SPJ Freelance Community
@spjfreelance.bsky.social
Society of Professional Journalists' Freelance Community offers tips, advice, resources. Comments from community board members, not SPJ.
Pinned
We have a new starter pack! We'll add to it in the coming weeks. Focus is on journalism, freelance journalism and editors who work with freelance journalists. go.bsky.app/JVc28TS
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Here's something I really don't like: Sending out a call for pitches and then immediately getting inundated with milquetoast, clearly AI-generated pitches that follow the same structure, repeat the same language, and come from email addresses from people with zero internet presence. Bad!!
November 17, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Here's something I really don't like: Sending out a call for pitches and then immediately getting inundated with milquetoast, clearly AI-generated pitches that follow the same structure, repeat the same language, and come from email addresses from people with zero internet presence. Bad!!
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I hope you'll follow us and read our work! And I don't have a limitless budget, but I'm always happy to hear from writers with exciting pitches! I'll eventually do a more targeted call for pitches, too.
November 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I hope you'll follow us and read our work! And I don't have a limitless budget, but I'm always happy to hear from writers with exciting pitches! I'll eventually do a more targeted call for pitches, too.
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This month, after almost a year of development, we launched a whole new publication! @scripthealth.bsky.social is a brand new platform dedicated to covering LGBTQ2S+ health in a period where our rights and healthcare access are under extreme threat. www.script.health
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
This month, after almost a year of development, we launched a whole new publication! @scripthealth.bsky.social is a brand new platform dedicated to covering LGBTQ2S+ health in a period where our rights and healthcare access are under extreme threat. www.script.health
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Hi freelancers, I just posted a call for pitches for @technologyreview.com's upcoming print issue. The theme is Nature. Pitch deadline is December 5. More info here! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
#writingopportunity | Rachel Courtland
#WritingOpportunity: MIT Technology Review is seeking pitches for an upcoming print issue. The theme is Nature.
We're looking for pitches for longer pieces: narrative features, compelling investigati...
www.linkedin.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Hi freelancers, I just posted a call for pitches for @technologyreview.com's upcoming print issue. The theme is Nature. Pitch deadline is December 5. More info here! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
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A couple of years ago we put out a public call for pitches at Spacing and got a few AI generated ones - but also some good genuine ones. But now we mostly just send out the call to a list of writers. I'm definitely concerned about getting these kinds of pitches now AI is more sophisticated.
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." This
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A couple of years ago we put out a public call for pitches at Spacing and got a few AI generated ones - but also some good genuine ones. But now we mostly just send out the call to a list of writers. I'm definitely concerned about getting these kinds of pitches now AI is more sophisticated.
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🌍 The 2026 Sigma Awards is open!
We’re celebrating the best data journalism published in 2025 and invite journalists everywhere – individuals, small newsrooms, and major teams – to submit their strongest work.
🗓 Deadline: Jan 11, 2026
🔗 Apply:
We’re celebrating the best data journalism published in 2025 and invite journalists everywhere – individuals, small newsrooms, and major teams – to submit their strongest work.
🗓 Deadline: Jan 11, 2026
🔗 Apply:
gijn.org
Sigma Awards for Data Journalism Are Open for Entries
twp.ai
November 22, 2025 at 8:15 AM
🌍 The 2026 Sigma Awards is open!
We’re celebrating the best data journalism published in 2025 and invite journalists everywhere – individuals, small newsrooms, and major teams – to submit their strongest work.
🗓 Deadline: Jan 11, 2026
🔗 Apply:
We’re celebrating the best data journalism published in 2025 and invite journalists everywhere – individuals, small newsrooms, and major teams – to submit their strongest work.
🗓 Deadline: Jan 11, 2026
🔗 Apply:
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
awesome
A treasure trove of rare and historic American music is now available online for free.
5,000 songs from private collectors have already been preserved and uploaded, and "thousands more are in the pipeline".
laist.com/news/arts-an... #MusicSky
5,000 songs from private collectors have already been preserved and uploaded, and "thousands more are in the pipeline".
laist.com/news/arts-an... #MusicSky
Thousands of rare American recordings — some 100 years old — go online for all to enjoy
The project, which will include some 50,000 songs from private record collections, is a collaboration between UC Santa Barbara and the Dust-to-Digital Foundation.
laist.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:25 AM
awesome
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Journalists, anyone who writes to be read or just believes in the First Amendment and understands the importance of supporting a free press, go hog wild and take advantage of this discount to join SPJ!
@spj-posts.bsky.social
@spjfreelance.bsky.social
#Journalism
#FirstAmendment
@spj-posts.bsky.social
@spjfreelance.bsky.social
#Journalism
#FirstAmendment
🐷💰For a limited time, take $15 off an SPJ Pro membership with code: PIGGY
Seek Truth🔎. Report It📰. Never Be Quiet📢.
🔗Join or renew today. Let’s get louder – together: bit.ly/3KfoqWs
Seek Truth🔎. Report It📰. Never Be Quiet📢.
🔗Join or renew today. Let’s get louder – together: bit.ly/3KfoqWs
November 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Journalists, anyone who writes to be read or just believes in the First Amendment and understands the importance of supporting a free press, go hog wild and take advantage of this discount to join SPJ!
@spj-posts.bsky.social
@spjfreelance.bsky.social
#Journalism
#FirstAmendment
@spj-posts.bsky.social
@spjfreelance.bsky.social
#Journalism
#FirstAmendment
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If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
So glad to be able to chat with @niemanlab.org about what we're up to with @sfgate.com in Los Angeles.
I'm proud to run a local newsroom, staffed by real Angelenos who live here and care.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/more...
I'm proud to run a local newsroom, staffed by real Angelenos who live here and care.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/more...
“More of everything”: In Los Angeles, an “explosion” of new efforts aim to up the city’s local news game
A well-funded coalition building out neighborhood news, a new newsletter from an expanding for-profit site, and a nonprofit breaking through on social media are just a few examples of the latest bids ...
www.niemanlab.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:13 PM
So glad to be able to chat with @niemanlab.org about what we're up to with @sfgate.com in Los Angeles.
I'm proud to run a local newsroom, staffed by real Angelenos who live here and care.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/more...
I'm proud to run a local newsroom, staffed by real Angelenos who live here and care.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/more...
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Freelancer journalists: FYI @indiejournalists.bsky.social has a two-day online conference March 5-6, 2026. They are currently offering a $49 early bird registration.
2026 Conference Sessions — The Institute for Independent Journalists
theiij.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Freelancer journalists: FYI @indiejournalists.bsky.social has a two-day online conference March 5-6, 2026. They are currently offering a $49 early bird registration.
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just a note that Inverse Gaming is accepting freelance again in general, so I’m also opening this up to general gaming essays or reported features pitches as well. in general, we like stories about the craft behind video games, the amusing historical game lore you wouldn’t expect, etc.
October 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
just a note that Inverse Gaming is accepting freelance again in general, so I’m also opening this up to general gaming essays or reported features pitches as well. in general, we like stories about the craft behind video games, the amusing historical game lore you wouldn’t expect, etc.
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
quick update on this: the outpour of emails has been incredible! we have assigned out the Best RPGs list already, but I'm still open to hearing end-of-year pitches for trends you noticed gaming and/or reported features!
October 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
quick update on this: the outpour of emails has been incredible! we have assigned out the Best RPGs list already, but I'm still open to hearing end-of-year pitches for trends you noticed gaming and/or reported features!
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
hi all, the awaited day has come: I'm looking for freelance writers to pitch Inverse Gaming for end-of-year coverage! namely, I'm looking for someone to contribute our best of RPGs this year list ($350), and pitch us on some year-end lookback essays ($500+). please pitch me: shannon@inverse.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:31 PM
hi all, the awaited day has come: I'm looking for freelance writers to pitch Inverse Gaming for end-of-year coverage! namely, I'm looking for someone to contribute our best of RPGs this year list ($350), and pitch us on some year-end lookback essays ($500+). please pitch me: shannon@inverse.com
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This was a really great discussion. Things are quite bad for reporters, protesters and the First Amendment. But newsrooms and civil society can develop defensive tools and plans to fight attacks on expression. Watch for more ⬇️
What are journalists dealing with on the front lines covering DHS and ICE?
@attorneynora.bsky.social @writeralejandra.bsky.social @plasticjesusart.bsky.social @mvtopic.bsky.social and I had a lot of ground to cover in this 1-hour panel hosted by
@exposedbycmd.bsky.social and @acslaw.bsky.social!
@attorneynora.bsky.social @writeralejandra.bsky.social @plasticjesusart.bsky.social @mvtopic.bsky.social and I had a lot of ground to cover in this 1-hour panel hosted by
@exposedbycmd.bsky.social and @acslaw.bsky.social!
Rights Under Attack: DHS Violence Against Journalists, Observers, and Protestors
YouTube video by American Constitution Society
www.youtube.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
This was a really great discussion. Things are quite bad for reporters, protesters and the First Amendment. But newsrooms and civil society can develop defensive tools and plans to fight attacks on expression. Watch for more ⬇️
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
Student + early career journalists in Appalachia (or young folks who want to write): pitch 100 Days! Looking for stories w/ angles on young people, related to education & what's happening on campuses, politics, life & identity, & more. Rates start at $150 for opinion, $200-$400 for reporting.
100 Days in Appalachia's Call for Pitches
100 Days in Appalachia began as an experimental pop-up publication, designed to candidly narrate the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency from within the heart of a region dubbed “Trump Country...
www.100daysinappalachia.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Student + early career journalists in Appalachia (or young folks who want to write): pitch 100 Days! Looking for stories w/ angles on young people, related to education & what's happening on campuses, politics, life & identity, & more. Rates start at $150 for opinion, $200-$400 for reporting.
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Join us for a preview webinar for MediaFest25. From Freelancing 101 to breaking into international publications to diversifying income streams to building trust, and even protecting your mental health. Oct 2, 6pm ET. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Freelance Community Conference Preview. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Freelance Community Conference Preview. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
us02web.zoom.us
September 24, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Join us for a preview webinar for MediaFest25. From Freelancing 101 to breaking into international publications to diversifying income streams to building trust, and even protecting your mental health. Oct 2, 6pm ET. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us for a preview webinar for MediaFest25. From Freelancing 101 to breaking into international publications to diversifying income streams to building trust, and even protecting your mental health. Oct 2, 6pm ET. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Freelance Community Conference Preview. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Freelance Community Conference Preview. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
us02web.zoom.us
September 24, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Join us for a preview webinar for MediaFest25. From Freelancing 101 to breaking into international publications to diversifying income streams to building trust, and even protecting your mental health. Oct 2, 6pm ET. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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This event and responses could mark a trend toward significant intrusions on First Amendment rights. tinyurl.com/y8bhbb53
ABC’s actions against Jimmy Kimmel could mark a First Amendment inflection point
ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show over his comments about Charlie Kirk's murder could mark a First Amendment inflection point.
tinyurl.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:08 AM
This event and responses could mark a trend toward significant intrusions on First Amendment rights. tinyurl.com/y8bhbb53
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
🔎🌿 Discover hidden environmental data!
On Oct. 14, join this webinar from @pulitzercenter.org to learn about web scraping for investigations — no coding required.
Explore data on deforestation, pollution, licenses, and much more:
On Oct. 14, join this webinar from @pulitzercenter.org to learn about web scraping for investigations — no coding required.
Explore data on deforestation, pollution, licenses, and much more:
pulitzercenter.org
How Journalists Can Use Scraping Tools for Environmental Stories | Pulitzer Center
twp.ai
September 19, 2025 at 7:06 AM
🔎🌿 Discover hidden environmental data!
On Oct. 14, join this webinar from @pulitzercenter.org to learn about web scraping for investigations — no coding required.
Explore data on deforestation, pollution, licenses, and much more:
On Oct. 14, join this webinar from @pulitzercenter.org to learn about web scraping for investigations — no coding required.
Explore data on deforestation, pollution, licenses, and much more:
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
Freelance journalists -- @therevelator.org is *finally* open to pitches. We have a limited number of assignments available for the rest of this year, so check out our updated guidelines and pitch me! therevelator.org/about/
About The Revelator • The Revelator
The Revelator provides reporting, analysis and stories about conservation, endangered species, climate change and the future of the planet.
therevelator.org
September 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Freelance journalists -- @therevelator.org is *finally* open to pitches. We have a limited number of assignments available for the rest of this year, so check out our updated guidelines and pitch me! therevelator.org/about/
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
I'm looking for pitches for @MotherJones' print culture section, Mixed Media! These are ~2,000-word essays that combine reporting, cultural criticism, historical research, and/or personal narrative. More details in our pitch guidelines here: www.motherjones.com/contribute/w...
Freelance Writer Guidelines
www.motherjones.com
September 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I'm looking for pitches for @MotherJones' print culture section, Mixed Media! These are ~2,000-word essays that combine reporting, cultural criticism, historical research, and/or personal narrative. More details in our pitch guidelines here: www.motherjones.com/contribute/w...
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
Just a reminder to check for your name in this list of books that OpenAI trained from. If your name is there, they probably owe you several thousand dollars.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI
Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.
www.theatlantic.com
September 6, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Just a reminder to check for your name in this list of books that OpenAI trained from. If your name is there, they probably owe you several thousand dollars.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
How can you turn your journalism skills into speaking gigs? Join the SPJ Freelance Community for a free webinar Wednesday, Aug 27. RSVP here: bit.ly/466emHh
August 25, 2025 at 8:13 PM
How can you turn your journalism skills into speaking gigs? Join the SPJ Freelance Community for a free webinar Wednesday, Aug 27. RSVP here: bit.ly/466emHh
Reposted by SPJ Freelance Community
“To be forced to live with a sanitized memory is to accept a state-approved myth—a story that leaves no room for the raw anguish of those burned into the landscape.” Kenzaburō Ōe quoted in @orionmagazine.bsky.social orionmagazine.org/article/what...
What We Leave Out - Orion Magazine
On narrative and omission eighty years after the atomic bomb
orionmagazine.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:30 AM
“To be forced to live with a sanitized memory is to accept a state-approved myth—a story that leaves no room for the raw anguish of those burned into the landscape.” Kenzaburō Ōe quoted in @orionmagazine.bsky.social orionmagazine.org/article/what...