Here at Mothership, we have a specific focus: the intersection of games and identity, specifically as it pertains to gender, sexuality, and the bodies we inhabit in reality and in games. By “games,” we mean console games, video games, PC games, tabletop games, and mobile games. Within this editorial remit, we publish articles in a wide variety of story formats. We always hope to surprise the reader with delight or new knowledge.
At Mothership, you’ll see stories by writers with names you might recognize. But we also always aim to discover and elevate new voices. And so, no matter who you are, if you have a good story to tell within our editorial focus, we here at Mothership want to hear your idea and help you hone it.
What kinds of stories does Mothership publish?
At Mothership, we’re interested in publishing investigative reporting about gender and/or sexuality discrimination at major game studios, as well as coverage of related lawsuits. We commission stories about game studios run by people who aren’t cisgender men and the challenges these studios may face, as well as stories about developers who’ve conquered those odds. We also aim to publish stories about gender-diverse gaming subcultures — actual play fandoms, modding communities, speedrunners, and so on — as well as the communities that aren’t particularly gender-diverse, and what it’s like to exist in those spaces.
We publish games criticism through a gender lens, a queer lens, and/or a body-focused lens. At Mothership, we’re interested in analyses of games that push back on gender stereotypes and body norms, including colorism, racism, sizeism, and so on. We’re also open to video game reviews that have this angle in mind, both for major games and games our readers might not have yet heard about, but should hear about.
We’re aware the conversation around video games is constantly changing, and readers can come to Mothership to help understand the moment. As such, we’re interested in well-considered, timely news analysis and opinion based on facts or reporting. We’re also interested in personal essays, particularly those which focus on the experiences of people of marginalized genders, races, classes, and abilities.
How do I pitch a story?
Email your idea to team(at)mothership.blog and keep it concise (under 300 words). Tell us your estimated word count; know that if you’re proposing to publish 2,000 words or more, we expect the topic to be utterly fascinating.
If you’re pitching a reported story, your pitch should tell us about the “main character(s)” you hope to interview and what you most hope to discuss with them and tell our readers about them. What is the tension or hook of this story? Does it have a narrative? If allegations of illegal activity are involved, make sure to note that in your pitch as well.
If you’re pitching games criticism or a personal essay, including a proposed headline or lede will go a long way towards concisely stating the throughline of the proposed work. Again, be concise and to the point (under 300 words) in your description of what you intend to write. What case are you making? If it’s a piece of criticism, do you have more to say beyond “this game rocks” or “this game sucks”? We get it, some games do rock (or suck) — but as writers, we must endeavor to be specific about why.
When possible, please link to relevant past writing you have published. For relative newcomers, we will absolutely accept links to an essay published on your personal Tumblr, a Letterboxd review of which you’re particularly proud, or similar. Writing is writing; we simply want examples of your voice.
How much does Mothership pay?
Articles at Mothership start at a baseline rate of $250 per story. That base rate will increase if the story involves interviewing more than one source (if it’s a reported story), or involves extensive research (if it’s a critical essay). Mothership’s editorial team will decide on a final rate with you as part of the pitching process, via email, as well as a deadline.