The Usual?
Hello and welcome to another Burum pitching guide. Last year we opened up pitches for an in print zine with a specific focus on hospitality work, and this time round we’re working on something a little different.
The Usual? is going to be a season of work, published online, focusing on what it is to be part of a local, as both a worker and a customer. We want to focus on what it is to frequent a third space often, and in return, what is to serve the same people over and over again, what these routines and familiarity can tell us about the dynamics between worker and customer within hospitality, how they can define and dictate a space.
What makes a good local? How does someone become a regular and what does that actually mean? What is it to serve the same people day in day out in such an intimate manner, to play a role in the pattern of their weeks? Can a customer and a worker exist on equal terms in this dynamic? What happens when a local is lost, or unable to be found at all? Who gets to have a local and who does not? Is it always a good thing if someone remembers your name and your order?
We are looking for a combination of written, illustrative or visual pitches that look to address some of the questions above. Pitching will be open to those who work in hospitality and those who do not and we particularly welcome ideas from those who rarely see themselves recognised in mainstream media.
Sounds like something you want to pitch to? Great! Here’s how…
Quickfire FAQ!
I have a pitch! Where do I send it?
Pitches go to rachel@burumcollective.com with the subject line:
PITCH: The Usual?
Please make sure you have read our How to Pitch section below in full before sending us an email.
How long are pitches open?
We will be accepting pitches until 15th of June
What should my pitch include?
Your name, the best way to contact you, a brief description of the idea you have and some indication that you have read this page and know what Burum Collective is about.
Do I need to have professional writing/illustrative experience to pitch?
No! Consider this an active encouragement to pitch if you’ve always wanted to create something but never been sure how. We’ve been there and we know how daunting it can be, we promise to treat your ideas with the respect they deserve.
I would love to pitch but I don’t want my ideas to be linked to my place of work, is there an option for anonymous contributions? Absolutely, yes. Just let us know in your initial pitch.
What are the rates?
We’ll be paying £225 per commission and written pieces will be a maximum of 1000 words.
When will I hear back?
Pitches for The Usual? close on the 15th of June, and we promise to get back to everyone (with constructive feedback!) by the end of that month. Please be patient with us and please do not chase us for a response within this timeframe.
Are you accepting pitches from non hospitality workers?
This time around, yes. We are looking for perspectives from both sides this time, so welcome thoughts from customers as well as workers, this is very much open to all!
How to Pitch
Send an email to rachel@burumcollective with PITCH: The Usual? as the subject heading. Please include:
Your name
Your contact details
A little bit about you
A brief description of the topic you would like to focus on and the form you see it taking
Any other information you feel would be useful for us to know
Rates, Timelines and Logistics
Written pieces of work will be max 1000 words and paid £225. Illustrators, and visual artists will be paid £225.
All writers/illustrators will be commissioned by the 15th of July. Deadline for first drafts will be discussed individually.
Please invoice alongside your first draft. All invoices will be paid within one week of being received.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Rachel & Helen
