However what does that even imply, Jessica?
THE CHASE:
I learn a LOT of Neighborhood writing. Not solely do I watch the Trending Checklist, I even have entry to visitors monitoring, which lets me know what writing is connecting with readers. After I discover a story that I feel has Entrance Web page potential, I try to attach with the author so we will work on it! I’ll remark. I’ll Kosmail. I’ll slide into Twitter DMs. More often than not, I break by way of; the author and I’ll then work collectively to get the story prepared for FP consideration, and I’ll submit it!
THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS TEAM:
Since lengthy earlier than I joined the corporate, Day by day Kos has discovered methods to amplify Neighborhood writing and pay Neighborhood writers. We had just a few completely different packages once I entered the fray: Contributing Editors, sometimes filling the Sunday lineup; Featured Writers, who cranked out evaluation all week lengthy; and Day by day Kos Correspondents, the place skilled freelance journalists pitched reported tales.
The Neighborhood Contributors Group changed all of those. It’s an invitation-only author growth program. Neighborhood writers work with an editor—sometimes me—to craft their tales, they usually receives a commission to do it. All of us work collectively in a devoted Slack channel. It’s collaborative, difficult, compensated work for writers who already deliver a lot to the Neighborhood.
Final yr we revealed over 320 tales collectively!
With out additional delay, let’s meet the Community Contributors Team!
CC Group writers fall into two classes: Neighborhood Contributors, and Neighborhood Fellows. Contributors pitch longform story concepts with an extended shelf life than the typical fast hit, and see them to completion. Fellows are prolific Neighborhood members who’re rewarded for all they do for the positioning each single day, whereas additionally being challenged in new methods.
Neighborhood Contributor since 2020, joined Day by day Kos in 2014
Besame, who can be a Rescue Ranger, landed on my radar by way of her work with Kosability and tales of devastation at the hands of the Camp Fire. I used to be drawn to her deep love for the environment, and I used to be so excited when she agreed to develop into a paid author for the positioning. Since becoming a member of CCT, we’ve additionally labored collectively on the weekly Community Spotlight roundup!
Neighborhood Contributor since 2020, joined Day by day Kos in 2004
Physician RJ’s considerate Sunday essays, written by way of the Contributing Editors program and typically targeted on popular culture through the lens of politics, had been meticulously researched and all the time make me suppose. I used to be so happy when he agreed to affix this system. Since becoming a member of the CCT in a pandemic, the nice Physician has shared experiences as a frontline healthcare worker alongside his usual beat!
Neighborhood Contributor since 2020, joined Day by day Kos in 2006
I found Ian by way of his Sunday essays as properly, written by way of the Contributing Editors program; he all the time manages to assist me perceive how often history repeats itself and likewise the way it shapes our politics at present. Ian explains new ideas in such an accessible approach; that’s most likely as a result of he’s an award-winning historical past professor. Ian has additionally authored three books. Since becoming a member of the CCT, Ian’s finished some great original reporting, and processed current events through a Jewish lens.
Neighborhood Contributor since 2020, joined Day by day Kos in 2006
SemDem, a veteran and longtime blogger, is without doubt one of the few CCT members whom I’ve met in particular person, at Netroots Nation 2018, again when he was within the Featured Writers program. His comprehensive and passionate writing covers a variety of matters, however it’s no secret that Sem actually wants to make his home state, Florida, a better place. In his first yr on the CCT, he labored exhausting to assist progressive candidates in two states, and did in depth original reporting. He’s additionally by no means let me neglect that I once called him a goddamned delight.
Neighborhood Contributor since 2021, joined Day by day Kos in 2017
After working with SquireForYou below the “chase” mannequin I described above, I discovered myself drawn to his grueling dispatches from his work as an ER nurse amid a pandemic, so I used to be thrilled when he agreed to affix the CC Group in our second yr and to proceed sharing his perspectives. Squire, who’s additionally very lively in Virginia politics, simply joined the group final week, and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with.
Darrell Lucus (previously Christian Dem in NC)
Neighborhood Contributor since 2021, joined Day by day Kos in 2004
A much-needed voice of religion and meticulous polling watcher, writing from North Carolina, Darrell landed on my radar again once I was curating Picks of the Week! I chased him all the way to Twitter as soon as, to promote him to the Front Page, and I sit up for collaborating with him on this second yr of this system, significantly difficult each the spiritual proper, and the parable {that a} Christian Left doesn’t exist. Like Squire, Darrell simply joined the group final week, and we’re already collaborating on his first story.
Neighborhood Fellow since 2021 (Contributor in 2020), joined Day by day Kos in 2017
I used to be so excited when Aldous, our resident rapid-fire humorist, agreed to affix the CC Group in 2020. I’d been laughing at his acerbic spin on breaking information since I began right here, and was excited to problem him to work on longer-form pieces with a longer shelf life. In 2021, with his Trump omnibus complete, Aldous turned a Fellow, which supplies him freedom to do what he does so properly, and likewise discover some initiatives he’s lengthy needed to work on, together with an important collection I simply can’t watch for him to jot down. Even Bette Midler loves AJP!
Neighborhood Fellow since 2020, joined Day by day Kos in 2006
Dart is without doubt one of the few CCT members whom I’ve met offline, when he was additionally a part of the Featured Writers program and in New Orleans for Netroots 2018. We even shared a beer and talked about writing and politics. Dart is without doubt one of the most prolific writers on the positioning, writing dozens of considerate items per thirty days (and an occasional rant) that connect deeply with each the Day by day Kos Neighborhood and readers outdoors of it, sparking much engagement. I used to be thrilled when Dart agreed to affix the CCT, and might’t wait to see what he does in 2021.
Neighborhood Fellow since 2020, joined Day by day Kos in 2008
What can I say in regards to the inimitable Denise? She’s a deeply cherished member of the Neighborhood, who I first seen by way of her Sunday essays written by way of the Contributing Editors program, however she’s additionally a living legend with a life story like no different. I additionally met Dee at Netroots in 2018, when she declared herself a member of my auntie legion. I used to be thrilled when she agreed to affix the CCT, and it has been an absolute honor to collaborate with this lifelong activist and professor on her long-running column, which has been singularly devoted to Black music history since Dee determined all of us wanted a reprieve from the pandemic practically a yr in the past. I’m so grateful for her laser focus on Puerto Rico, her contributions to Black Kos, APR, and the KHive, in addition to these days she simply places her auntie cap on and jogs my memory to eat one thing. Denise has some thrilling concepts percolating for tales in 2021.
So now you understand everybody on the CC Group! Yay! However I wager you’ve got one query: How do I get on the CC Group? How do I develop into a author you chase, Jessica?
There actually, actually is only one easy reply: Preserve writing. You by no means know, I would simply slide into your KMs to ask if we will work collectively.
On behalf of the CC Group, and your entire Day by day Kos Content material Division, please settle for my gratitude for studying this! I hope you’ll follow the Community Contributors Team so you may get their nice content material recent off the presses, and be part of me on this belated celebration of this wonderful, hardworking group of writers.
And if there’s a author you suppose I needs to be following, make sure to let me know within the feedback.
Go group!
h/t to Neighborhood member siab for writing this and lighting the fireplace for me to publish this story!
