How To Be An LGBTQ+ Freelance Writer
Look, I work in queer media and 'I've seen a couple of posts...' - Here are some top tips for new and emerging LGBTQ+ Freelance Writers on where to start and how to make it your career...
As Tracy Gilchrist continues to thrive as the inventor of Queer Media™, I thought it would be good to share some of my own personal reflections as a 28 year old freelancer ‘holding space’ alongside her.
I’ve worked as part of one of the worlds biggest LGBTQ+ magazines, appeared in Vogue, Elle and Glamour magazine and over the past seven years have continued a freelance career working both within and outside of queer media.
Chic.
So, are you looking to work within it? Do you want to know what’s going on behind the paywalls, and most importantly - who is best to pitch to at some of the best LGBTQ+ sites out there?
Consider this your Pride birthday present - a how to guide for getting into LGBTQ+ media, and finding out who to pitch to, what to include in your work and most importantly, how to continue with a sense of integrity and personal space to distinguish between your personal queer world, and your professional.
Where Do You Start?
One of the biggest challenges is knowing where to start. Not because the information remains a closely guarded secret, but because it takes a personal sense of oomph to get going first and foremost. Media, and at times queer media, can feel saturated with familiar names, but don’t let that stop you from thinking that your name can’t join the pool of people you see writing for your favourite publications.
We all started somewhere.
The best place to start is to remember that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Obviously within reason, but you’re never going to be seen or heard if you don’t put yourself in the position to be seen by the people making the decisions. Editors, sub-editors, social media managers and even interns are always looking for new voices to work with. Getting over your own personal hurdle and imposter syndrome is number one.
How Do You Write A Pitch?
There are many was that people would say you should and shouldn’t write an editorial pitch, but here is my checklist of the things to include, as well as things to avoid.
Make things incredibly clear.
If you’re writing a pitch to an editor, start the email sub heading with PITCH, or a clear visible sign that what you’re sending over is an article pitch that you’d love to have on the site. Editors receive hundreds of emails a day, some from writers, some from staff and some from PR, so make their job easier and let them know who you are and what you’re offering right from the get go.
Find the right person to speak to
Arguably one of the hardest parts can be finding the right person to send your pitch to. One of the best things to do is Google the publication you’re wanting to work with followed by ‘masthead’. Most publications have digital mastheads which detail all of the editors and staff that work at the publication. For example, you can find the Vogue UK masthead here.
Finding the right email address can sometimes be difficult, but respecting people’s privacy is important. Most publications have an in house email, as well as a uniformed structure to how their emails may look. For example, if I worked at Vogue it could be:
jamie.windust @ …..
or
windust.jamie @ …..
There’s often a formula that will then work for all staff at that publication.
Searching on social media, via Google or gently asking what the best email to reach someone on is kind, considerate and professional. Remember to have professional boundaries.
Add structure and focus to your email
On the note of clarity, make sure that your idea or your specific point that you want to convey in your article is summarised quickly near the top of your pitch. I tend to structure my pitch emails with a PITCH subtitle followed by my proposed headline, and directly underneath I add a FOCUS subtitle, which neatly summarises the focus of the pitch. What I want to say, how I want to say it and why I want to say it.
Why Me?
Put yourself in the pitch
One of the biggest questions editors want to know from prospective writers is why are you the person to write this article. Why should they outsource a freelance writer to write on this topic, and not use someone in house? What is it about your own personal point of view, lived experience or expertise on the subject that is going to make you the right person for the job?
For example, a recent feature I wrote for Radio Times on LGBTQ+ representation in soaps was pitched as a way for me to continue writing about my love of the staple, as someone with both knowledge and experience within that field. I shared knowledge on the topic, personal experience with watching soaps over time, as well as being someone from the LGBTQ+ community who can speak to the personal impact of seeing queer and trans folk on screen.
Why now?
Another important reason that articles and pitches are successful is because of what’s happening in the news cycles in the moment you pitch. It’s important to keep an eye on the news of the day, as well as social and cultural calendar moments during the year.
For example, during pride season publications that aren’t necessarily always speaking about LGBTQ+ stories may be more inclined to accept pitches on queer topics because it’s Pride. Tying in your pitches to news stories, or events such as the World Cup, the Eurovision Song Contest or an anniversary of a certain moment in history is a great way to show not only that you’re aware of what’s going on around you, but that your pitch will have relevance and most importantly, an engaged audience.
Introduce yourself
If you’re new to an editor or a site, share previous work or links to your portfolio or social channels. Editors and writers alike want to know that you’re capable of telling a story from start to finish - so let the editor you’re wanting to work with know your full potential. You don’t need to attach a CV or a bibliography, but links to previous work (even if that’s self-published or via Substack) is a great way to introduce yourself.
Have patience and be kind.
Rejection is a huge part of this job, and being able to separate professional rejection on your pitch from personal rejection is a skill that is learnt over time. Of course, as we write about our own personal worlds and identities, when we receive rejection on an article pitch it might sting. But there are a plethora of factors that go into these decisions such as budget, timing or the editors current workload. It can feel difficult for sure - we’re only human. But making sure we remember that our ideas aren’t worthless just because they don’t fit for one specific editor at that specific time, is crucial.
For example, this article I wrote for Men’s Health about coming out later in life was pitched out to several editors at both queer and ‘non-queer’ outlets before it was accepted by the Men’s Health team. There are so many ideas that are worth sharing with the world, and sometimes it is just about finding the right fit at the right time.
Reach out to a freelance network
Speaking to writers that you love or engaging with their work is one of the best ways to learn about how this world works. Seeing what publications other LGBTQ+ writers are working with is a great way to find outlets that you know will be queer friendly. Unfortunately, some might not be - so seeing where other writers have shared queer or trans friendly stories is a great start. Equally, finding other freelancers from all types of creative industries to follow, connect with on LinkedIn or even work together with is a great way to get your brain in the right head space. To find routines, places and people to work with as you start your world as a freelancer is an invaluable skill that you’ll learn more about every day.
Resources for new LGBTQ+ writers
Pansy Studios: A new LGBTQ+ freelancers directory allowing you to sign up and be shared externally to those looking to work with LGBTQ+ creatives.
- Substack is a hive of knowledge and up to date information on what publications are looking for pitches, as well as great interviews with editors who explain what they’re looking for and how to get in touch. It was one of the first place I looked when I started freelancing, and her weekly newsletter is an absolute godsend for freelancers across the world.
Follow your favourite writers and engage with their work. Read it, critique it, love it. Immerse yourself in the world that you want to be in.
I know it might feel old school, but LinkedIn is a great space to find up to date information on where editors are working, and where they’re moving. Often editors are changing roles, or covering maternity and paternity cover so it’s great to keep up to date with where editors have moved to.
Here - keep up to date with this Substack as I’ll be sure to share what’s happening in the future with LGBTQ+ media and any questions you may have on how to work in the wonderful world of media.