Opportunities 09/15/2022

Narratively, Majuscule, The BMJ, and more.

The Study Hall Opportunities newsletter is a weekly compilation of pitch calls; freelance, part-time, and temporary gigs; events; fellowships, scholarships, awards, and grants; internships; and full-time jobs. It’s written by Chris Erik Thomas, who is currently in a cabin in Big Bear National Park trying (and failing) to build a fire. The newsletter used to be released on Wednesdays, but Thursday is more of a vibe lately. Once in a while, we take a day off for mental health breaks and holidays. 

►Have a job posting, gig, or fellowship you want to be included in the next Opps newsletter? Send them to [email protected] for approval with “Opportunity:” in the subject line. 

►Editors, submit your time-sensitive or evergreen pitch calls to our webform.

►Let us know if you got a job or landed a pitch through the Opps newsletter! Send them to [email protected] with “Opps Success Story:” in the subject line.

►Tell us what resources have helped you in your freelancing so we can share with other Study Hall members. Send them to [email protected] with “Resource:” in the subject line.

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***THE MEDIA CLASSIFIED ADS***

>> The Classified Ads are back and better than ever. We’ve expanded our Ad model to include placement in ALL of our weekly newsletters, including Monday’s Digest and Wednesday’s Opportunities newsletters. Want to promote your job opening / pitch call / new project / ecommerce brand? Click through for rates, testimonials, and to get in touch. <<

 

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STUDY HALL EVENT PROGRAMMING

►SLACK AMA WITH RAX KING

Writer and podcaster Rax King will join Study Hall for an “Ask Me Anything” session next Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 1 PM EST. The discussion will focus on Rax’s book, “Tacky,” and the publishing process. Participants are encouraged to ask questions about publishing an essay collection, essay writing and publishing on the internet, and podcasting as a writer. The hour-long AMA will be hosted in the #general channel on Study Hall Slack.

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OPPS SUCCESS STORIES

Did you turn a pitch call into paid work or land a job, fellowship, internship, or some other gig you found in the Study Hall Opps newsletter? Let us know and we’ll give you a shoutout. Send the details to [email protected] with “Opps Success Story” in the subject line.

-Karina Solomon was paid $150 to write a piece on the 2019 indie film “Lingua Franca” for Episodes, a newsletter run by critic Emily St. James. It was the first byline they’ve landed through the Opps newsletter. 

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RESOURCES

Mastering the art of freelancing requires more than just perusing the Study Hall Opps newsletter every week. To help you get the most bang for your buck, we keep track of the many, many resources designed to help media workers. Have a resource you’d like to see included? Send it to [email protected] with “Resource:” in the subject line. 

NEW: -The new study, “Fatigue, Traditionalism, and Engagement: Gen Z and Millennials’ Complex Relationship with News,” by the American Press Institute details how news organizations can better serve younger audiences. 

-The Resources For Journalists Seeking Therapy guide from the Dart Center’s Journalist Trauma Support Network offers a number of resources, including a directory of therapists specifically trained to work with journalists; funding for mental health services; and self-help webinars, apps, and websites. 

–Accessible Social is a free resource hub that helps make your social media content more accessible to people with temporary or permanent disabilities, including vision and hearing impairments. 

Want more resources? Check out the Trans Journalists Association’s Style Guide; NBCC Book Coverage Publication List; Who’s Behind This Website Checklist; SpotlightDC Investigative Journalism Fund; United States Journalism Emergency Fund; Transcription Tool Safety Guide; Labor Action Tracker; Rate Sharing Database; NPR Diverse Sources Database; Online Violence Response Hub; Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Journalists Therapy Relief Fund; Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund; Developing An Investigative Pitch Guide; Britany Robinson’s Big List of Writing Deadlines; Study Hall Transcriber Database; Study Hall Fact Checkers Database; Freelancing Guide/Editorial Contacts spreadsheet; #FreelancerPayGap spreadsheet; Pitch Guide Database; Chelsea’s Guide to Freelancing doc; PACER; Priya Krishna’s resources for food writing; Election SOS Report; and the Extremism Coverage Prep Guide.

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CALLS FOR PITCHES 

Please note that we are not endorsing every publication or company that is listed here. The decision of whether to engage with a publication or company is entirely up to the reader. In regards to pitch calls, we try to only share opportunities that have fair rates based on publicly available information. While we currently define “fair rates” as being above $100 USD for around 700-800 words and above $0.10 per word for longer pieces, we cannot guarantee that every publication pays this rate. If you have more information on a rate or exploitative business practices from a publication posted, email [email protected].***

TIME-SENSITIVE PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES 

–Narratively is looking for pitches of longform deep-dives or in-depth stories on “times when failure in one area turned out to be positive in another, or when failure taught you an important lesson that helped shape you” for their new series, Turning Failure on its Head. The rates start at $1,000 for 3,000-6,000 words and they also “develop TV, film, and podcast projects inspired by the stories that run on [their] site.” Send pitches to [email protected] by TODAY, September 15. 

–Majuscule is looking for pitches of nonfiction essays on literature, pop culture, sociology, education, film, music, and politics for their upcoming print issue. They are specifically not looking for reviews of specific books, films, or other content, and are “very interested in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ writers, as well as writers from outside of NYC.” The rate is $750 for 3,000 words. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected] by September 23. 

-April McCormick is commissioning writers for “upcoming projects centering around health, mental health, family, and fitness” for unspecified Dotdash Meredith publications. They are specifically looking for writers based in the US or Canada. The rates range from $500-$750. Send inquiries — including a “short bio and relevant clips” — to @TweetingApril on Twitter.

–The BMJ is commissioning US-based journalists to produce medical, health, and science content. They are also looking for pitches on these topics. The rates usually range from £350-£700 ($402-$803 USD), but vary “depending on story complexity.” Send pitches and inquiries to [email protected]. 

–Giddy is looking for pitches of articles, essays, interviews, and reported features on any topic related to sexual health. The rate is $350 for 800-1,200 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Alliance Magazine is looking for pitches of opinion pieces, interviews, reported features, and other formats on the subject of “decolonising philanthropy.” The rates start at £250 ($287 USD) for 1,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected] by mid-November. 

–gal-dem is commissioning freelance editors to work on brand partnership projects. The rates start at £200 ($231 USD) per article. Send inquiries — including relevant clips and a paragraph summarizing your experience — to [email protected]. 

–Knock LA is looking for pitches of reported stories on California state prisons from California-based freelancers. They are specifically focused on state prisons for this project, but are also “interested in any work by anti-carceral writers who cover jails, youth detention centers, or immigrant detention centers.” The rate is $200 for original reports over 1,000 words. “Anyone interested in doing research or other work for the prison project on a volunteer basis is also welcome to get in touch.” Send pitches and inquiries to [email protected]. 

–Life & Thyme is looking for pitches of articles on “the concept of ‘legacy’ — and as always, this can be as literal or as abstract as you wish.” They are also looking for pitches of “general web stories.” The rates range from $200-$500 per article. See their pitch form for more info.

–Healthline is looking for pitches of critical essays on how marginalized communities are reflected in “trending movies and TV shows that discuss sex and sexual health.” They are specifically interested in pitches on whether “Queer, BIPOC, and disabled communities [are] uplifted” and whether this media does “an adequate job of allowing characters to be sexual beings without it being taboo.” The rate ranges from $250-$300 for 1,000-1,500 words. Send pitches — including three links to samples of editorial work — to [email protected] by this Sunday, September 18. 

–Ars Technica is looking for pitches of stories on video games that “would be a good fit for [their] heavily tech-literate audience.” They are especially interested in takes or trend pieces on the industry and culture, as well as stories on gaming tech and development, unseen gaming history, interesting groups of players, and more. The rates range from $200-$300 per piece. Send pitches to [email protected] with “Freelance Pitch” in the subject line by the end of 2022. 

–Apartment Therapy is looking for pitches of articles on National Coming Out Day (October 11) that are “related to your living space and home.” The rates start at $150 for 500 words. Send pitches to [email protected] by tomorrow, September 15. 

–Palestinian Magazine is looking for pitches of features on the topic of films for their next issue. The rate is $150 for features of 750-1,450 words, and is $200 for features over 1,500 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Still Alive Magazine, a publication about people who are still alive, is looking for pitches of essays, interviews, “or something else about the living.” The rates are $150 for “ephemera,” $500 for interviews, and $600 for essays up to 1,200 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–The Dance Current is looking for pitches of personal essays, feature stories, poetry, profiles, and other formats on the topic of “tradition in our times.” The rates range from $125-$400, “depending on the size of the article.” Send pitches to [email protected] by next Tuesday, September 20. 

NEW EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES

–Business Insider is always looking for pitches of reported stories on how tech impacts businesses and people. They are particularly interested in pitches of reporting on “beacon companies like Facebook and Google, lessons our curious readers may take away from successful startup founders, or holy-shit accountability journalism.” The rates start at $450 “for easy stuff” like single-interview as-told-to style stories,” and are $1 per word for features. See their pitch form for more info. 

–Game Informer is always looking for pitches of interviews, features, reviews, and other formats related to video games and the gaming community. The rates range from $400-$500 for reviews and $500-$750 for features. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Insider is always looking for pitches of articles on “happy queer and trans stories” that have a “strong POV and angle.” They are particularly interested in pitches with some health or parenting angle, including relationships, sex, mental health, physical health, exercise, and family. The rate is about $250 for roughly 700 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–The Drift is always looking for pitches of cultural criticism, analysis, fiction, poetry, reviews, and other formats on culture and politics. They specifically do not want personal essays, “straightforward longform reviews,” or “hot takes on the latest 24-hour Twitter scandal.” The rates are $150 for poems, $500-$1,000 for short stories, and $2,000 for essays. They also offer $25 for one- to three-sentence reviews of books, movies, TV, and art. See their pitch guide for more info on how to pitch. 

***CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL LIST OF 200+ EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES.***

FREELANCE, PART-TIME, AND TEMPORARY JOBS 

–The Guardian US is hiring for multiple positions, including a New York-based editor to support their coverage of democracy and voting rights; a part-time Midwest-based reporter to cover threats to democracy and the election; and a part-time data reporter based anywhere in the U.S. to assist with visual guides. The salary for the editor is around $50,000, while the rate for the reporters is $3,000 per month “loosely tied to 3,000 words.” Send inquiries and applications for the reporter positions to [email protected].

–BBC Worklife is hiring freelance writers to contribute to their How We Work section. Candidates should have some experience writing about work, labor economics, or careers, and a “background in narrative features that combine research and reporting (not news)” is preferred. The rate is $600 for 1,200-1,500 words. For inquiries, send one paragraph on your background and recent clips to [email protected]. 

–InStyle is hiring a part-time writer to produce fashion and beauty content for their commerce team. Candidates must have some commerce experience. The position pays $25 per hour and the writer is expected to work 30 hours per week. Send inquiries — including “clips, resume, and a bit about yourself” — to Chloe Anello at [email protected] with [email protected] CC’d. Candidates should expect to complete an edit test if considered for the role.

-The American Heart Association is hiring a bilingual writer on a one-year contract to assist with the production of a daily report on “the latest developments in heart disease, stroke and health issues” in Spanish and English. Candidates should have at least five years of writing experience in English and Spanish — including some “experience creating content for consumers, health or wellness markets.” According to an email sent on behalf of a colleague at the organization, the position “can be remote within the US” and the salary is around $80,000. 

EVENTS

-TMI Project is hosting a series of workshops called “Stories for Choice 2023.” The program will include 10 workshops and culminate in a live performance on Sunday, January 22, 2023, which would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. “No prior experience with writing or storytelling is required to apply.” The program will offer stipends of $500 to the ten participants chosen for the workshops. The live performance will be held in the Hudson Valley region of New York if possible, with travel, room, and board covered for “selected storytellers from outside of the New York area.” The deadline to apply is September 23.

–Chalkbeat and the Google News Initiative are hosting a virtual workshop series highlighting topics from their Local News Field Guide, a resource that provides practical advice for newsroom leaders seeking to reinvent local news. The workshops will go in-depth on topics including revenue, audience building, impact, and strategic planning. You can learn more and sign up for free here. The first workshop is on September 28, 2022.

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, CONTESTS, AND AWARDS

-The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is accepting applications for their Gender Equality Grant. The program aims to “help journalists take to a new level the reporting on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.” The grant is open to both US-based and international journalists. The grant does not have a budget range, but the average size is $5,000. Grant proposals are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. 

–Sentient Media is accepting applications for their Midwest Journalism Fund. The program aims to provide training, mentorship, and resources to writers in the Midwest who are interested in reporting on agriculture and the environment. The grant of $10,000 will be distributed between 50 journalists. The deadline to apply is September 26.

-The McGraw Center for Business Journalism is accepting applications for their paid McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism grant program. The program provides grants of up to $15,000 and editorial support for freelance or staff journalists to produce high-impact enterprise and investigative stories that “Follow the Money” across a wide array of subjects. Applicants do not need to have a business journalism background; many are generalists or cover beats such as health care or the environment. The deadline to apply is September 30. 

-Training for Good is accepting applications for their paid Tarbell Fellowship program. The program aims to assist early-career journalists with mentorship and training, including access to a two-week journalism summit in Oxford. The fellowship provides a stipend of up to $50,000 and is fully remote. While the fellowship is not associated with a specific news outlet, journalists are expected to work full-time to “gain experience.” The deadline for applications is October 9.

FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

NEW: –Next City is accepting applications for their paid Equitable Cities Reporting Fellowship for Borderland Narratives program in El Paso, TX. The program provides funding for one journalist to report on urban policy and other topics for both Next City and El Paso Matters on a one-year fellowship. Applicants should have at least two years of writing experience, and bilingual English-Spanish speakers are preferred. The salary is $50,716, plus a $1,875 stipend for professional development. There is no deadline to apply, but “the fellowship will begin immediately” and they advise applying “within [the next] two weeks.”

–Vox is accepting applications for their paid Future Perfect fellowship program. The three fellows will produce content for the Future Perfect section, including receiving extensive training and mentorship. The fellowship is remote, pays $72,000, and fellows are expected to work full-time for one year. The position is union-eligible and the deadline to apply is tomorrow, September 16. 

–The American Prospect is accepting applications for their paid editorial internship program. The interns will “assist with research, fact-checking, social media, data entry, and library services for both the print magazine and the daily website,” as well as contributing editorially. The rate is $100 per day, and interns can work full- or part-time from September through December 2022. The fellowship can be remote or based in Washington, D.C. The deadline to apply is tomorrow, September 16. 

NEW: -National Geographic Society is accepting applications for their paid National Geographic Explorers grant program. The program aims to provide funding for work in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that focuses on the ocean, land, wildlife, human ingenuity, or human history and culture. The grant can be up to $20,000 and the project can be up to one year in length — “although projects with ‘Technology’ as the primary focus can be up to two years.” The deadline to apply is October 12.

JOBS 

NEW YORK

–Kotaku is hiring a senior editor to take the lead on their editorial packages and “should feel just as comfortable editing a 3,000-word feature about VTubers as you would be writing a concise 300-word item about Mario’s nipples.” Candidates should have at least five years of writing experience covering business, technology, or science, and some video experience is preferred. The position is covered under their collective bargaining agreement with the WGA-E.

-The Child Mind Institute is hiring a senior editor to edit articles and related content for their website by freelance writers, staff writers, clinicians, and other organizational figures. Candidates should have at least five years of journalism experience and some experience with mental health, health, or other complex issues is preferred. The salary wasn’t publicly given, but is around $85,000 according to an email from a friend of an employee at the organization. The position can be remote within New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. 

REMOTE-FRIENDLY

-The Oxford American is hiring a multimedia editor to assign and manage multimedia projects, including setting deadlines, as well as managing their site. Candidates should have at least three years of multimedia editorial experience, and at least one year of experience in project management is highly preferred. The salary is $45,000. The position can be remote or based in Conway, AR; however, “preference will be given to candidates who can work from [their] Conway offices three days a week.” There is no deadline to apply; however, they are “hoping to move things along rather quickly, so the sooner folks apply, the better.”

-Sierra Club is hiring an associate press secretary to plan, coordinate, and execute “media strategies related to [their] efforts to move the world beyond all fossil fuels and toward 100 percent clean energy,” including placing stories in “strategically significant media outlets.” “Candidates coming from climate media or journalism” are encouraged according to an email from a friend of a colleague at the organization. The salary range is $65,000-$70,000. The position can be remote; however, preference will be given to candidates based on the East Coast with a preference for New York. The position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the “Progressive Workers Union.”

–Next City is hiring an editorial director to oversee their team of journalists, coordinate with freelancers, and set their editorial vision. Candidates should have at least five years of editing experience. “Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of subject areas relevant to coverage of cities, including but not limited to racial justice, affordable housing, equitable economic development, environmental justice, and more.” The salary range is $80,000-$90,000, commensurate with experience. The position can be remote or based in Philadelphia, PA. 

INTERNATIONAL

–The New York Times is hiring a Mexico City-based foreign correspondent to report on news, events, and cultural trends in the region, including contributing to and sometimes being the lead correspondent on live briefings. Candidates should have a fluency in Spanish and an “expert understanding of Mexican, Central American, and Caribbean history, and clarity about the intricacies of regional politics.”