Kawartha Lakes is full of stories that deserve to be told. We're looking for writers, photographers, and community members who want to help tell them.
Whether you have a story idea or want to share your own knowledge and experience, there's a place for you here. Choose the path that fits best.
You know about something happening in the community that deserves coverage. Send us a tip, a lead, or a pitch, and our editorial team will take it from there. You don't need to write a word.
You don't need to be a writer. You just need something to share.
Submit a story ideaYou have knowledge, experience, or a perspective worth sharing, and you want to write about it yourself. No journalism background required. First-time writers are welcome, and we'll help you every step of the way.
Local storytelling only works when more people are part of telling it.
Contributing to Fireside means your perspective reaches readers who live in the same streets, communities, and conversations you do.
The stories that get told define how a community understands itself. Contributing to Fireside means your perspective helps shape what Kawartha Lakes sees of itself on the page.
Some of the most important stories come from people who have never been published before. If you have lived experience, a unique angle, or a story no one else is telling, we want to hear it.
Fireside is an independent, locally-rooted publishing house. When you contribute here, your work reaches engaged readers who genuinely care about the community they live in.
Whether you are building a portfolio, exploring writing for the first time, or looking for a platform for your photography, Fireside offers a professional editorial home for community-based work.
We welcome contributions from people at every stage of their writing or creative life. The only requirement is a genuine connection to the community you are writing about.
Journalists, essayists, and storytellers looking for a local editorial home.
You don't need a byline to have a story worth telling. We work with new writers.
Documentary photographers and visual storytellers capturing life in Kawartha Lakes.
Young writers and creators with perspectives on the community they are growing up in.
Those whose personal stories speak to something larger happening in the community.
If something is happening in Kawartha Lakes that you think deserves attention, reach out.
We publish across print and digital. Strong pitches are specific, timely, and grounded in real Kawartha Lakes life.
In-depth portraits of people doing interesting, important, or unusual things in the community.
Stories about places, events, and moments that define life in Kawartha Lakes.
Coverage of local arts, music, theatre, craft, and creative communities.
Thoughtful, grounded takes on issues affecting the community, written with care and accountability.
Stories and commentary from young people on the community they are part of and shaping.
Stories from communities and perspectives not often centred in local media coverage.
Documentary photography that tells a story of local life through images, with or without text.
Stories about specific places, landscapes, neighbourhoods, and what they mean to the people who know them.
A good pitch doesn't have to be long or polished. It just needs to answer a few simple questions. Here's what we're looking for before we can say yes.
In one or two sentences, what is the story? Who is it about?
Why should readers in Kawartha Lakes care about this story right now?
Is there a timely angle, a recent development, or a particular moment that makes this the right time?
Who are the people, places, or voices at the centre of the story?
What makes this telling of the story distinct? Why you, and why now?
Not every contribution looks the same. Here are the ways you can get involved with our editorial team.
Have an idea for a feature, profile, or community story? Send us a brief pitch, a few sentences describing the idea, why it matters, and who it involves. You don't need a full draft.
Submit a pitchWe work with photographers of all experience levels. Whether you have a single strong image or a full photo essay of community life, we want to see your work.
Submit photographyIf you are interested in contributing on a regular basis, whether as a columnist, beat writer, or recurring photographer, introduce yourself and tell us about the kind of work you do.
Get in touchNot a writer yourself, but know of a story that deserves coverage? Send us a tip. We take community story suggestions seriously and follow up on the ones with potential.
Send a tipHave a tip, a story lead, or a pitch you'd like to develop with us? Fill out the form below. A rough idea is fine, you don't need a finished article or a professional background. Just tell us what you know and why it matters.
Quick Reminders
Most of our guest writers are not journalists. They're people who know their subject deeply, a farmer who understands soil and seasons, a tradesperson who's seen what poor workmanship costs homeowners, a local accountant who's watched families make avoidable mistakes. That knowledge is exactly what our readers are looking for.
We'll help you shape and edit your piece. You bring the expertise. We bring the editorial support. First-time writers are always welcome.
Topics we'd love to see coveredYour knowledge is enough. We'll help with the words.
Many of our guest contributors have never been published before.
We'll work with you to shape and polish your piece before it's published.
Most of our content covers everyday life, knowledge, and community, the things people actually talk about.
This is for people who want to write their own piece, sharing expertise or lived experience from their field. If you have a story tip or lead for our editorial team to pursue instead, use the story pitch form above. Fill out the short form below and we'll reach out to chat. There's no commitment , just a conversation about whether there's a good fit.
Good to Know
If you have a question that isn't answered here, just send us a note. We're a small team and we actually respond.
Every community is richer when more of its people are part of telling its story. If you have an idea, even a rough one, reach out. That's how it starts.