Adios 2019
Are we really about to close out another decade? I’m embarrassed to admit that I only recently realized that this was, in fact, true.
2019 was…an interesting year. I can’t quite put my finger on why but I never really felt like my feet were firmly planted on the ground. There were a lot of ups and downs and this whole adulting thing got real this year. Needless to say, I'm happy to flip the page to a new year.
2019 Wrap-Up
Freelancing is a weird world. It can feel really solitary and lonely much of the time. (Thank goodness for my freelance colleagues who have been a true lifeline.) And when it comes to transparency around payment and how people actually make a living, it can feel like the fog never burns off. You never get a clear picture of what exactly is going on.
Last year, I shared a break-down of my 2018 year-in-freelancing and it was a useful exercise to step back and see how things went so I'm doing it again. I also hope it provides some insight into how this freelancing thing works for me. If your still curious and want more information, check out @studyhallxyz, where other writers have shared more specific information on rates for various publications.
Here are some stats from the year:
I worked on just over 100 stories this year. The vast majority were assigned (because I hate pitching).
I sent 68 pitches, much lower compared to other years. 14 were accepted. PS: Have I mentioned that I hate pitching?
Pay ranged between $150 to $4,400 with the majority between $300-$600.
I also did a lot of content work (from website copy to case studies - rates between $100 - $2,000).
I was more selective with assignments overall and my rate edged higher. Dollar-wise, I booked more work this year than prior years.
I am also a grant writer and work with nonprofits to develop and write grants to private foundations and government agencies as well as help with reporting requirements for those grants.
I also have no student debt and a partner who earns more than I do but who is also works for himself. Yay for unpredictable monthly income!
Some of my favorite stories from the year:
We’re Inching Toward Equality for Women in Sports: This year for Outside, I’ve had a chance to dig into issues of gender equity in sport and the wave of new policies and initiatives to support female athletes.
California Has a New Equal-Pay Act for Athletes: I also wrote about the impact of California’s new law mandating equal pay for athletes.
Women Deserve to Run Without Fear: For Runner’s World, I wrote about the how harassment impacts women and why we shouldn’t have to just suck it up. This was the lead story in the print issue about making running safer.
Your Fear of Reinjury Could Get You Hurt Again: I love being active but I’m injury-prone. I’ve always wondered if my fear of re-injury has any real or perceived impact. I got to dig into some new research on the topic for Outside.
With New Tech, Treadmills Are Getting Trendy: For The Washington Post, I wrote about how on-demand and group workouts, tricked out machines, and virtual running worlds have given treadmills a much-needed make-over.
Flips and Tricks Go Global: For Discover Life, I write their Fitness Warrior column where I get to talk to athletes and talk about cool sports. For a recent issue, I wrote about skateboarding, its status as a new Olympic sport, and what it actually takes to train as a pro.
Best for PR-Seekers: California International Marathon: Thankful for the Runner’s World editors who let me nerd out on science and try to figure out why the CIM course generates so many PRs, Boston-qualifying times, and Olympic Trials-qualifying times. This was part of a larger package in the print magazine.
What I’ve Been Reading
Laws to protect Uber drivers could put freelance journalists out of business (The Washington Post): Heads up to independent contractors—California recently passed a law designed to solve the problem of misclassified workers—companies, primarily gig companies like Uber and Lyft—classifying workers as independent contractors instead of employees. Instead, under the new law (which goes into effect Jan 1.) companies would have to hire those workers as employees—something most media and publishing companies aren’t likely to do. I mean, 3160 journalists who’ve lost their jobs in 2019, and that’s just the verified number. And other states, including NJ and NY, are following suit. The problem is that the language of the bills are so sweeping and so vague that they threaten the businesses of those who, like me, choose to work independently. And people have begun to lose work. If you're concerned, call your state representatives.
Know My Name: To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this memoir from Chanel Miller aka Emily Doe whose victim impact statement went viral in 2016. That it would be too hard to read about her experience with sexual assault. It was difficult to read at times but I also couldn’t put it down. She’s a gifted writer and powerfully reclaims her identity and story.
Monica Lewinsky on the Decade We Reclaimed Our Stories—and Ourselves (Vanity Fair): Speaking of reclaiming one’s story, this is a look back at how the 2010s was the decade of women reclaiming their voices and stories.
Reading Women Challenge: I heard about this reading challenge last year and am thinking about joining the 2020 version as a way to get out of my reading comfort zone and discover new writers. Wanna join me?
Running Dysmorphic (Longreads): There are so many good parts in this piece from Devin Kelly—about running, identity, judgement, shame, self-permission, and self-compassion. It’s incredibly powerful.
A Welcome Funding Source for College Athletics: Women Investing in Women’s Sports (The New York Times): Love everything about this story.
Also, I love that Des Linden is running the Olympic marathon trials, Boston Marathon, and hopefully the Olympics—3 marathons in the span of about 5 months, and that Megan Rapinoe was named Sportsperson of the Year (old news but still good news!).
Lastly, I just wanted to say thank you. I know that I haven’t been consistent in writing this newsletter but I appreciate you reading these emails when you can.
It’s one way for me to share what I’ve been working on and some of the great writing I’ve come across. But if there’s a specific topic you’d like me to dig into or if you want to hear more about freelancing, please let me know.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Christine
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