UPDATE Mon 26th Jan 2009
The applications are now starting to arrive in reasonably good numbers so we'll be commencing the selection process and starting to go through all the submissions on Monday 2nd Feb. Although the recruitment posts will probably remain online until at least March, and applications will be welcome on an ongoing basis thereafter, it's probably best to get your application in by 2nd Feb if you can.
Once we have the desired number of suitable writers, we'll then offer those writers employment with the company.
Full details of vacancies and rates of pay now follow ………………..
Writers / Reviewers / Editors – Wanted
Both established & emerging/unpublished new writers ;
for new, high-profile Current-affairs, Arts & Entertainment review Website
MF Publishing London are recruiting several hundred UK-based freelance writers/reviewers for a major new website reviewing TV, Films, Current Affairs, Factual, Arts & Entertainment events and programming. The website will be launched March/April 2009. We are recruiting both established writers/reviewers but especially new writing talent seeking a professional career having had little or no writing previously published. There will be a huge spectrum of content on the website allowing for a very wide range of writer interests, preferences and experiences. Virtually every subject imaginable will be covered on the website.
These competitively paid positions will initially be part-time and home-based with several full-time positions becoming available once the site is successfully established. The new website will go live once all the writers are on board and the first batch of reviews are ready.
Writers/Reviewers ; To review TV, Films, Current Affairs, Factual, Arts & Entertainment events and programming for all age groups including children.
Editors ; To read and evaluate writing submissions during recruitment and then on an ongoing basis for the recruited writers' regular review pieces. Must have either been a published writer at a fairly good level in the industry or have some fairly relevant editorial experience overseeing reviews or articles. Proofreading alone not sufficient. (See below for Editor Applications)
We also have opportunities for Contributing Editors who would also like to write occasionally.
The aim of the website is to nurture, promote and further the employment/career opportunities of emerging writers whilst providing a new and entertaining venue, primarily for the British (but also worldwide) public to discover inspiring, informative and enlightening reviews.
The recruited writers will be able to download samples of their previous work onto their profile page on the website and use it as a discreet showcase for potential employers in the industry.
All writers will naturally work from home, as will editors in the early period, but editors may then have the option of working from the office at a later date should they prefer.
The minimum commitment we are looking for from our writers is at least two 500-600 word reviews per month.
PAYMENT RATES
As a general guide, in the first half of the financial year 2009, writers can expect to earn £19 for a 500-600 word review, £26 for a 600-800 word review and £60 for a 1000-1200 word review, dependant on the scale and type of subject matter being reviewed. The writers'rates will increase proportionately as the website grows in scale and popularity.
Style of writing;
As a guide, we are aiming for a medium-brow style of writing in line with, for example, The Daily Mail (their Saturday 'Weekend' magazine is a good example). The site will be marketed at, and used by people of all ages, including children. So whilst we welcome individuality and intelligent writing, vocabulary should not be too high-brow as the readership will be very mainstream. There will be more scope for a classier literary style of writing on certain genres that may appeal to a more discerning, sophisticated audience.
WRITERS APPLICATIONS ;
PLEASE NOTE ; WHILST WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO WRITE A REVIEW OF YOUR CHOICE TO SEND IN WITH YOUR APPLICATION (SEE BELOW), YOU MAY STILL JUST SEND IN SOME PREVIOUS, RELEVANT REVIEWS OR SAMPLES OF YOUR WRITING IF YOU PREFER. ESPECIALLY SO FOR WELL-ESTABLISHED WRITERS. BUT BEAR IN MIND, IF WE CANNOT GAUGE YOUR TALENT FOR WRITING REVIEWS, IT MAY REDUCE YOUR CHANCES OF BEING OFFERED A POSITION.
In order to avoid any expense for writers wishing to apply, we thought a TV programme review submission would be both convenient and practical. So please review the following ;
A)Writers looking for work reviewing only subject matter within their preferred interest/expertise area ;
Review a 30 min or 60 min TV programme on your preferred interest/expertise area on Terrestrial TV (any channel from BBC1 to Channel 5)
B)Writers who wish to be considered for a wide range of Current Affairs, factual, arts & entertainment review work ;
1) Review a 30 minute or 60 minute factual TV programme or documentary on your favourite interest/expertise area on Terrestrial TV (any channel from BBC1 to Channel 5)
AND ALSO
2) Review either a comedy or music show (depending on your area of preference) of 30 min or 60 min on Terrestrial TV - any channel from BBC1 to Channel 5.
All reviews submitted should ;
•Have your full name at the top of each page of your review pieces but no other contact info.
•Have a fairly large emphasis on reporting the factual content of the programme whilst still showing the writer's own style, personality, and any humour or sharp, acerbic opinions desired.
•30 min programme reviews should be minimum 500 words, maximum 600 words (in Microsoft Word, click on 'Tools', then 'Word Count)'. 60 min reviews should be min 700, max 800 words.
•Font size should be14 and the font should be Times New Roman.
SUMMARY OF WHAT WE NEED FROM WRITERS
1)Your review or both reviews on A4 paper. (Unless you decide to submit other samples of your work, see above.)
2)A current CV on A4 paper. (Contact details on CV only please, not on other docs. )
3)An A5 stamped addressed envelope.
4)An accompanying letter saying ;
•a) Where you read about the vacancies
•b) Your age (we'll hire senior citizens if they have the requisite talent)
•c) Your areas/subjects/genres of review writing preference, ie. (your 'Chosen Subjects')
•d) A full list of any other subjects/genres you are also willing to review.
•e) The minimum number of 500-600 word reviews you will commit to write each month on any of your 'chosen subject' events or programmes AND the minimum number of reviews on other subjects/genres you are willing to write - OR for Editors, the minimum number of 500-800 word reviews you will commit to read and assess each week.
•f) On each of your 'chosen subjects' and genres of interest, score/rate yourself with a mark out of 10, and also state the number of years you have studied, followed or worked in the field/subject. So summarise these with the 3 elements as follows ;
1) Level of subject/genre knowledge ; (mark out of 10)
2) Extent of your study/research or following the subject/genre ; (mark out of 10 + No. of yrs - but state whether you have followed the genre, researched it or studied it)
3) Duration of your employment (if any) in this field (No. of yrs)
Don't forget, we will have many vacancies for unpublished, inexperienced new writers and if your writing is good enough, you will have an excellent chance of being employed, regardless of your experience. Many inexperienced writers who are just fans/followers of a certain genre of art/entertainment/factual content become successful, knowledgeable reviewers. So don't be put off if you've not been published yet. We all have to start somewhere.
5) Please print one set of your review/reviews and accompanying letters/info sheets onto A4 paper and post to us at ; MF Publishing London (Applications), New Cobon House, Suite 210, 3 Cobon Road, Docklands, London, E3 2DA.
6) Please also e-mail another set of all your application documents to ; mfpublishing@ntlworld.com in subject box of your email please put "Your full name, either "Writer", "Editor" or "Writer & Editor" and then "CV Application" ie. ("Jo Robertson, Writer, CV & Application,")
Future applications from writers after March 2009 will always be considered as the whole ethos of the publisher will be to discover, foster and promote UK writing talent.
It would be appreciated if writers would avoid contacting us at the moment with any general enquiries. We will send full information packs (including full details of rates of pay) to all of the writers who are selected and offered positions to write for us, as well as to our selected editors. Those writers who are not contacted with an offer of employment this time are welcome to apply again during future recruitment campaigns. Thank you all for your interest in our launch.
EDITORS APPLICATIONS
(For Contributing editor applications, follow writers application instructions but also send info mentioned in section e) of Editors Applications instructions below here)
SUMMARY OF WHAT WE NEED FOR EDITOR APPLICATIONS
A current CV on A4 paper.
An accompanying letter saying ;
•a) Where you read about the vacancies
•b) Your age (we'll hire senior citizens if they have the requisite talent)
•c) Your areas/subjects/genres of editorial preference.
•e) The minimum number of 500-800 word reviews per week that you will commit to read and assess during recruitment and then the number you would edit once employed.
(Recruitment should mainly run mid Jan to March 2009)
•f) On each of your preferred genres/subjects, score/rate yourself with a mark out of 10, and also state the number of years you have studied, followed or worked in the field/subject. So summarise these with the 3 elements as follows ;
1) Level of subject/genre knowledge ; (mark out of 10)
2) Extent of your study/research or following the subject/genre ; (mark out of 10 + No. of yrs - but state whether you have followed the genre, researched it or studied it)
3) Duration of your employment in this field ( whether editorial or any other work) (No. of yrs)
Please post your application documents to us at ; MF Publishing London (Applications), New Cobon House, Suite 210, 3 Cobon Road, Docklands, London, E3 2DA.
Please also e-mail another set of all your application documents to ; mfpublishing@ntlworld.com in subject box of your email please put "Your full name, "Editor", and then "CV Application" ie. ("Jo Robertson, Editor, CV & Application,")
If you are a published writer, please post a copy of some of your work but no more than 3 articles or pieces. Reviews you have written would be preferred. One page of each piece will be sufficient.
It would be appreciated if editors would avoid contacting us at the moment with any general enquiries. We will send full information packs (including details of rates of pay) and contact those people that we would like to meet with in due course. If it's not convenient to meet us in London, it shouldn't be a problem.
Those editors who are not contacted with an offer of employment this time are welcome to apply again during future recruitment campaigns. Thank you all for your interest in our launch.
© MF Publishing 2009
