In collaboration with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Wellness Health Media is expanding its contributor bench and seeking experienced health journalists to write for The Wellness Letter, a monthly consumer health newsletter published for more than 40 years.
The Wellness Letter translates evidence on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and everyday health practices into clear, practical guidance for adults.
We are building a small group of regular contributing writers interested in an ongoing freelance relationship.
ABOUT THE PUBLICATION
Our readers are highly educated, proactive adults who value nuance and expect:
- Careful interpretation of peer-reviewed research
- Clear explanations of biological mechanisms
- Thoughtful evaluation of evidence quality
- Practical, actionable guidance
Our Voice and Standards:
- Clarity: We value writers comfortable explaining both what the evidence supports and where its limits lie.
- Tone: Authoritative but accessible — like a trusted physician explaining what the science actually shows.
- Skepticism: Claims must be appropriately qualified, and conclusions must reflect both the strength and the limits of the evidence.
- Focus: This is not trend-driven wellness writing or promotional content. If your instinct is to ask, “How strong is the evidence?” — we’d like to hear from you.
WHAT YOU’LL WRITE
Assignments may include:
- Feature articles: Approximately 1,000–1,200 words (longer on occasion).
- Shorter service-oriented features.
- WELLNESS NEWS briefs: Typically focused on a single new study or guideline, placed in the context of prior research and existing recommendations.
- Ask the Expert pieces: Reader-style question format, answered through research-based reporting and expert input (generally 600–800 words).
Process & Timelines:
- Topics are developed by the editorial team.
- Writers are expected to independently identify, read, and evaluate relevant peer-reviewed research. Most assignments are literature-based reporting.
- Features: 3–4 weeks from assignment to first draft
- News briefs: 1–2 weeks
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking writers who:
- Have significant experience covering consumer health or medical topics.
- Are comfortable reading and interpreting full peer-reviewed journal articles.
- Understand the difference between observational findings and causal conclusions.
- Can evaluate study design, sample size, limitations, and generalizability.
- Write clearly for a non-professional audience without oversimplifying.
- Deliver clean, well-organized drafts.
THE BOTTOM LINE SECTION:
Every major feature concludes with a clearly structured BOTTOM LINE section. This is a defining element and must:
- Reflect both the strength and limits of the evidence.
- Provide clear, specific guidance appropriate to our readership.
EDITORIAL PROCESS
- Articles may go through multiple rounds of edits, particularly for new contributors.
- Writers should be comfortable with collaborative editing and evidence-based revision.
- New contributors typically begin with shorter assignments (e.g., News briefs or Ask the Experts pieces) before moving to longer feature articles.
COMPENSATION
- Compensation is per article and based on length and complexity:
- Shorter pieces: $300–$400
- Ask the Experts: approximately $350–$400
- Researched features: $600–$800
- Writers who commit to ongoing monthly contributions may be offered regular assignments.
TO APPLY
Please send:
- A brief note describing your experience covering consumer health.
- 2–3 relevant clips (evidence-based reporting preferred).
- Your typical turnaround time for feature-length articles.
Send to: editors@wellnessletteronline.com
We are particularly interested in writers who have experience serving an educated, older audience and who understand the importance of calibrated, evidence-based health reporting.