Our favorite time of year is here! No, not the holiday season. It's the run-up to IIJ's annual freelance conference, a unique opportunity to connect with 50 diverse speakers, hear directly from a dozen-plus editors what they want in a pitch, and meet other independent journalists -- maybe even an accountability buddy? We're thrilled to announce that registration is open! Sign up here.

Even better, we can reveal our first keynote speaker: Tanzina Vega, the first Latina host of the Takeaway on WNYC, and former CNN and New York Times journalist. She'll talk about launching an independent journalism career, and her prior experiences in newsrooms, which include covering the Trump and Biden presidential elections, the rise of #BlackLivesMatter, Puerto Rico's political crisis and the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Bring your questions!

The conference includes 2 inspirational keynote addresses, 8 live and interactive 75-minute-long panel discussions, 2 networking hours, as well as webinars and other resources, for just $49 early bird, if you register before Dec. 22. Consider it a holiday gift to yourself!

Registration includes access to our bonus bundle, which contains Q&As with renowned editors talking about what they want in a pitch, such as Raha Naddaf, a story editor for the New York Times Magazine; Mimi Wong, editor-in-chief of The Offing; Carren Jao, senior editor at Stacker; and Emanuele Berry, executive editor for This American Life.

You’ll also receive IIJ-created pitch guides with rates and contacts for outlets featured in our previous webinars, including The New York Times, Business Insider, Bloomberg Businessweek, Science Magazine and many others. In addition to these essential resources, you’ll find expert guides covering a range of topics, from negotiating contract terms to tracking freelance income and applying for grants and fellowships.

We hope to see you at the conference. Please share with a friend or colleague?

DC Freelancers: Discount Code for the National Press Club’s Building a Business Workshop!

If you’re in the greater Washington D.C. area, please check out the National Press Club’s in-person freelancing business workshop in Washington D.C. Dec. 8—and use our discount code IIJ2023 for $10 off your registration fee.

Participants will learn strategies for winning pitches, managing freelancing as a business, and building the writer and editor relationship to sustain that business. Editors in attendance represent publications including AARP Bulletin, Industry Dive, Politico magazine, Slate, The Washington Post, and Washingtonian. 

Click here for the full schedule and confirmed list of speakers.

IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis is presenting on setting up a freelance business, and would love to meet up at the famous NPC taco bar afterwards with anyone who attends!

Missed Our Business Editor Webinar? Watch the Replay!

If you missed the business editors webinar, you can still watch the replay and soak up all the advice about covering business and personal finance stories, pitching, and building reporting strategies!

Speakers included: Manseen Logan, editor of freelancers, Business Insider; Mike Dang, personal finance editor, New York Times; Reyhan Harmanci, senior editor, Bloomberg Businessweek; and Shernay Williams, independent video journalist, moderator.

Manseen said that she prefers first person essays, job diaries, as-told-to stories; Mike wants personal finance stories that are between 800 and 1500 words; and Reyhan needs freelancers to offer a unique perspective with their pitch—the Remarks section is a good place for new contributors to break in.

Watch the full replay here.

Pitch Callouts, Fellowships, and Other Opportunities

Los Angeles Press Club Foot in the Door Program

If you’re an early career journalist based in Los Angeles, consider applying to the LA Press Club’s Foot in the Door program. Fellows get a mentoring relationship and guidance on how to secure work opportunities and launch their career dreams.

Pay: $3,000 stipend

The deadline to apply is Dec. 4

For more information or to apply, visit their website here.

Sojourners Journalism Cohort

If you’re a reporter or opinion writer who’s interested in writing about faith, culture, politics, and justice, consider applying to the Sojourners Journalism Cohort. Fellows will write articles for the web.

Pay: $400/month

For more information or to apply, visit their website here.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 27

JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship

If you’re a early career journalism with an interest in healthcare reporting, consider applying to the JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship. Fellows’ projects are supported with a $4,000 grant, one-year-long membership to JAWS, and complimentary registration and travel expenses to CAMP for 2024.

For more information or to apply, visit their website here.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 8

Grist Fellowship Program

If you’re an early-career journalist with an interest in environmental issues, consider applying to Grist’s yearlong fellowship program. Fellows will identify and pitch story ideas, write two to three stories each week, write pieces for Grist’s newsletters, and attend meetings and fellow trainings.

Pay: $55,000/year with benefits

For more information or to apply, visit their website here.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 26

ProPublica Fellowship Program

If you’re interested in investigative reporting, consider applying to the two-year Ancil Payne Reporting Fellowship.

Pay: $75,000/year with benefits

For more information or to apply, visit their website here.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 27

Interesting Reads

• Read Tom Jones’ “How the Washington Post decided to show extremely graphic images of mass shootings” for Poynter. In it, he talks to Post’s executive editor about the paper’s decision to show the images and how they urged readers to make their own decisions along the way.

• Read Angela Fu’s “US lost more than two local newspapers a week this year, new Medill report finds” for Poynter. In it, she discusses how over half of the U.S. counties have just one or no local news outlets.

• Read Jon Marcus’ “Newsrooms Want to Diversify. These Programs Can Help” for Nieman Reports. In it, he spotlights new apprenticeships that provide resources for young journalists of color to make the most of the industry.

• Read Megan Greenwell’s “Solutions Oriented” for Columbia Journalism Review. In it, she discusses how foundation money is changing local news.

• 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

We love growing the IIJ family and connecting with fellow freelance journalists, so please come to one of our events! Here are the upcoming IIJ events and presentations by IIJ leaders:

• Dec. 8 travel and lifestyle freelancing webinar. RSVP here to attend.

• Dec. 8 National Press Club’s building a freelance business webinar. Buy tickets here.

• Jan. 19 insurance for freelancers webinar. RSVP here to attend.

• Jan. 31 at 2 pm IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis speaks on an AIR panel about freelance business dilemmas.

• Feb. 9 sports and fitness journalism webinar. RSVP here to attend.

• April 12-April 14 presentation at the 2024 Women in Journalism workshop at the Reynolds Journalism Institute. For more information, click here.