certainly be librarians, library administration and staff, and library students who live in the Pittsburgh area, this publication does not specialize in LIS subject matter, nor are any readers expected to have knowledge of LIS subject matter.
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
Readers might be interested in technology, local events (possibly library events), interesting stories and news about their local libraries.
Last updated: October 25, 2020
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