Opportunities 08/03/2022

Insider, More Perfect Union, W Magazine, 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 will be taking it easy for August, but still bringing lite versions of the Opps to your inbox. The newsletter is released on Wednesdays. 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.

---

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.

–Meka Boyle was paid $1,000 to write about the Portola Garden District in San Francisco for Knee Deep Times. She “loved writing for them and definitely recommends [pitching them].” 

–Gabrielle Sierra was paid $400 to write a short essay on her childhood love for salamanders for WWF Magazine, which also included them creating an illustration of her as a kid.

–Chin Lu was paid $250 to write a personal essay about feeling sexy and “Finding Magic Mike” for Catapult. She landed the story after seeing a pitch call by editor Matt Ortile in a previous Opps.

---

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. 

-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. 

-The Trans Journalists Association’s Style Guide is a tool for reporters, editors, and other media makers to improve coverage of transgender people and the various issues happening within the trans community. 

-The NBCC Book Coverage Publication List by the National Book Critics Circle tracks over 80 publications that publish book coverage (reviews, interviews, essays, etc.). The list includes editor names, contracts, pay rates, and more. 

Want more resources? Check out the Spring 2022 Fellowships and Residencies 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.

---

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 

-The Century Foundation is looking for pitches of op-ed pieces for their Disabled Writers Commentary Series. The rate is $500 for around 750 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–them is looking for pitches of reported features on “whats it’s like to be a queer student or teacher in the US right now,” including “classroom censorship, student organizing, bullying, religious curricula, trans students in sports, and single-sex schools.” The rates range from $0.30-$0.50 per word depending on the level of reporting. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Chegg Life is looking for pitches of service stories, explainers, interviews, and features geared towards Gen-Z about local elections and politics for an upcoming fall package. They are particularly interested in “stories about important local races and issues on the ballot, young people running for office, how to get involved or volunteer with campaigns, why local politics and races matter, and combating cynicism and nihilism (among other things).” The rates start at $350 for pieces of 800 words. Send pitches to [email protected] by tomorrow, August 4.

–ETF.com is commissioning writers for daily news posts and feature stories. “Expert knowledge of the ETF market is not required, but daily markets reporting experience is preferred.” The rates range from $150-$250 for quick news pieces, and are higher for feature stories. Send inquiries to managing editor Daria Solovieva at [email protected]. 

–Well+Good is commissioning ​​beauty writers who are over the age of 40 to produce content, including product reviews. The rates start at $150 for reported pieces and start at $200 for personal essays and op-eds. See their pitch guide for more info. 

–Balkan TJ (BIRN) is looking for pitches of stories on mass graves from the Yoguslav wars for their “Bitter Land” project. The rates range from €150-€250 ($152-$253 USD) for opinion pieces, €300-€600 ($304-$608 USD) for features and analysis, and at least €1,000 ($1,013 USD) for investigations — and “also often cover travel, photos etc.” Send pitches and inquiries to [email protected] by August 20. 

–Sourced is looking for pitches of articles on food waste — preferably with a labor angle. The rate is £100 ($121 USD) per article. Send pitches to [email protected] by this Friday, August 5. 

–Adventure Uncovered is looking for pitches of stories on “the intersection of adventure [and] the outdoor community, and social [and] environmental issues through the lens of stewardship” for their upcoming issue that will go live on September 22. They are particularly interested in pitches that include good photography. The rate is £100 ($121 USD) per piece. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected]. “There is no deadline, but good ideas will be commissioned as they come in, so sooner is better!”

-Institute for Palestine Studies is looking for pitches of features, reviews, interviews, and other formats on Palestinian literature, music, or art (all forms). The rate is $100 per piece. Send pitches to @Lau_Bast.

–Autostraddle is looking for pitches of personal essays, reported features, how-to guides, shopping guides, and other formats on queer and transgender sex and dating topics. They are specifically interested in pitches from queer women and trans writers of color. The rates range from $100-$200 per piece. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

NEW EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES

–Times Union: Hudson Valley is always looking for pitches of stories on housing, human interest, politics, and climate, “but most any story between Cold Spring and Hudson is conceivably a fit.” They are also commissioning writers for assignments. The rates start at $0.25 per word. Send pitches and inquiries to [email protected]. 

–Insider is always looking for pitches of news stories, explainers, interviews, reported features, and other formats on “digital culture, influencers, and the on- and off-platform impact of social media trends” for their Digital Culture section. The rates start at $200 per story “but increase for more reported out pieces.” See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Insider is always looking for pitches of analysis, critical essays, reported features, and other formats on entertainment news, stories, and people for their Entertainment section. They are specifically not looking for pitches of reviews, personal essays, lists, and single-interview profiles or interviews. The rates start at $75 for pieces under 600 words, $130 for general pieces, $150 for stories that require original photos, and $160 for analysis and opinion pieces. See their pitch guide for more info. 

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

FREELANCE, PART-TIME, AND TEMPORARY JOBS 

–Kitchn is hiring a part-time editor to assist with their coverage of groceries. The rate is $35 per hour and the editor is expected to work eight to 10 hours per week. Send inquiries to senior lifestyle editor Mara Weinraub at [email protected]. 

EVENTS

-Start:Empowerment is hosting a six-week summer school course, Redefine Justice in the Climate Movement. The course is curated by BIPOC organizers and includes guest lectures, workshops, and practical skill learning. The program runs through August 13, and includes one webinar and one workshop per week. The course is offered on a sliding scale from $0-$90, and attendees can sign up for specific weeks or for the entire program. 

FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

–Insider is accepting applications for their paid Real Estate Reporting Fellow program. The fellow will “primarily work on tracking down the real estate-related stories of real people and conveying them in an ‘as-told-to’ format.” The fellowship pays $20 per hour and fellows are expected to work 40 hours per week for six months. The program can be remote or based in one of their offices. No application deadline was given, but they are looking for the fellow to start working ASAP.

–More Perfect Union is accepting applications for their paid Editorial and Distribution Intern program. The intern will create social media content, monitor analytics, update the website with new videos and content, and other tasks. Applicants should be familiar with national politics and labor issues. The internship pays $20 per hour, and interns are expected to work full-time from September 6 through December 2. The deadline to apply is August 14. 

JOBS 

NEW YORK

–W Magazine is hiring a culture editor to oversee their entertainment coverage, including film, television, music, books, and the internet. Candidates should have at least three years of editorial experience, industry contacts in New York and beyond, and experience in booking talent and securing exclusive interviews. No salary information was given for this position. 

–New York Focus is hiring a managing editor to direct their editorial coverage, manage the publication process, and other tasks. Candidates should have at least three years of journalism experience, including experience as an editor, and “a drive to figure out how power in New York operates.” The minimum salary is $65,000. The deadline to apply is August 15.

–The Art Newspaper is hiring an associate editor to assist with their print and digital editorial coverage of artists, galleries, museums, fairs, and more. Candidates should have at least three years of editorial experience at a “major cultural publication or on the arts desk of a national or regional newspaper.” The salary range is $50,000-$60,000, commensurate with experience. 

–ETF.com is hiring a markets reporter to produce daily content, including “timely market news stories related to the ETF industry and financial markets.” Candidates should have at least two years of experience as a financial journalist and some basic understanding of ETFs is strongly preferred. The salary range is $80,000-$95,000, according to managing editor Daria Solovieva. 

NORTHEAST

–Times Union: Hudson Valley is hiring a Hudson Valley-based news reporter to cover topics affecting the region, as well as contributing social media and newsletter copy as needed. Candidates should have some reporting experience, including “experience in, and understanding of, the Hudson Valley region.” 

–BlackStar is hiring a Philadelphia-based associate editor to support the editorial operations at their journal, Seen. Candidates should have some journalism experience and “an understanding of filmmaking or visual arts landscapes, and of the history of BIPOC participation in said fields.” The salary range is $50,000-$55,000. The position can be remote, but candidates must “be available to visit the Philadelphia office on a monthly basis at minimum.”

CHICAGO

–Chicago Reader is hiring for multiple positions, including an editor in chief to oversee the vision for their editorial content, especially their Racial Justice Reporting Hub and Writers Room; as well as a culture editor to oversee coverage of visual arts, architecture, museums, and other topics. The salary ranges are $75,000-$85,000 for the editor in chief and $45,000-$50,000 for the culture editor. The deadline to apply for both positions is August 15. 

TEXAS

–Texas Monthly is hiring a social media editor to oversee their social media platforms and “occasionally pitch and write quick-turn stories.” Candidates should have excellent writing skills and have some experience using Google Analytics, Parsely, or other analytics platforms. The position can be remote but “preference will be given to candidates who are based in, or willing to relocate to, Austin.” The minimum salary is $50,000, according to their director of editorial operations, Anna Walsh. Potential candidates who have questions about the role or about TM generally are welcome to book a call here with Anna Walsh before applying. The deadline to apply is August 21. 

REMOTE-FRIENDLY

–Slate is hiring for multiple positions, including an associate culture writer; an associate news and politics writer; a business and technology writer; a copy chief to lead the copy-editing team; a home page editor; a politics writer; and a Slate Plus editor. All positions can be remote or based in New York or Washington, DC. The salaries for every position can be found on the respective job pages, and all positions are covered under a collective bargaining agreement with WGA-East.

–Input is hiring an editor in chief to oversee their editorial operation and teams. Candidates should have at least five years of editing experience, as well as “a demonstrated experience and interest in two or more of the following areas: consumer tech news and reviews, streetwear and style, design, internet culture, investigative reporting around the companies, people, and ideas driving our world forward.” No salary information was given for this position. 

–Mic is hiring a features editor to commission and edit features, essays, and reported pieces. Candidates should have at least three years of editing experience and a “demonstrated ability to assign relevant, thought-provoking stories that spark conversation.” No salary information was given for this position. 

–The Daily Beast is hiring an entertainment critic to write reviews and features, as well as cover the latest releases for films, TV and streaming series, and albums. Candidates should have at least four years of writing experience, including strong reporting skills, and an in-depth knowledge of the television and movie industries. The minimum salary is $70,000. The position can be remote, but candidates based in Los Angeles or New York are preferred.

–Anti-Racism Daily is hiring an editor in chief to lead the editorial operations of their newsletter, social media, and website. Candidates should have at least five years of journalism experience, including an understanding of newsletter creation, and “experience with racial justice and racial equity frameworks.” The salary range is $110,000-$120,000. The deadline to apply is this Friday, August 5. 

–Bustle is hiring a lifestyle editor to manage their astrology, relationships, and general lifestyle content, including editing or writing five stories per day. Candidates should have at least three years of editing or writing experience. No salary information was publicly given. 

INTERNATIONAL

–The Parliament Magazine is hiring for multiple positions, including a mid- or senior-level journalist to pitch and write feature, interview, and cover stories; as well as an entry-level reporter and social media manager to produce the magazine’s newsletter, manage their social media (Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn), and pitch and write news and feature stories. Both positions will have an important hand in reshaping the editorial direction of the magazine ahead of a relaunch later this year. Candidates for both positions should have a solid familiarity with EU institutions and “a knack for spotting and reporting important, surprising stories lurking amidst the thick of bureaucracy,” according to editor Sarah Murphy Madia. Candidates must have a legal right to work in the EU. Both positions can be remote on a working contract, however candidates based in (or willing to move to) Brussels are highly preferred — and there is a relocation allowance.