The Mary Sue is searching for freelance writers to bolster our political coverage! We’re looking for journalists/bloggers who get our intersectional feminist perspective and have significant knowledge of, and passion for, progressive politics, as well as an interest in pop-culture. You should especially be plugged into the 24/7 news cycle. Do you have fifteen notifications pop onto your phone from a variety of sources whenever a story breaks? We want to hear from you.
So, what are the job expectations? Your primary focus will be covering breaking news in the political sphere. Although writers will have the freedom to dip into more pop-culture-related coverage on occasion this role specifically focuses on news and politics through a feminist lens. Top candidates will know how to put an emphasis on quickly and informatively keeping our readers up to date on what's going on in the world around them, whether it's an important House vote, a Supreme Court decision, or the slow collapse of a social media network.
You'll work with our senior news editor to cover news topics on a day-to-day basis, as well as pitch your own story ideas. (Hours are extremely flexible but in order to coordinate with the news team and cover breaking stories, writers should have availability within a 9a–6p U.S. Eastern weekday schedule.) We particularly want to hear from candidates who are comfortable with breaking news (especially stories relating to the LGBTQ+ community, race, and representation), writing incisive takes, working independently, and who have an instinctive barometer for what’s newsworthy. The ideal candidate will be able to find the aspects of any story that everyone will be (or should be!) discussing in the daily news cycle and drive the conversation forward with their unique analysis.
What are we looking for in a prospective freelance news writer?
- Someone who’s proud to be called a feminist
- A knack for finding unique, insightful angles on news stories
- The ability to write quickly and accurately
- Someone eager to learn and incorporate feedback to build their writing skills
- Familiarity with WordPress/blogging platforms and social media channels. (Mostly Facebook and Twitter, but Tumblr, TikTok, Instagram, and more are great, too!)
- A multitasker who can consume a large amount of information in a short time
What do we want in addition to your resume?
- A brief cover letter about yourself and why you're a good fit for this role. (Why are you interested in writing about news and politics at a distinctly feminist outlet? What are your specific interests and passions within that field? Tell us who you are!)
- At least two links to samples of your writing.
- Links to your personal website/portfolio/blog, podcasts/videos, and/or any public social media accounts you would like to share.
Pay rate: Ranges from $15 to $38 USD depending on the length and type of story. Past applicants with relevant experience are encouraged to reapply.