Find answers to common questions about True North Stories
True North Stories is an independent journalism and storytelling platform dedicated to amplifying authentic Canadian voices. We publish interviews, feature stories, opinion pieces, and multimedia content that showcase diverse perspectives and experiences from across Canada. Founded in Toronto in 2017, we're committed to telling stories that matter to communities while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic ethics.
We welcome story pitches from freelance writers, community members, and anyone with a compelling Canadian story to tell. Send your pitch to contact@truenorth-stories.com or use our contact form. Include a brief description of the story, why it matters, who it affects, and your connection to the topic. We review all submissions and will respond within 1-2 weeks if we're interested in pursuing your idea.
Yes, we offer compensation for accepted stories from freelance contributors. Payment rates vary depending on the type of content, length, required research, and multimedia elements. Typical rates range from $200-$800 per piece. We discuss specific payment terms when accepting a pitch. We believe in fairly compensating storytellers for their work and expertise.
We publish a wide range of content including in-depth interviews, investigative features, personal narratives, opinion pieces, photo essays, and multimedia stories. We're particularly interested in stories that center marginalized voices, explore social issues, highlight community initiatives, examine Canadian identity and culture, or shed light on underreported topics. All stories must have a clear Canadian connection.
Timeline varies significantly depending on the story's complexity. Simple interviews might be published within 2-4 weeks of assignment. Feature stories requiring extensive research and multiple sources might take 2-3 months. Investigative pieces can take even longer. We'll provide an estimated timeline when we accept your pitch and keep you informed throughout the process.
We understand that some stories involve sensitive topics where sources may face risks by being identified. In exceptional circumstances, we can work with anonymous sources or allow pseudonyms. However, we prefer stories where people are comfortable being identified, as this strengthens credibility. If you need anonymity, contact us to discuss your specific situation and our verification process for anonymous sources.
We take accuracy seriously and follow rigorous fact-checking procedures. All factual claims are verified through multiple sources when possible. We share drafts with subjects for fact-checking (not editorial approval). We correct errors promptly when they're identified. Our editors review all content before publication. We're transparent about our sources and methods, and we include corrections at the end of articles when necessary.
We generally publish original, previously unpublished content. However, we may consider republishing exceptional pieces that appeared in small-circulation publications or personal blogs, particularly if they reach new audiences through our platform. If you're proposing previously published work, please disclose this in your pitch and explain why you believe it deserves wider distribution.
We love partnering with community organizations, non-profits, and grassroots groups. Partnerships might include coverage of your events or initiatives, collaborative storytelling projects, multimedia features about your work, or co-created content series. We maintain editorial independence, so partnership doesn't mean promotional content, but rather authentic storytelling about your community's work and impact. Contact us to explore partnership possibilities.
Individual readers may share links to our stories on social media or quote brief excerpts with proper attribution. Media outlets, educational institutions, and other organizations interested in republishing full articles should contact us for permission and terms. We're generally open to republication arrangements that expand our reach while properly crediting our work and contributors. Always include a link back to the original article.
True North Stories is funded through a combination of reader support, small grants from journalism foundations, and partnerships with community organizations. We do not accept advertising or corporate sponsorship that could compromise our editorial independence. This funding model keeps us accountable to communities and readers rather than commercial interests. If you'd like to support our work, contact us about reader membership options.
Absolutely! In fact, we're particularly interested in stories from smaller communities, rural areas, and regions that are often overlooked by mainstream media. Some of our most impactful stories have come from communities outside Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. If you have a story from any corner of Canada, we want to hear about it. Geography is never a barrier to good storytelling.
If you notice a factual error in any of our published content, please contact us immediately at contact@truenorth-stories.com with details about the error and, if possible, links to sources supporting the correction. We take accuracy seriously and will investigate promptly. Confirmed errors will be corrected in the article with a clear note about what was changed and when.
We occasionally have opportunities for interns and volunteers, particularly for students studying journalism, communications, or related fields. These positions offer hands-on experience in digital journalism, story research, fact-checking, and content production. We also run mentorship programs for aspiring storytellers from underrepresented communities. Check back regularly or contact us to express interest in future opportunities.
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