Good Stuff for Writers, 2/8
pitch Delish, Fashionista, Verywell, Scalawag, and more
Hi writer friend,
One of my favorite things about being a writer is the chance to dive deep on topics I’m already curious about. This year, that’s been especially true.
Just over a year ago now, I went to a fertility clinic to learn about my ability to have children. I knew I wanted to be a mom and it seemed important to understand my body’s ability to do so, since I was turning 35 and that’s typically when fertility takes a sharp decline for women. The information I received was alarming, to say the least. To cope, I went into full-on journalist mode—poring over academic articles and medical research, trying to understand the numbers and statistics I’d been given.
Since then, there’s good news. First off, I was able to turn all of that panicked research into work by pitching a series on fertility health. The first article was published yesterday. Also: I’m now 14 weeks pregnant!
Over the past few months, I’ve actually written extensively about fertility—a topic I never planned to be an expert on, but then life delivered an opportunity to develop expertise. I now see so many related stories I want to pitch and ways in which this new knowledge might be a strand in the braid of other creative pursuits I’m working on.
I don’t think we should feel compelled to turn every crisis or life milestone into paid writing. (Meghan O’Dea wrote a beautiful guest essay for OMQ on the cost of building a career on trauma.) But I do hope this goes to show how unexpected curveballs—ones that rightfully force us to pay attention to life outside of work, ones that can feel painfully distracting and all-consuming—often come back around to influence our writing, in ways that can be healing or empowering. In ways that as writers, feel right.
As people who tell stories professionally, I think we’re naturally inclined to use words and research and narrative to better understand the world and our role within it. Researching fertility health made me feel empowered to ask better questions of my doctor and advocate for my own treatment. I took a hard turn inward during that time, to focus on myself and figure out what steps to take next. But I also knew I would probably end up writing about all of this. I had information that I wanted to share with others, because I knew so many people, like me, would benefit from it. I just had to give myself some time to live it, first.
Look out for those big, scary things that might also be opening new doors to creativity, new windows to discovery, new opportunities to learn and to share your knowledge with others.
It’s our job to share stories, but often it’s also so much more.
This Tuesday email is usually reserved for paid subscribers. But we have lots of new readers this week, so I wanted to share one with everyone, for those who don’t know what they might be missing! If you’re not yet a paid subscriber, consider upgrading for access to the Tuesday newsletter each week, which includes reminders about fellowships, grants, events, and lots of pitch calls from editors. You’ll also receive Q&As, access to open threads, essays from me, and more.
Education, Funds, Inspiration, Etc.
Applications to Metcalf Institute’s 24th Annual Science Immersion Workshop for Journalists are due March 1.
March 1 is also the deadline for applications to the Scripps Fellowship for Environmental Journalism. The two-semester program begins in mid-August and continues through mid-May. During this period, fellows deepen their knowledge of the environment through courses, weekly seminars, and field trips.
Alabama writers, you can apply for grants from Alabama State Council on the Arts through March 1.
Parents! Applications to the My Time Writer’s Fellowship for parent writers at The Writer’s Colony are due February 28.
Study Hall is hosting Facing the Budget Sheet with Alex Hazlett on February 17. Tickets are $75.
The Center for Independent Journalists Conference is taking place March 11-12. Early bird tickets are available till February 18.
Don’t forget you can still ask questions on freelance writing in this monthly open thread! I’ll start a new one in a week or two, but keep the questions and advice coming! I love ‘em.
An excellent tweak in perspective. Also, related.
Editors Who Want Your Pitches
That’s all for today, friends!
Stay inspired,
Britany