freelance writing - 10,000 Words

Send Your Multimedia Story Ideas to Audubon

Mona Zhang — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:04:56 +0000

Journos covering all things green can land a byline at the website of Audubon, one of the nation’s oldest continuously published magazines. The advocacy magazine promotes the mission of saving birds, wildlife and habitat and serves as the flagship publication of the National Audubon Society, one of the oldest environmental groups in the country.

The mag’s website covers the same nature-friendly topics as the print mag, and editors are open to hearing from freelancers who want to write Web content and establish a relationship with the pub. In particular, they would love to receive more multimedia pitches, like videos, slideshows and audio pieces.

For more info, read How To Pitch: Audubon.

The full version of this article is exclusively available to Mediabistro AvantGuild subscribers. If you’re not a member yet, register now for as little as $55 a year for access to hundreds of articles like this one, discounts on Mediabistro seminars and workshops, and all sorts of other bonuses.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Cover Startups for Inc.com

Mona Zhang — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:26 +0000

Just like its print counterpart, the Web incarnation of Inc hopes to provide the startup world with useful advice. “It’s a resource for business owners, fast-growing companies, entrepreneurs and people with an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Nicole Richardson, the site’s executive editor of special projects. Despite their similar missions, however, Inc.com ‘s content is decidedly more Web-friendly with short, service pieces. Plus, those with startup expertise can land a gig as a regular columnist.

For more details, read How To Pitch: Inc.com.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Yankee Editor: ‘There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than finding new writers’

editern — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:24:05 +0000

Put out by one of the few independent publishing companies left in the country, Yankee aims to provide fresh and heartfelt accounts of life in the six New England states. ”Our mission has always been New England. Is it about place? Is it about people interacting with place? That’s the first thing we ask and it’s the filter for everything — does it say something about New England?” said editor Mel Allen.

Allen says the bi-monthly publication is more than open to pitches from freelancers. ”There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than finding new writers,” Allen said. “It’s the most fun part of the editor’s job.” He also stressed that his staff appreciates material that strays from the conventional. “Come in with a topic that will surprise us.”

Get all the details and editors’ contact info in How To Pitch: Yankee.

– Nicholas Braun

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

6 Tips for Finding Sources Worth Their Salt

editern — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:44:04 +0000

When it comes to journalism, the credentials of your sources can make or break your article. Fortunately, there are a number of tools that can help you weed out the nobodies from the knowledgeables online.

By now, you’ve surely heard of HARO (Help a Reporter Out), but founder Peter Shankman, said writers can also look to trade organizations for leads. “Each trade or industry has an organization behind it that serves as spokespeople for the industry,” he explained. “They’ll always take your call.”

Get more tips in 6 Surefire Ways to Find Sources in the Digital Age.

– Nicholas Braun

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Journos With Strong Researching Skills Wanted at Cure

editern — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:17:22 +0000

With almost half of its content provided by freelancers, Cure is accepting all pitches related to the research and treatment of cancer. The magazine is published quarterly and distributed freely to cancer patients and healthcare professionals.

So, what makes a successful pitch for Cure? Editors say they look for ideas based on emerging research, commentary on current practices, or personal experience. Featured freelancers have also written about topics that are relevant to readers throughout the country, such as coping with the treatment process or advice on finding the appropriate doctor.

For more, read How to Pitch: Cure [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

– Nicholas Braun

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

How to Make Your Writing Clips Stand Out

editern — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:32:39 +0000

Nothing says more about your ability as a journalist than the content of your clips. The published articles you submit to prospective employers can make or break your chances, and simply deciding which material to include can be a daunting challenge in itself. Fortunately, there are certain techniques that will help your writing portfolio stand out from the crowd.

Christy Karras, a veteran freelancer who has written for Time, Forbes Asia, and The New York Times told Mediabistro that she tends to choose stories she believes show off her writing and editing skills.

“That could be a deeply analytic magazine feature on the finances of a major city-state that shows my ability to digest complex information and write about it in an engaging way, it could be a news story on a crackdown in the Gulf that shows an editor how well sourced I am in an environment that might not be very friendly to journalists, or it could be a feature profile that I think displays some narrative chops,” she said. “It just depends on the message I’d like to get to the individual editor.”

For more, read 6 Tips for Submitting Freelance Writing Clips [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

– Nicholas Braun

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Will Write for Food: The Digital Freelance Journalist Dilemma

Karen Fratti — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:27:41 +0000

I am exhausted from following the explosion of opinion about how much freelance journalists should be paid after writer Nate Thayer took on The Atlantic for offering to publish his work, for free.

It used to be that freelance meant you were a free-agent. Now, it just means you work for free, or scraps.

I understand Thayer’s anger, and I’m glad he started the conversation. And as much as I respect (want to be?!) Matt Yglesias or Alexis Madrigal and hear them on the fact that there is no easy solution to pay smart writers and writers have to write and gosh, darn, they never did really make any money anyway– hearing them talk about why I should write for free makes me envision doing very mean things to them. Because they’re in. And they’re not even trying to tell us — digital natives who aren’t entirely shocked by the fact that we can’t make a decent living, yet still hopeful — that it gets better. What they’re saying is “write for free and maybe you’ll be able to make your own brand someday, but we sure as hell can’t pay you for it. We definitely can not even hire you for menial writing labor.”

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Smart Pitches Lead to Assignments in Portland

Mona Zhang — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:16:43 +0000

“With a bold design, eye-catching photography and an editorial voice that’s at once witty and in-the-know, Portland Monthly is our city’s indispensable news, culture and lifestyle magazine,” said managing editor Rachel Ritchie. Every month, the pub delivers a mix of in-depth news stories, provocative essays and essential guides to the best of Portland.

Ritchie said she is always accepting pitches and looking to work with freelancers on intriguing stories in various departments. What’s the secret for getting in with this pub? Ideas that are relevant, well-researched, articulated well and that demonstrate a familiarity with the magazine’s voice and mission. Once a newbie has proven himself, however, editors are more than happy to farm out stories to freelancers whom they’ve developed a strong relationship with.

For more, read How To Pitch: Portland Monthly. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Land a Byline at the ‘Mile-high’ Mag

Mona Zhang — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:02:50 +0000

Though the regional pub 5280 counts other Denver-based mags as its competition, the book distinguishes itself with artful longform journalism in addition to its service content. Its commitment to editorial excellence has not gone unnoticed: In the past year, the magazine was named a finalist twice by the American Society of Magazine Editors. Editorial director Geoff Van Dyke attributes this to the pub’s editor and publisher Daniel Brogan, saying he has “invested in a solid staff and is willing to invest the time, money and space to deliver quality journalism.”

Writers looking to break in should be aware that the magazine reflects the young, transplant-heavy city it covers. The FOB is a great place for freelancers to start, though editors are open to a smart feature pitch. “There’s a lot more opportunity to pitch online now as we’ve ramped up our Web offerings over the past 18 months,” said Van Dyke.

For more info, read How To Pitch: 5280. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Become an Online Columnist for Texas Monthly

Mona Zhang — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:20:13 +0000

Broadly speaking, Texas Monthly is a magazine about the culture of Texas, which encompasses a great many things, including smart book reviews, trustworthy and fun reader service, literary essays and feature writing, interviews with newsmakers, great art and photography, political columns and commentary, humor and investigative reporting. And if you’re from the Lone Star state, or have lived a good amount of time there, you’ve got a leg up when pitching.

“The best way to get in the magazine as a freelancer is to pitch a great Texas story, to know the subject matter, and to have a keen sense of what most Texas Monthly stories are like,” says editor Jake Silverstein. “Reading the magazine closely and demonstrating an understanding of its tone and sensibility are key.”

Freelancers can also break into the website, which has ramped up content in the past year. One-off stories, column ideas and multimedia (with a written story) are all game.

For more information, read How To Pitch: Texas Monthly. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Freelancers With Multimedia Skills Wanted

Mona Zhang — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:33:56 +0000

“I come from a print background, and I think we have an advantage on the Web,” says Loop21′s newest EIC.

Instead of decrying the decline of print, Lisa Armstrong is embracing it, and making the site truly reflects the ethos of the Internet. “Rather than just presenting information to our audience, we want people to respond. So, whether it’s through some form of social media or on the website, we wanted it to be like we’re having a dialogue about issues that are important,” she said.

Armstrong is actively seeking new writers, and those who are new to the journalism game are just as welcome as seasoned pros. “It’s less about how many years you’ve been in the industry and more about what skills you bring to the table,” she said. And multimedia skills are in high demand. So if you can show off strong writing, reporting and multimedia chops, you might start landing regular assignments.

For more info, read How To Pitch: Loop21. [subscription required]

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Freelancers Everywhere Welcome to Pitch San Antonio

Donya Blaze — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:44:39 +0000

San Antonio may have a bunch of local pubs, but San Antonio Magazine bills itself as being the ‘premier magazine’ of the city. “Our [magazine] definitely stands out as being the most comprehensive,” said editor-in-chief Rebecca Fontenot. After being bought out by Open Sky Media in the summer of 2011, the book underwent a major overhaul that changed the logo and freshened up the content, 60 to 75 percent of which is freelance-written. The best part is, you don’t have to live in the area to pitch.

“It’s not necessary that freelancers be in San Antonio, but,” said Fontenot, “a familiarity with the city is important.”

For example, an out-of-state home and garden writer can localize an article on new home construction by interviewing a San Antonio-based builder who is following national trends in his design.

For more info, read How To Pitch: San Antonio Magazine. [subscription required]

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Freelancers with Digital Savvy Wanted at Triathlete

Mona Zhang — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:17:45 +0000

Freelancers can find much opportunity at Triathlete.com, the website of the largest and oldest U.S. magazine that covers the sport. Writers, photographers and video shooters/editors are all welcome, and as group content director Kurt Hoy says, “If one person can function in all of these roles, even better.”

In fact, Hoy admits that what he’s really looking for is a single person to contribute every form of digital media, including social. Because the Triathlete.com staff is lean, they depend on contributors for nearly 35 percent of the site’s content each month. So pitching a multimedia package is sure to woo editors there.

For more information, read How To Pitch: Triathlete. [subscription required]

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Get $1.25 a Word at Midwest Living

Mona Zhang — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:45:11 +0000

Midwest Living uses freelancers in somewhat unconventional ways. They can land a byline in the book, but also get paid to ‘scout’ locations for the mag (travel expenses covered, of course). Though the mag uses a “core group” of freelancers, “We are definitely in the market to build upon that with new talent,” said EIC Greg Philby. Web opportunities abound, as well. “Websites devour content so we never have enough here, and we do rely on freelancers to provide the majority of it,” he said.

The magazine’s M.O. is to provide readers with “the richest reflection of what matters most to them,” said Philby. Coverage includes home and garden, family, travel, food and other lifestyle areas. “We present it all with a distinctly Midwestern focus and flavor. As you can imagine, there is an intensity of pride about where one lives, and our readers are no different. We inspire them about the cool things in our region, and we compel them to take action to get out and experience them.”

For more information on what to pitch, read How To Pitch: Midwest Living. [subscription required]

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Serious Journalists Wanted for Milwaukee Magazine

Mona Zhang — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:03:36 +0000

The city of Milwaukee may be known for its beer brewing prowess, but its magazine wants to go beyond the fluff. Though you might find reviews of local brews in the pages of Milwaukee Magazine, the pub does not rely on lifestyle pieces. Sixty percent of its content comes from freelancers, and those with serious journalism chops will impress the editors. Cristina Daglas, who took the helm earlier this year, said “I am very focused on getting some new blood into the book.”

“We’re still really focused on the long-standing traditions of solid storytelling, investigative pieces and really good profiles,” said Daglas. It’s that commitment that distinguishes Milwaukee from other publications (both locally and across the country) that share city-centrism but lean more heavily on lighter journalistic fare.

“We are one of a handful of city magazines that is known for doing those hard stories, not shying away from investigative pieces, and not hanging our hats on any kind of lifestyle content,” she said.

Read more in How To Pitch: Milwaukee Magazine. [subscription required]

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