How did Esquire contribute to the growth of New Journalism?

Esquire played a pivotal role in the growth of New Journalism by providing a vital platform for writers to experiment with literary techniques in nonfiction reporting. While many newspapers lacked the budget or editorial flexibility for the long-form, research-intensive stories characteristic of the movement, Esquire actively sought out and published these works with great commercial success.1

The magazine’s contribution was particularly significant in the following ways:

• Platform for Innovation: Esquire served as a primary outlet for influential New Journalists, including Tom Wolfe and Gay Talese, allowing them to publish pieces that utilized well-developed characters, sustained dialogue, and vivid scenes.12
• Model Pieces: The magazine published foundational works of the genre, such as Wolfe’s "The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby" and Talese’s iconic profiles "The Silent Season of a Hero" and "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold".2
• Editorial Support: By fostering an environment that valued unconventional topics and in-depth reporting, Esquire helped bridge the gap between traditional journalism and literary prose, cementing its status as a pioneer in feature storytelling.13