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About these resources
Freelancers are in a unique position within the news industry. They do not belong to any one newsroom, nor gain the benefits of being employed staffers. Yet, they are a significant portion of independent journalism in this era of bare-bones operations, niche websites and nonprofit startups. In fact, they provide the majority of the news and information published in the nation’s magazines, as well as much of the online specialty sites. These independent journalists require assistance in finding assignments, establishing personal ethical guidelines, negotiating contracts, branding themselves and otherwise running their operations as working businesses.
By creating the go-to site for freelance health and science journalists, we also get the opportunity to expose these writers to the extensive topical resources that will inform and improve their stories. Building this kind of community also increases the chances these visitors will want to attend the deeper training provided by the conferences and our fellowship programs. All of this means more accurate and meaningful reporting reaching the public.
We thank the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for the support that makes these resources available. The foundation has not dictated the content on these pages, but rather has provided a grant or financial sponsorship that allows us to pay for the costs associated with collecting, writing, editing and presenting valuable resources.
Send us ideas, questions, suggestions. Share your successes. Point us to good stories.
About the freelance correspondent
Barbara Mantel (@BJMantel), an independent journalist, is AHCJ’s freelance community correspondent. Her work has appeared in outlets that include CQ Researcher, Rural Health Quarterly, Undark, Healthline, NBCNews.com and NPR. Barbara is helping AHCJ members find the resources they need to succeed as freelancers and welcomes suggestions at freelance@healthjournalism.org.
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Pitching & PitchFest
One important skill freelancers need is the ability to craft a winning pitch. In this section, freelance writers will find strategies from writers about what worked for them and from editors about what they seek from writers. See resources on the basics of pitching, what to do (and what not to do) when pitching, which pitches are effective and which ones are not.
Got a story idea? Pitch it to an editor at AHCJ’s annual PitchFest.
Editors from some of the top magazines, newspapers and websites attend our annual conference to give you an opportunity to sit down and discuss your ideas one-on-one.
"The PitchFest was great for me. I was able to speak with three editors and did receive an assignment from one magazine. I've completed the piece and am waiting for it to be published. It was well worth my time, and will likely end up covering the cost of the trip." – Shawna De La Rosa
"I did not expect to get any kind of commitment, because I'm at the earliest stage of a potential book project. For me it was valuable and informative to talk to someone who represents a later-stage step for me. I got to text my elevator pitch, and I got encouragement and good feedback. Totally worth my time." – Jill Adams
"PitchFest was the main reason why I went to the conference this year. While the experience was mixed – to be expected when meeting with multiple editors – it was well worth the investment of time and money. One of my meetings was about a book, so it is way early to report progress on that, and I still have to follow up with others. But one contact resulted in an assignment for two web stories and some travel support. We later discussed expanding that into a feature assignment but then decided to stick with the original commitment. I'm working on those stories now and anticipate an ongoing work relationship." – Bob Roehr
"The PitchFest went very well. Writers were prepared, were familiar with the magazine and came up with some great ideas. I have made, and will make more assignments with some of the writers I made. Really, the biggest problem is not having enough room for all the pitches I liked! Definitely worth my time. Thanks again!" – Tod Jones, Costco Connection
"Overall, the PitchFest experience was really good and well-organized. I do feel that it was definitely worth our time at Scientific American and appreciated the format and organization. Many thanks." – Dina Maron, Scientific American
FEATURED RESOURCES
7 Fatal Flaws of Story Pitches: How to identify common mistakes that get in the way of landing that big idea
On Nieman Storyboard, Jacqui Banaszynski discusses the most fundamental ways that writers fail at pitching stories. She also offers resources on pitching guidelines and what editors are looking for in a good pitch.
Be wary of assignment scams by email
In recent weeks, many freelance writers have received the same email — a consultant says she needs help with a writing project for an upcoming workshop. She wants to create an article on a specific health topic that will be given to the workshop attendees as a handbook.
Holding late-paying publications accountable
Independent journalist Wudan Yan calculated at one point that several publications she had written for were late in paying here – to the tune of almost $5,000. Read what happened when she decided to take action.
Freelance investigative reporting may not be easy, but it’s possible
The Health Journalism 2019 session on investigative reporting for freelancers revealed tips, resources and success stories to inspire freelancers to dig deeper into those suspicions they have about a story — and the hundreds or thousands of documents that it likely involves.
Freelancers, editors explore ethics, integrity and transparency
While their hearts and training may lie with traditional objective journalism, many freelancers take on additional writing assignments in order to make ends meet. But when do these non-journalistic jobs present real or potential conflicts of interest with journalism? How should writers and their editors address the ethical questions that may arise? In an evolving media landscape, how do freelance journalists maintain objectivity – and integrity – while paying the bills? Attendees who gathered in Baltimore for Health Journalism 2019 learned tips for handling the challenges.
Freelancers learn to maximize social media skills
Attendees at Health Journalism 2018 learned how to up their social media game from those who do it well — and how to avoid potential problems — at the “Freelance: Flex your social media muscle” session.
Tips for freelancers to unleash their inner entrepreneur
Two top freelancers at Health Journalism 2018 – Linda Marsa and Heather Boerner – and attorney Ruth Carter offered a series of great tips to help you start thinking of your freelance work as a real business … and make it pay like one.
Freelance: The best career hacks
A number of independent journalists – on a panel and in the audience – shared their best tools and advice for being a successful freelancer. Advice includes tools and software to use, best networking practices, how to be businesslike and building your brand.
Using smartphones and DSLRs to tell stories
Insights on some tools, techniques to offer multimedia content to clients.
Mastering the art of the pitch
In an hourlong webcast, two top editors offered their tips for selling your best story ideas and marketing yourself as an indispensable writer.
Journalists explain how freelancers can add audio, video to boost pitches – and income
Tips on building your multimedia skills and getting the most from your equipment
Success in the trades and writing for a professional audience
Notes from a panel discussion at Health Journalism 2015.
Webcast: Tips for pitching to top publications
Find out what it takes to break into top-tier publications.
What do editors want from freelancers? #ahcj14
Pitching tips from editors at Health Journalism 2014.
How to query AARP publications (Betsy Agnvall presentation)
From ‘Freelancers: Editors give the inside story’ panel at Health Journalism 2014.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Freelancers get 8 tips on selling related stories to multiple markets
Panelists offered eight tips for turning a story idea into multiple articles for various publications.
6 tips to find success writing for trade publications
Writing for a professional audience requires a familiarity with the lingo and an understanding of the larger context of developments in a particular field.
Pitches That Work (and Some That Don't) (David Corcoran presentation)
From ‘Freelancers: Editors give the inside story’ panel at Health Journalism 2014.
10 Ways to Get Published - Faster (Tyghe Trimble presentation)
From ‘Freelancers: Editors give the inside story’ panel at Health Journalism 2014.
Webcast: Beyond the Basics of Pitching: Becoming That Dream Writer
Craft a memorable pitch and get that assignment.
Freelance: Ideas that editors buy (David Corcoran presentation)
Guidelines and pitch suggestions from Health Journalism 2013.
Webcast: Secrets of pitching
Tip, tricks and insights into editors’ minds.
Pitches that are a hit with editors
Advice on making successful pitches from Health Journalism 2012.
Health Journalism 2011 offered several sessions focused on the needs of freelancers
Story ideas, tips and tricks targeted to freelancers. From Health Journalism 2011.
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Contracts
On every assignment, freelancers are operating under a contract of some kind. Sometimes the terms of the contract are committed to paper and signed by both sides. Often there is no signed agreement. Either way, it’s vitally important to know how to protect yourself from onerous requirements, unfair terms and unreasonable rates. In this section, experienced freelancers explain how to negotiate fair contract terms, how to price for value, and how to understand your liability exposure.
FEATURED RESOURCES
Webcast: Contracts and legal issues
Independent journalist Linda Marsa interviewed attorney Jonathan Kirsch about legal issues that affect journalists, such as indemnity clauses, work-for-hire agreements, the Dynamex case, carrying insurance and much more.
Holding late-paying publications accountable
Independent journalist Wudan Yan calculated at one point that several publications she had written for were late in paying here – to the tune of almost $5,000. Read what happened when she decided to take action.
Four ways to deal with late payments
After independent journalist Wudan Yan wrote about her effort to get publications to pay her what they owed – a post that went viral – she pointed out some proactive steps freelancers can take to protect themselves as much as they are able to from late or missing payments.
Tips for freelancers to unleash their inner entrepreneur
Two top freelancers at Health Journalism 2018 – Linda Marsa and Heather Boerner – and attorney Ruth Carter offered a series of great tips to help you start thinking of your freelance work as a real business … and make it pay like one.
Freelance: The best career hacks
A number of independent journalists – on a panel and in the audience – shared their best tools and advice for being a successful freelancer. Advice includes tools and software to use, best networking practices, how to be businesslike and building your brand.
For freelancers, ‘Contracts 101′ was important session at #ahcj14
Info from Health Journalism 2014 on indemnity clauses, liability exposure, and fees.
Contracts & Costs … and pricing for Value (Greg Smith presentation)
Presentation from ‘Contracts 101’ panel at Health Journalism 2014.
Keys to negotiating fair contracts
Tips for handling unfair clauses and requirements.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
National Writers’ Union
Find a contract advisor.
How to Deal with Warranty and Indemnification Clauses
Blog post from Writers and Editors.
Copyright, work for hire, and other rights issues
Blog post from Writers and Editors.
Copyright forms
Forms for filing copyrights. From the U.S. Library of Congress.
8 Contract Provisions Every Freelancer Should Know
From Freelancers Union.
Sample Contract: Freelance Writer’s Contract
From Columbia University Law School.
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Insurance
Being a successful freelancer means you are running your own business, and in that business you may want insurance to cover health care expenses, liability exposure and a short- or long-term disability. In this section learn how to ensure you are covered for liability exposure and how to find low-cost health insurance.
FEATURED RESOURCES
Freelance: The best career hacks
A number of independent journalists – on a panel and in the audience – shared their best tools and advice for being a successful freelancer. Advice includes tools and software to use, best networking practices, how to be businesslike and building your brand.
For freelancers, ‘Contracts 101′ was important session at #ahcj14
Info from Health Journalism 2014 on insurance, indemnity clauses and liability exposure.
Freelancers on the hunt for health insurance
Choices and pitfalls for freelancers scoping out insurance options.
Focus on freelancing: Tips for buying liability insurance
Exploring affordable options for liability insurance.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Making sure you're covered for liability
Are you protected against libel litigation?
NerdWallet: Affordable Health Insurance for Freelance Writers
Guide to finding health insurance for freelancers.
Health Insurance Information for Freelancers
From the Society of Environmental Journalists.
Health Insurance for Writers
List of insurance providers from PEN America.
Insurance for Freelance Journalists
Tips and policy options for international journalists. From Reporters Without Borders.
Writers’ Emergency Assistance Fund
From the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
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Finance & business plans
Succeeding as a freelancer involves more than being an accomplished journalist. You also need to run the financial and business side of your enterprise with some level of skill and expertise. In this section, learn how to succeed in managing those aspects of your operation, including and how to write a business plan, how to set and reach your financial goals and how to make sure your work provides financial security for you and your family.
FEATURED RESOURCES
Good time to keep careful track of freelance payments
For some of AHCJ’s freelancers, payment issues were already a hassle before 2020 and the emergence of the novel coronavirus. Now they may be even more difficult, depending on the publication or editor. In several writer groups online, fellow freelancers have cheered for a surge in work but also bemoaned payment hiccups.
These resources can help meet your 2020 freelance business goals
However you approach your review and planning process in 2020 — annually, quarterly, monthly or weekly — it’s helpful to understand how others approach their work. Check out these references, depending on your preferences.
Tips for freelancers to unleash their inner entrepreneur
Two top freelancers at Health Journalism 2018 – Linda Marsa and Heather Boerner – and attorney Ruth Carter offered a series of great tips to help you start thinking of your freelance work as a real business … and make it pay like one.
Freelance: The best career hacks
A number of independent journalists – on a panel and in the audience – shared their best tools and advice for being a successful freelancer. Advice includes tools and software to use, best networking practices, how to be businesslike and building your brand.
Tools and apps for freelancers
This collection of resources for freelancers, presented at Health Journalism 2016, includes tools for tracking time, organizing, running a business, transcription and more.
Setting & Hitting Your Goals For Your Freelance Business (Ilise Benun presentation)
From "Freelance: Road to security" panel at Health Journalism 2013.
Planning for Success: Mapping Freelance Success Through Business Models and Business Plan [PDF]:
Panel of independent journalists at Health Journalism 2013.
A survival guide for brain and bank account [PDF]
Twelve tips from independent journalist Stephanie Friedhoff.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Reporters get the inside story on reader-supported journalism
Crowdfunding, when reporters collect payments from readers, offers another way for journalists to get paid.
Freelance: Managing workflow and workload
How to adapt your workload and responsibilities to your lifestyle.
Freelance: Mapping successful business plans and models
Common themes in freelance financial success.
How to Write a Business Plan for a Freelance Writer
Freelance planning from a business perspective.
Financial Management Tips for Freelancers
From DesignM.ag.
Budgeting Your Freelance Income
Tips on creating budgets and assessing income. From Financial Highway.
Tax deductions for the self-employed freelance writer
A list of popular freelance writeoffs. From Examiner.com.
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Networking & branding
Once you become a freelance writer or editor, you need to market yourself. That means you need to know how to network so that you can spread the word to potential clients about you and your brand. Among the resources you’ll find in this section are those on how to use social media to expand your reach, best practices for blogging and how to use fellowships to advance your career.
FEATURED RESOURCES
Freelance shares tips for creating — and protecting — your professional website
Freelance writers always have to market themselves, and one way to put yourself before potential clients is to have a work website. But figuring out how to create a website can be overwhelming. Should you try to design it yourself or use a professional? And what design features will attract editors and convince them to hire you?
Freelancers learn to maximize social media skills
Attendees at Health Journalism 2018 learned how to up their social media game from those who do it well — and how to avoid potential problems — at the “Freelance: Flex your social media muscle” session.
Tips for freelancers to unleash their inner entrepreneur
Two top freelancers at Health Journalism 2018 – Linda Marsa and Heather Boerner – and attorney Ruth Carter offered a series of great tips to help you start thinking of your freelance work as a real business … and make it pay like one.
Freelance: The best career hacks
A number of independent journalists – on a panel and in the audience – shared their best tools and advice for being a successful freelancer. Advice includes tools and software to use, best networking practices, how to be businesslike and building your brand.
Cinematic techniques can add pop to stories, says Pulitzer winner
Jacqui Banaszynski offers tips on using the techniques from television and movies to make your stories stand out.
Using smartphones and DSLRs to tell stories
Insights on some tools, techniques to offer multimedia content to clients.
Tools and apps for freelancers
This collection of resources for freelancers, presented at Health Journalism 2016, includes tools for tracking time, organizing, running a business, transcription and more.
Directory of independent journalists
Find a freelancer: Members can opt to be listed in a searchable membership directory that is available only to current AHCJ members.
The reluctant freelancer
Tips for rebranding and marketing yourself in an uncertain economy.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Fact-checking your freelance stories
Strategies to make sure you turn in error-free stories and prepare them for a publication's fact checkers.
Webcast: Using fellowships to advance your freelance career
Fellowships allow freelancers to advance their career goals while still paying the bills.
Fellowships, Internships, Training & Grants
Career development opportunities, AHCJ and non-AHCJ.
Best practices in blogging and social media
Promotion and relationship-building for freelancers.
Freelancing: Minimizing isolation, maximizing networking
Building contacts and marketing.
Twitter for health journalists
A primer on the popular service and how to make it work for you.
Multimedia and social networking for health journalists
Resources for networking and branding that go beyond the basics.
Online technology tip sheet
These links will help you learn more about social networking software and sites.
Eight months later, freelancer still generating story ideas from fellowship
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Freelance market guide
Our Market Guide is meant to be a growing site for AHCJ’s freelancers to find out what assigning editors at specific outlets are looking for from writers. These editors have been kind enough to share the mission of their outlets and set some parameters for pitching ideas. Please follow their guidance closely.
The Atavist Magazine “publishes one incredible true story every month,” according to its website. This pioneer of digital storytelling is interested in pitches from health care reporters and pays a baseline fee of $6,000 for stories that start at 8,000 words. See the market guide...
This publication is owned by the British Medical Association but is is editorially independent of the BMA. It is read by physicians and scientists, mostly in the U.K. and U.S., with a growing audience in India and China. We want great stories that keep the medical audience in mind and refer back to the evidence. See the market guide...
Cosmopolitan (U.S. edition), the highest-circulation magazine in the world—and the best-selling magazine on college campuses—puts a priority on health coverage, said Sara Austin, senior deputy editor. And to good effect: It scored a 2014 National Magazine Award for its 12-page “Your Cosmo Guide to Contraception.” See the market guide...
Close to 30 million people read the magazine each month. Two-thirds of its readers are women, one-third men. The median age is 58 and more than 60 percent of readers graduated from college. Stories run from 350 words or less for shorts up to 1,500 words for cover stories. Typical length for one-page pieces is 500 to 600 words, including sidebar(s). See the market guide...
Discover magazine is a publication educating readers on the newest issues in science, medicine and technology. Its readership is likely individuals in their early 40s looking for cutting-edge information. One thing that differentiates Discover from other science publications is its format: the stories are not so much news focused as they are narrative. See the market guide...
The Food and Environment Reporting Network, FERN, is an independent, nonprofit news organization that fosters investigative reporting. Instead of actually publishing material, the group partners with other newspapers, magazines and websites to get reporters’ pieces published. See the market guide...
Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News goes out free to every gastroenterologist in the United States, as well as a handful of colorectal surgeons, GI nurses and other related health care providers. Articles typically run 600 words, or 900 for features. The editors are always looking for good stories across the gamut of GI practice, from endoscopy to hepatology. See the market guide...
Medscape is interested in pitches for stories that engage its primary audience of physicians and other health care professionals. See the market guide...
MedShadow is looking for writers who agree with what MedShadow is about: helping people understand the risks and benefits of medications, that there are often side effects and that there can be alternatives. They report on the downside of medications and he wants writers who have solutions to the downsides. See the market guide...
Nature Medicine's readership is diverse. Reader interests range from somebody working on DNA sequences and patents, or are involved in advocacy on a particular illness. The main readership includes primarily biomedical researchers, physicians, and patient groups. The magazine has done specials with political/policy angles and they’ve known people in D.C. who have kept tabs on policy-oriented stories. See the market guide...
New Scientist accepts pitches for news stories and features. The editors are looking for news stories that will surprise and features with a narrative flow that will sustain reader interest for several pages. See the market guide...
Newsweek, is a broad-based newsweekly that looks for stories that appeal to a wide and relatively affluent audience. It’s demographics are college-educated, skewed male (70 percent), ages 22 to 55 and nearly half have incomes over $100,000 annually. See the market guide...
During a time when many health sections are closing down or shrinking, The Philadelphia Inquirer has expanded this section of its coverage. In 2013, it began producing an eight-page Sunday Health Section and broadened its news offerings online. And when a news hole expands, so does an organization’s need for writers. See the market guide...
With a readership made up of lay people and scientists, this publication is looking for pitches that are "novel, clear and concise." SciAm is a daily, online news operation that focuses on more timely developments and analyses, and a monthly print publication that takes deeper looks and runs longer features. See the market guide...
Spirituality & Health is a publication that explores myriad topics under both of these subjects including alternative health, wellness, sexuality, medical ethics, science, the environment and where health intersects with faith and spirituality. The magazine, owned by Spirituality & Health Media, LLC, has a target audience, mostly women over the age of 35, who are already familiar with the world of spirituality and alternative health. See the market guide...
Tarbell is ramping up to publish more stories about broken systems or inequity in health care. It is looking for stories that clearly show one party and one group having more power and influence than others. See the market guide...
Undark’s audience is college-educated Americans who want to know how science intersects – and sometimes collides – with politics, economics and culture. The relatively young publication is on the web and has a regular need for freelance work: about five to six smaller pieces per week and one long-form article each month. See the market guide...
Pitching 
Contracts
Insurance
Finance 
Networking 
Freelance 
Freelancer 
I have found my niche writing about medicine, health, science and the environment. Formerly, I was a reporter for The Los Angeles Times and I am now a contributing editor at Discover, which means I can work from home, which can be isolating. My advice to others is to take classes and workshops and go to as many conferences every year as your time and budget allow. Always look into whether conferences you want to attend will cover your travel costs. Also, apply for fellowships. One of the benefits of winning fellowships is that they can make you more marketable because you can become an expert of sorts in some areas in which you might not have had any prior experience.