The following is a summary of advice shared by expert panelists who attended our 2020 seminar series, gathered and written up here by members of Neuwrite. To learn more, please see the 'Seminars' tab on the website.
How To Break Into Science Journalism Written by Yasmin Ali NeuWrite London’s second seminar for underrepresented writers focused on science journalism. It brought together the British Medical Journal’s international features editor Mun Keat Looi, the freelance science and technology journalist Anna Demming, the BBC Science Focus’ editorial assistant Amy Barrett, and the Economist’s science correspondent Alok Jha. The panel members discussed their roles, how they got into the industry, and their tips for aspiring science journalists. Getting in and building a portfolio The route to science journalism is not set in stone; there are many paths into the profession. Paying for an expensive course is not a pre-requisite, but it can be difficult to know where to start. For Looi, completing a science communication Master’s degree built up his confidence and contacts, but he recommends taking advantage of the wealth of free educational information available on the internet nowadays, such as the Open Notebook, and reaching out to people for advice through Twitter or LinkedIn. According to Looi, the science writing community members are generous with their time, so aspiring writers are encouraged to reach out. This can open doors; Barrett recalled contacting the editor at TechSPARK for tips, which led to her writing for them. She learned how to structure stories, and how to ask for jobs. The common thread for all science journalists is the building up a portfolio of writing over time. This results in improved writing skills, building up a reputation for reliability, and creating a collection of articles to showcase to future editors. Jha recommends writing for student newspapers, seeking out internships, and pitching as a freelancer to publications you enjoy reading. Getting rejections is part of the process. According to Jha, one of his former editors said the first 50 pitches will get rejected, so you may as well start getting through those rejections until you get a commission. Employed versus freelance? One of the advantages as a staff writer is the reach; working for a well-known and reputable organisation means interviewees will engage. On the flip side, some stories need to be written, and staff writers have to pitch in with topics they are less interested in. For Demming, the excitement of coming across a new story and figuring out who to pitch it to, and how, is an attractive aspect of freelancing. Also, not being tied down to a specialist publication, such as Physics World in Demming’s case, provides a wider scope of topics to write about. There is more job security as a staff writer, but the sector is shrinking. Most newsrooms, however, do recognise the need for increasing diversity. As such, Jha encourages people who can bring different experiences to apply for newsroom roles. Pitching to editors Jha compares this to going on a date; you have to charm the editor and build up a rapport. A good working relationship with an editor usually results in future work. At a more practical level, Looi advises sending a concise, readable e-mail, about four paragraphs, explaining who you are, what you are pitching, who you will interview, why it is suitable for the publication’s audience, and a link to your portfolio. Familiarise yourself with the publication, and think about which section your article would fit into, to make the editor’s life easier. Barrett’s key tip is demonstrating knowledge of the audience to the editor. What is the headline, on the cover of the magazine, that will convince the reader pick it up off the shelf? For online outlets, it's useful to show that the piece will be good for SEO, and has good hooks for social media. Finally, Looi says don’t take rejections personally, as editors get hundreds of pitches a day. How much to charge as a freelancer This is an awkward but important topic, and there are some useful resources to help. Every professional publication has set rates, which may be published or can be requested from the editor. For new writers, Jha advises against negotiating the set rates. Picking the right moment to discuss payment is important. This should happen as the piece is getting commissioned, do not get to the point where the piece is written for an unknown payment. Demming sets a bottom line for herself; a price below which she walks away. She recommends getting the editor’s buy-in on the story first, seeing what they offer, then making a decision. In some cases, a lower rate may be acceptable if the piece presents other opportunities. A useful resource, highlighted by Barrett, is the Association for British Science Writers’ annual review of rates per word. An average payment is around £0.25/word. Diversity in science journalism Starting out in journalism, Jha was met with a lack of interest in science graduates from newsrooms. This has changed over time, with events like the Coronavirus pandemic highlighting the importance of accurate science news. Jha’s Guardian colleagues organised an internship scheme aimed at people from underrepresented background, sparking his thoughts around the topic. One unresolved issue, Barrett said, is around unpaid internships, which exclude anyone unable to fund this. She also highlighted an issue around the culture of ‘work until you drop’, a challenge for people with health conditions. The overriding message from the panel is that a diverse range of voices improves science reporting. If you are a science journalist from an underrepresented background, you will do the new outlets a favour by getting in touch, as they most likely don’t know how to reach people like you. Additional Resources: Opportunities and advice Science Writing News Roundup, a newsletter packed with freelancing tips, jobs and pitching opportunities The Professional Freelancer, a newsletter about the business of freelancing and making it into a successful venture The Association for British Science Writers (ABSW) Pitching The Open Notebook, which provides valuable insights into writing great science stories. It also has a section devoted to increasing diversity in science reporting, as well as a useful pitch database Evolving open-source document listing publications and details of editors to pitch to Pay Data on payment rates Open source document on freelancer pay rates NUJ pay rate for the job Mentoring and support Neuwrite London's mentoring scheme The Guardian Positive Action scheme
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
BY DATE |