Historically, media outlets in Canada have failed to achieve representation of the communities they serve, and Hazlitt is no exception. In an effort to attempt to break down some of those barriers, we've created a program that allows participants in a variety of circumstances to access practical training in the craft of journalism that can aid them in building their career.
THE OBJECTIVE:
To create an intensive and accommodating month-long virtual learning opportunity in the field of long-form narrative nonfiction journalism. The fellowship is intended for those interested in a career in journalism whose circumstances make it challenging to access journalism school and traditional 9-5 internship programs.
ABOUT HAZLITT:
Hazlitt is an award-winning journalism website published by Penguin Random House Canada. We focus on long-form journalism, memoir, and essays, as well as original fiction and interviews with authors and other artists.
FORMAT:
Twice annually beginning the winter of 2020, we will take on a fellow for a month-long training program in the rudiments of journalism editorial work: line and structural editing, fact checking, copy editing, and more. This program, with a time commitment of ten hours a week, will be accessible to candidates anywhere in Canada and designed to work around each successful applicant's schedule. The fellowship will pay $2500.
PRINCIPLES/REASONING:
Historically, media outlets in Canada have failed to achieve representation of the communities they serve, and Hazlitt is no exception. In an effort to attempt to break down some of those barriers, we hope to create a program that allows participants in a variety of circumstances to access practical training in the craft of journalism that can aid them in building their career.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a letter of intent, no more than 750 words, detailing your reason for interest in the program and why you feel you could benefit from it, to hazlitt [at] penguinrandomhouse [dot] com by January 1st, 2021.
HOW IT WILL WORK:
Our goal for the program is to make it responsive and iterative, tailored to the candidate’s experience and needs. We’ll begin by offering a structured proposal of the program to the candidate, who can then select the modules they feel will be beneficial to them. Skills that the candidate can receive comprehensive training and experience in will include but are not limited to:
Handling a long-form piece from query, through acceptance and edits, to assigning art, to publication
Our hope is, by the end of the program, the successful applicant will have all the tools they need to handle editing a major magazine feature from acquisition through publication.
Fact checking
We’ll provide training in magazine-standard fact checking, including best practices.
Freelance writer management/relationship building
We’ll give some context into the current freelance market, and discuss strategies for engaging with freelancers.
Assessing pitches and queries: what makes a good story?
By the end of the month, we hope the applicant will have a clear sense of what elements make up a strong freelance pitch.
Informational calls with colleagues at other publications
We’ll put the applicant in contact with editors, publishers, writers, and teachers whose work connects to their ambitions and interests.
WHO SHOULD APPLY:
While we’d like to keep the application process as open as possible, please note that this fellowship is targeted towards those who have not gone to journalism school, and who are unable to take on a more traditional internship or fellowship with structured hours—these things will be taken into consideration when reviewing applicants. As well, the program is open to residents of Canada only.
