Good Stuff for Writers, 6/22
pitch opps with Rest of World, Refinery 29, and Texas Highways
Hiya writer friend,
It’s officially summer and the weather in Portland, Oregon isn’t arguing. By the end of the week we’re going to see temperatures well over 100 degrees.
Weather is often considered the laziest of conversations starters. Hot day, huh? Yep, yep it is.
But the weather also impacts everything we do, which is interesting to consider in terms of story ideas and news coverage. It impacts how we feel, what we eat, and how we move through our days. It forces me to rearrange my schedule around when my dog can get some exercise without burning his little paws on the pavement or overheating at the park. It’s increasing the chances of wildfires out here in the west where smoky summers have become the norm. And then there’s the tendency for everyone to get a little edgier, as I witnessed at a beach yesterday, gridlocked with drivers looking for empty spots in a full, sandy lot, throwing up hands and arms and silent curses in frustration—the beach so close yet so far.
Try a little free writing about the weather where you are, today. Whatever themes or topics you’ve been exploring lately—how are they impacted by the weather and/or the changing climate? It might just lead to a story you can pitch!
Speaking of pitching, I have a lot of that to do today. And hopefully you do, too. So let’s get to the good stuff.
Education, Funds, Inspiration, Etc.
If you write about medical research (or are interested in learning how) this fellowship from the Association of Healthcare Journalists includes three days of online learning and applications are due June 27.
Applications to the New York Times Editing Residency are due July 2.
You have lots of time to apply for the McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism. Applications are due September 30.
Submissions to the Nowhere Spring Travel Writing Prize are due 6/30.
Reporter Andrew Hirschfield is writing “a guide for editors about how to work with freelancers highlighting horror stories, and what freelancers appreciate from editors” and he’d love your input. Email andy@andyreports.com and you might be featured in his piece.
Don’t forget to share what you’ve written lately in our monthly byline thread!
Did you catch yesterday’s Q&A with book coach Janna Marlies Maron? She offers some helpful insight on how she helps writers get unstuck with their big book projects.
If you work with clients, start doing THIS.
This thread of advice for an aspiring journalist contains some gems for all of us.
Also:
What I’m Reading
Writing is a remarkable exercise in vulnerability and persistence. First, we struggle to put visceral words on paper or a screen. Then we hope, on some level, someone will see us. Feel us. Understand us. Of course, the act of writing itself is a solitary activity, but the end goal is what I think keeps us fueled; the breadcrumbs of possibility that someone will get us. — Journalism Taught Me to Ask For Help, Catapult
Editors Who Want Your Pitches
That’s all for today, friends.
If you found this issue useful, click that heart up top and help more writers discover One More Question.
And if you’re still on the free list—don’t forget! Now is a great time to upgrade. You’ll save 40% if you subscribe by Friday! And you’ll have access to over 100 of these issues with calls for pitches. (Hot tip: pitch editors from the archives! Their inboxes are much less chaotic than ones who are asking for pitches right now.)
Stay inspired,
Britany