Writing & Editing Desk
Freelance writers, copy-editors, proofreaders and content editors.
From commissioned articles to copy-editing and proofreading passes, this desk gathers paid writing and editing work across journalism, publishing, marketing and the wider creative industries.
- Commissioned articles and essays
- Copy-editing and proofreading
- Ghostwriting and collaborative writing
- Content writing for brands and publications
- Grant and funding-application writing
Opportunities for this desk
This list includes sample listings while we build up the real ones. Real listings link out to the organisation's own page; samples don't.
Literary copy-editor for a debut short-story collection
Harbourlight Editorial
A small independent press is looking for a copy-editor to prepare a debut short-story collection for print, focusing on continuity, voice and UK English house style.
Writing and editingRemoteRemote (UK hours preferred)Experience editing literary fiction; please share two previous credits.Project fee, stated in listing
Example: 9 days left
Grant writer for a community arts charity
Riverside Community Arts
Draft two funding applications for a community arts charity running after-school programmes, working closely with the programme director.
Writing and editingHybridHybrid, Kerala preferredExperience writing funding applications for arts or community organisations.Project fee, stated in listing
Example: 10 days left
Grants and open calls for this desk
This list includes sample listings while we build up the real ones. Real listings link out to the organisation's own page; samples don't.
- Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation(opens in a new tab)FellowshipDeadline: 1 Dec 2026
Harvard University (Nieman Foundation & Berkman Klein Center)
Checked 18 Oct 2026
A fellowship year at Harvard for journalists pursuing a research project on the digital transformation of journalism, run jointly by the Nieman Foundation and the Berkman Klein Center.
- Support
- A year in residence at Harvard researching journalism innovation, with access to Harvard's academic resources; funding details aren't published on the fellowship page — confirm directly with Harvard.
- Eligibility
- Open to working and freelance journalists, and to professionals in business, technology or leadership roles at news organisations. International applicants (including those working in the US) apply via the international route — the US route closes later, on 31 January 2027.
- GrantExample: 6 weeks left
Local journalism reporting grant
Fernbank Journalism Trust
A reporting grant for one journalist to pursue a local story over several months, covering time, travel and basic research costs.
- Support
- Stipend, amount stated in listing
- Eligibility
- Early-career journalists reporting on under-covered local issues.
- ResidencyRolling
Four-week writing residency on the coast
Saltmarsh Residency Programme
A quiet four-week residency for writers working on a current project, with shared workspace and occasional group readings.
- Support
- Accommodation and workspace, details stated in listing
- Eligibility
- Open to writers at any career stage; please share a short writing sample.
- Open callExample: 10 days left
Open call for essays on freelance life
Fieldnotes Collective
A themed call for first-person essays on the realities of freelance work, for an online collection published on a rolling basis.
- Support
- Payment on publication, stated in listing
- Eligibility
- Open to freelancers of any discipline writing about their own experience.
Resources for this desk
- Day-rate calculatorWork out a day rate from your costs, target income and realistic billable days.
- Pitch email templateA structure for a pitch email that leads with the idea and keeps the logistics clear.
- Invoice templateA plain, clearly labelled invoice template covering the details clients expect.
- Scam-check for listingsRun a suspicious listing through this checklist before you apply or share any details.
- Project proposal templateA structure for longer project proposals, beyond a short pitch email.Coming soon
- Contracts and client communicationWhat a freelance contract should cover, and how to raise problems with a client in writing.Coming soon
- Negotiating feesHow to respond when a client's budget doesn't match your rate, without starting from zero.Coming soon
- Portfolio and CV for freelancersPutting together a portfolio and CV that works for commissioning editors and clients.Coming soon
- Project-management tools for solo workKeeping track of deadlines, invoices and client threads without a team around you.Coming soon
- AI tools in creative workflowsWhere AI tools can help a freelance workflow, and where they create problems with clients.Coming soon
Guides for this desk
How to set a day rate you can live on
Rates and money6 min readMost freelancers price from guesswork or from whatever the client offers first. Here's a steadier way to work it out.
Spotting a fake freelance listing
Staying safe6 min readFreelance scams rely on enthusiasm and urgency. The patterns are recognisable once you know what to look for.
A pitch editors will actually read
Pitching5 min readEditors read dozens of pitches a week. Most fail for the same handful of avoidable reasons.