What We’re Looking For

In-depth Reported Pieces

From those with journalism experience, we seek stories that take a step back from the daily deluge of news and explore fresh angles and haven’t been written about elsewhere (you’ll find good examples in this in-depth look into Oakland’s decriminalization of magic mushrooms or this deep dive into how bots have taken over camping reservation systems.)

Personal Essays

Showcasing first-person accounts from the people who live here is a large part of what we do. We’re always looking for colorful and unique essays that make us laugh, lead us to tears, or blow our minds. Our essays range from the lighthearted (read: the struggles of entertaining a Midwestern dad in SF) to the deeply moving (such as this story about the time a man accidentally killed someone).

Unpopular Opinions

We’re all about hearing from people with a fierce and passionate argument, especially if it goes against the status quo. You should have authority in the topic you’re writing about and make sure that your opinion is backed up with facts and cohesive reasoning. In TBI, people have argued for the democratization of egg freezing, why Muni matters in the age of Uber and Lyft, and — to much controversy — why the LA burrito is better than burritos found in the Mission.

Trends

San Franciscans are known for developing obsessions that come and go quicker than the sun on a 59-degree summer day, and the city is often a hub for trends that are about to take off nationally. We’ve recently investigated why artisanal beans are the next Brussels sprouts, reviewed the famous tacro, and dove into some new-age dating shit. Tell us what the next La Croix is.

Profiles

We’re deeply interested in the characters who make our city run — the businesses, the people, the institutions. Our profiles have color, personality, and meaning. We recently ran a feature on La Cocina, a nonprofit incubator that helps low-income women of color; taken a look at a day in the life of a Golden Gate Bridge painter; and told the history of Chinatown’s oldest bakery.

Cultural Commentary

TBI often runs pieces that take a critical look at larger societal issues — whether they involve local politics, technology, policy, gender, race, or other issues. We’ve run an open letter “from your one black friend,” discussed the viability of the “new” East Cut neighborhood, analyzed the culinary state of SF’s Chinatown, and detailed a sweaty experience in a cuddle puddle.

Humor

In these dark political times, it’s nice to laugh once in a while. We’re interested in your quick-witted pieces that are subtle, easily relatable, and hilarious. Take in these examples to get a sense of what we’re going for: “Gmail’s Smart Reply Is Part of Me Now,” “Living in the Redfin Rabbit Hole,” and “How to Ensure You Miss Every Slack Message.”

Questions Answered

We all have those looming questions we’ve never answered. Could you actually live on $100 a month? We answered that. What would happen if a bunch of ladies catcalled men? We tried it. Can you get your pets high? We’ve got the deets. We’re all about busting myths or figuring out something that you and others might ponder, as long as there’s a story behind it.

Not-Basic Listicles and Guides

We don’t run your typical or overly done listicles or guides — the internet has enough of those. Instead, they should have an unexpected twist. For example, we’ve showcased the best places in which to make out in SF, how to dine like a local at Trader Vic’s, and the best museums to visit while stoned. We’re also open to travel and food stories, but again, they should have an angle that we haven’t seen before.

Beyond SF, Beyond the Bay

We cover more than just San Francisco proper; we want to hear stores from the rest of the Bay Area. We’ve recently published pieces on moving from the city to the Peninsula, Vallejo’s struggle with a cement factory, and what it’s like to live in San Jose. We’re also open to more expansive views about California and the West Coast at large if they can still tie in to life in the Bay Area.

Multimedia Journalism

We’re not all text all the time. We’re always looking for ways to tell stories more visually, whether that’s a moving photo essay, a series of comics or illustrations, a video feature, or a set of infographics or interactive graphics.