The IIJ is thrilled to announce that Vox’s editor-in-chief, Swati Sharma, will be speaking at our freelance workshop July 20 in Washington DC!

You’ll also hear from assigning editors at CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post on what they look for in a pitch. You’ll leave this workshop with frameworks for crafting the perfect pitch, finding your niche or brand, running a thriving freelance business, and attaining both financial and emotional sustainability.

Space is limited, so sign up now for a full day of training for just $99. We’re excited to partner with the Asian Americans Journalist Association freelance affinity group in presenting this workshop.

We’ll also have ample opportunity to network and cover vital time management and mental health strategies.

Anyone registered for the AAJA convention may attend for free, but registration is required and only a few spaces are left.

Click here to register for our exclusive training. We look forward to seeing you on July 20!

Come Hang Out With the IIJ This Summer!

If you want to meet more fellow freelance journalists, now is your chance! The IIJ is hitting the road to several different journalism conferences this summer, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention, the Asian American Journalists Association convention, the National Association of Black Journalists convention, the Online News Association, and the Association of LGBTQ Journalists convention. So if you’re in Miami, DC, Birmingham, or Philly come say hi!

We’re excited to meet everyone in person!

If interested in attending a meetup, RSVP here.

For more details, scroll down to our calendar.

Is Freelancing Right for You? The IIJ’s Katherine Reynolds Lewis Answers

IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis penned an op-ed, “Is Freelancing Right for You?”, for Nieman Reports. In it, she writes about how “knowing your ‘why’” is the key to success in freelancing, breaks down the reality of freelance journalism, and even shares a few rules she has learned during her own career.

Click here to read the whole thing and figure out if freelancing is right for you!

Fellowships and Other Opportunities

The Future Rising Fellowship

If you’re ages 17 to 25 and interested in the intersection of climate and gender justice, the Future Rising Fellowship may be a good fit for you! The year-long program will help fellows expand their leadership and storytelling skills and network with other change makers.

Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend.

For more information or to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is June 29, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The Society of Professional Journalists Freelance Fellowship

If you’re a freelance journalist, here’s your chance to attend SPJ23, an annual journalism conference Sept. 28-30 in Las Vegas. The conference includes more than 50 training sessions, including the Editor-Freelancer Meet-and-Greet and special events at various venues.

Fellows receive a $250 stipend, one convention registration, a $500 travel and lodging supplement, and one ticket to the SPJ President’s Award Banquet.

For more information or to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is July 14, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Investigative Reporters & Editors Freelance Fellowship

If you have a project proposal for a book, television series, documentary or any other long-form project, you’re eligible for the IRE’s fellowship. Proposals that involve whistleblowers, business ethics, and/or privacy issues will be given priority.

1st place gets $2,500. 2nd place gets $1,500, 3rd place gets $1,000. All three winners will get a one-year-long IRE membership.

For more information or to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is August 28, 2023.

IRE Journalist of Color Investigating Reporting Fellowship

If you’re a journalist of color looking to strengthen—or build—your investigative skills, check out the IRE’s Journalist of Color Investigating Reporting Fellowship! The year-long program will give fellows the chance to create an investigative reporting project that benefits their community, attend an IRE boot camp, network with IRE members and other industry professionals, and meet monthly with a mentor for one year.

For more information or to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is October 5, 2023.

Interesting Reads

• Read “Imprisoning Palestine” by Rawan Masri and Fathi Nemer for Scalawag Magazine. In it, they dissect zionist colonialism through an abolitionist lens, revealing the similarities between the prison industrial complex in the U.S. as well as Gaza’s open-air prison.

• Read “Local journalism’s burnout crisis is unsustainable” by Elizabeth Djinis for Poynter. In it, she discusses the recent surveys and academic work that show how burnt out America’s local reporters really are—and proposes a few solutions for these newsrooms.

• We're always eager to connect with freelance journalists of color who'd like to be involved in the work of the IIJ or contribute to future programs. Email [email protected] to volunteer — or if you have an idea for a partner, funder or topic we should explore.

Calendar

• July 12-15 in Miami at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention, IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Valeria Fernández will present a session on financially and emotionally sustainable freelancing, along with conference speaker and expert negotiator Mónica Ortiz Uribe.

• July 19-22 in Washington D.C. at the Asian American Journalists Association convention, IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Jamila Bey will present an all-day workshop on the business of freelancing, including a panel discussion with assigning editors, on Thursday, July 20. Participation is free with your AAJA convention badge, but reservation is required, or $99 for others. We'll be partnering with the AAJA freelance affinity group on a convention session and happy hour, too!

• Aug. 2-6 in Birmingham, Ala., the IIJ will be meeting up with freelancers at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention. Sign up here to join us!

• Aug. 23-26 in Philadelphia at the Online News Association, IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis will attend as part of the ONA Women's Leadership Accelerator.

• Sep. 7-10 in Philadelphia at NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists convention, IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Jamila Bey will present a session on the business of freelancing.