Hiya writer friends,
I’m writing to you from the Oregon Coast, having finally completed my cross-country drive. I’m now renting a little apartment with water on both sides but no beach. It’s on a peninsula flanked by factories and casinos and it’s probably nothing like any coastal town that comes to mind. But this is home for the next two months while I cover a story I’ve wanted to cover for ages. It’s hard to believe I’m finally here to do that.
When I first quit my full-time editing job last year, it was my goal to have the freedom to travel and cover big stories in different places. The pandemic made that a whole lot harder. But here I am, and it feels damn good to be doing what I set out to do.
It’s hard to see what we’ve accomplished when we’re constantly hustling for the next thing. So a reminder for all of us: don’t forget to take a step back from time to time and and acknowledge all you’ve done. It doesn’t have to be everything. It doesn’t have to be the biggest goals. But you’re doing the work, and that alone is worth celebrating. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of me.
(This is not where I’m staying, but it’s a very pretty beach on the Oregon Coast.)
Now, on to the good stuff!
Funds, Events, and Random Things
Apply for up to $100,000 from the Spotlight Investigative Journalism Fellowship through The Boston Globe. Deadline is September 24.
Burningword Literary Journal accepts flash nonfiction and the deadline for their October issue is September 10.
Month-long artist residencies in Wyoming for writers and artists of all genres are provided by Jentel Arts. Applications for Winter/Spring months are due on September 15.
The Scripps Howard Foundation is offering grants to writers from $5,000 to $7500. Applications are due on September 15.
The Fund for Investigative Journalism is awarding grants up to $10,000. Deadline is September 14.
Science Writers 2020 is an annual conference that will take place digitally this year. Registration now open.
The Society for Environmental Journalisms 30th anniversary conference is online last this month.
Here’s some simple yet excellent advice from Roy Peter Clark’s Writing Tools.
Also this from one of my favorite people on Twitter:
What I’m Reading
Ambivalence is interesting and sometimes the natural world is boring. Sometimes you can be striding up a mountain trail, surrounded by clouds, and be thinking only of your malfunctioning washing machine. When the natural world offers only blankness, and doesn’t feel writable-about, it’s useful to start wondering why. Tugging on that thread can unpick a whole load of hidden assumptions about our relationship to natural environments; what we ask of them, what we want from them, and why. —The Things I Tell Myself When I’m Writing About Nature, Lithub
Is Staying In Staying Safe? The New Yorker
Editors Who Want Your Pitches
Variable West is seeking pitches for their new column, Love Letters, for micro-essays on artists in California, Oregon, and Washington. Pay is $50 for $250 words.
I'm looking for pitches for reviews! Email ahazlett@mashable.com with tech, lifestyle, and kid/family ideas for the Extremely Online. Reviews will be 1000-1200 words, $300
That’s all for today friends. If you’re not already a paid subscriber, consider joining this week for $15/off the regular annual rate. The deal ends on Friday. It’s my birthday present to you!
Stay inspired,
Britany