Opportunities 06/01/2023

The Messenger, Magic at the Margins, SELF, Jewish Currents, 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 in dire need of a vacation. 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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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. 

NEW: -The Working Sources database by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project compiles contacts for expert sources in the fields of Labor, Economics, Drugs, and Care. They will soon also include sources in the fields of Military, History, Housing, and Disability. 

-The New to Freelancing guide by the Freelance Solidarity Project provides support and resources to media workers who are freelancing for the first time. The guide includes contract advice, rate databases, and more. 

-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.

–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. 

–Trusting News has launched a series of “trust kits” that are designed to help journalists build trust with their readership. 

Want more resources? Check out the Reporting Job Board; 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 above $200 USD for around 700-800 words and above $0.50 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 

–KneeDeep Times is looking for pitches of reported features on “how specific cities or towns in the San Francisco Bay Area are adapting to climate change, as well as profiles of Bay Area climate adaptation activists and leaders.” The rate is $1 per word for pieces of 500-1,000 words. See their pitch guide for more info, and send pitches by July 1. 

–New Scientist is looking for pitches of reported features on science and technology that are “less serious, more quirky” for their Christmas issue. The rates start at about £620 ($775 USD) for 1,200 words. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected] by mid-June. 

–Wine Enthusiast is looking for pitches of reported features, analysis, op-eds, and other formats on the intersection of wine, beer, spirits, and drinking culture and the LGBTQIA+ community. The rate is $0.50 per word. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches “and a brief overview of [your] writing background” to [email protected] with “Pride Month Pitch” in the subject line by TOMORROW, June 2.

–Wine Enthusiast is also looking for pitches of reported features, analysis, op-eds, and other formats that relate to Juneteenth. The rate is $0.50 per word. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches “and a brief overview of [your] writing background” to [email protected] with “Juneteenth Pitch” in the subject line by TOMORROW, June 2. 

–Andscape is looking for pitches of reported pieces, artist interviews, cultural criticism, reported articles, and essays “reflecting on hip-hop’s 50th birthday” specifically from a Black lens. They are also interested in cultural articles and essays about TV, film, and visual or performing art (but no reviews). The rates start at $550. Send pitches to [email protected] with “PITCH” in the subject line. 

–High Country News is looking for pitches of reflections and reported features for a special issue on the climate. They are particularly interested in highlighting “stories of agency and collective action in the fight to decarbonize the West and the efforts to adapt to a changing climate in equitable ways.” The rates will be project-based and set at $0.50 per word for reflections and $1 per word for reporting. Send pitches to [email protected] or [email protected] by this Monday, June 5 with “query” in the subject line.

–Passionfruit is looking for pitches of profiles of queer creatives and coverage of “underexplored issues impacting the LGBTQ creator community online” for Pride Month. The rates start at $250 for think pieces, $300 for interviews, and $450 for reported features. Send pitches to [email protected] by TOMORROW, June 2. 

–Insider is looking for pitches of grocery diaries from “butchers, grillmasters, culinary judges, and restaurant owners or managers who shop at Trader Joe’s, Aldi, or Costco.” The rates start at $200. Send pitches to @nuclearunicorns on Twitter with “a bit about you/your role/where you shop if you fit the bill.” 

–Good Beer Hunting is looking for pitches of features that “explore the origins, craft, traditions, and geography” of drinks that “go beyond beer.” The stories should be rooted in people, places, and culture. They specifically do not want pitches of fleeting trends, gimmicks, or hype. The rates start at $200 for one-off pieces with primary sources and interviews. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches through their pitch form. 

NEW EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES

–Magic at the Margins is always looking for pitches of pieces that explore “history, culture, nuance, and/or identity through the lens of food and beverage.” They also explore “​​essential skills related to food and beverage, from mixology to knife skills.” The rate is $1 per word and caps at $1,000 per piece. See their pitch guide for more info, including how to pitch. 

–Still Alive Magazine, a publication about people, places, and ideas that are still alive, is always looking for pitches of essays, interviews, and other content. The rate is $400 for up to 1,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Science is always looking for pitches on all areas of science, including geology, genetics, science policy, and issues important to the scientific community. Stories can vary in length and format, from short news briefs to 2,500-word features, to investigative projects. They are particularly interested in stories covering science policy and research community issues in the UK and Europe. The rates start at $0.75 per word for online and $1.25 for print stories, and they pay a flat rate for certain stories (“a typical online Q&A, for example, is $500”). See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Cinéspeak is always looking for pitches of writing on “film and moving image art geared towards a Philadelphia audience,” including local stories, interviews, investigative pieces, and more. The rates start at $250 per piece. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches through their web form.

–IJNet is always looking for pitches of “tips and tricks that can help journalists globally.” The rate is $200 per article. See their pitch guide for more info.

–Insider is always looking for pitches of personal essays on health, parenting, and relationships. They are also open to reported pieces from time to time. The rate ranges from $200-$300 depending on the story. Send pitches to [email protected].

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL LIST OF 295+ EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES.

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FREELANCE, PART-TIME, AND TEMPORARY JOBS 

-Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library is hiring a part-time content editor based in Winterthur, DE to write and edit print and digital advertising, brochures, flyers, posters, and more. Candidates should have at least three years of experience as a writer or editor. The rate is $26 per hour, and the position requires working 25-29 hours per week. No application deadline was given for the role. 

-Petful is hiring a freelance writer and fact-checker to assist with writing guides and revamping dog food reviews. The rates start at $20 per hour. “Beginners are welcome, pet lovers required.” Send clips, a resume, and a short intro to [email protected]. 

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EVENTS

-The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) is hosting a Virtual Annual Conference from June 13-15. The three-day event will include expert-led sessions in three content tracks: books, content marketing writing, and journalism. All sessions, except informal “snack chats,” are recorded. The prices for non-members are $325 for full registration, $245 for single-track registration, and $175 for single-day registration.

NEW: -The Institute for Independent Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association Freelance Affinity Group are hosting an all-day, in-person workshop on the business of independent journalism on Thursday, July 20, in Washington, DC. The workshop will include an editors panel where assigning editors at CNN, the New York Times, Washington Post, and Vox will discuss what they look for in a pitch. The all-day workshop is $79 to attend. The deadline to sign up is June 11.

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GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, CONTESTS, AND AWARDS

–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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FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

NEW: –Jewish Currents is accepting applications for its one-year, remote fellowship program, which begins in September. The fellow will evaluate pitches, report and write pieces, and more. “You do not have to be Jewish — or a current expert in Jewish politics — to be right for this job.” The program pays an annual salary of $47,500 and includes benefits. Send inquiries about the program to executive editor Nora Caplan-Bricker at [email protected]. The deadline to apply is June 23. 

-NPR and The John Alexander Project are accepting applications for their Above the Fray reporting fellowship. The fellowship aims to provide one up-and-coming radio journalist the opportunity to cover important but under-reported international stories for NPR. Applicants should have at least five years of professional journalism experience, including some radio experience. The fellowship covers all production and living expenses for the duration of the program. The deadline to apply is July 1.

-Nova Institute is accepting applications for the Nova Media Fellowship, which “supports print, broadcast, and digital journalists proposing to immerse themselves in the health field.” Ideal candidates are full-time journalists with an established record of publication. The fellowship runs for 12 months and begins in Fall 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland, though the start date is flexible. The pay is $105,000 and is all-inclusive. The deadline to apply is July 5.

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JOBS 

NEW YORK CITY

–SELF is hiring a senior health editor to “write, assign, and edit timely health content.” Candidates should have at least five years of relevant health writing and editing experience, as well as a “high scientific literacy and a deep understanding of health reporting best practices, including fact-checking.” The salary range is $80,000-$165,000. No application deadline was given for the role. 

-The Museum of Modern Art is hiring an assistant editor to edit and oversee the production of exhibitions, didactics, educational materials, and more. Candidates should have at least three years of experience editing, copy editing, and proofreading for art publications. Knowledge of languages (especially Spanish) is preferred. The position is unionized, and the salary is $60,300. No application deadline was given for the role. 

-The Fashion Institute of Technology is hiring an editorial associate to copy edit, fact-check, and proofread publications, advertising, media relations materials, digital content, and more. Candidates should have at least four years of relevant experience, and “experience working in a digital content management system and/or digital asset management system [is] a plus.” The starting salary is $60,685. They will begin reviewing applications ASAP until the position is filled. 

NORTHEAST

–​​The Boston Globe is hiring an editor-in-chief for its Closing the Gap initiative, which explores the “racial wealth gap in Boston and beyond.” Candidates should have at least five years of experience as a reporter and editor, and “prior experience covering topics of race, economics, and inequality [is] preferred.” No salary info or application deadline was given for this role. 

–Philadelphia Magazine is hiring a food editor to oversee their food and dining coverage in print, online, and at events. Candidates should have at least four years of experience at a magazine or food-oriented website. No salary info was given, but it should probably start at $60,000, and “would go up if the candidate can edit and write longform features,” according to the features editor. No application deadline was given for the role. 

–PublicSource is hiring a Pittsburgh-based deputy editor to supervise two to three reporters, manage interns, and guide and edit stories. Candidates should have at least five years of newsroom experience, including some editing experience. The salary range is $58,000-$65,000. The deadline to apply is June 21. 

CHICAGO

–South Side Weekly is hiring an executive director to fundraise, manage, and support their team, and do strategic planning. Candidates should have extensive management or leadership experience, including managing an organizational budget, and some fundraising experience is preferred (but not required). The salary is $75,000. The deadline to apply is this Monday, June 5.

CALIFORNIA

-The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation is hiring a content writer to create content for their blog, e-blasts, website, research summaries, and other formats. Candidates should have at least three years of experience in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations. No salary info was given for the role. The deadline to apply is July 10. 

REMOTE-FRIENDLY

–TheWrap is hiring a film reporter to cover “what’s in development, what’s in production, and what’s coming up from the major studios.” Candidates should have at least three years of experience writing about film and have “connections, and knowhow.” The salary range is $55,000-$85,000. The position can be remote, but candidates based in NYC or LA are preferred. 

–The Messenger is hiring a writer to lead their podcast coverage, including “curated recommendation lists, interviews with hosts, episode reviews, industry news, and more.” Candidates should have extensive experience covering podcasts. The salary starts at $70,000. Send inquiries to [email protected]. 

-Grindr is hiring a senior director of corporate communications to manage their media outreach program, including drafting press releases, managing media inquiries, and preparing executive spokespeople for interviews. Candidates should have at least a decade of experience in journalism, corporate communications, media relations, or related fields, and “knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community and experience working with diverse populations.” The salary range is $180,000-$275,000. 

INTERNATIONAL

–+972 Magazine is hiring an editor-in-chief based in Israel-Palestine to lead and manage their team of editors, staff writers, and freelancers. Candidates should have at least five years of journalism experience, including three years of editing, and must have native English and very strong Hebrew language skills, with Arabic also strongly preferred. No salary info was given for the role. The deadline to apply is June 11.