Want to write for Pier Journal? Or see your illustration or photos in print? We are now accepting pitches for Vol.012 due out in March 2026. The deadline for pitches is Sunday 18 January 2026. Our theme for this edition is MOVEMENT. Please read our pitch guidelines below…

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What we’re looking for

Pier Journal is a volunteer-run community journal for Dorset. Published bi-annually, the free magazine is full of stories to inspire and inform - shining a spotlight on the people, places, events, businesses and communities that define Dorset.

As well as timely features, seasonal stories and new openings etc. we love pieces that are not bound to a certain date or time, so could be read months after publication and still make sense (the Journal is a keeper!). In a world of doom scrolling and clickbait, we want our stories to be deep and meaningful and capture readers’ imaginations - we’re looking for hope, celebration and a spotlight on success.

Pier Journal currently comes out twice a year - a Spring/Summer magazine and festival guide around Easter and an Autumn/Winter magazine in October. Each edition has a theme and we’re looking for pitches that align with that. The Spring/Summer 2025 theme is: Movement.

We want to give a platform to our community. You must live or work in, or have an authentic connection to Dorset. We are particularly keen to hear from writers covering West & North Dorset.

We have limited budgets but pay between £50 and £400 depending on the format.

We do not publish work created by AI, or articles that have been published elsewhere (this doesn’t apply to illustration or photography). 

If you’re a PR or business owner looking to promote a business, please do not pitch via this call out, but instead email laura@pierjournal.co.uk to discuss paid-for promo options.

We receive a lot of pitches and are looking for those which stand out so please keep your pitch short and relevant and include the following:

  • A  catchy headline

  • 3-4 lines to summarise your idea (think about how you’d sum it up to someone in conversation)

  • Sample of any images or illustrations you plan to use

  • Why you think it works for Pier Journal - here you need to demonstrate you know the publication

  • Why you are the best person to write this - please make sure you include where in Dorset you are based

  • Links to your work (it could be social media, student portfolio or blog posts, if you are an early career creative)

All pitches should be submitted via email to laura@pierjournal.co.uk Please title your email: PITCH for Vol.012 by Sunday 18 January 2026.

If we are keen to commission you, you will hear from us within a week of the pitch deadline. The content will need submitting by Monday 16 Februrary 2026. And the journal will come out in March 2026. Payment will be on publication at the end of March.

While we will try to reply to everyone who contacts us, we receive a lot of emails and are a small volunteer-run team. We will prioritise successful pitches that fit the theme and inspire our team. If you do not hear from us by the end of January, please assume that your pitch has not been successful this time, but don’t let it put you off pitching again in future.

Good luck!