Freelance Writing Jobs: Women's Institute, BBC, Cosmopolitan
Plus some brilliant residencies in France.
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"A career-changing book... if you're thinking about going freelance, read this first," says GQ’s Oliver Franklin-Wallis.
My book The Pyjama Myth: the Freelance Writer's Survival Guide will make you a better, happier freelancer and you can order your copy from Bookshop.
Hello! How are you doing today? I’ve felt a shift in how I’ve been working recently. There’s a handwritten document approaching 40 pages on my desk, listing everything in my novel that needs fixing. I spent a day in Birmingham last week eating nothing but pastry and custard, practically bouncing off the train walls on my way home. I’ve also been working on a new piece, in a format I’ve not tried before. And I’ve suddenly decided I actually like working in one particularly busy cafe (my least favourite writing habitat, despite many attempts over the years). Something about the start of spring makes me feel like a change is coming, and it’s going to be a good one.
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Love to start things off with one for writers with a connection to Wales. Folding Rock has shared a calls for pitches for its next issue, on the theme ‘speak to me’.
Mattie Lacey-Davidson at Living360 is looking for pitches covering health, fitness and wellness.
Here’s a call for pitches from Emma Gibbs, my editor at at JRNY magazine, for ideas on budget travel. Strict perimeters for this one, make sure your pitch fits.
Grace Henry has joined Cosmopolitan as acting entertainment and lifestyle director and wants your pitches on food, drink, travel, horoscopes and interiors. Email address is in the replies.
Another role at Hearst – they’re looking for an acting entertainment writer for a four-month contract.
The BBC is hiring a senior journalist for Money & Work on a four-month contract. Be quick, this one’s closing today!
More at the BBC. They’re in need of a part-time senior journalist in Bristol and a part-time journalist at Radio Berkshire.
Surrey Federation of WIs is hiring a part-time editor for its online magazine, working two days a week.
This one’s a biggie: Perspectiva Press is taking on an associate director of editorial and publishing on a part-time basis.
The Scott Trust – owners of The Guardian – are looking for a new trustee. This position is paid, which is pretty rare for trustee roles.
Thirsty for a new challenge? DASH Water is looking for a creative copywriter, part-time applicants considered.
Harper James Solicitors is hiring a freelance legal content writer.
Computershare is looking for a part-time content writer, working three days a week.
B2B growth agency Omniscient Digital need a freelance social media marketing editor and writer.
Heroit Watt University in Edinburgh is taking on a part-time social and digital engagement coordinator. Loads of writing in this role.
Cardiff Metropolitan University is hiring an associate lecturer in creative writing. This one’s on an hourly rate.
This temporary digital archives assistant gig with Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage isn’t quite a writing role, more archives and research, but there’s definitely a crossover in skills.
The VAULT Creative Arts’ brand new playwriting award is open for submissions.
UK Jewish Film has launched Changing Perspectives, a new film fund commissioning three writers to create short dramatic works.
The Mo Siewcharran Prize opens 1st April. This year the prize is searching for submissions of non-fiction from Black, Asian, mixed heritage and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Polish your elevator pitches, Scottish writers! Emergents Digital is hosting a Bluesky Writers’ Pitch day on Friday 28th March.
The Midland History Essay Prize is open for entries.
The Richard Beeston Bursary is open for submissions from aspiring British or UK-based foreign correspondents.
Wild Hunt Books is looking for “anxiety, dread, weird, horrifying, witty, funny, wretched” to land in their submissions inbox.
City St George’s University’s is offering one writer a place on its novel writing short course.
The George Weidenfeld Fellowship is open for entries from UK-based journalists looking to spend time working with the German media.
Studio Faire in southwest France is awarding fellowships to two writers without the financial means to take up a residency. You’ve got until Sunday to apply, but the form is relatively simple.
Another one in France. The American Library is offering writers a visiting fellowship for works that would benefit from time in France, particularly Paris.
Last one of the week before I go and fix the dishwasher: ALCs payments went out to writers this week and I can’t stress enough how fruitful this organisation can be for freelancers. Sign up and start submitting your work! Your articles, books and scripts can be added retrospectively up to three years back, and it’s worth doing even for a handful of articles each year (I update mine when I do my invoicing). It’s extra money for work you’ve already written, don’t miss out on it.
A quick bursary update: the shortlist has been finalised! I’m so excited for the next stage and I’ll be in touch with everyone who entered next week.
Loved this issue? Hit that heart button, share with a freelance friend, or buy me a cuppa.
And finally: next on the reading list | new favourite lunch spot | don’t forget these pitching guidelines | all the books I’ve loved this year.
I'm Sian Meades-Williams. I'm a freelance writer, author and poet and I was the winner of the 2022 Yeovil Literary Prize. My book The Pyjama Myth: the Freelance Writer's Survival Guide will make you a better, happier freelancer and it’s out now.
Best of luck with your pitches this week!