UPDATE 11.13.2016: We received over 550 applications for these positions, y’all. Over five hundred and fifty! That is so many applications, so many qualified people, and at least 100 humans who would be amazing staff writers who we wish we had the money and resources to hire. We’ve gotten in touch with three writers we know we’re taking for sure, as well as 20 others on the “shortlist” from which we’ll be picking another 3-4 next week. There are also a few columnists we’ll be reaching out to (or have reached out to) as well as some writers with pitches we’d like to see as one-offs we’ll be e-mailing soon. We’re also adding about 150 names of writers we really loved to a roladex / database for potential future assignments — so if you haven’t already heard from us, who knows, you might be in that database and therefore you might hear from us at some other point in the near or faraway future.
But, as written at the end of this post, “Due to the volume of applications we receive, we’re only able to get in touch if we’re interested in working with you. If you haven’t heard back from us by November 12th, you can assume that we’re not taking your application but we probably wish we could!” We’re unfortunately unable to get back to individual requests for feedback on applications or confirmation, but thank you for sharing your souls with us. Your passion and drive is downright inspirational.
We’ll be introducing your new writers within the next few weeks, and once we get through the pile of pitches we like, will be re-opening submissions to freelancers, and we encourage y’all to submit again. Thank you so much!
Autostraddle is looking for 2-4 new staff writers to join our team in a capacity that will involve writing around 2-3 posts a week. Specifically, we’re seeking funny, hungry, ambitious LBTQ writers with a fresh perspective, a lot to say and an original voice to say it in. We want new ideas and stories you can’t wait to tell. We’re not interested in a diatribe on how this or that fave is problematic. We want weird, risky, bold thoughts from writers actively interested in building a following and connecting with readers through brutal honesty. We want you to get out into the world and talk to strangers and tell us what you found out there. We want somebody who can come in and change how we see the world, too.
But, real talk: this gig won’t work for you if you’re not here for the team and the community. We’re not a bunch of satellites orbiting the web, we’re people who collaborate, learn from each other, grow together, and feel like family. We’re definitely not here for the money, ’cause there isn’t much to go around. We’re here instead of any number of other publications that would pay us more because we actually care, deeply, about making an impact locally and on the queer and feminist culture-at-large. (Well, and, we also like the editorial freedom.) The Autostraddle Network of current and former team members is vast and brilliant, and has enabled incredible creative collaborations, lifelong friendships, a pretty decent website, and the best camp in the whole wide world. This is your very special space to discuss your horrifying second-hand sex experiences, how to have no f*cks to give, why you say No to everything, your Lisa Frank enthusiasm and shit white parents said to you.
We are also desperately interested in applications from queer people of color! We cannot possibly overstate how interested we are in applications from queer people of color!
Responsibilities:
You’ll be writing at least 2-3 posts a week, checking in with us on Slack as often as possible, and also contributing to the A+ Insider, A+ Bee, or roundtables as requested. We know you’re not making a living here and probably have another full-time job so we’re very flexible about your work schedule.
You should:
Have some familiarity with basic HTML and social media, have a command of grammar/spelling/fact-checking, be obsessively detail-oriented and eager to hit the pavement / make phone calls when necessary. You should be passionate about Autostraddle, too! Above all you need to be reliable and accountable — the nature of a “virtual office” means we need a lot more “check-ins” than you might be used to.
To apply:
Send us an e-mail with your cover letter in the body of an email to: riese [at] autostraddle [dot], laneia [at] autostraddle [dot] com, rachel [at] autostraddle dot com, yvonne [at] autostraddle dot com and heather [at] autostraddle dot com. I know that’s a lot of people! Please make your subject line read STAFF WRITER, otherwise we can’t guarantee that it won’t be lost in our inboxes. This is very important!
Let us know your background and experience, what your availability is, what your areas of expertise are, and how Autostraddle fits into your overall life/career goals. Link us to your instagram / tumblr / twitter / autostraddle profile / website as applicable.
We also want you to give us five story and/or column ideas and provide a few writing samples, in the forms of links to your work online or attachments in PDF form. Please do not send us a Microsoft Word document!
ETA: Please familiarize yourself with the website and its target audience before applying — to be honest, most of our writers were huge Autostraddle fans before becoming writers here, but we seem to be getting a lot of outside interest this round, including applications from cis straight men? So maybe read the “about us” page before shooting us an e-mail!
Bonus:
If you have any of these skills, let us know: photoshop, graphic-making, illustration, video editing, radio production/editing, merchandising, marketing, social media, event planning, research and data analysis.
Have we mentioned that we are especially interested in applications from people of color? We are!
What’s In It For You:
Staff Writers are paid per post, usually ranging from $35 – $100 per post (mostly in the $35-$50 range) with opportunities for more on special occasions and room for advancement into higher-paying positions as those opportunities arise. We wish we could pay you a million times more, but as an independently-owned website with a huge team on a tiny budget, we can’t — just yet. Queer women’s media is not a big money-maker!
You’ll get free and discounted merchandise, gold A+ memberships, reimbursements for expenses, passes to cool stuff, and the opportunity to apply to be on the A-Camp Team (and thus be a part of camp for free) and killer recommendations.
None of us are working for the big bucks around here, but we’re passionate about the work we do and we genuinely find writing to be FUN. You’ll become a better writer, build a brand and a portfolio, build valuable skills, have the freedom to write about things you care about and exposure on a GLAAD-award-winning and very popular platform.
Deadline is October 31st.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we’re only able to get in touch if we’re interested in working with you. If you haven’t heard back from us by November 12th, you can assume that we’re not taking your application but we probably wish we could!
