Opportunities 09/22/2022

The Washington Post, The Daily Dot, Andscape, 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 extremely excited to see the re-release of “Avatar” in theaters on Friday. 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. 

NEW: To help make the Opps better for all of our members, we’re introducing 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 new Jobs Webform.

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

–Sarah Myers was paid $480 for a 1,200-word piece on some juicy MomTok drama involving Utah influencer Taylor Frankie Paul’s sex scandal for Utah Business. The publication also commissioned her to write a 2,000-word reported feature on the shortage of OB-GYN doctors in Utah for $800. She landed both pieces after seeing a pitch call from their EIC, Elle Griffin, “who was desperately looking for writers (and still is, I think!).” Also, as of June 2022, Utah Business was looking for pitches and paid $0.40 per word for 1,200- to 2,000-word stories.

–Emma Colón was paid $100 to write a piece about American Kit Kat flavors as an illustration of American maximalism for Paste Magazine. She landed the piece after finding the call for pitches in our Evergreen Pitch Call list and notes that the Study Hall Opportunities newsletter is the “best-organized, most readable opportunities round-up out there,” which we very much appreciate. 

–Chin Lu was paid $300 to write a personal essay about making a dating spreadsheet to help her find a partner for SFGATE. She landed the piece after seeing a pitch call for the publication in a previous Opps newsletter. 

-R.M. was paid $100 to write a personal essay about dating as a queer sex worker of color for Autostraddle. They landed the piece after seeing a pitch call for the publication in a previous 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 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 several 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 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 

-The Center for American Progress is looking for pitches of graphic journalism, first-person essays, poetry, and other forms on tech and electricity in marginalized communities for their new editorial project. They are particularly interested in pitches on a tech fix for a policy problem that backfired, a place still missing a basic technology, a memoir about getting access to something, and other topics. The rate is $1,000 per piece. Send pitches to [email protected] within “the next three weeks.”

–Forging is looking for pitches of essays, analyses, think pieces, and other formats on the theme of “Seed.” They are specifically looking for pitches tailored to Native and Indigenous communities. The rate is $1 per word for 800-1,200 words. Send pitches to [email protected] by October 1.

–The Parliament is looking for pitches of reported features on EU-focused policy issues centered on either of their two upcoming themes: “Food and Drink/Holiday” for December and “Climate” for January. They are looking for “both creative/whimsical and more serious approaches to each month’s policy theme,” and pitches should be tailored to their readership of “thoughtful EU policy-focused folks across the bloc (and beyond).” The rates range from €0.50-€0.60 ($0.49-$0.59 USD) per word, depending on experience and the amount of reporting. Send pitches to [email protected] by October 7 for “Food and Drink” and by November 1 for “Climate.” 

–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 not looking for reviews of specific books, films, or other content. They 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 tomorrow, September 23. 

–Audubon Magazine is looking for pitches of reported features and concise front-of-book pieces that combine “visual storytelling (data graphics, maps, etc.) [with] birds and birding seasonal service.” They are particularly interested in pitches on birds and birding, conservation, and environmental reporting. They are also looking for stories they will consider for publication in their 2023 quarterly print issues. The rates start at $0.50 per word for shorter pieces and are $1.50 per word for features. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected] by October 12.

–The Washington Post is looking for pitches of stories on small-space living for their home section. The rates start at $400 per piece. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Supercluster is looking for pitches of reported stories from the International Astronautical Congress event in Paris. They are looking for pitches on solar system exploration, human spaceflight, SETI, habitat collapse, UAPs, and Webb investigations. The rates range from $400-$500 for around 800 words. They can also cover travel costs “on a case-by-case basis.” Send pitches to @SuperclusterHQ.

–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]. 

–British GQ is looking for pitches of pieces related to “Andor,” “Don’t Worry Darling,” and “Blonde.” The rate is £0.30 ($0.34 USD) per word. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Alliance Magazine is looking for pitches of opinion pieces, interviews, reported features, and other formats on “decolonizing philanthropy.” The rates start at £250 ($282 USD) for 1,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected] by mid-November. 

–Trip Advisor is looking for pitches of personal essays on Day of the Dead from Mexican writers. The rate is $250. Send pitches to [email protected] by the end of September.

–Hello Giggles is looking for pitches of personal essays, lifestyle pieces, hacks, and other formats on topics “geared towards millennial moms.” They are specifically not looking for pitches of “parenting advice or baby stuff.” The rates are $200 for features and $250 for personal essays. Send pitches to @JeneLuciani.

–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, 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. 

–The Daily Dot is looking for pitches of stories on the adult entertainment industry from sex workers, sex writers, and other experts. The rates range from $150-$400 per piece. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–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 $200 for features over 1,500 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

NEW EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES

–The Atavist is (almost) always looking for pitches of deeply researched and carefully crafted longform nonfiction with attention to the narrative on various topics, including history, current events, crime, science, romance, and more. The rates start at $6,000 for 8,000-30,000 words. See their pitch guide for more info. 

-Asana is always looking for pitches of reported stories on “large-scale leadership, digital transformation in business, future-of-work concepts for today’s workers, organizations that are leading through change, and how-to examples for courageous team decision-making” for their new editorial platform. The rates range from $0.40-$0.75 per word. See their pitch guide for more info.

–Earth Island Journal is always looking for pitches of nonfiction reporting and reported essays on the environment. They are particularly interested in pitches focused on areas outside the US. The rate is $750 for 2,500-3,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected] or [email protected]. 

–Andscape is always looking for pitches of entertainment profiles and interviews, cultural essays on TV, film, music, visual and performing arts, author interviews and profiles, and reported pieces on social and political issues. They are specifically not looking for reviews and only cover topics through a Black lens. “Please don’t pitch me anything that isn’t centering Black folks.” The rates start at $500 depending on reporting. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

-April McCormick is always commissioning writers to produce content on health, mental health, family, and fitness for various 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.

–HV Viewfinder, the digital magazine for Scenic Hudson, is always looking for pitches of reported stories on “sustainability, agriculture, science, wildlife, outdoor recreation, green transportation, and environmental justice, including the ongoing history of Indigenous and formerly enslaved peoples’ relationships with the land.” They are particularly interested in pitches from writers “who are deeply familiar with the Hudson Valley.” The rates range from $400-$500 for 500-800 words. Send pitches and inquiries to managing editor Lynn Freehill-Maye at [email protected]. 

–The BMJ is always commissioning US-based journalists to produce and pitch stories of medical, health, and science content. The rates usually range from £350-£700 ($395-$789 USD) but vary “depending on story complexity.” Send pitches and inquiries to [email protected].

–The New Republic is always looking for pitches of reported pieces on US politics. The rates start at $250 and pieces are “typically 1,500 words max.” Send pitches — including clips and “why you should be the one to write this story” — to [email protected]. 

–Knock LA is always 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]. 

–BirdNote Daily is always looking for pitches of nonfiction scripts for a two-minute radio program and podcast on bird behavior, conservation, and efforts to change the status quo in birding. “People of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to submit, as are others who bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to their work.” The rates range from $175-$200 for 200-word scripts, and “writers are welcome to submit more than one pitch at a time.” See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Still Alive Magazine, a publication about people who are still alive, is always 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]. 

–Progress Report is always looking for pitches of grassroots and local stories on politics, policy, and activism. The rates range from $150-$200 for 800-1,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Kitchn is always looking for pitches of service journalism pieces on “favorite groceries, retailers, shopping strategies, industry observations, and more.” The pitch can be timely or evergreen. They are specifically interested in pitches on groceries, grocery shopping, and cooking and baking with those groceries (no recipes please). The rate is “typically $150 for at least 300 words,” according to their senior lifestyle editor, Mara Weinraub. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Time Out LA is always looking for pitches of standalone food and drink features that are local and relevant to their audience. The rate is $300 for features. See their pitch guide for more info and 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 

–BuzzFeed is hiring overflow copy editors on a freelance basis to assist with news coverage and staffers’ sick or vacation days. Candidates should have at least two years of copy editing experience. The position requires taking a two-part copy editing test, which may not be paid. The position would pay $30-$37 per hour, depending on experience. Send a resume or LinkedIn profile to Sarah Schweppe at [email protected]. 

–Time Out LA is hiring an ongoing, LA-based bars contributor to produce content, as well as freelance fact checkers to update old listicles. Candidates for the contributor position should have at least a few bylines covering booze and the LA bar and food scene. The rates range from $100-$175 for fact checking, while the contributor position will be paid a different (undisclosed) rate. See their pitch guide for more info on how to apply. 

-Springboard, an education tech startup, is hiring a content writer on a five-week contract to “update and edit web page copy across the site and other ad-hoc brand copywriting tasks.” The rate is $30 per hour, and the writer is expected to work 40 hours per week, with the possibility of extending after the initial contract period. Send inquiries — including “a quick summary of your experience, your CV, and a link to your portfolio or work” — 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]. 

-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.

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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. “International applicants are welcome to apply, and full participation in both the workshops and performance will be possible via Zoom.” 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 tomorrow, 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 focus on revenue, audience building, impact, and strategic planning. You can learn more and sign up for free here. The first workshop is this Wednesday, September 28.

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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 Midwest-based writers interested in reporting on agriculture and the environment. The grant of $10,000 will be distributed between 50 journalists. The deadline to apply is this Monday, 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 various subjects. Applicants do not need a business journalism background; many are generalists or cover beats such as health care or the environment. The deadline to apply is next Friday, 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.

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FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

–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 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.”

-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.

NEW: -The Texas Newsroom, a collaboration between NPR and Texas public radio stations, is accepting applications for its paid Legislative Reporting Internship program in Austin, TX. The intern will assist with coverage of the 2022 Texas legislative session, be matched with a mentor, and attend workshops on audio editing, political reporting, and other topics. No radio experience is required. The internship pays $15 per hour, paid every other week, and interns are expected to work 20 hours per week. The deadline to apply is October 31. 

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JOBS

NEW YORK

–Documented is hiring a deputy editor to shape and oversee their news coverage, including managing their team of five full-time reporters. Candidates should have at least four years of experience working in either digital or print journalism, including some experience editing stories in a digital newsroom and an ability to work with journalists of diverse backgrounds. The salary range is $80,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience. The position requires coming to their office at least once per week. Send inquiries about the position to Max Siegelbaum at [email protected]. The deadline to apply is October 21. 

-The Brooklyn Museum is hiring a senior web content manager to lead their Engagement division, including the production of content for their website, shop, and presence on the Bloomberg Connects app. Candidates should have at least five years of reporting or digital content production experience. The salary is $89,000 and the position is grant-funded for two years, with the possibility of extension. The deadline to apply is September 30. 

-The Vera Institute of Justice is hiring a managing editor to manage the daily workflow and production of editorial content, including reports, fact sheets, blog posts, and more. Candidates should have at least seven years of editing and writing experience, “preferably in criminal justice, public policy, advocacy, or the social sciences.” The salary range is $106,000-$109,000. 

TEXAS

-Keller Williams Publishing is hiring an Austin-based writer and researcher to “help research, write, and develop nonfiction business book projects,” as well as review and contribute to training materials, corporate communications, and other publications. Candidates should have at least three years of experience writing to deadlines and performing independent research. The minimum salary is $70,000, commensurate with experience.

CALIFORNIA

-The California Nurses Association (CNA) is hiring a digital content coordinator to draft and edit “email messages, website content, peer-to-peer texting scripts, social media, and ad copy.” Candidates should have at least two years of digital content management experience, and some experience with online organizing tools such as ActionKit is preferred. The salary wasn’t given, but the position does provide union benefits, a pension plan, and full family health coverage. The position is currently remote-friendly, but will require working from either their Oakland or Glendale offices when it is safe to do so. While there is no deadline to apply, they are looking to fill the position ASAP. 

-The National Nurses United (NNU) is hiring a communications specialist to “write press releases, blogs, magazine articles, brochures, flyers, speeches, talking points, and other organizational materials.” Candidates should have at least five years of journalism experience, including “a proven track record of acquiring national print, electronic, and online media coverage.” The salary wasn’t given, but the position does provide union benefits, a pension plan, and full family health coverage. The position is currently remote but will require working from their Oakland,Los Angeles, or Washington, D.C. offices when it is safe to do so. While there is no deadline to apply, they are looking to fill the position ASAP. 

CENTRAL

–The Chicago Reader is hiring for multiple positions, including a social media marketing associate to create, manage, and track organic and paid social media campaigns, and a newsletter associate to assist with the daily production of all of their email campaigns. The salary range for both positions is $44,000-$46,000, commensurate with experience. The deadline to apply for both positions is this Monday, September 26. 

–The Evanston RoundTable is hiring an Evanston, IL-based reporter to develop and publish breaking stories, features, and enterprise stories on city government, schools, businesses, and the local economy. Candidates should have at least two years of experience writing for a digital or print news outlet, “with a demonstrated ability to write polished copy on a deadline.” According to editor Susy Schultz, the salary range is $45,000-$65,000, commensurate with experience. Send inquiries about the position to Susy at [email protected]. While there is no deadline to apply, “they are looking to fill this [position] immediately.”

REMOTE-FRIENDLY

–Mediaite is hiring for multiple positions, including a senior editor to lead their “coverage of politics, media, entertainment, sports and everything in between,” and a social media manager to write daily social media posts. Candidates for the editor position should have “an in-depth knowledge of the world of news, politics, and media.” Both positions can be remote or based in New York or Washington, D.C. 

–Built In is hiring a staff reporter to “cover a blend of technical subjects (software development, product design, tech hardware) as well as emerging trends and professional development within the tech industry.” Candidates should have some experience “reporting multi-source feature stories on complicated topics, between 2,000-4,000 words in length,” and an interest in startups and emerging culture. According to associate features editor Sara Freund, the salary is $63,000. Inquiries about the position can be sent to Sara at [email protected]. The position can be remote or based in Chicago, IL. The “loose deadline” to apply is October 5 but they would “like to have final candidates and offers out by mid-October.”

-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.