The Open Notebook
@theopennotebook.bsky.social
Nonprofit dedicated to science journalism: articles, tip sheets, courses, mentoring, workshops, pitch database, & more. Our book THE CRAFT OF SCIENCE WRITING: http://bit.ly/CoSWbook
Our free “Intro to Science Writing” syllabus corresponds to a ~12-week course, with readings, discussion questions, and assignments covering introductory topics like how to pitch stories and conduct interviews to writing features and bringing narrative into storytelling. 🧪
Sample Course Syllabus: Introduction to Science Writing - The Open Notebook
Science journalists often learn the tricks of the trade by trial and error. But here at The Open Notebook, we firmly believe the basics of covering science, and covering it well, can also be taught. A...
www.theopennotebook.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Our free “Intro to Science Writing” syllabus corresponds to a ~12-week course, with readings, discussion questions, and assignments covering introductory topics like how to pitch stories and conduct interviews to writing features and bringing narrative into storytelling. 🧪
New year, new you? We recently published our writer’s guidelines as a resource for any writer or editor interested in improving their craft, from how to tackle common writing pitfalls to how to navigate fact-checking. Here they are, free for any journalist anywhere. 🧪
The Open Notebook’s Writers’ Guidelines - The Open Notebook
Landing an assignment, especially a feature, is an exciting moment for any early-career journalist. But what happens next in the reporting, writing, and editing phases can sometimes be ambiguous. This...
www.theopennotebook.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:34 PM
New year, new you? We recently published our writer’s guidelines as a resource for any writer or editor interested in improving their craft, from how to tackle common writing pitfalls to how to navigate fact-checking. Here they are, free for any journalist anywhere. 🧪
Thanks to the generosity of our community TON reached—and exceeded!—our fundraising goal for 2025! Your gifts will help ensure that we can continue our mission of making science journalism training accessible to all. 🧪
About The Open Notebook - The Open Notebook
Every story is a science story. Yet fewer than 3 percent of journalists are trained to cover science, health, or the environment—and access to such training is both scarce and inequitable. The Open No...
www.theopennotebook.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Thanks to the generosity of our community TON reached—and exceeded!—our fundraising goal for 2025! Your gifts will help ensure that we can continue our mission of making science journalism training accessible to all. 🧪
Reposted by The Open Notebook
Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social:
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
December 31, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social:
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
Reposted by The Open Notebook
SUPPORT SCIENCE JOURNALISM TODAY ⬇️ @theopennotebook.bsky.social
Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social:
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
December 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
SUPPORT SCIENCE JOURNALISM TODAY ⬇️ @theopennotebook.bsky.social
Somehow, there are just 3 days left in 2025. This year, TON turned 15, shared our free Science Reporting Navigator and science writing course syllabus, celebrated publishing >600 articles and mentoring and supporting 400+ journalists, and more. Help us reach our goal of raising $40,000 for 2026? 🧪
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Somehow, there are just 3 days left in 2025. This year, TON turned 15, shared our free Science Reporting Navigator and science writing course syllabus, celebrated publishing >600 articles and mentoring and supporting 400+ journalists, and more. Help us reach our goal of raising $40,000 for 2026? 🧪
Reposted by The Open Notebook
whenever people ask me how to become a science writer, I refer them to the @theopennotebook.bsky.social. it's the best guide to becoming a thoughtful, ethical science journalist. all donations will be matched through the end of the year, will you join me?
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
whenever people ask me how to become a science writer, I refer them to the @theopennotebook.bsky.social. it's the best guide to becoming a thoughtful, ethical science journalist. all donations will be matched through the end of the year, will you join me?
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
TON is committed to fostering a welcoming community where journalists can access support, mentoring and training to develop their skills, overcome barriers, serve their audiences, and thrive in their careers. Help support the future of science journalism by helping us reach our end-of-year goal. 🧪
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
TON is committed to fostering a welcoming community where journalists can access support, mentoring and training to develop their skills, overcome barriers, serve their audiences, and thrive in their careers. Help support the future of science journalism by helping us reach our end-of-year goal. 🧪
With @transjournalists.org, we recently published this curated set of resources for covering issues that affect the trans community. 🧪
Resources for Evidence-Based Reporting on Transgender Communities - The Open Notebook
Many of the issues that affect transgender people—such as gender-affirming medical care, educational policy, sports participation, military service, gender-motivated hate crime, and workplace discrimi...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
With @transjournalists.org, we recently published this curated set of resources for covering issues that affect the trans community. 🧪
Re-upping this important guide today, from @tylersantora.bsky.social. 🧪 #transhealthcare #transhealth
How to Report on Healthcare for Trans Youth Accurately and Sensitively - The Open Notebook
Media coverage of healthcare for trans minors too often perpetuates stigma, fuels controversy, and misinforms the public. Journalists can counteract this pattern and report on this topic responsibly b...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Re-upping this important guide today, from @tylersantora.bsky.social. 🧪 #transhealthcare #transhealth
Reposted by The Open Notebook
Absolutely honored for my book to be featured on The Open Notebook this way! TON is an incredible resource for us science journalists, and for them to include details of my reporting for The Stronger Sex makes my heart smile. Thanks @skylerdware.bsky.social & @siricarpenter.bsky.social for this!
When she embarked on reporting her book, The Stronger Sex, @starrevartan.bsky.social knew her audience was people interested in female bodies. But reporting well meant doing so in the face of gaps and uncertainty in existing research. 🧪
Starre Vartan Explores the Understudied Power of the Female Body in The Stronger Sex - The Open Notebook
Growing up, Starre Vartan was often told to ask boys or men for help with physical labor, even when she knew she didn’t need it. In The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Femal...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Absolutely honored for my book to be featured on The Open Notebook this way! TON is an incredible resource for us science journalists, and for them to include details of my reporting for The Stronger Sex makes my heart smile. Thanks @skylerdware.bsky.social & @siricarpenter.bsky.social for this!
When she embarked on reporting her book, The Stronger Sex, @starrevartan.bsky.social knew her audience was people interested in female bodies. But reporting well meant doing so in the face of gaps and uncertainty in existing research. 🧪
Starre Vartan Explores the Understudied Power of the Female Body in The Stronger Sex - The Open Notebook
Growing up, Starre Vartan was often told to ask boys or men for help with physical labor, even when she knew she didn’t need it. In The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Femal...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
When she embarked on reporting her book, The Stronger Sex, @starrevartan.bsky.social knew her audience was people interested in female bodies. But reporting well meant doing so in the face of gaps and uncertainty in existing research. 🧪
In this interview with @starrevartan.bsky.social, TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow @skylerdware.bsky.social talks to Vartan about writing a book about a field of emerging research: the power of the female body. 🧪
Starre Vartan Explores the Understudied Power of the Female Body in The Stronger Sex - The Open Notebook
Growing up, Starre Vartan was often told to ask boys or men for help with physical labor, even when she knew she didn’t need it. In The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Femal...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
In this interview with @starrevartan.bsky.social, TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow @skylerdware.bsky.social talks to Vartan about writing a book about a field of emerging research: the power of the female body. 🧪
“Puede ser muy gratificante explorar nuevas vías, encontrar y desarrollar más habilidades en ti misma”, le dice Staaf a @skylerdware.bsky.social. “Creo que es importante diversificarse de formas que se sientan fieles a tus metas y alegrías”. #TONenEspañol 🧪
Cómo diversificar tu trabajo freelance para encontrar estabilidad y alegría - The Open Notebook
Es difícil vivir exclusivamente del periodismo freelance. Para mantenerse económicamente y evitar el burnout, algunos escritores de ciencia freelance amplían su portafolio para incluir trabajos más al...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:57 PM
“Puede ser muy gratificante explorar nuevas vías, encontrar y desarrollar más habilidades en ti misma”, le dice Staaf a @skylerdware.bsky.social. “Creo que es importante diversificarse de formas que se sientan fieles a tus metas y alegrías”. #TONenEspañol 🧪
“It can be really rewarding to explore more avenues, to find and develop more skills in yourself,” @dannastaaf.bsky.social tells @skylerdware.bsky.social. “I think that it’s important to diversify in ways that feel true to your goals and your joys.” 🧪
Diversifying Your Freelance Work for Stability and Joy - The Open Notebook
It’s difficult to make a living on freelance journalism alone. To support themselves and avoid burnout, some freelance science writers expand their portfolio to include work outside of written news re...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:56 PM
“It can be really rewarding to explore more avenues, to find and develop more skills in yourself,” @dannastaaf.bsky.social tells @skylerdware.bsky.social. “I think that it’s important to diversify in ways that feel true to your goals and your joys.” 🧪
Help ensure that journalists everywhere, on every beat, can find the resources they need to succeed. TON provides resources to help journalists develop skills, overcome barriers, and thrive in careers. Give today and your gift will go twice as far, thanks to a matching challenge from our donors. 🧪
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Help ensure that journalists everywhere, on every beat, can find the resources they need to succeed. TON provides resources to help journalists develop skills, overcome barriers, and thrive in careers. Give today and your gift will go twice as far, thanks to a matching challenge from our donors. 🧪
Periodistas locales como @emilywoodruff.bsky.social están encontrando voces en sus comunidades que hablan de las ramificaciones de la vida real, yendo más allá del ciclo de noticias inmediato y humanizando las decisiones políticas, escribe Lucila Pinto. #TONenEspañol 🧪
Cómo lograr que los recortes en la financiación de la ciencia y la salud resuenen entre los lectores - The Open Notebook
Al rastrear las pérdidas de financiación y encontrar ángulos que ilustren el impacto de dichos recortes más allá de las cifras, los periodistas pueden ofrecerles a los lectores una comprensión más pro...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Periodistas locales como @emilywoodruff.bsky.social están encontrando voces en sus comunidades que hablan de las ramificaciones de la vida real, yendo más allá del ciclo de noticias inmediato y humanizando las decisiones políticas, escribe Lucila Pinto. #TONenEspañol 🧪
Local reporters like @emilywoodruff.bsky.social are finding voices in their communities that speak to real-life ramifications, stepping beyond the immediate news cycle and humanizing policy choices, writes TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow Lucila Pinto. 🧪
How to Make Science and Health Funding Cuts Resonate with Readers - The Open Notebook
By tracking funding losses and finding angles that illustrate the impacts of those cuts beyond the numbers, journalists can give readers a deeper understanding of how fiscal decisions have profound co...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Local reporters like @emilywoodruff.bsky.social are finding voices in their communities that speak to real-life ramifications, stepping beyond the immediate news cycle and humanizing policy choices, writes TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow Lucila Pinto. 🧪
What’s better than giving to something you care about? Having what you give count twice! Before the end of the year, we’re hoping you consider supporting The Open Notebook. Your donation will be matched by a group of generous donors, up to a total of at least $7,500. 🧪
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:07 PM
What’s better than giving to something you care about? Having what you give count twice! Before the end of the year, we’re hoping you consider supporting The Open Notebook. Your donation will be matched by a group of generous donors, up to a total of at least $7,500. 🧪
Every community is wrestling with countless issues that have scientific evidence at their core—extreme weather, opioid addiction, reproductive health access, gun violence, housing and transportation infrastructure, agriculture, and many others. TON has free resources to help journalists on any beat.
Covering Science at the Local Level - The Open Notebook
Science journalism goes beyond reporting scientific news—it's about using scientific evidence to hold decision-makers at all levels accountable and inform the public. And science is essential for addr...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Every community is wrestling with countless issues that have scientific evidence at their core—extreme weather, opioid addiction, reproductive health access, gun violence, housing and transportation infrastructure, agriculture, and many others. TON has free resources to help journalists on any beat.
Céntrate en las estadísticas clave que resonarán en tu audiencia. Investiga cómo los contratiempos en los estudios podrían afectar a la vida de los ciudadanos. Lucila Pinto, becaria de TON/@bwfund.bsky.social, habló con @alexaroblesgil.bsky.social y otros para este artículo muy útil. #TONenEspañol 🧪
Cómo lograr que los recortes en la financiación de la ciencia y la salud resuenen entre los lectores - The Open Notebook
Al rastrear las pérdidas de financiación y encontrar ángulos que ilustren el impacto de dichos recortes más allá de las cifras, los periodistas pueden ofrecerles a los lectores una comprensión más pro...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Céntrate en las estadísticas clave que resonarán en tu audiencia. Investiga cómo los contratiempos en los estudios podrían afectar a la vida de los ciudadanos. Lucila Pinto, becaria de TON/@bwfund.bsky.social, habló con @alexaroblesgil.bsky.social y otros para este artículo muy útil. #TONenEspañol 🧪
Reposted by The Open Notebook
Thanks to Nikki Greenwood for talking up Quanta's biology section in @theopennotebook.bsky.social !
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/11/25/i...
Writers, I welcome your pitches of "obscure" biology stories! Email me hwaters@quantamagazine.org for my pitch guidelines.
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/11/25/i...
Writers, I welcome your pitches of "obscure" biology stories! Email me hwaters@quantamagazine.org for my pitch guidelines.
Isotopes, Archaea, and Cold-Water Physics—How to Sell Obscure Science Stories to Editors and Readers - The Open Notebook
Getting a story about unfamiliar and obscure fields such as geology, organic chemistry, or quantum mechanics off the ground often means jumping over hurdles—for editors and readers alike—that might no...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Thanks to Nikki Greenwood for talking up Quanta's biology section in @theopennotebook.bsky.social !
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/11/25/i...
Writers, I welcome your pitches of "obscure" biology stories! Email me hwaters@quantamagazine.org for my pitch guidelines.
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/11/25/i...
Writers, I welcome your pitches of "obscure" biology stories! Email me hwaters@quantamagazine.org for my pitch guidelines.
*️⃣ Focus on key statistics that will resonate with your audience.
*️⃣ Investigate how setbacks in studies could affect citizens’ lives.
TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow Lucila Pinto spoke with @emilywoodruff.bsky.social, @alexaroblesgil.bsky.social and others for this helpful story. 🧪
*️⃣ Investigate how setbacks in studies could affect citizens’ lives.
TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow Lucila Pinto spoke with @emilywoodruff.bsky.social, @alexaroblesgil.bsky.social and others for this helpful story. 🧪
How to Make Science and Health Funding Cuts Resonate with Readers - The Open Notebook
By tracking funding losses and finding angles that illustrate the impacts of those cuts beyond the numbers, journalists can give readers a deeper understanding of how fiscal decisions have profound co...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
*️⃣ Focus on key statistics that will resonate with your audience.
*️⃣ Investigate how setbacks in studies could affect citizens’ lives.
TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow Lucila Pinto spoke with @emilywoodruff.bsky.social, @alexaroblesgil.bsky.social and others for this helpful story. 🧪
*️⃣ Investigate how setbacks in studies could affect citizens’ lives.
TON/@bwfund.bsky.social early-career fellow Lucila Pinto spoke with @emilywoodruff.bsky.social, @alexaroblesgil.bsky.social and others for this helpful story. 🧪
Under the Trump administration, decimated health and science funding in the U.S. has become everyday news, leaving journalists with the challenge of what to cover and how to contextualize cuts for their audiences. Lucila Pinto spoke with @cmerref.bsky.social and others to bring you this guide. 🧪
How to Make Science and Health Funding Cuts Resonate with Readers - The Open Notebook
By tracking funding losses and finding angles that illustrate the impacts of those cuts beyond the numbers, journalists can give readers a deeper understanding of how fiscal decisions have profound co...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Under the Trump administration, decimated health and science funding in the U.S. has become everyday news, leaving journalists with the challenge of what to cover and how to contextualize cuts for their audiences. Lucila Pinto spoke with @cmerref.bsky.social and others to bring you this guide. 🧪
In recognition of TON’s 15th birthday, we have set an ambitious goal: to raise $60,000 to support the future of science journalism. With $15,000 already raised and $7,500 pledged in matching gifts so far, giving today can help us get there.🧪
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
In recognition of TON’s 15th birthday, we have set an ambitious goal: to raise $60,000 to support the future of science journalism. With $15,000 already raised and $7,500 pledged in matching gifts so far, giving today can help us get there.🧪