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Welcome back to Friday. This is your 16th edition of Missed Pitches.
Took a break from my newsletter duties last week but I’m back at it again.
ICYMI: Two weeks ago I introduced new sections to this newsletter. One of those sections, Best of Freelance Twitter, features an individual account that provides an invaluable service to the freelance community. If you know of someone I should feature, nominate them.
Tell your friends about it on Twitter!
Again, use this Google Form to submit your rejected pitches. Give me a follow on Twitter at @MissedPitches for updates and shout-outs. Read the previous edition here. // rungomez
Contents:
They’re here, they’re genderqueer, and they dig God (by Nadia Leigh-Hewitson)
The new political party few have heard about (by Katie Tobin)
In search of our mothers’ pleasure gardens (by Willow Naomi Curry)
A little known story about World War II (by Jacob Sutherland)
How COVID-19 changed fashion for women (by Shriya Bhattacharya)
Editorial contacts
Best of freelance Twitter
Freelance opportunities
Writing jobs
NOTE: The following rejected story pitches have been lightly edited for space and clarity.
They’re here, they’re genderqueer, and they dig God (by Nadia Leigh-Hewitson, nadiaemilyleigh-hewitson@hotmail.co.uk)
2020 was a year of revelation for many. Gender-variance has become one of the most interesting new topics of cultural discussion with Elliot Paige coming out as trans, and Sam Smith announcing that they identify as non-binary. However some institutions are so rooted in archaic tradition that it’s hard to see how non-binary people could exist within their confines, for instance the Christian church. I meet the clergy people challenging that.
Why now? It’s an important time to be considering LGBTQ+ rights as the banning of conversion therapies is due to be debated in the House of Commons on March 8.
Why me? I have already interviewed Rev M Barclay of the US’ United Methodist Church and LGBTQ+ ministry resource platform ‘Enfleshed’, and Rev Peta Evans of the UK’s Metropolitan Community Church. They have connected me with more non-binary clergy-members and I am collecting unique and expert voices to have conversations with about gender and Christianity.
The new political party few have heard about (by Katie Tobin, katieannetobin@gmail.com)
I wanted to write an in-depth profile on the new British political party Burning Pink. I have yet to see any major news outlets discuss the party and given the recent escalation of their tactics which include protesting, shoplifting, civil disobedience, and hunger strikes, and I believe it is vital that a major news outlet reports on this. I have preemptively made contacts within the party who have said that they would be happy to answer any questions I have and provide comment.
Founded during the pandemic, the party has accrued a small following on platforms like Twitter, but has been utilizing Facebook groups to arrange direct action and discuss tactics.
In search of our mothers’ pleasure gardens (by Willow Naomi Curry, willowncurry@gmail.com)
My essay “In Search of Our Mothers’ Pleasure Gardens” focuses on people of color in the cottagecore movement, particularly Black women. It looks at the movement from a Black feminist perspective, pushing beyond existing coverage on its appeal to Gen Z and highlighting its more explicitly political, radical overtones when practiced by Black women—specifically, how it is a form of resistance to the roles we are often placed in and the stereotypes placed upon us, neither of which have ever had to do with rest, leisure, or “softness”.
A little known story about World War II (by Jacob Sutherland, jacobcmsutherland@gmail.com)
I wanted to reach out to pitch an essay discussing the internment of folks from the Aleut indigenous community during World War II in the context that this is a much neglected historical event.
During WWII, the United States committed a number of atrocities against its own citizens and residents. Notably, the government forcibly removed 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast, Hawaii, and the Philippines (which at the time was a part of the greater US empire) to internment camps under Executive Order 9066.
However, the government took the process of internment even further, detaining 881 Aleuts from the Aleutian islands archipelago to camps over a thousand miles away in Southeastern Alaska, an environment as foreign to the Aleuts as is the Mojave desert from the Appalachian region. While all internment is atrocious, the offense against the Aleuts was especially horrific, as 10 percent of all Aleuts who were detained during the war died in the camps, while the percentage of those who died in Japanese internment camps was negligible.
I would like to unpack this history in the context of it being something which has been largely forgotten to time. While the US did issue a formal apology to the Aleut community and offered reparations in 1988, this legacy of detainment has been swept under the rug.
How COVID-19 changed fashion for women (by Shriya Bhattacharya, shriyabhattacharya96@gmail.com)
Due to new social distancing protocols in the United States, women are rarely venturing out of the houses and, if they are, it is only for essential errands like grocery shopping, running to the hospital for emergencies, or a Carolina Herrara sample sale.
Since more women than ever before are now working from home, taking care of children and/or pets, and can’t leave the house, their day-to-day outfits have changed. Instead of tailored pantsuits and chic blouses for work, it is sweatpants for conference calls. Instead of a pretty summer dress for a picnic, it’s day pajamas while they tidy the house and help with homework.
My article will be sourced from conversations from different women discussing what they wear at home, how it’s changed, and why. I’ll also interview 1-2 fashion professionals (bloggers, magazine editors, etc.) if possible to get their expert opinion on how women’s choice of clothing has changed and how/if it will impact future fashion trends after the pandemic.
My article will also touch on why women connect with fashion and how COVID-19 has impacted that: in some instances, we follow fashion trends and try to look stylish because appearances matter: we want others to think highly of us and personal style helps with that. However, in light of social distancing when we no longer see anyone apart from our family or roommates, has fashion become less important?
The article will end with if/how this change in fashion has impacted consumer demand: Are we ordering more pajamas and sweatpants instead of cocktail dresses and bikinis because we won’t be seen for the next few months? If so, how are fashion labels and brands responding?
Editorial Contacts
The New Territory (Pitch Guide) - Pitch Midwestern-forward literature and longform journalism to Julia Shiota at julia@newterritorymag.com
Cannabishealth.com - Pitch medical cannabis stories to Amanda Siebert at asiebert.freelance@gmail.com
Hypocrite Reader - Pitch on eating, speaking, smiling, snarling, biting, & more before May 15 to hypocriterdr@gmail.com
High Country News - Pitch stories that involve the use of historical archives to Jessica Kutz at Jessicak@hcn.org
Climate Home News (Pitch Guide) - Pitch stories on how communities on the front lines of climate change are tackling the worsening threats to their lives to Isabelle Gerretsen at ig@climatehomenews.com
Best of Freelance Twitter
NOTE: This space is dedicated to featuring one worthy Twitter account that provides an invaluable service to the freelance community.
⚡️ Follow Kat Boogaard at @kat_boogaard for free tips and resources for freelancers. She also has a must-read newsletter that lists freelance writing gigs and other resources.
Freelance Opportunities
via @deepa (March 19): CALL FOR PITCHES: @Tribeca Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and I'm hiring freelance writers to reflect on its biggest moments. Would love to hear your ideas, though I also have entertainment pieces to assign out. ~500 words, DM me for details — please share!
via @cabrasted (March 18): hi freelancers — would love to get connected with someone experienced in tech writing for a couple of assignments for the @sidecarglobal blog. 25c per word. DM me!
via @The_Fence_Mag (March 16): CALL FOR PITCHES: We’re putting together our 8th issue of facts, features, fiction and the rest. Send us your industry exposés, jokes, parodies and cultural putdowns. We want to hear the pitch that’s so weird no one else will take it. All contributions paid: info@the-fence.com
via @GraceDobushToGo (March 16): I'm looking for a freelance journalist in Mozambique for a well-paid project — anybody got referrals? Such freelancers can get in touch with me here or at grace@storythings.com
via @RueMorgue (March 16): Who loves spooky podcasts? We're expanding our podcast review section and need writers! Pitch us with some writing samples at info@rue-morgue.com
Writing Jobs
CNN is hiring a Climate Writer - Flexible
Filter is hiring a Staff Writer - Remote/New York
Pocket Tactics is hiring a Staff Writer - UK
Assent Compliance is hiring a Content Writer - Canada
Courier is hiring a Writer and Researcher - London