Learn From Editors’ Live Feedback on Environmental Pitches

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The Society of Environmental Journalists invited the IIJ to host a live Pitch Fest at the annual SEJ conference in April 2026, which took place at the University of Illinois-Chicago. IIJ Editorial Director Ann Marie Awad brought a handful of freelance journalists on stage to pitch their stories about AI, brain hacking, rare birds, and more to this all-star panel of environmental editors: 

  • Bryce Cracknell, founder and editor-in-chief, the Margin

  • Jenny Splitter, editor-in-chief, Sentient Media

  • Michael Kodas, senior editor, Inside Climate News

  • Michelle Rowan, deputy editor, Chicago Tribune

  • Peter Prengaman, global news director for climate and environment, the Associated Press

Up your game by listening in on the conversations that usually only happen behind the scenes. Every one of these editors also shared valuable info for any journalist wishing to pitch their respective publications, including rates and contract information.

The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com  

Video by Joe Miller. Special thanks to the journalists who pitched their stories: Karthika Gupta, Eric Kasina, Sarah DeWeerdt, Meg Duff, Michael Zografos, and Ann Davis. Thanks to volunteers Amy Yee and Araceli Ramirez, who also captured photos. We are especially grateful for the support and collaboration of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the University of Illinois-Chicago.

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