Magazine Feature Writing Pack
Five templates covering every stage of the UK magazine feature process: pitch, interview transcript, fact-check sheet, photo brief, and deadline calendar.
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What’s in this pack
Five templates for the full feature workflow — from pitch to invoice.
Feature Pitch
Hook, angle, news peg, structure, sources, format, and clips in under 250 words.
Interview Transcript
Logs permissions, verbatim quotes, off-the-record sections, and follow-up actions.
Fact-Check Sheet
Claim-by-claim verification log with source, status, and outstanding items.
Photo Brief
Shot list, technical specs, permissions, usage rights, and style notes.
Deadline Calendar
Active commissions, outstanding pitches, upcoming deadlines, and invoice tracker.
Template 1: Feature Pitch
Structured in the order editors expect: hook, angle, news peg, structure, sources, word count, and clips. Aim for under 250 words.
FEATURE PITCH To: [EDITOR NAME], [PUBLICATION] From: [YOUR NAME] Date: [DATE] Section: [e.g. Features / Long Read / Investigations / Life] SUBJECT LINE: PITCH — [ONE-LINE STORY SUMMARY] --- THE HOOK [One sentence that captures the story. What happened, what is happening, or what trend is emerging that a reader will find compelling?] THE ANGLE [Two to three sentences. Why does this matter to your reader specifically? What is the unique perspective or access you bring?] WHY NOW [The news peg or timely hook: legislation, anniversary, season, new data, an upcoming event, or a cultural moment that makes this essential reading right now.] PROPOSED STRUCTURE [Brief outline — three to five bullet points covering the shape of the piece:] — Opening scene / scene-setter — [Section 2] — [Section 3] — [Closing / resolution / call to action or reflection] KEY SOURCES SECURED OR PLANNED [ ] [Source 1 — role / organisation — secured / planned] [ ] [Source 2] [ ] [Source 3 — e.g. academic expert / data source / affected individual] FORMAT DETAILS Proposed word count: [WORD COUNT] words Target section: [SECTION] Photos: [Available / Will commission / Will supply agency options] Exclusivity: [UK first / World first / Digital first] MY CLIPS [Link 1 — most relevant recent piece] [Link 2] [Portfolio: LINK] TURNAROUND I can deliver a first draft by [DATE]. Please let me know if this fits your forward planning. [YOUR NAME] [EMAIL] | [PHONE] | [WEBSITE]
Template 2: Interview Transcript
Records permissions, interview details, verbatim quotes, off-the-record sections, and follow-up actions in one document.
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT TEMPLATE INTERVIEW DETAILS Interviewee name: [FULL NAME] Title / role: [TITLE, ORGANISATION] Interviewer: [YOUR NAME] Date: [DATE] Time: [START TIME] — [END TIME] Location / method: [e.g. In person at [LOCATION] / Zoom / Phone] Recording: [ ] Recorded with consent [ ] Notes only Interviewee notified of purpose: [ ] Yes — purpose stated: [DESCRIPTION] PERMISSIONS [ ] Interviewee consented to recording [ ] Interviewee told interview is for [PUBLICATION NAME] [ ] Any off-the-record sections noted below [ ] Interviewee given deadline for final response / clarification: [DATE] TRANSCRIPT [TIME STAMP if audio/video — or leave blank for notes-based] Q: [YOUR QUESTION] A: [ANSWER — transcribe verbatim or note key points. Mark verbatim sections clearly.] Q: [QUESTION] A: [ANSWER] [Continue for full interview] OFF-THE-RECORD SECTIONS [Describe any section agreed as off-the-record, background, or deep background — do not quote these sections] FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS [ ] Check back on [POINT] — contact by [DATE] [ ] Request document / data: [DESCRIPTION] [ ] Confirm spelling of: [NAME / TERM] [ ] Right of reply required on: [SPECIFIC ALLEGATION / CLAIM] Post-interview notes: [Any observations, context, or colour not captured in the transcript]
Template 3: Fact-Check Sheet
An internal editorial document. Not for sending to sources. Verify every checkable claim before submission.
FEATURE FACT-CHECK SHEET Article title: [TITLE] Journalist: [YOUR NAME] Date of check: [DATE] Publication: [PUBLICATION] Expected publication date: [DATE] INSTRUCTIONS: Go through the draft paragraph by paragraph. List every checkable factual claim in column A and its verification in column B. --- FACTUAL CLAIMS LOG Claim | Source | Verified? | Notes ------|--------|-----------|------ [CLAIM 1] | [SOURCE — title, URL, date] | [ ] Yes [ ] Pending | [NOTES] [CLAIM 2] | [SOURCE] | [ ] Yes [ ] Pending | [NOTES] [CLAIM 3] | [SOURCE] | [ ] Yes [ ] Pending | [NOTES] [Continue for all checkable facts] --- NAMES AND TITLES Name | Spelling confirmed | Title / role confirmed | Method -----|------------------|----------------------|------- [NAME] | [ ] Yes | [ ] Yes | [LinkedIn / official website / press office] STATISTICS AND DATA Stat / figure | Source | Date of data | URL -------------|--------|-------------|---- [STAT] | [SOURCE] | [DATE] | [URL] QUOTES Interviewee | Quote in draft | Verbatim from recording? | Signed off by interviewee? -----------|---------------|------------------------|------------------------- [NAME] | [QUOTE] | [ ] Yes [ ] Paraphrase | [ ] Yes [ ] Not required OUTSTANDING ITEMS BEFORE SUBMISSION [ ] [ITEM 1 — what needs to be confirmed and by when] [ ] [ITEM 2] Checked and ready to submit: [ ] Yes [ ] No — outstanding items above
Template 4: Photo Brief
Send to your commissioned photographer or picture desk. Confirm technical specs with the publication before briefing.
PHOTO BRIEF Article: [ARTICLE TITLE] Publication: [PUBLICATION] Section: [SECTION] Journalist / commissioner: [YOUR NAME] Photographer (if commissioned): [NAME] Date of brief: [DATE] Shoot date(s): [DATE(S)] Delivery deadline: [DATE AND TIME] STORY SUMMARY [Two to three sentences explaining what the feature is about and what the images need to convey to a reader.] KEY SHOTS REQUIRED 1. [OPENING / HERO IMAGE — describe: who, where, mood, setting] 2. [PORTRAIT — subject name, preferred setting / location] 3. [DETAIL / ENVIRONMENT SHOT — describe] 4. [ADDITIONAL — describe] TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Resolution: [Minimum DPI — typically 300dpi for print, 72dpi web] Format: [RAW + JPEG / JPEG / TIFF] Colour profile: [sRGB / AdobeRGB — check with picture editor] Delivery method: [WeTransfer / Dropbox / FTP — provide link] PERMISSIONS REQUIRED [ ] Model release — obtain signed releases for all identifiable individuals [ ] Property release — obtain for private property / recognisable commercial premises [ ] Location permission — confirm access is authorised USAGE RIGHTS Images commissioned for: [PRINT / DIGITAL / BOTH] Territory: [UK ONLY / WORLD] Duration: [ONE-TIME / PERPETUAL — specify] Fee agreed: £[FEE] — payment within 30 days of invoice STYLE NOTES [Any specific visual style, colour palette, tone (documentary / portrait / reportage) or shots to avoid] CONTACT Picture editor: [NAME / EMAIL] Journalist: [NAME / EMAIL / PHONE]
Template 5: Deadline Calendar
Tracks active commissions, outstanding pitches, upcoming deadlines, and unpaid invoices in one place.
FEATURE DEADLINE CALENDAR Journalist: [YOUR NAME] Period: [MONTH / QUARTER] --- ACTIVE COMMISSIONS Article title | Publication | Word count | Section | Copy deadline | Photo deadline | Invoice date | Status -------------|-------------|-----------|---------|--------------|---------------|-------------|------- [TITLE] | [PUB] | [WC] | [SECTION] | [DATE] | [DATE] | [DATE] | [RESEARCHING / DRAFTING / SUBMITTED] [TITLE] | [PUB] | [WC] | [SECTION] | [DATE] | [DATE] | [DATE] | [STATUS] --- PITCHES OUTSTANDING Pitch summary | Pitched to | Date pitched | Chasing date | Status -------------|-----------|-------------|-------------|------- [SUMMARY] | [EDITOR / PUB] | [DATE] | [DATE + 2 WEEKS] | [AWAITING / DECLINED / COMMISSION] --- UPCOMING DEADLINES (next 30 days) Date | Task | Publication | Notes -----|------|-------------|------ [DATE] | [e.g. First draft due] | [PUB] | [NOTES] [DATE] | [e.g. Photo brief to picture desk] | [PUB] | [NOTES] [DATE] | [e.g. Invoice to be sent] | [PUB] | [NOTES] --- INVOICE TRACKER Invoice # | Publication | Amount | Date sent | Due date | Paid? | Chased? ---------|-------------|--------|----------|----------|-------|------- [INV-001] | [PUB] | £[AMOUNT] | [DATE] | [DATE] | [ ] | [ ] --- NOTES [Forward planning / editorial forward features list dates / upcoming news pegs to pitch around] Sources: NUJ Freelance Fees Guide (nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj-freelance-fees-guide.html)
Primary sources
- NUJ Freelance Fees Guide — minimum rates for magazines by type and word count
- Press Gazette — industry news and features guidance
- NUJ Code of Conduct — accuracy and copy approval rules
Frequently asked questions
How long should a feature pitch be?
Keep a pitch email to under 250 words. Editors receive dozens of pitches a week and will not read a long one. The key elements in order: one compelling sentence that captures the story (the hook); why it matters now (the news peg); your proposed structure and key sources already lined up; the word count and section you are targeting; and two or three of your most relevant published clips. The pitch template in this pack structures all of these efficiently.
What is a standfirst and should I include one in a pitch?
A standfirst is the introductory paragraph beneath a headline, used in magazines and long-form digital features to introduce the story. Including a draft standfirst in your pitch is optional but can be effective — it shows you have thought about structure and presentation. It should be two to three sentences, capturing the angle and drawing the reader in. Do not confuse it with your pitch's opening line: the standfirst is for the reader; the pitch opening line is for the editor.
What is the NUJ Freelance Fees Guide and is it authoritative?
The NUJ Freelance Fees Guide is published annually by the National Union of Journalists and sets out minimum recommended rates for freelance work across different publication types (nationals, regionals, consumer magazines, trade press, and digital). It is the most widely used benchmark for negotiating fees in UK journalism. It is not legally binding but represents the professional standard. Consistently working below NUJ rates undermines pay across the sector.
Do I need to send a fact-check sheet to the subjects of a feature?
No — a fact-check sheet is an internal document for your own editorial process, not something you send to interview subjects. Sending your notes or quotes to subjects for approval (known as copy approval) is against NUJ guidance and IPSO standards unless it is specifically limited to checking technical accuracy in specialist fields (such as scientific or medical content). The fact-check sheet in this pack helps you verify your own accuracy before submission, not to give subjects control over the piece.
How far in advance do magazines commission features?
Lead times vary significantly. Monthly consumer magazines typically work three to four months ahead of cover date. Weekly magazines may work four to eight weeks ahead. Digital magazines and long-form online features often have shorter lead times of two to four weeks. Always ask an editor about their forward planning cycle before pitching time-sensitive material. The deadline calendar in this pack helps you track multiple commissions across different publication cycles.
Related packs
Pitching Pack
Simple and advanced pitch generators, rate calculator, and editor relationship guides.
Freelance Business Pack
Rate calculator, invoice generator, late payment calculator, and kill fee calculator.
Freelance Contract Pack
Standard commissioning contract, syndication side-letter, and engagement letter.