Writer's Guidelines
Hello, dearest freelancer. Thanks for your interest in adding your scribe-itude to the pages of Grist. Sadly, we must tell you that most of Grist's content is written by full-time or part-time staff members. Turn back now.
You kept reading, didn't you? Your heart leapt. How can I become a full-time or part-time staff member, you wondered?
Here's how. First, think for a moment about the fact that Grist is a nonprofit with a very small staff. Then think about how much of your time you want to spend pursuing depressing environmental stories for a very small amount of money. Then think about whether you've ever been published before (we like that in a writer), whether you're knowledgeable about a broad array of environmental issues (we require that in a writer), and whether you're funny enough to make a Registry of Motor Vehicles clerk laugh (go on, give it a try). Then calculate your odds.
If things seem to add up, you can send your resume to grist@grist.org. But be aware: it's like a black hole. You might not hear back. Did we mention we're a nonprofit with a very small staff? Seriously. Writing those puns takes a lot of our time.
Now for the good news. Having thrown all that fierce mumbo jumbo at you, we'll admit that we do accept the occasional freelance query. It has to shine, though -- and we mean shine like a diamond sitting on a newly minted penny. We're on the lookout for untold environmental stories; new takes on old issues; cogent and timely analysis of breaking news; fresh, funny, intelligent voices; and original investigative journalism. Pieces can be local, national, or international in focus, but should have broad implications for the environmental movement.
We do not publish: fiction; poetry; travel narratives; meditations on nature; profiles of environmental organizations or accounts of an activity or campaign they sponsored (unless they're doing something extraordinarily, and we do mean extraordinarily, groundbreaking); stories that are of interest only to a local audience; press releases; or material of a non-environmental bent. (We're funny that way.)
We accept queries and submissions for the following types of articles:
Submissions and queries should be sent to grist@grist.org (best) or to Grist, 710 Second Avenue, Suite 860, Seattle, WA 98104 USA (a distant second-best). Please include examples of previously published works. (If you're doing it the old-fashioned way, be aware that we cannot return materials.) Please give us three weeks to respond before nagging.
If you aren't a writer but have a juicy tip you think we should pursue, email us at grist@grist.org. The magic gnomes will make sure your message gets to the right person.
Thanks again for your interest in Grist, and good luck.
You kept reading, didn't you? Your heart leapt. How can I become a full-time or part-time staff member, you wondered?
Here's how. First, think for a moment about the fact that Grist is a nonprofit with a very small staff. Then think about how much of your time you want to spend pursuing depressing environmental stories for a very small amount of money. Then think about whether you've ever been published before (we like that in a writer), whether you're knowledgeable about a broad array of environmental issues (we require that in a writer), and whether you're funny enough to make a Registry of Motor Vehicles clerk laugh (go on, give it a try). Then calculate your odds.
If things seem to add up, you can send your resume to grist@grist.org. But be aware: it's like a black hole. You might not hear back. Did we mention we're a nonprofit with a very small staff? Seriously. Writing those puns takes a lot of our time.
Now for the good news. Having thrown all that fierce mumbo jumbo at you, we'll admit that we do accept the occasional freelance query. It has to shine, though -- and we mean shine like a diamond sitting on a newly minted penny. We're on the lookout for untold environmental stories; new takes on old issues; cogent and timely analysis of breaking news; fresh, funny, intelligent voices; and original investigative journalism. Pieces can be local, national, or international in focus, but should have broad implications for the environmental movement.
We do not publish: fiction; poetry; travel narratives; meditations on nature; profiles of environmental organizations or accounts of an activity or campaign they sponsored (unless they're doing something extraordinarily, and we do mean extraordinarily, groundbreaking); stories that are of interest only to a local audience; press releases; or material of a non-environmental bent. (We're funny that way.)
We accept queries and submissions for the following types of articles:
- features (1,000-1,500 words): investigative journalism, breaking news, profiles, interviews
- opinion (800-1,200 words): fresh, original perspectives on current environmental issues
Submissions and queries should be sent to grist@grist.org (best) or to Grist, 710 Second Avenue, Suite 860, Seattle, WA 98104 USA (a distant second-best). Please include examples of previously published works. (If you're doing it the old-fashioned way, be aware that we cannot return materials.) Please give us three weeks to respond before nagging.
If you aren't a writer but have a juicy tip you think we should pursue, email us at grist@grist.org. The magic gnomes will make sure your message gets to the right person.
Thanks again for your interest in Grist, and good luck.
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