However what does that even imply, Jessica?
THE CHASE:
I learn a LOT of Group writing. Not solely do I watch the Trending Checklist, I even have entry to site visitors monitoring, which lets me know what writing is connecting with readers. Once I discover a story that I believe has Entrance Web page potential, I try to attach with the author so we are able to 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, Each day Kos has discovered methods to amplify Group writing and pay Group writers. We had a number of completely different packages after I entered the fray: Contributing Editors, usually filling the Sunday lineup; Featured Writers, who cranked out evaluation all week lengthy; and Each day Kos Correspondents, the place skilled freelance journalists pitched reported tales.
The Group Contributors Workforce changed all of those. It’s an invitation-only author growth program. Group writers work with an editor—usually me—to craft their tales, and so they 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 convey a lot to the Group.
Final 12 months we printed over 320 tales collectively!
With out additional delay, let’s meet the Community Contributors Team!
CC Workforce writers fall into two classes: Group Contributors, and Group Fellows. Contributors pitch longform story concepts with an extended shelf life than the typical fast hit, and see them to completion. Fellows are prolific Group members who’re rewarded for all they do for the location each single day, whereas additionally being challenged in new methods.
Group Contributor since 2020, joined Each day Kos in 2014
Besame, who can also 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 turn into a paid author for the location. Since becoming a member of CCT, we’ve additionally labored collectively on the weekly Community Spotlight roundup!
Group Contributor since 2020, joined Each day Kos in 2004
Physician RJ’s considerate Sunday essays, written by way of the Contributing Editors program and typically centered 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 hitch this system. Since becoming a member of the CCT in a pandemic, the great Physician has shared experiences as a frontline healthcare worker alongside his usual beat!
Group Contributor since 2020, joined Each 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 the moment. Ian explains new ideas in such an accessible approach; that’s in all probability 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.
Group Contributor since 2020, joined Each day Kos in 2006
SemDem, a veteran and longtime blogger, is among the few CCT members whom I’ve met in individual, 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 12 months on the CCT, he labored onerous to help progressive candidates in two states, and did in depth original reporting. He’s additionally by no means let me overlook that I once called him a goddamned delight.
Group Contributor since 2021, joined Each day Kos in 2017
After working with SquireForYou underneath 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 hitch the CC Workforce in our second 12 months and to proceed sharing his perspectives. Squire, who’s additionally very energetic in Virginia politics, simply joined the workforce final week, and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with.
Darrell Lucus (previously Christian Dem in NC)
Group Contributor since 2021, joined Each day Kos in 2004
A much-needed voice of religion and meticulous polling watcher, writing from North Carolina, Darrell landed on my radar again after 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 12 months of this system, significantly difficult each the non secular proper, and the parable {that a} Christian Left doesn’t exist. Like Squire, Darrell simply joined the workforce final week, and we’re already collaborating on his first story.
Group Fellow since 2021 (Contributor in 2020), joined Each day Kos in 2017
I used to be so excited when Aldous, our resident rapid-fire humorist, agreed to hitch the CC Workforce 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 grew to become a Fellow, which supplies him freedom to do what he does so properly, and likewise discover some tasks he’s lengthy wished to work on, together with a vital collection I simply can’t watch for him to put in writing. Even Bette Midler loves AJP!
Group Fellow since 2020, joined Each day Kos in 2006
Dart is among 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 among the most prolific writers on the location, writing dozens of considerate items per 30 days (and an occasional rant) that connect deeply with each the Each day Kos Group and readers exterior of it, sparking much engagement. I used to be thrilled when Dart agreed to hitch the CCT, and may’t wait to see what he does in 2021.
Group Fellow since 2020, joined Each day Kos in 2008
What can I say concerning the inimitable Denise? She’s a deeply cherished member of the Group, who I first observed 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 hitch 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 12 months 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 everybody on the CC Workforce! Yay! However I guess you’ve got one query: How do I get on the CC Workforce? How do I turn into a author you chase, Jessica?
There actually, actually is only one easy reply: Hold writing. You by no means know, I’d simply slide into your KMs to ask if we are able to work collectively.
On behalf of the CC Workforce, and your entire Each 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 contemporary off the presses, and be part of me on this belated celebration of this wonderful, hardworking workforce 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 workforce!
h/t to Group member siab for writing this and lighting the hearth for me to publish this story!
