How would I go about pitching these articles/papers to major publications, such as the New Yorker?

I am working on a dissertation which will be finished in December. I also have another academic paper that is quite journalistic and contains scholarly research and ethnographic fieldwork. Both, I believe, fall right in line with media numerous media calendars and the general feel of a number of major pubs.

So – how do I go about pitching them, getting my foot in the door?

Do I go old school and camp out. Do I call directly. I’d prefer to take a more active rather than passive approach (send in email, cross fingers). (also – who would be the decision makers? editors, readers….?)