By When journalism comes to mind, most people think of short news pieces that get right to the point of a story. They may think of popular news sites like CNN or BBC, and their own local or on-campus newspaper. Journalism is not always considered the most creative type of writing, but the industry actually encompasses many different forms of writing.
One kind of journalism that is becoming increasingly popular is longform journalism. This branch of journalism involves longer, more involved pieces, which often take the form of creative nonfiction or narrative journalism. Longform journalism can read like a novel, but it’s factual and follows the same ethics of journalism as other forms do.
Longform journalism is a terrific form of writing for anyone to read, especially students who’re studying to become journalists. There’s no better way to become a stronger writer than to read vigorously and often. Longform pieces often involve investigative reporting, interviewing many people and can take weeks, or even months, to write. For anyone interested in journalism or writing at all, longform journalism is a great field to explore. Here are 10 of the best sites to get you started, but there are many more out there.
1. Longform
In case you couldn’t tell by the title, the website Longform is all about longform journalism. The site compiles the best nonfiction stories from across the web, and even offers podcasts.
This is definitely the place to start if you are interested in learning more about the discipline. Topics are wide-ranging and diverse, covering everything from sports to sex to crimes.
2. Longreads
Like Longform, Longreads also features stories from all over the web, and also produces their own content. The site focuses on investigative pieces, profiles, interviews, commentary, book reviews, audio stories and personal essays.
The site is funded by readers, and people can invest in the site by becoming either a month or year-long member.
3. ProPublica
For readers and writers who’re interested in politics and moral issues, ProPublica is the site for you. The site features investigative journalism with a focus on governmental, environmental, political and educational issues, among others.
According to their website, ProPublica’s mission is “To expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions, using the moral force of investigative journalism to spur reform through the sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing.”
4. The Atlantic
The Atlantic is a well-known magazine that covers issues ranging from politics to health. The publication values diversity and political awareness.
The Atlantic’s longform articles are especially in-depth and well-written, which is why they are often featured on sites like Longform. The Atlantic values truthful storytelling and diverse perspectives.
5. Guernica Magazine
Guernica is a non-profit magazine dedicated to publishing writing about global art and politics. They publish a variety of types of writing, and have an especially strong longform section.
The publication features voices from around the world and values justice, equality and civic action. Guernica has published the works of esteemed authors such as Jesmyn Ward, Chimamanda and Ngozi Adichie. It’s also worth noting that Roxane Gay served as a guest editor.
6. The New York Times Magazine
Another very well-known magazine, the NYT Magazine features terrific longform journalism. There’s a reason its articles are features on longform sites repeatedly.
Many of the articles featured in the magazine win titles like “Best Article” on longform sites. These pieces cover everything from politics to popular culture.
7. The Cut
The Cut is an affiliate of New York Magazine that focuses on fashion, beauty and celebrity life. Although the site has many lighter articles, it also features longform pieces that often go viral for their interesting topics and strong writing.
Many of its pieces also relate to feminist issues. The website shows that longform journalism can be about pretty much anything.
8. Pacific Standard
Pacific Standard is a magazine that focuses on social and environmental justice. According to their website, they use a “methodology that mixes rigorous reporting and narrative journalism with peer-reviewed research.”
The website covers issues such as economics, social justice, education and investigations.
9. Southerly
For those who are especially interested in issues surrounding climate change, Southerly is a great place to dive into this issue. The non-profit organization focuses on the intersection of ecology, justice and culture.
Based in Kentucky, the site focuses on the American South, a place where climate change and economic disparity is hitting hard. The topics covered include water, land, culture and energy.
10. Narratively
Narratively is a website that focuses on the stories of ordinary people. The website features both longform journalism and shorter pieces, which gives readers a diverse range of story forms and writing styles. The various subgroups of the website include “Hidden History,” “Secret Lives,” “Super Subcultures” and “Renegades.” No matter your interests, you’re sure to find something engrossing to read on Narratively.
Whether you enjoy reading about politics, environmental issue or fashion, these sites offer longform journalism articles for anyone to enjoy. Many of these websites also take submissions from readers, which is a great way to get your work out there and read by thousands of people.
The websites listed above feature stories ranging from light-hearted and silly to intense and traumatic. In an age where journalism is a continuously threatened industry, it’s important to support publications that are striving to save it and educate the world.
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