New year, new editors

ink pen.jpgHappy New Year! The F-Word’s first 2015 news is here. To bring you more of the exciting feminist content you like as well as provide more UK feminists with a platform, we are looking for UK-based volunteers to join our team as editors. If something of this sort has made it to your list of NY Resolutions, please read on!

We are currently looking for a social media editor, a guest content editor and a regular content editor. The duties involved in three roles vary (please see below if you’re interested) but all appointed editors will be part of our editorial team, contributing to the site’s operation and having a say in discussions over its shape and future.

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 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. We are aware of current discussions around the politics and ethics of expecting people to work for free but alas at this point we can offer permanent volunteer roles only. We are not paid for our work either so there is no hierarchy or differentiation between paid and unpaid positions.

Please read on if you want to find out more about the roles.

* * *

Social media editor:

  • promotes blog posts, reviews and features on Facebook and Twitter;
  • forwards requests from social media to relevant team member(s);
  • tactfully deals with questions and comments on social media;
  • promotes feminist events, as shared by regular content editor, on Facebook and Twitter;
  • keeps social media updated with relevant content from other blogs/sites;
  • considers the use of other social media (Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.);
  • works with the rest of The F-Word team where necessary.
  • What you will bring:

  • True enthusiasm about the role and the possibilities to publish always more of relevant and exciting content;
  • Some time, energy and regular internet access;
  • You must commit to the role for at least 6 months (with a minimum period of one month’s notice);
  • Social media experience, ideally a prior experience of promoting organisation/event/initiative on social media;
  • Ideally some editing experience (as an editor/subeditor/proofreader), particularly experience of working with a set style guide;
  • Familiarity with blogging platforms is an advantage here, as is at least basic HTML;
  • * * *

    Guest content editor:

  • manages pitches and submissions coming in from potential one-off guest bloggers;
  • edits and posts appropriate guest content on a regular basis (ideally posting at least three times a month);
  • takes an active role in seeking guest content from a wide variety of people on a wide range of topics;
  • works with the rest of The F-Word team where necessary, particularly the existing guest content editor who focuses on monthly guest bloggers.
  • What you will bring:

  • True enthusiasm about the role and the possibilities to find and publish exciting feminist content;
  • A keen understanding of intersectionality;
  • Sensitivity and an ability to give constructive feedback to potential writers;
  • Some time, energy and regular internet access;
  • You must commit to the role for at least 6 months (with a minimum period of one month’s notice);
  • Ideally some editing experience (as an editor/subeditor/proofreader), particularly experience of working with a set style guide;
  • Familiarity with blogging platforms is an advantage here, as is at least basic HTML.
  • * * *

    Regular content editor:

  • edits and posts regular content for The F-Word, including the weekly round-up of web-wide news and F-Word’s feature/review round-ups;
  • manages and updates the ‘Events’ section of the website, working closely with social media editor to ensure their biggest exposure;
  • contributes to second edits on a rota basis;
  • works with the rest of The F-Word team where necessary.
  • What you will bring:

  • True enthusiasm about the role and excitement about regularly contributing to the site;
  • Some time, energy and regular internet access;
  • You must commit to the role for at least 6 months (with a minimum period of one month’s notice);
  • Ideally some editing experience (as an editor/subeditor/proofreader), particularly experience of working with a set style guide;
  • Familiarity with blogging platforms is an advantage here, as is at least basic HTML.
  • * * *

    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.

    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 relevant aspect of The F-Word’s activity change/ develop.

    I am also asking for two references: 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.

    If you have any questions about the roles or working for The F-Word, please comment here or email me ([email protected]).

    The deadline for applications is 31 January 2015.

    The image shown is by Hannah Swithinbank and is used under a creative commons licence. It shows the top of an open ink pot with a silver pen resting on it. The nib is splashed with dark ink. The background is orange.