We’re looking for a new Non-fiction Editor!

This image is called 'Books' and was found at henry...'s Flickr photostream. It is used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic license.We’re really sad to say goodbye to Josephine Tsui, who’s stepping down as TFW’s Non-fiction Editor, although she will be remaining with the collective. She’s done a brilliant job in nurturing our non-fiction book reviews and features, and I’d like to say a massive “thank you” to her for the hard work she’s put in!

As a result of Josephine’s stepping back, we’re now looking for a UK-based volunteer to join our team of section editors and take on the role of Non-fiction Editor.

The work of an Editor is carried out behind the scenes: finding interesting works to review; building up a broad and diverse group of reviewers, and in painstakingly working with contributors to make their articles the best they can be. If this is something you think you would like to be involved with, then read on!

What the role will involve:

  • taking on responsibility for the non-fiction reviews section;
  • sourcing ideas for features and interviews;
  • commissioning features, encouraging new voices from a range of backgrounds and diverse perspectives;
  • dealing with the features that come in through the submissions pile;
  • editing features (prior experience as an editor/subeditor/proofreader will be a distinct advantage, particularly experience of working with a set style guide);
  • posting features (familiarity with blogging platforms is an advantage here, as is at least basic HTML);
  • moderating comments on published features;
  • promoting features;
  • working in a team with the other Section Editors and The F-Word blog collective where necessary

What you will bring:

  • You must be enthusiastic about the role and the opportunities to develop the section. This is a volunteer position, so some time, energy and regular internet access are all required;
  • You must commit to the role for at least 6 months (with a minimum period of one month’s notice)
  • Ideally you will have some editing experience, as you will be working with submissions from an extremely broad range of contributors; some who have never written for publication before, while others are experienced journalists. Submissions need to be given a critical edit, making sensitive suggestions to the author and offering some guidance where needed. Submissions must also be edited in line with our style guide, so some experience in working with a house style is an advantage.

The F-Word is an online magazine dedicated to talking about and sharing ideas on contemporary feminisms from the UK and elsewhere. The collective goal for the site is primarily to provide a platform which welcomes and shares perspectives from writers representing intersectional feminisms through contributions from people who identify along all parts of the gender and sexuality continuums. This could be older women, sex workers, women of minority ethnicities (including Black, Asian, migrant or refugee women and women of dual or multiple ethnic heritage), disabled women, trans* women, lesbian, gay, bisexual or queer women, socialist feminists. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list – please don’t be put off from applying if you’re interested but don’t identify with the perspectives above; particularly if you feel your perspective is currently under-represented in the feminist blogosphere.

It is frequently reported that women do not put themselves forward for leadership roles as often as men do, despite extensive qualifications and experience. It is also reported by women who attain positions of power that they did not feel entitled to them until they ‘gave themselves permission’ or were given an opportunity by a more privileged male counterpart.

Therefore we have taken the decision collectively to invite Section Editor applications from self-identified women/genderqueer people/anyone who doesn’t define as male.

Please note that The F-Word is run entirely online by unpaid volunteers and these roles are permanent volunteer roles. These are not paid or salaried positions, and neither are they internships, where someone is getting unpaid experience working where others are in paid jobs.

To apply for any of the roles: please email me ([email protected]) with a brief message setting out why you want to take on the role and any prior experience. Please also briefly explain how you would like to see the Non-fiction Section develop.

I am also asking for two references: Section Editors need to have access to and maintain our database of contributors, which includes sensitive information such as full names and addresses. For that reason, this additional step is needed for those who are going to be dealing with this confidential data (particularly for those writing about sensitive issues under pseudonyms). Please include the contact details of two references – feel free to email me if you have questions on who would be a suitable reference, this doesn’t necessarily have to be a work-type reference.

The deadline for applications is Sunday, 9 March 2014.

Image attribution: The image at the head of this post is called ‘Books’ and was found at henry…’s Flickr photostream. It is used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic license.