Opportunities 5/12/2021

The Pudding, NowThis, Electric Literature, 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 noted Charles Entertainment Cheese historian, Chris Erik Thomas, and 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 pitch calls to our brand new Typeform page.

►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 CLASSIFIEDS***

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►Have you ever wanted to start your own news outlet? Applications are now open for the June cohort of the Indie News Challenge, Indiegraf’s flagship accelerator to help independent digital media launch and grow. Apply by May 20!

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Want to promote your job opening / pitch call / new project / ecommerce brand? Consider a classified ad. Deez Links, Study Hall, and Today in Tabs are working together to distribute weekly listings to 38,000 hyper-engaged followers of the media industry (editors, writers, executives) through all three newsletters. Click through for rates, testimonials and to get in touch.

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STUDY HALL’S 2021 STATE OF FREELANCE SURVEY

Study Hall is inviting you (yes, YOU!) to participate in our first State of Freelance Survey. With more than 5,000 subscribers, Study Hall is the largest online community of freelance media workers. Fill out this survey and we’ll use the information to push for better rates, create reports that highlight the struggles freelancers face, and allow for more transparency across the industry. Make sure to take the survey by June 15, 2021, or our founder-turned-notable-ghost, Eric Studyhall, will haunt you for eternity.

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RESOURCES

You should know by now to never put all your eggs in one basket — especially if the eggs are publications that ignore your invoices. Freelancing is a juggling act, and relying on only one resource to find gigs won’t work. 

-The Rate Sharing database by the Freelance Solidarity Project has a searchable list of publications so you know what rates they’re paying for what kind of content. It’s an essential resource for making sure you get the best rate possible (or skip the stinkers who don’t pay well).

-The Developing An Investigative Pitch guide by the Ida B. Wells Society is a great resource for any reporter interested in investigative journalism. It provides a 29-page walkthrough to develop the perfect pitch, including tips for choosing a character for your investigation. 

Want more resources? Check out the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Journalists Therapy Relief Fund; Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund; Britany Robinson’s Big List of Writing Deadlines; Study Hall Transcriber Database; Freelancing Guide/Editorial Contacts spreadsheet; #FreelancerPayGap spreadsheet; Pitch Guide Database; Chelsea’s Guide to Freelancing doc; Missed Pitches newsletter; PACER; Priya Krishna’s resources for food writing; and the Election SOS Report. 

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OPPS SUCCESS STORIES

I don’t just comb through the interwebs for opportunities because it is part of my demon pact with the ghost of our founder, Eric Studyhall. I also do it so that the Study Hall community can get paid well to write sentences about things. So if you turned a pitch call into paid work, please let me know by emailing [email protected] with “Opps Success Story:” in the subject line.

–Zainab Iqbal was paid $300 to write about how halal restaurants in Philadelphia prepared for ramadan in the pandemic for Eater Philly. She was also accepted to the The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY’s Education Reporting Scholarship, where she will be paid $2500 after publishing an education story. 

–Jeremy Price was paid $500 to script a 20-minute video essay explaining the ending of The Prestige for The Take. He was also paid $350 to write a history of Bat Pussy, “the worst porn ever“ made for MEL Magazine (RIP). He had an initial pitch turned down from a pitch call we posted for MEL, but the editor assigned him to write about Bat Pussy instead.

–Emma Glassman-Hughes was paid $300 to write about an undocumented organizer and worker’s rights activist in Grand Rapids, MI for Borderless Magazine. She landed the story after their February pitch call for “immigration-related stories with a Midwestern connection.”

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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 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].***

PITCH CALLS FOR BIPOC WRITERS

–Damn Magazine is looking for pitches of short, front-of-book and back-of-book features on stories with a multi-generational through-line. They are especially interested in pitches from BIPOC and LGBTQ2+ people, and pitches on cuisine, fashion, or the outdoors. The rate is CAD $250 (USD $206.50) for short pieces of 300-500 words. See their pitch guide for more info, and send pitches to [email protected]. 

–CBC News is looking for pitches of first person columns on Asian-Canadian experiences not represented in the media right now. They specifically want pitches from Canadian writers of Asian descent, including writers from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western, Central and Southeast Asia. The rate is CAD $422.50 (USD $350) for pieces of 650 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Monitor Magazine is looking for pitches of feature articles, investigative journalism, illustrations, and book reviews on the decolonization of the food justice movement. They are especially interested in pitches from 2SLGBTQQIA+, disabled, fat, poor, and other marginalized writers. The rates are CAD $300 (USD $244.50) for short articles of 700 words, CAD $500 (USD $408) for articles of 1,300-1,500 words, and up to CAD $800 (USD $652) for feature length stories. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches by June 15.

OTHER PITCH CALLS

–Bello Collective is looking for pitches of interviews, analysis, reported features, how-tos on accessibility in audio, sound design in podcasting, silence in podcasting or audio experiences. They are especially interested in “diverse voices and perspectives on the industry.” The rate is $100 for “most pieces.” See their pitch guide for more info, and send pitches to [email protected]. 

–The Inevitable is looking for pitches of interviews, profiles, op-eds, analysis, data-viz, features, and other formats on anything death-adjacent, including art, travel, pop culture, politics, and the environment. They are especially interested in “pieces that might help people think more – and maybe better – about death.” The rate is $100 for pieces of 700-800 words. Send pitches to [email protected]  or [email protected]. 

–i-D is looking for pitches of stories on internet trends, youth culture, films, TV, and pop culture. The rates start at $250, and increase based on length and scope. See their pitch guide for more info, and send pitches to [email protected]. 

–My Imperfect Life is looking for pitches of features on the post-COVID era, aka “the new roaring 20s.” The rates are around $300 per feature, but “massively depend on the piece.” Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–The Toronto Star is looking for pitches of stories on fun, interesting, unique, or romantic love stories and weddings in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). They are especially interested in weddings that involve LGBTQ, BIPOC, and disabled people, or any kind of outdoor ceremony. The rate is CAD $350 (USD $290), and writers must be born, raised, or based in the GTA. Send pitches to @brionycwsmith. 

–Pit Magazine is looking for pitches on the theme of “kebabs.” The rates range from £80-£150 (USD $113-$211) per piece. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Can I Play That, a media publication for disabled gamers, is looking for pitches of personal essays, industry accessibility analysis, and commentary and features on game accessibility. They specifically do not accept pitches of reviews or news. The rate is $100 per piece. See their pitch guide for more info.

–Utah Business is looking for pitches of stories on businesses that are headquartered in Utah. They are especially interested in unique crypto stories, futuristic innovations, creator economy success stories, creator economy startups, and weird business niches. The rate is $0.40 per word for stories of 1,500-2,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Giddy is looking for pitches on STDs, chronic conditions, physical and mental health, sex, parenting, marriage, and grooming from US-based writers. The median rate is $175 for 550-600 words, and is negotiable if reported or significantly longer. Send pitches to Hannah at [email protected] or Roger at [email protected]. 

–Chicago Reader is looking for pitches of stories on Chicago locals, art, architecture, the literary scene, and other cultural topics. The rates range from $75-$400 for stories of 200-3,000 words, but there’s room for negotiation. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Hypocrite Reader is looking for pitches on eating, speaking, smiling, snarling, biting, and more for their summer issue on the theme of “teeth.” Their precise rates may vary, but their last issue paid $115 per piece. Send pitches to [email protected] by May 15.

–Container Magazine is looking for pitches of feature articles, investigations, first-person essays, lists, and other formats on creative technology, VR, AR, the role of tech in the climate crisis, and other topics. The rate is £300 (USD $417) per article of 1,000 words. See their pitch guide for more info, and send pitches by May 16.

-The Washington Post Magazine is looking for pitches of long-form narrative features, investigations, photo essays, profiles, and other formats on public safety, education, infrastructure, and other topics. The rates weren’t given but writers “will be compensated at competitive magazine rates.” See their pitch guide for more info, and send pitches by May 21.

–Input is looking for pitches of reported stories, profiles, and personal essays on the intersection of technology and culture. The rates range from $0.50 to $1 per word. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

–The Verge is looking for pitches of reported features on games, film, TV, and comics. The rate is typically $750 for features of 1,500-2,000 words. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected]. 

–Variable West is looking for pitches of micro-essays on artists (living or dead) for their Love Letters column. The artist needs to be living and working (or lived and worked, if the artist is dead) in California, Oregon, or Washington, but doesn’t need to have work in an exhibition. The rate is $50 for essays of 200-250 words. Send pitches to [email protected] with the word “Pitch” in the subject line.

FREELANCE, PART-TIME, AND TEMPORARY JOBS

–NowThis is hiring a New York-based multiplatform writer to pitch and write two news articles per day. Candidates should have at least two years of writing experience, and a deep interest in daily trending news stories and current events. The pay rate wasn’t given, but will be “will be commensurate with experience” according to a supervisor at the company. They are also looking for a part-time copy editor. Send inquiries to @nataliedaher7.

–Wild Sky Media is hiring a freelance entertainment writer to produce up to five entertainment news stories daily, and four slideshows monthly. Candidates should have at least five years of writing and editing experience, and a strong knowledge of the Royals and the Duggars is preferred. For information on the rate, please contact [email protected].  

EVENTS

-Vox Media is hosting a free writing workshop from June to August. The training and mentorship program will pair 30 people with 15 mentors from Vox Media, including The Cut’s editor-in-chief, Lindsay Peoples Wagner. The program requires attending all three workshops on June 8, July 7, and August 10. The deadline to apply is May 16.

–The Texas Observer is hosting a weeklong intensive training course on investigative journalism from June 7-11. The course will accept five college or recent college students, and includes a $500 stipend. The course is virtual and accepted students should expect to produce work ready for print in the Texas Observer. 

-The Online News Association (ONA) is hosting their annual journalist festival from June 22-25. The festival will focus on innovation in audience engagement, product, trends forecast and digital business strategy. The festival is $250 for ONA members and $350 for non-members, but there are scholarships available to cover the cost in four categories: Diversity and Inclusion, Local News, Students and New Professionals, and Financial Hardship. The deadline to apply for the scholarships is May 27.

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND FELLOWSHIPS

-The Online News Association (ONA) is accepting applications for their MJ Bear Fellowship program. The fellowship aims to provide support and guidance to early-career journalists under 30 on a digital journalism project themed around audience and social engagement, product development, and digital or business strategy. The fellowship includes one year of membership to the ONA. The deadline to apply is tomorrow, May 13, at midnight.

-The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education is accepting applications for their paid Oakland Voices program. Correspondents will report on a range of issues and receive regular, two-hour newsroom training sessions every month for six months. The program pays a stipend of $1,000, and is completely remote. Unhoused residents, low-income, and communities of color are especially encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is May 14.

–Insider is accepting applications for their paid Home and Kitchen Editorial Reference Fellowship and Internet and Digital Cultural Editorial Fellowship. The Home and Kitchen Fellowship is fully remote, and the Internet and Digital Culture Fellowship is based in New York. Both fellowships pay $18 per hour, and require working 40 hours per week for six months. The deadline to apply is June 10 for the Internet and Digital Culture Fellowship.

–The Counter is accepting applications for their paid Nourished Schools Reporting Fellowship program. The fellow will chronicle the evolution of school food reform for one year. Candidates should have at least three years of reporting experience. The fellowship is remote, full-time, and has a salary of $73,000, including health insurance and benefits. The deadline to apply is June 1. 

–Planet Detroit is accepting applications for their paid Energy and Environment Reporting Fellowship program. The fellow will produce stories about energy and the environment in Detroit to be published in Planet Detroit and Midwest Energy News. The fellowship pays a stipend of $3,000 per month for six months, and BIPOC writers are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is May 15.

-The Center for Health Journalism is accepting applications for their 2021 national fellowship program. The program aims to help journalists and newsrooms produce reporting on the health, welfare, and well-being of children, youth, families, and communities through the lenses of COVID-19 and systemic racism. The fellowship awards grants that range from $2,000-$10,000 and six months of mentorship with veteran journalists. The deadline to apply is May 17.

–Grist is accepting applications for their paid summer fellowship program. Fellows can work in either their environmental justice, indigenous affairs or news and politics sections. Fellows will pitch,write stories and contribute to their daily newsletter. The fellowship is fully remote, pays $3,334 per month, and fellows are expected to work full-time for six months. The deadline to apply for the environmental justice and news and politics fellowships is May 18. For the indigenous affairs fellowship, the deadline is June 4. 

-The McGraw Center for Business Journalism is accepting applications for its paid reporting fellowship program. The fellowship provides editorial support and grants of up to $15,000 for journalists to produce investigative stories on the global economy, finance, and business. The deadline to apply is July 16 for the Summer 2021 program. 

–MPR News is accepting applications for their paid Toni Randolph Diversity Fellowship program in Saint Paul, MN. The program aims to assist people from underrepresented backgrounds who are seeking careers as reporters, newscasters, show producers, digital producers, and editors. The rate ranges from $16-$20 per hour depending on experience, and fellows are expected to work 40 hours per week for one year. 

-Hearst Autos is accepting applications for their paid editorial fellowship program in Detroit and New York. Two Detroit-based fellows will spend three months reporting for Autoweek and three months assisting the testing team at Car and Driver. Two New York-based fellows will spend three months producing stories for Road & Track and three months on a research project for Bring a Trailer. 

–US News & World Report is accepting applications for its paid data journalism fellowship in Washington, DC. Fellows will write data-driven stories and help with broader data projects and data visualization. The fellowship pays $15 per hour, and fellows are expected to work 37.5 hours per week for one year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until both positions are filled.

–SpotlightDC is accepting applications for its investigative journalism grant. The grant awards up to $10,000 for investigative or explanatory journalism projects focused on health care, crime, transportation, corruption, and other matters of public interest in the Washington, DC; Maryland; and Virginia regions. Grants applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis.

-The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is accepting applications for their Black Press Grant program. The program will provide Black freelance reporters or Black-owned print, broadcast, and digital outlets with grants of up to $10,000 to report on the COVID-19 pandemic, the coronavirus vaccine, or its intersections into the nation’s K-12 education system. Grant applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis.

–Fatherly, a digital media brand for dads, is accepting applications for their paid editorial fellowship. Fellows will help produce health, science, parenting, and relationship content. The fellowship pays $15 per hour, and fellows are expected to work 30-40 hours per week. 

–Dwell is accepting applications for its paid editorial fellowship in New York. Fellows will write original content, and help index and optimize daily news articles. Candidates should have a passion for design and architecture. The fellowship pays “minimum wage,” which is $15 per hour in New York City, and fellows are expected to work 15-25 hours per week for two or three months. 

INTERNSHIPS

–Audubon Magazine is accepting applications for its paid editorial internship program. Interns will write articles for print and online on science, conservation news, climate change, environmental justice, and other topics. The internship is remote, pays $15 per hour, and interns are expected to work up to 35 hours per week for 14 weeks. 

–MIT Sloan Management Review (MIT SMR) is accepting applications for their paid fall internship program in Cambridge, MA. The interns will learn about each area of the publication, including editorial, marketing, and business development. The internship pays $15 per hour, and interns are expected to work 10-15 hours per week from September through December. The deadline to apply is July 1. 

–Texas Highways is accepting applications for its paid summer 2021 internship program. Interns will fact-check articles for print, write web stories, and assist the editorial team. The internship rate ranges from $14.50-$17 per hour, and interns are expected to work full time. The internship can be remote, or be based in Austin, TX. Also, please note that you do not need to be a highway in Texas to apply. 

–The City is accepting applications for their paid summer 2021 internship program. Interns will produce stories, search databases, and help with Freedom of Information Act requests. The internship requires working full-time for 10 weeks, and applicants who live in the five boroughs or immediate suburbs are preferred.

-The Emma Bowen Foundation is accepting applications for its paid summer 2021 internship program for students of color. Interns in the content track will learn about production, social media, digital media, and broadcast and online journalism. There is no set deadline to apply, but they recommend that students apply as soon as possible.

JOBS 

NEW YORK

–Quarter House PR is hiring a staff writer to do a mix of blogging, PR writing, and research and reporting on diverse topics, including tech. Candidates should have at least two years of writing experience, and be able to move quickly and fluidly between different topics and tones. Send inquiries about the position to [email protected]. 

–The Wall Street Journal is hiring an SEO editor to shape their content strategy. Candidates should have at least two years of experience growing SEO organically within a newsroom environment, and an expert ability to optimize content using SEO tools. 

–The Markup is hiring an investigative reporter to cover how “powerful actors use technology to reshape society.” Candidates should have at least seven years of journalism experience and experience filing public records requests. The starting salary is $90,000, and the position is a union job represented by the NewsGuild of New York. The position can be remote “for strong candidates who are willing to be available during [their] business hours of 10 AM to 6 PM EST.” The deadline to apply is June 5.

WASHINGTON, DC

–The Washington Post is hiring a reporter to cover the nation’s  protest movements, their culture, and their effects. Candidates should be able to make sources among protest organizers and produce enterprising stories about their motivation, plans, and tactics. The deadline to apply is May 17.

–Politico is hiring for multiple positions, including a health technology reporter and financial technology reporter. Candidates for both positions should have at least some experience working in a fast-moving newsroom, and be deeply familiar with their respective beats.

–Lawfare is hiring a full-time managing editor to shape their coverage of law, security, and technology for expert and general audiences. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant editorial experience; demonstrated skill in managing others; and experience in editing or writing on topics related to national security, law, or foreign policy. 

CALIFORNIA

–The Oaklandside is hiring a senior reporter to cover City Hall and the criminal justice system. Candidates should have at least four years of reporting experience and be comfortable reporting on local government, local politics, and policy. The salary ranges from $75,000-$85,000, depending on experience. The deadline to apply is May 24.

-Local reporter and editor positions are available in Salinas for an investigative reporter and government and public safety reporter at The Salinas Californian.

NORTHEAST

-Local reporter and editor positions are available in Allentown, PA for a trending education reporter at The Morning Call. 

–MLK50, a Black-led nonprofit newsroom, is hiring an executive editor to manage their news coverage and implement an editorial strategy. Candidates should have at least seven years of local or regional news experience, including at least two of editing experience. The starting salary is $85,000. The position can be remote, but preference is given to candidates willing to relocate to Memphis, TN within the next year. The deadline to apply is May 17.

CENTRAL

–Injustice Watch is hiring for multiple Chicago-based positions: a reporter to cover the judicial system in Cook County and Illinois, and a reporter to cover housing inequities in Chicago and Cook County. Candidates for both positions should have at least three years of reporting experience. The deadline to apply for both positions is May 31.

–ProPublica is hiring a Midwest-based reporter to cover abuses of power, conflicts of interest, and betrayals of the public trust throughout the region. Candidates should have a track record of producing original, revelatory, in-depth, or investigative stories. The position can be based anywhere in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, or Missouri. They will begin reviewing applications on May 10, but will continue to consider candidates as long as the posting remains live on their site.

REMOTE-FRIENDLY

–Glossy is hiring a business reporter to cover the evolution of the fashion industry. Candidates should have some business reporting experience, extensive industry contacts, and a knowledge of, and interest in, the latest fashion news. 

–Electric Literature is hiring an editor-in-chief to shape their editorial vision, recruit new writers, and acquire and edit at least two essays per week. Candidates should have at least three years of online editorial experience, and at least two years of management experience. The deadline to apply is May 20.

–The Pudding is hiring a managing director to lead contributor projects and oversee their team’s editorial process. Candidates should have management experience and be willing to “enjoy playing an often behind-the-scenes role” in the editorial process. The starting salary is $106,000. The deadline to apply is May 14.

–1843 Magazine is hiring a senior editor to work with other editors based in London to shape stories and longform features. Candidates should have extensive experience and a passion for commissioning and editing longform features. The position can be based anywhere in the US. The deadline to apply is May 21.