Read on Twitter
Alright, here it is
Also editors, I can do an essay on this btw in case you wanna hire me.
My email is rainierharris3@gmail.com
and DMs open
Ok, now fellow “young” journalists please read this thread (btw this is super long) (1/25): https://twitter.com/harris_rainier/status/1291203396595326979
Also editors, I can do an essay on this btw in case you wanna hire me.
My email is rainierharris3@gmail.com
and DMs openOk, now fellow “young” journalists please read this thread (btw this is super long) (1/25): https://twitter.com/harris_rainier/status/1291203396595326979
I’m going to give a shorthand version because I could write about this forever (again editors my DMs are open). You can see a longer version when I write my autobiography in 20 years. First I’m gonna talk about who I am for context, my career in shorthand, then resources I used.
Also you’re welcome to share this in newsletters and with whoever you want, I want as many people as possible to see this.
I’m Rainier, 16, black male journalist in high school. Started journalism about a year ago. Work in local and regional NY outlets and forthcoming in the NYT, Undark, and a few other national outlets. Website in profile. (*cough* editors, DMs open or email me *cough*)
I started Spring 2019 @youthcomm with editors like @susarm that taught me how to write personal essays and reported pieces. That summer I got into the CLARIFY internship program, run by @JeanmarieEvelly @CityLimitsNews that gave me more hands-on experience with reporting.
After that I had the confidence to pitch local and regional outlets during the school year (shoutout to @DavidFBrand of my hometown newspaper @QueensEagle for taking a chance on me)
Ever since summer began, I’ve been writing more than ever and have been writing for national outlets as well. It’s been wild to say the least. Now a few very important pieces of advice:
You have to have a good mindset. You’re a journalist, period. Yes you’re “young” but remember you’re a journalist just like anyone else. Also, work is in abundance, your fellow writers are your peers not your competition that you need to tear down. We’re all in this together.
Find a niche. For example, I cover youth, police, surveillance, problems facing people of color and things like that. What I cover is broad enough that I can write about a totally unrelated topic like food, but still focused enough that editors know who I am and what I can do.
I want to note that I have been very very fortunate and lucky as well and privileged that I even have the time and capacity to do what I do and I can pursue journalism as much as I want. Not everybody has that and I want to acknowledge it.
A key thing that I’ve done is I pitched local and regional outlets AND national outlets as well. I think a common misconception is that they’re mutually exclusive. Like I said in my earlier thread, you don’t need 10 years at local and regional outlets to pitch the NYT.
Something that was EXTREMELY (I capitalized because it’s so important) helpful was @TWC_pod, please please please listen to @wudanyan and @jenni_gritters, and listen carefully to each episode to find out about the business of freelancing (sign-up for their Patreon!)
Why is that important? Well, writing might be what you love to do, but it’s also labor and don’t let anybody take your labor for granted. You deserve pay, you deserve to ask for money, you earned it, know what you’re worth.
Something also very important is to tune into @TimHerrera freelance sessions and subscribe to his newsletter (and sign-up for his Patreon!), amazing helpful content comes out every week. Also just follow him because he’s funny, nice, and keeps it real.
Follow educators like @KatinaParon that really care about your work and are tweeting about writing opportunities all the time. Apply to programs like CLARIFY, an internship at @CityLimitsNews run by @JeanmarieEvelly , that actually pays you for your labor.
Follow accounts like @WritersofColor and subscribe to newsletters like @weischoice that are tweeting real opportunities with editors that you can pitch to right as you see them.
Understand that editors are real people to. Be patient, you’re not going to get a response in two minutes, they actually have lives. Spend time crafting your pitch and never send a pitch right after an editor rejects one of your ideas. Keep it short and know what the story is.
Find journalists that you admire. Notice how I said admire, not idolize. Let me explain why: I think that when you idolize it makes people you admire seem so far ahead of you that you can never be on their level and that keeps you in a bad mindset. Don’t idolize, admire.
Some suggestions of journalist to follow: @Rainesford @nhannahjones @WesleyLowery @wudanyan @soledadobrien @erinbiba @MollyJongFast @TaylorLorenz @taylorcrumpton to name a few. Feel free to tag people below to follow, I would love to see some more suggestions!
Use the Internet. This sounds stupid but seriously look stuff up. For example, there are literally hundreds of articles on pitching, read several before asking somebody “how do I pitch” (some publications also have specific pitching guidelines that might be helpful).
Take it seriously. This goes back to the mindest point I made earlier but if you want to be treated and paid like a professional journalist you have to work on that level. Hand in things on or even ahead of time. But also don’t stress yourself out too much.
Burnout and imposter syndrome (it’s discussed a lot on @TWC_pod) are super real things. Know yourself, learn about yourself, know when you think you might burnout and take mental health days. Your feelings are valid, you’re not a robot.
Adults in media: please don’t just encourage us to pitch our high school newspaper. Encourage us to pitch our local and regional newspapers as well.
I didn’t even think about pitching mine until Jeanmarie suggested to. Now less than a year later, I’ve grown so much.
I didn’t even think about pitching mine until Jeanmarie suggested to. Now less than a year later, I’ve grown so much.
“Young” journalist, you’re a journalist. You don’t have a degree or the “experience” or the “network” *yet* but you have heart, mind, and passion so don’t let up and don’t let anybody tell you you’re not a journalist. You’re just as professional as the “professionals.”
Finally, have a life for yourself outside of journalism. Yes I love it but I also like watching TikToks, anime, and cartoons (that’s why my profile pic is literally from Teen Titans Go). Have fun while doing it. It’s not worth it if you don’t love it.
