Chapter 49
Interview with LuxeBook + 30 job opps + writing resources
Dear writers,
I have to say, I am a little overwhelmed by the response to my last newsletter. It made me really happy, and I hope you all find these newsletters helpful.
This is a slightly delayed newsletter (I was hoping to publish earlier in the month) because I have been travelling and work has been piling up. This edition has an interview with Payel from Luxebook + pitch calls + lots of job opps + other resources.
If you find this useful, please share with your friends?
Ready? Let’s begin.
INTERVIEW
My first interview for the new season of IAW is with Payel Majumdar, who is the editor of luxury magazine, Luxebook. Interestingly, our association goes back years to when she used to work with Hindu BLInk and I was a contributor.
𝐐. Is Luxebook open to pitches?
𝐀. LuxeBook has an editorial team that takes care of the bulk of editorial coverage produced. We, however, do commission from time to time, usually to industry experts, to bring in a fresh angle, voice and insider’s perspective.
𝐐. Do you commission or prefer being pitched?
𝐀. I am open to both. We have accepted pitches, or reached out for commissioned pieces.
𝐐. What are the kinds of pitches that interest you?
𝐀. If someone is bringing in a unique story, that fits the theme of the magazine, or has secured an insightful interview/well-reported story that is not run of the mill, it has a higher chance of being accepted. It really depends on our monthly budget as well for commissioning. We don’t accept brand collaborations/authored articles/barters between brands and journalists in the name of pitches.
𝐐. What are the hallmarks of a good pitch to you?
𝐀. It needs to be crisp and compelling. If a pitch is good, even a headline can make you want to read more. It needs to have a title and a short paragraph explaining the concept, the angle, and a couple of lines on the methodology that the author will adopt while writing it. (Whom she/he will speak to, the article format, etc.)
You can pitch her at payel.majumdar89@gmail.com and payel.majumdar@mediascope.co.in. Luxebook pays Rs 5-6 per word, depending on the story.
RESOURCES
✨Wondering about how to approach editors who do not pay you. This podcast may offer some solutions (Props for the title!)
✨ Contractes.fyi is a database that compiles international rates for different jobs, going beyond just writers.
✨The Wordling is a website and newsletter for writers who want to learn the business of writing. They’ve recently published a list of 220+ publications that pay $1-3 a word. Download, here.
✨ Seth Lorinczi wrote this fantastic deep dive for Narratively about a hijacking. He shares advice on his reporting for the story. Link, here
✨ Blogger and travel writer, Shivya Nath, has a free 5-day email course highlighting the biggest mistakes travel creators make, and how to fix them! Subscribe here.
PITCH CALLS
City AM is looking for pitches for features about food. The weirder the better.
- Rate: 30p/word.
- Email: steve.dinneen@cityam.comThe first print issue of Groove Volt launches in September, and they are open to pitches — reported features, cultural commentary, and evergreen pieces that speak to interesting music trends, culture, technology, etc.
- Rate: $75 - $500
- Email: abid.haque@groovevolt.comThe New Lens International is looking for unique and critical features from freelance journalists, Asian voices especially.
- Email: michaelbeltran@thenewslens.comLow Season Traveller is looking for paid writers for future editions of the
Magazine, with pitches on all aspects of low season travel, inc. Destination guides, Low season experiences, Sustainable hotels, Food and drink, Industry insights, Extraordinary people.
- Email ryan@lowseasontraveller.comInverse wants video game pitches, especially around Elden Ring DLC and fun new titles.
- Rate: starts at $150
- Email: shannon@inverse.comGay Cities is looking for travel writers who are people of color, trans, or women.
- Email: bil@gaycities.com
- Rate: $100-$250Business Insider is looking for essays from parents who ditched gentle parenting. Why did you do it? What parenting style are you using instead? What was it about gentle parenting that didn’t work, etc.
- Email: cpreti@insider.comDigital Frontier wants culture-tech stories where tech (not just AI) is changing the way we engage with arts, politics, sport and society.
- Email rohan@digitalfrontier.comHere’s how to pitch Brain Facts.
The Rumpus is open for essay submissions (up to 4,000 words) until August 1.
Details, here.The Kitchn is looking for pitches about reported TikTok trends, viral food movements people won’t stop talking about, and recipes that are blowing up on social media.
- Rate: starts at $250.
- Email paulina@thekitchn.com1202 wants to hear pitches on all things arts and culture — art, fashion, beauty, film, music, and more.
- Email marisa@1202magazine.comLongreads is accepting personal essay drafts and pitches for reported personal essays and reading lists. Rolling submissions. Guidelines, here.
- Rate: $350 for reading lists, $500 for personal essays, reported essay rates start at $500.Matador is seeking a few travel stories from an LGBTQIA+ perspective for June. Details, here.
Descript App is seeking podcast writers, specifically someone who’s a current podcaster AND can write for SEO.
- Rate: Pay: $1,000 per for a 1,000-word article
- Email ashley@descript.com and include SEO writing clips.
JOBS
Indian History Collective is looking for a Producer in Delhi for a new podcast series. Need experience in podcasting and production and understanding of digital marketing. Email jobs@oijo.com
The Free Press Journal wants a dynamic and organised Guest Coordinator to join their video team. Location: Mumbai. Email hrd@fpj.co.in or call on 7710874924
Patriot is hiring a chief sub-editor/senior sub-editor with 2.5-5 years of experience in a digital newsroom. Location: Delhi. Email resume and cover letter to editor@thepatriot.in
The Indian Express is on the lookout for a skilled and experienced reporter to join its Patna team. Candidate should have over 3 years of work experience, Email aaron.pereira@indianexpress.com
WION is looking for a senior news writer in Noida. Details, how to apply, here.
INDIA TV (Independent News Service Pvt Ltd) is looking for candidates with digital background for a Multimedia Producer (English) role. Email yaminisharma@indiatvnews.com
Adfactors PR is seeking talented content writers for its offices in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. Email aditya.tiwari@adfactorspr.com
Newslaundry is on the lookout for a news editor for a full-time position in Delhi. Email careers@newslaundry.com
AIM is on the lookout for a Deputy News Editor with at least 8 years of experience to join their team in Bangalore. Apply here
ELLE India is looking for a Beauty Writer to join their team.
Email kdesai@ogaan.co.in.
Good Earth is looking for a copy and social media intern. DM Vanya Lochan.
Sanctuary Asia is looking for an Assistant Editor. Email resume with 2-3 writing samples to lakshmy@sanctuaryasia.com
Grazia India is hiring a fashion features writer with 1/2 years experience.
Location: Mumbai (full-time). Email graziaindiaonline@gmail.comThe Hindu #MetroPlus has openings coming up in Hyderabad, Chennai and Trivandrum for writer/sub editors. Ideally journalists with about 3 to 5 years of work experience. No WFH. Email shonali.m@thehindu.co.in
Blogger Floyd is hiring people (in Pune) who want to produce food videos. Includes multiple roles like research assistant, scriptwriter, videographer, etc. Apply, here.
The News Minute is looking to hire a journalist in Vijayawada. Email dhanya@thenewsminute.com
The CSR Journal is looking for a full time journalist, in Mumbai, who can write and speak both in English and Hindi. He/she should be comfortable in video journalism also. Email ahana@thecsrjournal.in
The New Indian Express is looking for freshers or features reporters based in Delhi with 1-2 years of experience, with a specialisation or deep interest in arts and culture, and the communities of #Delhi. Email paramita@newindianexpress
Hindustan Times is looking to hire a desk editor for its Mumbai edition. Six-day week, 4.30 pm to 12.30 am. Email jennis.raval@hindustantimes.com.
Mumbai based marketing agency, Prominent Communications Partners, is looking for freshers and experienced individuals to join their team. In Mumbai. Email priyanka.shetty@prominentcomms.com.
Financial Express wants a mid-level feature writer in Noida, responsible for researching, conceptualizing, and producing engaging feature articles. Email geeta.khare@expressindia.com
YourStory is hiring a Brand Solutions Content Writer. Details, here.
HarperCollins India is looking for a Digital Editor, based out of Delhi NCR for its Gurgaon office. Experience - 1 to 3 years. Email Osheen.Patel@harpercollins.co.in and Utkarsh.Kaushik@harpercollins.co.in
Grazia India is hiring a Features Editor with 6 to 8 years of experience in the Fashion space. Office in Lower Parel, Mumbai. Email careers@wwm.co.in
Condé Nast India is looking for an Art Intern for 6 Months. Join immediately. Location: Mumbai. Email gayatri.shringarpure@condenast.in
Burda Media is hiring across verticals and several positions. Details, here. Email asreetama.basu@burdaluxury.com
Femina is hiring a Social Media Editor, Junior Social Media Editor, Junior Beauty Writer, Junior Features Writer. Email femina@wwm.co.in
Times Internet is hiring senior editorial resources in Telangana and Andhra with
government connections. Email gaurav.srivastava1@timesinternet.inDB Digital (Dainik Bhaskar Group) seeks a Features Desk Editor/Sub-editor with 5-10 years' experience in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Email sajal.jain@dainikbhaskar.com
Mashable India is hiring a Features Writer, with 2-4 years of experience, in Mumbai. Email ananya@forkmediagroup.com & hr@forkmediagroup.com
Mrinalini Mali is a freelance PR consultant, with 10 years of experience with clients in fashion, wellness, beauty, home decor, and F&B spaces. She has worked with brands like Chumbak, Titan, Amrapali, Hidesign, Jaypore, Jaipur Rugs, Azure Hospitality, My Glamm, and more. If you know anyone who needs a publicist, reach out to her. Portfolio
PS: I also share an updated list of job offerings *not just related to media/writing) on LinkedIn.
MISCELLANY
PAPERS: Call for Papers for the Migrant Asia: International Conference on Migrants in the Making of Asia to be held in April 2025. Submit abstracts of original papers (500 words) to the conference incl. bio notes (300 words).Deadline: July 30, 2024. Details, here.
READ: Sweat and Concrete: The Urban Heat of Inequality is an immersive audiovisual reading experience at www.alliserona.com that sheds light on the plight of millions of informal workers entrenched in physically demanding tasks amidst rising temperatures that threaten the well-being of the most vulnerable communities in our cities.
OPPORTUNITY: Yale University has a postdoc (feminist intersectional STS) opportunity in one of following areas: critical data studies, artificial intelligence and/or automation technologies; or social science of medicine and medical technologies. Closes: July 10. Details, here.
PRIZE: Verdant literary magazine is wide open for submissions to their annual Poetry Prize. Deadline: July 15.
FELLOWSHIP: The British Academy is inviting proposals from early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences wishing to pursue an independent research project, towards the completion of a significant piece of publishable research. Deadline: October 2. Details, here.
FELLOWSHIP: The Rice Sustainability Institute is seeking creative, interdisciplinary scholars to tackle transformative sustainability challenges. Deadline: August 15, 2024. Details, here.
PAPERS: Sociologists at IIT Delhi are hosting Indian Sociological Society’s Young Scholar’s Workshop this year. The theme is ‘Doing sociology in the technological contemporary’. Submit abstracts, here.
APPLICATIONS: The International Press Institute (IPI) launched its Local News Accelerator and seeks applications. Successful applicants will participate in intensive training, one-on-one and group coaching, speaker sessions, networking and gain access to an e-learning platform. To apply, submit a brief project proposal about a specific project they would like to work on with the help of the accelerator. Deadline: July 7. Details, here.
GRANT: The Pulitzer Center is seeking proposals to advance wide-reaching and relevant journalism on issues impacting communities in Africa, including but not limited to water and sanitation, land degradation and coastal erosion, education, maternal health, and climate resilience. Details, here.
PRIZE: The Rory Peck Awards is open to video journalists who cover international news and current affairs. There are four awards: news, features, the Sony Professional Impact Award for Current Affairs and the Martin Adler Prize for a local freelance journalist or field producer. Deadline: July 5. Details, here.
APPLICATION: Centre for Writing & Communication, Ashoka University is hiring for the academic year 2024-25. They are inviting applications in 2 categories: Senior Writing Fellow, and Writing Tutor.
GRANT: International Women's Media Foundation is accepting applications for the Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism to award annual grants in support of proposals to report and publish compelling human stories. Grants will be for a maximum of $5,000. Projects reported and published in English anywhere in the world are eligible. Deadline: July 14
MENTORSHIP: Journalist Vernika Awal has a month-long personalised social media consultancy programme, for small business owners like bakers, home chefs, content creators and other early-stage professionals. Get in touch, here.
Here’s some good news: Newslaundry has made its app and website user-friendly for people with disabilities. Called NewsAble, this includes features like screen reader compatibility, colour filters and contrast themes, dyslexia font and motion control, transcripts and subtitles, and voice search.It’s about time other media organisations did the same.
Before leaving you, a reminder that I love interacting with my readers. Please do share your feedback/ writing wins/ bylines etc about the newsletter, and what you hope to see in future editions. I am on itsallwrite@outlook.in.
Until next time, keep writing.
Cheers,
Joanna