Opportunities 04/06/2023

Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, Fortune, 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 Marisa Clogher, who, unfortunately, missed being in the same room as Nic Cage by about 10 minutes. The newsletter is (usually) released on Thursdays. Once in a while, we take a day off or publish late for mental health breaks and holidays.

►To help make the Opps better for all of our members, we introduced an Opps Feedback Form. Let us know what we can do to improve the newsletter.

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

►Work at a publication that’s hiring or found a job we should see? Send it to our Jobs Webform.

►Need more info on Study Hall or want to check out our resources? Head to our Linktree.

►Have any other freelance gig, grant, internship, fellowship, or other opp you want to be included in the next Opps newsletter? Send them to [email protected] for approval with “Opportunity:” in the subject line. 

►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 them 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 taking a break for March and April. When we return, you’ll be able to place your Ad in our two weekly newsletters: Thursday’s Opportunities and our Digest. We also offer add-on placement for Slack and Listserv posts. 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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OPPS SUCCESS STORY

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.

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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 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. 

-The Fund for Investigative Journalism provides emergency grants of up to $10,000 for stories on threats to democracy in the US. The fund reviews proposals on a rolling basis and ends on December 31st, 2023.

-The Reporting Job Board by Investigative Reporters and Editors is a continually updated website for jobs in reporting, editing, academia, and more. 

-“Knowing the News” is a new study by the American Press Institute about how Gen Z and Millennials get information on essential topics. The study focuses on six topics: national politics and government; social issues; crime and public safety; traffic, transportation, and weather; COVID-19 information; and health or mental health.

 -“Funding News” is a new study by the American Press Institute about how news media can create content that Gen Z and Millennial consumers are willing to pay for or donate to directly. The study outlines the Americans ages 16 to 40 who pay for or donate to news in some fashion and compares those who pay for news to those who pay for independent creators. 

–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 Resources For Journalists Seeking Therapy;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 listed here. Engaging with a publication or company is entirely up to the reader. Regarding pitch calls, we try to only share opportunities with 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 

–Cosmopolitan is looking for pitches of “investigative scoops, wild capers, [and] subcultural odysseys” that are relevant to young women in the US and propelled by real-life events. They are not looking for personal essays, quick-turn cultural commentary, or advice-driven articles. The rate is $2 per word, and the deadline to pitch is this Saturday, April 8. 

–Scalawag is looking for pitches of essays, interviews, short fiction, reported stories, and more for its abolition week, during which it publishes work exclusively by “currently or formerly incarcerated people, as well as folks living in open-air prisons, labor camps, or refugee camps.”  The rate is $800 to $1,500. Submit pitches here or email the listed editors directly by this Sunday, April 9. 

–Study Hall (that’s us!) is looking for pitches for our weekly digest. We are looking for stories about media work and journalism, specifically ones that center workers. We’re interested in coverage of media gossip, disability rights in media, developments in LGBTQ+ media, BIPOC perspectives of the media industry, developments in AI, and tech’s role in the changing media industry. The digest includes a timely, 500- to 800-word lede essay followed by an assortment of four to six rubrics. The rate is $750. 

–The Guardian US is looking for pitches of long form stories that focus on the ways Idaho is looking “dire for women” right now. The rate is $1 per word. Find more info on how to pitch here. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Lonely Planet is looking to assign stories to writers in “southern Africa, specifically Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia [and] Zimbabwe.” Writers should be living there or have traveled there extensively in the past 18 months. The rate is upwards of $1,500 depending on word count and research. Fill out this form to be considered. 

–Torontoverse is looking for pitches of news, food, and neighborhood stories about Toronto that “[experiment] with AI to build rich, interactive article experiences.” The rate is $250 for stories under 500 words, $500 for mappable-list articles (500 to 750 words), and $750 for larger data visualizations and reported stories with multiple interviews and sources (750 to 1,000 words). Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Rest of World is looking for pitches on “generative AI and its impact” and “China tech’s long-tail.” The rate is $500 for news stories and $0.50 per word for reports. Find more information in its pitch guide. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Longreads is looking for pitches of researched and reported essays and cultural criticism. The rate starts at $500 for essays between 2,000 and 6,000 words. Find more information on the type of work it’s looking for here. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Thoughtful is looking for pitches of well-researched, wellness-oriented articles and guides to addressing life’s problems. The rate is $500 for 1,000 to 1,500 words. Send pitches to [email protected], along with two to four relevant clips. 

–Contingent Magazine is looking for pitches for its spring/early summer issue themed “Revive Your Darlings.” The rate varies based on the type of piece, but is anywhere from $100 for 200- to 500-word essays to $500 for features. Submit pitches here by April 15. 

–Edition is looking for pitches for its summer music issue’s “Innovation” section which “highlights notable POC talent fusing music with tech, finance and/or business.” The rate is $400 to $500. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

-“Passionfruit,” The Daily Dot’s creator newsletter, is looking for pitches of “4/20-themed stories relevant.” The rate is $250 for think pieces, $300 for interviews, and $450 for reported features. Send pitches to [email protected] by today, April 6.

–Insider is looking for pitches of “reported features or investigations on travel, cruises, unique living situations, weddings, food/restaurants, TV, or interior design.” The rate starts at $250 and varies based on the type of piece and word count. Send pitches to @nuclearunicorns on Twitter.

–SFGate is looking for pitches that represent the spirit of San Francisco such as “unique essays on local experiences, profiles of unsung characters/scenes, civic curiosities.” The rate starts at $250. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Barn Raiser is looking for pitches of opinion and reported pieces on rural America, specifically on libraries and transportation. The rate is $200 for opinion pieces and $500 for reported stories. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–LoopBreak is looking for pitches of reviews and features from Black writers about the intersection of Black culture and video games. The rate is $200 for stories of 800 to 1,000 words, but “can be negotiated up for larger projects.” Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Lost in Cult is looking for pitches about “The Legend of Zelda,” including “personal essays, design analysis, lore explorations,” and more. The rate starts at £165 ($205 USD). Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Los Angeles Public Press is accepting pitches for audio, articles, and social media on “housing, pollution and the environment, public safety and the carceral system, public health, and positive community-oriented stories, as well as local government watchdog stories.” The rate varies based on type of story. Submit pitches here. 

–Los Angeles Public Press is accepting pitches of “creative, sound-rich audio [stories] about Los Angeles” for its podcast launching this summer. The rate begins at $110 per broadcast minute. Submit pitches here.

NEW EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES. 

–Artsy is always looking for pitches of artist profiles, artist spotlights, museum and gallery show reviews, and artist lists. The rate is $200 to $500, depending on the length and type of piece. Find more information in its pitch guide. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Fortune Well, Fortune’s new wellness section, is always looking for pitches of reported features, trend pieces, and personal health stories on longevity, aging, Medicare, cancer, parenting, and productivity. They are typically looking for someone to write about their biological age. The rate is $1 per word for pieces that are typically 800 to 1,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected]

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

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FREELANCE, PART-TIME, AND TEMPORARY JOBS 

NEW: –The Daily Dot is hiring a Tennessee-based journalist to assist in sending FOIA requests who may potentially write a piece on the records obtained. Tennessee only allows citizens of the state to submit records requests. The rate is $100 per FOIA filed, and rates for pieces based on the information start at $400. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

NEW: –dot.LA is hiring a contract editor to work closely with the managing editor to plan and edit content. Candidates should have at least five years experience in digital media and at least five years of editorial experience. The rate is $30 to $50 per hour, depending on experience.  

-Propel is hiring a social media manager on a three-month contract to clean up its current social media and build out a longer social media strategy. Candidates should have at least four years experience crafting and executing social media strategy—especially for Instagram and TikTok. This is a remote-friendly position. Candidates will be expected to work at least 10 hours per week, and the rate is $75 to $100 per hour, depending on experience. For more information email [email protected]. 

-Consequence Forum is hiring a guest editor for its Fall 2024 issue that “focus on writers and artists who identify as part of the BIPOC community.” Candidates should also identify as members of the BIPOC community, have previous experience working on a literary journal, and have published work. The rate is $4,500 for five to seven hours of work per week for six months. The position is fully remote. 

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 GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, CONTESTS, AND AWARDS

-Earth Journalism Network is seeking pitches for story grants to report on the Mediterranean Sea. Candidates must be from a country that borders the Mediterranean Sea and must write in either English or French. Five grants of up to £1,000 (USD $1242) will be awarded. The deadline to apply is tomorrow, April 7. 

–Ploughshares is now accepting submissions for its Emerging Writer’s Contest, which is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to publish or self-publish a book. Candidates should not be affiliated with Emerson College or with Ploughshares. The winners of each genre will receive $2,000, publication, and a 1-year subscription to Ploughshares. The deadline to submit is May 15. 

–Narratively is accepting submissions for its 2023 Profile Prize contest. It is looking for profile pieces that “tell the story of ordinary people or communities doing extraordinary things.” The grand prize winner will receive $3,000, and the two finalists will receive $1,000 each. There is a $20 entry fee and the deadline to submit is April 14. 

–Oregon Humanities is accepting submissions “about home, sanctuary, and refuge of all kinds” for its summer 2023 issue themed “Shelter.” It’s looking for personal essays, journalistic pieces, and book excerpts from Oregon writers. The pay is $500 to $1,000. The deadline to submit is April 24. 

–Grist is now accepting submissions for Imagine 2200, a “climate fiction short story contest.” It is looking for stories that are 3,000 to 5,000 words that “envision the next 180 years of climate progress” and that imagine “intersectional worlds of abundance, adaptation, reform, and hope.” The first place winner will receive $3,000, second place will receive $2,000, third place will receive $1,000, and nine finalists will receive $300. The deadline to submit is June 13. 

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 EVENTS AND COURSES

-IRE is hosting a webinar on how to make it as a freelancer, including tips on “how to pitch investigations, negotiate pay, deal with contracts, and more.” The webinar is free for IRE members and costs $25 for non-members. The webinar will be held this Tuesday, April 11 at 1 PM EST. 

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FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

NEW: –The 19th is accepting applications for its yearlong Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship, which provides “graduates and mid-career alums of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with full-year, salaried fellowships in editorial, audience engagement, and product and technology.” Fellows will receive a minimum salary of $70,000, as well as benefits. This is a fully remote fellowship. The deadline to apply is May 15.  

NEW: –MIT Technology Review is accepting applications for its six-month emerging journalist fellowship for “emerging journalists, and especially women, non-binary or trans people, and people of color, to come and develop their skills.” Candidates can work remotely or from its offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The rate is $20 per hour. Send a resume, cover letter, and three clips to [email protected] by May 15.

–Mashable is hiring a shopping intern to write about products across technology, entertainment, and culture. Candidates should have some journalism experience. The rate is $15 per hour, and the position is fully remote. 

–Mother Jones is now accepting applications for its Ben Bagdikian Fellowship Program which offers a crash course in investigative journalism. Candidates of varying experience levels are welcome to apply. Fellows will receive $22.68 per hour, plus benefits including health, dental, and vision, as well as 15 vacation days and 12 sick days. This is a remote-friendly fellowship. The deadline to apply is tomorrow, April 7. Any questions can be directed to [email protected]. 

–The Hechinger Report is accepting applications for the summer reporting internship. Interns will “research, conduct interviews and write about national K-12 education issues.” Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree and previous experience interning at a news outlet. The pay is $650 per week. The deadline to apply is April 14. 

-The International Women’s Media Foundation is accepting applications for its Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship designed to give “academic and professional opportunities to women journalists committed to human rights and social justice reporting.” Candidates should be working journalists with at least three years of full-time journalism experience. Candidates from around the world are eligible but must be able to speak, read, and write fluently in English. Candidates will be given a $2,000 monthly stipend for six months. More info can be found here.

-Farrar, Straus and Giroux is accepting applications for its yearlong FSG Writer’s Fellowship designed to provide “funding, editorial guidance, and advice on how to forge a writing career.” Fellows will receive $15,000 in two installments, one at the start of the fellowship and one in February 2024. Candidates should not have published a “book-length work in any genre, have a book under contract, or be negotiating a contract either in the United States or abroad” by the fellowship’s start.

–High Country News is accepting applications for its yearlong Virginia Spencer Davis Fellowship which is designed for “early-career journalists interested in reporting on rural communities in the [American] West.” Fellows will aim to publish 24 stories over the course of the fellowship. Fellows are expected to work 32.5 hours per week, and will receive a biweekly stipend of $1,250, as well as a $100 work-from-home allowance and a $500 starting bonus. The position is remote and open to candidates in Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. The deadline to apply is April 21.

–The Nation is accepting applications for its annual internship. The internship is full-time, five days a week, and 35 hours per week. It lasts six months, from June to December. Interns are paid $18 per hour. Remote candidates will be considered, but preference will be given to candidates in New York who can come into the office. The deadline to apply is May 12.

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JOBS 

MIDWEST

–Chicago Reader is hiring for multiple positions, including digital editor, managing editor, news editor, and racial justice reporter. The salary and requirements vary across positions, but all are union positions. The deadline to apply for all positions is April 14.    

NEW YORK

–The Week Magazine is hiring a full-time fact-checker. Candidates should have a background in journalism or fact-checking. This is a hybrid role and candidates must be based in New York City. The salary is $58,500. Send resume and a brief description of qualifications to [email protected]. Send additional questions to [email protected]. 

–Bloomberg is hiring a space editor to oversee coverage of “the commercialization of space.” Candidates should have previous experience managing teams. The salary range is $90,000 to $125,000.

–Rolling Stone is hiring a photo editor to research, edit, and caption photos for stories. The editor will also curate and produce visual contents and help maintain photo archives. The salary range is $52,000 to $65,000.  

LOS ANGELES 

–Rolling Stone is hiring a senior entertainment reporter to write stories and features on important figures in film, TV, and the streaming industry. Applicants should have at least five years of journalism experience. The salary range is $95,000 to $110,000. Rolling Stone is also hiring a commerce writer to write shoppable content roundups about everything from tech and electronics, to fitness gear. The salary range is $65,000 to $70,000. 

NORTHWEST

–The Nevada Independent is hiring a full-time environmental reporter to cover “an array of topics, including water, energy, utilities, conservation, wildlife, agriculture, mining, extreme heat and environmental injustices.” Candidates should have at least three years of reporting experience, preferably focused on environmental issues, and must be willing to live in or relocate to Nevada, with a slight preference towards candidates who can be based in Southern Nevada. The salary range is $60,000 to $70,000. 

WASHINGTON, DC

-Rolling Stone is hiring a DC-based politics reporter with at least three years experience to write stories and features on Congress, campaigns, and divisions inside the two major political parties. The salary range is $65,000 to $80,000.