Arthur Newspaper was established in 1966 as Trent University and Peterborough-Nogojiwanong's independent student press. Each academic year from August through April, Arthur prints 1500 print copies of the paper and distributes them across Trent's campuses and to local businesses in downtown Peterborough.

‍Arthur is editorially independent and free from administrative and commercial controls.  We strive to protect that position by defending our editorial autonomy, and inviting public conversation on educational, social, economic, environmental and political issues.  Our goal as an online and print publication is to be a valuable, constructive, informative, and critical voice on developments in the Peterborough—Nogojiwanong and Trent community.  

Arthur’s uniqueness stems from its creation by students, for students. It was founded by alumnus Stephen Stohn (‘66-’69), who saw the importance of creating a media outlet to represent student interests in Peterborough-Nogojiwanong. He sought help from the Peterborough Examiner, and demonstrated how students can make meaningful contributions to their communities. We see Arthur as an integral part of Peterborough’s media landscape – a bridge between the city and the university. We aim to help the next generation of journalists build skills and find their fervour for independent media. 

• Arthur is published monthly from September–April and distributed free of charge in Peterborough—Nogojiwanong and on the Trent Peterborough campuses.
• Arthur is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors.
• Arthur receives a $13.77 non-refundable levy from undergraduate students of Trent University.
• The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Arthur staff or its Board of Directors.

HOW TO PITCH ARTHUR

So, you’re thinking of submitting something for our consideration? Good! We’re glad to have you. As a perpetually low-barrier and open-access publication, Arthur strives to make ourself accessible to new and aspiring writers. We believe that these writers, in turn, are the lifeblood of this paper, this university, and the City in which she resides.‍

Arthur always accepts community submissions from Trent University students, Peterborough residents, and anyone besides on a case-by-case basis where we see fit. We don’t pay you anything, but we don’t charge you anything to submit, either! Whether you are trying to get published, build a portfolio, put a line on your resume, or just want eyes on your work, Arthur is a great way to do it. To get a sense of our editorial voice and the things we publish.

WE ARE INTERESTED IN: Student perspectives on pertinent issues; insider scoops on local events; profiles of interesting Peterfolk; the catch-all campus news beat; reviews and reflections on what’s new and exciting; columns, podcasts, and recurring contributions; large thoughts about specific things; thoughtful, multifaceted, and intersectional analyses; decolonization; unique approaches to well-trodden territory; the kind of things students are interested in; anything funny sexy, irreverent, and at least a little bit incisive; your articulate hatred of our editorial policies.

WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN: Half-baked pieces of less than 500 words; uncritical praise of any institution; self-promotion for your Substack; nepo coverage of your friend’s art show; reviews which are mostly plot summary; social conservatism; dirtbag leftism; aphorisms about how transit sucks; rehabilitating Christianity; alarmism, defeatism, and overstating the facts; put-downs about how other people are vapid; whatever you wrote for English class; girlbossery or not-like-other-girlism; your auditions to write for The Cut. 

WE ARE SICK TO DEATH OF: Nothingburgers; vent diaries and struggle seshes; event coverage with no interviews; poorly re-written press releases; pickleball conspiracies; hollow gestures at profundity; listicles and Buzzfeed-likes; references to inside jokes; obscene disregard for punctuation; staying inside your comfort zone; blatantly cribbing one of our editor’s style; hot takes about social media; edgy bullshit; trying too hard to be funny; reviewing things several years (or decades) beyond relevance; anyone who takes this too seriously; relating anything and everything to the panopticon.

TIPS FOR A STRONG PITCH:

• Keep it short and sweet. 2–4 paragraphs. 500 words max. If we like what you’re putting down, we can always ask you to elaborate.
• Strong pitches MUST include an angle. Explain to us how you are approaching your story. What is your thesis? Why this story, and why should you be the one to write it?
• Include as much detail as you can. What resources/texts are you drawing on? Who are you speaking to (hint: if it’s not an op-ed or a review, you should probably be speaking to somebody)

IF YOU HAVE A FINISHED DRAFT: Send it to us. We will tell you if we like it, if it’s the sort of thing Arthur can (or should!) publish. 

You can also send us photos and letters and tips of/about campus curiosities, student gossip, life advice, well-founded rumours, and everything the like and beyond at editors@trentarthur.ca.

OUR EDITORIAL PROMISE

We promise that:

• We read everything you submit.
• We publish most of what we read.
• We provide detailed, constructive feedback wherever possible, paying attention to both structural editing and proofreading.
• We are not out to get you—our appraisals are as detached and objective as we can make them.
• If we don’t publish, we’ll try and tell you why.
• We reserve the right to make changes to your piece—within reason—to adhere to the tonal, moral, and logistical constraints of Arthur, especially in regard to print editions.
• If you don't submit a picture/graphic, Abby will make one for you (/threat)
• Above all else, we want to see you published, and we want to help you improve.