Freelance Guidelines

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay is always seeking qualified, talented freelancers. If you're interested in freelancing for us, please follow these guidelines.

1. If you haven't already done so, familiarize yourself with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. In features, culture, food, and music, we try not not cover the same subject or topic in a two-year period unless there is a compelling new angle. Regular columns are written by staff or dedicated freelancers. Most other formats are open to freelancers. Please note standard article lengths and take them into consideration when pitching a story.

2. Send a brief cover letter, resume, two relevant writing samples, and at least one story pitch to the appropriate editor. Email queries are encouraged. If your writing samples are archived on the web, you may include links rather than the full text. If they don't paste the content of any attachments into the body of the email. If we are interested, we will respond via email. Patience, persistence, and politeness pay off.

Email your news freelance submissions to:
Ray Roa, Editor-in-chief

3. Editors occasionally assign pieces to freelancers, but successful freelancers also generate interesting story ideas. Pitch early and often.

4. For new writers, we might assign an article on "spec," which means you turn in a completed article. If we like it, we publish it and pay you. If we don't, then the piece does not run and there is no kill fee.

5. When you begin freelancing for us, you will receive additional instructions on topics including deadlines, pay rates, pay schedules, and CL's policies, including a code of ethics.

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Here are 20 of the best discounts and freebies Tampeños can take advantage of on 813 Day

Tampa just celebrated its birthday, and it has another unofficial, official holiday for itself a month later. 813 Day—happening on Aug. 13,…

By Ray Roa

Palihouse 1509 W Swann Ave. Tampa A gem of Hyde Park Village, the Palihouse bar and lounge is a welcome respite from the business and speed of the neighborhood outside. The menu has its famous hibiscus margarita, and another variation—Palihouse’s sparkling rose marg—is just $8.13 all day.
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Photos: In Tampa, a snarky David Lee Roth skips the solo cuts, salutes Van Halen

Some sources have said that the former Van Halen frontman is in Axl Rose and Vince Neil territory—aka a shell of the…

By Josh Bradley, Ryan Kern

Image: Photos: In Tampa, a snarky David Lee Roth skips the solo cuts, salutes Van Halen
31 slides

The best Tampa Bay bars and restaurants for watching sports

Football's back! Some of these spots of bonafide American football honey holes, but others are simply some of the Bay area’s most…

By Jourdan Ducat, CL Staff

Shuffle If you’re looking for some additional recreation to accommodate game day, Shuffle’s four indoor shuffleboard courts have got the whole family covered. Be sure to check out the fun food menu that offers everything from loaded tots to a surprisingly delicious spaghetti sandwich. The indoor bar at this Tampa Heights staple has TVs on either end, and the impressive backyard expansion is the perfect place to relax in between plays. 2612 N Tampa St., Tampa
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34 kid-friendly activities to do within driving distance of Tampa Bay

What follows is a list of kid-friendly activities that’ll help you not only entertain junior, but yourself, too. We’ve arranged them by…

By CL Staff

Snorkel Ichetucknee Springs State Park 171 miles from Tampa International Airport 12087 SW US-Hwy 27, Fort White. Open 8 a.m.-sunset. Daydream while floating over deep-cyan ripples of Ichetucknee’s spring-fed flows. Eventually, make your way to the Blue Hole, where 67 million gallons of water flow each day from seemingly endless dark blue depths. This relaxing river float holds glass-like waters and endless family photo backdrops. Admission runs $6 per vehicle. Photo via Pengd0t, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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August 7, 2025

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