What HSJ is Looking For
The editorial team is particularly interested in the following:
- Culture and heritage — Stories rooted in Jamaican traditions, history, music, food, faith, and community life, told with depth and authenticity.
- Music — Features, profiles, and stories celebrating Jamaican music, its history, its makers, and its enduring influence on the world.
- Jamaicans making a difference — Stories of Jamaicans creating meaningful change in their communities, whether on the island or across the diaspora, told through original, first-publication reporting.
- Diaspora voices — Personal essays, profiles, and features from Jamaicans living abroad who are maintaining cultural ties, building bridges, or returning home.
- Travel and lifestyle — Destination features, hidden gems, and experiential content that goes beyond the resort gate.
- People and profiles — Stories of Jamaicans making meaningful impact in their industries or creative fields, at home and internationally.
- Family and legacy — Intergenerational stories that connect younger readers to Jamaican heritage, particularly those resonating with diaspora families.
What HSJ Does Not Accept
We welcome
- Original, first-publication pieces
- Honest, human storytelling
- Clear Jamaican cultural connection
- Single submissions
- Strong reporting and editorial voice
We do not accept
- Pitches relying on stereotypes or sensationalism about Jamaican life
- Content that is promotional without genuine editorial substance
- Stories without a clear Jamaican cultural connection
- Simultaneous submissions to other publications
- Previously published work
How to Pitch
Writers should submit a query of 250 words or fewer outlining:
- The story idea
- The angle
- Why it matters to HSJ's readership
Along with two or three relevant writing samples or clips.
Send your query directly to the editorial team via the contact form on the HSJ website.