Gen Z Magazine Crowdfunds Bold New Writing Projects

A new Gen Z magazine called *The New Critic* is asking readers to help fund ambitious, in-depth journalism projects. Based on Substack, it publishes free essays that blend literary reporting with deep dives into culture, technology, and society — think profiles of internet trends, essays on AI in schools, or explorations of prediction markets. The team behind it wants to pay young writers to travel, interview, and write long-form stories that matter to their generation.

The campaign, on Manifund, is straightforward: $5,000 fully covers the cost of one essay, including travel, lodging, and editorial work. They’re not asking for political loyalty or ideology — just curiosity and good writing. Some recent pieces include a look at a 2026 tech conference, an essay on AI “zombification” in universities, and a profile of a writer exploring apocalyptic themes.

If you’ve ever wished journalism would slow down and really explore a topic, this is your chance to support it. The team will take pitches or let donors fund specific projects — like a series on internet culture or a profile of a lesser-known figure. It’s like crowdfunding the next great magazine article, but with Gen Z as the audience and the creators.

The New Critic isn’t just another Substack. It’s a bet that long-form, non-ideological, deeply reported journalism still has a future — and that young writers deserve the chance to do it right. If you care about seeing the world through fresh eyes, this is a chance to help make it happen.