Opportunities 10/20/2022

The Nation, Esquire, Paste Magazine, and more.

by | October 20, 2022

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 starting their eighth (or maybe ninth) rewatch of Young Royals. 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.


THE MEDIA CLASSIFIED ADS

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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 Paid Internship and Fellowship Calendar by Mandy Hofmockel (of the excellent Journalism Jobs newsletter) compiles information for student journalists and recent graduates looking to land an internship or fellowship that actually pays. Bookmark it now. 

-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.


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 Parliament is looking for pitches of reported features on EU-focused policy issues centered on “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 November 1.

Insider is looking for pitches of job diaries from cruise workers, Disney and Six Flags employees, executive assistants of celebrities or high profile CEOs, wait staff at famous restaurants (Carbone, Norma), or fun Halloween jobs. The rate is £270 ($305 USD) per piece. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

Space on Space Magazine is looking for pitches of essays on government surveillance or data collection from corporations. The rate is $300 for 1,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected] by TOMORROW, October 21

Alliance Magazine is looking for pitches of opinion pieces, interviews, reported features, and other formats on “decolonizing philanthropy.” The rates start at £250 ($280 USD) for 1,000 words. Send pitches to [email protected] by mid-November. 

Insider is looking for pitches of evergreen and holiday stories for the health and parenting section. The rate averages around “$250 for around 700ish words.” Send pitches to [email protected]. 

The Robora Magazine is looking for pitches of “first-person stories, new trends and innovations, and frankly anything not being covered elsewhere in terms of business, freelancing, and women,” including opinion pieces based on new research. The rate is £200 ($226 USD) for 800 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

Sidetracked Magazine is looking for pitches of “personal stories [on] adventure, accompanied by top-quality photography.” The rates range from £200-£450 ($226-$509 USD), which “encompasses everything from short, 500-600-word Single Moments to 2,000-word features.” See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches within the next two or three weeks. 

Positive News is looking for pitches of solutions-focused features on “progress and possibility anywhere in the world” for their upcoming January print issue. The rate is £0.30 ($0.34 USD) per word. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to their editor-in-chief, Lucy Purdy, at [email protected] by November 1.

The Objective is looking for pitches of reporting, first-person commentary, and essays on “the reckoning in food media” that happened in 2020. They are particularly interested in “stories that focus on the intersections of identity — race, gender, class, disability, sexuality — and challenge stereotypes in food media.” The rate ranges from $200-$600, depending on length and story type. See their pitch form for more info and send pitches by November 1. 

Sentient Media is looking for pitches of reported stories, analysis, and news pieces on “the impacts, injustices, and consequences of meat and dairy farming.” The rates start at $200 per piece and increase based on reporting and research. See their pitch guide for more info and send pitches to [email protected]. 

Betches is looking for pitches of social commentary, hot takes, city guides, and more on travel. “Just make it fun and funny.” The rates start at $200. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

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 Guardian Australia is looking for pitches of commentary pieces on “a niche interest; an important social issue; personal experience; [or] something very funny.” The rate is $300 AUS ($190 USD) per piece. Send pitches to [email protected] with “SUMMER PITCH” in the subject line. 

Autostraddle is looking for pitches from Black queer or lesbian writers only on the cisgender, heterosexual male obsession with dykes and lesbians in rap and hip-hop music, including in lyrics and music videos. The pitch can either be for a standalone piece or an ongoing series. The rate would be $120 for a single piece, or range from $80-$100 per piece for a series. Send pitches — including socials and bylines — to [email protected] by this Tuesday, October 25.  

-Tamarind Intelligence is commissioning freelance journalists to cover CBD developments in Australia and the Middle East. The rate is $0.25 per word. Send inquiries — including a CV — to [email protected]. 

Paste Magazine is looking for pitches of articles on tech and internet culture. They are “incredibly welcoming to BIPOC and queer voices.” The rate is $100 for 600-800 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

The Sun Magazine is commissioning an essay on “how pleasure creates meaning.” “Whether you enjoy food, wine, fashion, raking leaves, or building model rockets, how does it sustain you?” The rate is $300 for 2,000 words (or $0.15 per word). Send pitches to @anna_gazmarian. 

-JoAnna Haugen is looking for pitches of travel stories on two topics for an upcoming consumer travel platform launching in 2023. First, “Burning Issues” that address critical tourism issues that are either destination-specific or general. Next, “Game Changers” that focus on people doing notable work related to tourism. The rate is €100 ($98 USD) for 500-900 words. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

NEW EVERGREEN PITCH CALLS, SORTED BY HIGHEST TO LOWEST RATES

The Barn Raiser is always looking for pitches of reported pieces, op-eds, book reviews, interviews, and other formats on food and agriculture, wildlife conservation, Native issues, rural elections, climate, and other topics. They are specifically interested in stories that are relevant to progressive rural and small towns. The rates range from $200-$500, depending on length and level of reporting. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

SFGate is always looking for pitches of “historical deep dives, trend stories, profiles on interesting people, [and] stories” on parks, hiking, outdoors and fitness, and all things real estate with a San Francisco angle. The rates range from $150-$300 per piece. Send pitches to [email protected]. 

Clarkesworld Magazine is always looking for pitches of articles on non-fiction, including “discussions of the genre publishing business, essays on the writing process and the reading experience, scientific material that might be of use in [science fiction] stories,” and other topics. They are specifically not looking for reviews, interviews, or literary criticism. The rate is $0.10 per word for up to 2,500 words. See their pitch guide for more info. 

The Vinyl Factory is always looking for pitches of “features, columns and all things related to vinyl culture, vinyl releases, and more.” The rate is £0.40 ($0.45 USD) per word. Send pitches and inquiries to [email protected]. 

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

FREELANCE, PART-TIME, AND TEMPORARY JOBS 

Scalawag is hiring an interim audience manager to oversee their paid and organic social media marketing, collaboratively manage their newsletter products, and more. Candidates should have some copywriting and editing experience, “with preference given to those who’ve covered Southern communities and movements.” The rate is $38 per hour, and the manager is expected to work 20 hours per week through the end of February. The position can be remote within the Southern US, with preference given to Atlanta, Birmingham, and Durham. There is no deadline to apply, but the start date is “ASAP.” 

POZ Magazine is hiring a freelance writer to assist with coverage of HIV science news, including “all aspects of HIV epidemiology, prevention, care, and treatment.” Candidates should have some medical writing experience and an interest in HIV news. “People living with HIV and members of key HIV populations are especially encouraged.” The rate “works out to about $100 per article,” and the writer is expected to produce two to three articles per week. Send inquiries to [email protected]. 

-eCommerceFuel is hiring a freelance researcher and writer to turn “research into organized outlines and how-to guides on topics applicable to eCommerce business owners.” Candidates should have extensive research experience and a background in eCommerce or business. The rate ranges from $75-$125 per hour depending on experience, and the writer would be expected to work 10-20 hours per week. The deadline to apply is November 5. 

EVENTS

-The Institute for Independent Journalists is hosting a free interactive webinar on freelance pitching TOMORROW, October 21 at 12PM EST with more events to come in the following weeks. The program will include editors sharing how to land assignments, including The New York Times’ Nikita Stewart, CNN Digital’s Deblina Chakraborty, The Strategist’s Chelsea Peng, and Business Insider’s Tekendra Parmar.

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, CONTESTS, AND AWARDS

-Periplus is accepting applications for their free mentorship program for BIPOC writers. The program aims to provide mentorship to people with “limited past access to writing resources and supportive communities.” Applicants are not eligible if they are “currently enrolled in a graduate program in creative writing or journalism” or “have published a book or have one under contract with a major US press.” The program is remote, but applicants must be based within the US and be over the age of 18. The deadline to apply is next Monday, October 24.

-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. 

FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS

NEW: The Nation is accepting applications for their paid Victor S. Navasky Internship program in New York. The editorial interns will learn fact-checking and are “encouraged to pitch and write their own articles for the magazine.” There will be five editorial positions and one position “dedicated to a business internship, focused entirely on the publishing process.” The internship pays $18 per hour, and interns are expected to work 35 hours per week for six months, which works out to $630 per week. They are “open to remote candidates on a case-by-case basis.” The deadline to apply is November 25.

Insider is accepting applications for their paid editing fellowship program. The fellow will assist with editing stories for the lifestyle and entertainment sections of their Insider Life vertical. The fellowship pays $20 per hour, and fellows are expected to work 40 hours per week for six months beginning in January 2023. The program can be remote anywhere in the US, but fellows “should expect to work from 9 AM to 5 PM EST.” There is no deadline to apply, but please note that “applications without a cover letter WILL NOT be considered” and they “are beginning to look at applications now” so they would advise applying by mid-October.

BuzzFeed News is accepting applications for their paid reporting fellowship program.  The program offers four reporting verticals: breaking news (remote), culture (LA or NY, with LA “strongly preferred”), entertainment news (LA), and health (remote or NY). According to the unit chair of their union, Cody Corrall, the fellowship pays $20 per hour with benefits, but is not covered by the union. The program requires fellows to work full-time for nine months. There is no deadline to apply.

-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.  

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 TOMORROW, October 21

Esquire is hiring an associate commerce editor to assist with the production of market and e-commerce coverage for their Lifestyle section. Candidates should have at least one year of experience writing and producing online content, and an “enthusiasm about learning the market of tech, home, lifestyle, gift guides, while keeping a keen eye for emerging trends in this space.” No salary information was given for the role. 

The Baffler is hiring an editor-in-chief to “conceive of and execute the editorial program for all print and digital stories, including six yearly print issues and daily web postings.” Candidates should have at least five years of media experience, including at least three years of management experience, and must “share the politics of the magazine.” According to info provided to us by the publication, the salary range is $100,000-$120,000. The deadline to apply is October 28.

Streetsblog is hiring a deputy editor to lead their team of four reporters and various freelancers. Candidates should have at least a decade of journalism experience, including at least six years of editing experience and some management experience with young reporters. The salary is $100,000. There is no deadline to apply, but the position will be filled by December 31. 

NORTHEAST

-The Associated Press is hiring a Philadelphia, PA-based video journalist. Candidates should have at least three years of video journalism experience, and “professional competency in a language besides English” is preferred. No salary information was given for the role. The deadline to apply is November 4. 

SOUTHEAST

-The Associated Press is hiring for multiple positions in the region, including a Richmond, VA-based video journalist, Charlotte, NC-based video journalist and a Tampa, FL-based video journalist. Candidates for both positions should have at least three years of video journalism experience, and “professional competency in a language besides English” is preferred. No salary information was given for the roles. The deadline to apply for both positions is November 4. 

WASHINGTON, DC

E&E News is hiring a reporter to cover environment and energy news on Capital Hill on their eight-person team. Candidates should have some experience covering spot news and enterprise reporting, a deep understanding of Congress and campaigns, and strong interest in covering energy and environment issues. No salary information was given for this role.

The Infatuation is hiring a staff writer to act as its restaurant critic, which means “you’ll spend your nights checking out as many restaurants as possible, and your days writing about them.” Candidates should have exceptional writing and editorial skills, and a “passion and expert knowledge of Washington DC and its diverse landscape of neighborhoods and restaurants.” The starting salary is $70,000.  

The Washington Post is hiring a news and features writer to cover the world of books for digital and print, including their recently revived Book World section. Candidates should have a “long-standing personal interest in and knowledge of books and a sense of their own taste.” No salary information was provided, but the position is guild-eligible and the “median salary” for guild-eligible employees is $105,000. There is no deadline to apply, but applications received by this Tuesday, October 25 “will be prioritized.” 

-The Associated Press is hiring a video journalist to cover the federal and state government, as well as local news stories. Candidates should have at least three years of video journalism experience, and “professional competency in a language besides English” is preferred. No salary information was given for the role. The deadline to apply is November 4. 

TEXAS

Texas Monthly is hiring a news and politics writer to cover state politics and policy, including the Texas Legislature, statewide officials, and elections. Candidates should have at least two years of journalism experience and an “understanding of (and preferably experience reporting on) Texas politics.” No salary information was given but it will be “dependent on experience,” according to a member of the staff. For inquiries about the position, book an appointment with their director of editorial operations, Anna Walsh. The position can be remote within Texas or based in Austin. The deadline to apply is November 18. 

-The Associated Press is hiring a Dallas-based video journalist to “conduct interviews, write scripts, and edit footage in different styles.” Candidates should have at least three years of video journalism experience, and “professional competency in a language besides English” is preferred. No salary information was given for the role. The deadline to apply is November 4. 

CENTRAL

-The Associated Press is hiring for multiple positions in the region, including a video journalist based either in St. Louis or Kansas City, MO; a Chicago-based video journalist; and a Minneapolis, MN-based video journalist. Candidates for all positions should have at least three years of video journalism experience, and “professional competency in a language besides English” is preferred. No salary information was given for the roles. The deadline to apply for all positions is November 4. 

SOUTHWEST

-The Associated Press is hiring a Las Vegas-based video journalist to cover gambling, climate and water issues, politics, inequality, crime, and entertainment. Candidates should have at least three years of video journalism experience, and “professional competency in a language besides English” is preferred. No salary information was given for the role. The deadline to apply is November 4. 

REMOTE FRIENDLY

BuzzFeed News is hiring for multiple positions, including a news editor to work on a Tuesday through Saturday schedule, and an entertainment editor to lead their “expanding coverage of the entertainment industry.” Candidates for both positions should have at least four years of editing experience. No salary information was publicly given for these positions. Both positions can be remote, but being based in Los Angeles for the entertainment editor role is preferred. 

The Hechinger Report is hiring an audience engagement editor to build and grow their audience. Candidates should have at least five years of journalism experience, including some experience writing and updating copy for social media postings, as well as experience using analytics and surveys. The salary is $70,000. The position can be remote or based in New York. The deadline to apply is November 7.

INTERNATIONAL

Rest of World is hiring for multiple positions, including a newsletter editor to lead the editing and production of their flagship and regional newsletters, and an optimization editor to curate their homepage and make sure each article and page is SEO-friendly. Candidates for both positions should have at least five years of relevant experience. The salary ranges for both positions are $75,000-$90,000, commensurate with experience. Send inquiries about either position to [email protected]. The deadline to apply for both positions is October 31.

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