Pitches wanted (science) | 50 cents per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: SISTER

Deadline: 30 June 2021

I am looking for contributors whose main work is science writing or science communication, and writers will be paid $0.50/word. We are currently accepting pitches on the following theme: Special Series: Gatekeeping in STEM.

SPECIAL SERIES: GATEKEEPING IN STEM.

Gatekeeping has traditionally been a mechanism of systemic racism and exclusion in STEM spaces (e.g. restrictive recruitment practices and application requirements, power plays in academic relationships, and many more examples). What would STEM look like if these gates were open? Which gates should be open and why? What and who are keeping them in place? Writers are invited to explore the theme of gatekeeping in STEM based on their experiences. We’re seeking to publish essays and op-eds, 700-1,000 words in length. As always, we are looking for perspectives from gender minorities in STEM.

Please note: this is a “special series” because it is being funded thanks to a Peggy Girshman Idea Grant from the National Association of Science Writers. According to the requirements for the grant, we are looking for contributors whose main work is science writing or science communication, and writers will be paid $0.50/word.

Please submit a pitch by June 30. Articles will be due July 30, to be published in August 2021.

GUIDELINES AND TIPS

What are we looking for? We accept pieces that 1) Illuminate the lived experiences of gender minorities in STEM and 2) Push the boundaries of the conversation by offering a new question, angle, or perspective.

Final articles should be approximately 700-1,000 words in length. We encourage a conversational, non-technical tone, and recommend against long, dense paragraphs.

Who can write for us? We encourage those who are gender minorities in STEM to contribute. We recognize that many people are underrepresented in STEM within this group, including people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, first-generation students, New Americans, and many more. If this is you, we would especially like to amplify your voice.

Here are some articles we love, which will give you an idea of what we are looking for:

• Finding Myself in Research
• People ask about my experiments on mice. The answers are… complicated
• Imposter syndrome isn’t the problem—toxic workplaces are
• Let your stars shine
• Beyond Imposter Syndrome

Please email us with any questions. Thank you for your interest in writing for Sister!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

• Submissions: Via the webform
• Questions: hello@sisterstem.org
• Website: https://sisterstem.org

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: Sister's mission is to change the narrative so that it genuinely represents and advances those who are gender minorities in STEM. Its goal is to publish stories that illuminate the lived experiences of real people in STEM and the topics that matter to them. More information here.
• Read through a selection of recent articles/stories on its website.
• Review the submission guidelines here.
• Check out our collection of pitch excerpts on this page and find more sample pitches at The Open Notebook Database and at SuccessfulPitches.com.