What kind of articles do you take?
We accept a wide range of articles, from current affairs to opinion pieces – and everything in between!
If you aren’t sure where your piece would fit in best, send an email to our lovely admin editor, Emma, and she will help you find a home for it.
Empoword Journalism was founded on inclusivity, so we’re confident there’s a place for your work with us.
Do I need writing experience?
Absolutely not — lots of our writers submit content to Empoword for that very reason.
We welcome our contributors from any and every stage of their journalism career, whether you are just starting out, have been freelancing for a long time, or just want to write for fun!
Do I have to be a certain age to pitch?
No, not at all.
Lots of our contributors are university students, but not everyone is. We want to make our writing inclusive and open to all regardless of age.
How do I join?
Refer to our Writing Guide for guidance on contributing content to Empoword Journalism.
What other content do you produce?
As well as written articles, contributors are also welcome to post videos to our YouTube channel, create content for our social media accounts or participate in our podcast, Pop Babble.
We are always looking for ways to expand our content, so do get in touch if you have any suggestions!
Will I receive feedback?
Our editors always aim to respond with constructive and fair feedback on pitches. If your pitch has not been successful, our editors will explain why. If your idea just needs a few tweaks, we will work with you to bring your idea to life!
Our first priority is always to ensure that writers are able to maintain their own voices. However, please note that our editors have the right to carry out necessary changes to articles. If significant changes are made, we’ll keep you in the loop and explain why we feel these changes should be made.
To celebrate any pieces that really stand out, our team chooses an Article of the Month. An article gets shortlisted from each section and then a final winner gets selected. These are announced on our socials, so make sure to stay connected!
How can I get more involved?
We tend to advertise editorial positions as and when they come available, so do make sure to keep an eye on our socials.
We usually ask applicants to complete a short editing test and to send an email of around 250-300 words explaining why you should be considered for the role. You can check out this short video from one of our former Editors-in-Chief, Sanjana, explaining what makes an application really stand out here.
You will then be invited to complete an editorial task and attend a short interview with one or two of our Editors-in-Chief (Lauren, Eve and Eleanor). If you have been successful, we’ll be in touch and get you onboarded as soon as possible, usually within the next week.
Please note: we ask all editors to be able to guarantee at least three months in their role. This is to avoid having a high editorial turnover. Please be sure to consider any other significant commitments you may have before applying.
We will also occasionally ask for hosts for our workshops which will be announced through our private contributors’ Facebook group.
Do you pay?
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to pay our contributors or editors. Empoword Journalism is a non-profit organisation, run by volunteers who want to gain some industry experience and support others through their own journeys.
However, this is something we’re really hoping to change in the near future.
In the meantime, we are able to promote you and your work across our social media and our website, and provide a platform for you to write, helping you to gain valuable experience and develop your skills.
Who can I talk to if I need more specific advice?
Feel free to post in our private contributors’ Facebook group at the first instance. This is a great place to ask questions – we take pride in being a platform where contributors help each other out!
If, however, you want more tailored editorial advice then please email the relevant section for your article idea, or empowordqueries@gmail.com.
You can also find a list of helpful resources here as well as an upcoming workshops list here.
Is there a minimum amount of content I’m expected to produce?
Not as a contributor!
You may have only written one article or you may be a regular writer for us. Either is absolutely fine. We’d love to have you onboard, no matter how much or how little content you create! The fact that our publication is volunteer-led means that writers can come and go as they please and schedule writing around other commitments.
What is the best way to get in touch about potential collaborations (e.g., PR)?
We are always open to new collaborations whether that be book reviews, interview opportunities, or working with other publications. Please get in touch with our PR team with your specific request and we’ll get back to you.