Freelance News Reporter
Columbia, Maryland (USA). Maryland Newspapers LLC, publisher of the Guilford Gazette and HocoCalendar, is looking for several freelance news reporters to cover topics related to Howard County, Maryland. The reporter must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a functioning registered and insured automobile. Training and experience in news writing and photography are required. Familiarity with the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, preferred. The Reporter is expected to cover news events, write articles, take photographs, suggest headlines, and write photo captions. The Reporter must be skillful at written and visual presentation. The reporter will file stories electronically, via WordPress.
Applicants may request to cover one or more of the following areas:
1. General Reporting – Community News, Profiles, Business Openings and Closings, Public Events, etc.
2. Political Reporting – Howard County Executive, Howard County Council, Columbia Association, General Assembly and Criminal Justice
3. Entertainment Reporting – Write pre and post event articles, Write articles about venues, performers, and venue owners and staff.
Maryland Newspapers LLC specializes in presenting news and information to its audience. Reporters must rely on their ability to report in a neutral manner with no hint of political or social bias. Reporters must also use discernment and be fully capable of analytical thinking. There has been a trend with some media outlets towards editorializing news content. We prefer that reporters refrain from using their skills to persuade or tell readers how to think. If writing a review column on food, theater or entertainment, we can make exceptions.
Reporters must be able to write captivating, yet accurate headlines, lead sentences, and lead paragraphs. Reporters must capture both sides of an issue, validate information provided by sources, and avoid unnamed sources. Reporters must thoroughly research and interpret information. All facts must be attributable to a reputable expert or someone with direct knowledge of the news being reported.
Word Count: 600 to 1,000 preferred.
Pay rates: Starting rate per article is $60.00. Political writers may be paid at a higher rate.
Send your cover letter, resume, and writing samples to: ricardo@guilfordgazette.com with subject line: Freelance News Reporter
Some sample articles can be accessed below:
Hammond Shut-Out at Marriotts Ridge
Centennial Out-Duels Hammond in Season Opener
In Scrimmage, Hammond Scoreless Against Baltimore’s Edmondson Westside
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Freelance Sports Reporter
Columbia, Maryland (USA). Maryland Newspapers LLC, publisher of the Guilford Gazette and HocoCalendar, is looking for several freelance sports reporters to cover Howard County Public Schools varsity sports. The reporter must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a functioning registered and insured automobile. Direct experience in sports writing is preferred, but if the applicant is looking to build a new career, we can provide a trial period. Familiarity with the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, preferred. The Reporter is expected to cover live sports, write articles, take photographs (on occasion), suggest headlines, and write photo captions. The Reporter must be skillful at written and visual presentation. The reporter will file stories electronically, via WordPress.
Must be free each afternoon from 3 pm to 11 pm to cover live Howard County School sports events during the season. Game day articles must be posted by 11:00 pm the same night, with suggested headlines and photo captions. It’s hard work, but you get paid for exercising your passion. The candidate must be familiar with a variety of sports and be able to communicate the play-by-play and commentary in written form, and meet the nightly deadlines.
Your work will be published nightly on GuilfordGazette.com, promoted in social media.
Maryland Newspapers LLC specializes in presenting news and information to its audience. Reporters must rely on their ability to report in a neutral manner with no hint of political or social bias. Reporters must also use discernment and be fully capable of analytical thinking. There has been a trend with some media outlets towards editorializing news content. We prefer that reporters refrain from using their skills to persuade or tell readers how to think. If writing a review column on food, theater or entertainment, we can make exceptions.
Reporters must be able to write captivating, yet accurate headlines, lead sentences, and lead paragraphs. Reporters must capture both sides of an issue, validate information provided by sources, and avoid unnamed sources. Reporters must thoroughly research and interpret information. All facts must be attributable to a reputable expert or someone with direct knowledge of the news being reported.
Word Count: 500 to 600 preferred
Pay rates: Starting rate per article is $60.00.
Send your cover letter, resume, and writing samples to: ricardo@guilfordgazette.com with the subject line “Sports Reporter.”
Some sample articles can be accessed below:
Hammond Shut-Out at Marriotts Ridge
Centennial Out-Duels Hammond in Season Opener
In Scrimmage, Hammond Scoreless Against Baltimore’s Edmondson Westside
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Freelance Sports Photographer
Columbia, Maryland (USA). Seeking sports action photographers able to shoot sports mostly in the afternoon and evening to cover lives Howard County School sports. Must be able to coordinate activities with sports reporter. Knowledge of sports is important for catching best action shots. Photographer will be issued a Press Pass recognized by the schools being covered for free access to the venue. Photographer is not expected to cover the entire game. Must provide three eye-catching photographs with captions identifying the person in the photo. Additional caption information should be provided whenever possible.
Pay rates: Starting rate is $60.00 for three quality action shots. Maryland Newspapers LLC will provide a live link with photo caption that leads to photographer’s website.
Send your cover letter, resume, and sports-related photo samples to: ricardo@guilfordgazette.com with the subject line “Sports Photographer.”
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Community News Writers and Photographers
The Guilford Gazette was originally founded as a hyper-local print newspaper to serve a distinct area of Howard County, Maryland. We are moving soon to a new name and a new mission — to serve all of Howard County. However, we want to maintain our community roots through a network of volunteer community writers and photographers. a Community Volunteer can serve his or her community by providing quality photographs, tips or simple updates or by writing full-blown press releases or articles. If you are interested or want to know more, send a note to ricardo@guilfordgazette.com.
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Business Columnists
The Guilford Gazette was originally founded as a hyper-local print newspaper to serve a distinct area of Howard County, Maryland. We are moving soon to a new name and a new mission — to serve all of Howard County. We are in search of business owners, consultants and professional writers who desire to promote their business interests and increase sales by writing fact-based subject matter articles on a scheduled basis. You would contribute on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. In exchange for your contribution, your professional and / or business profile will be published with each article, and one display advertisement will run for seven days during the same week as the article publication. If you are interested or want to know more, send a note to ricardo@guilfordgazette.com.
Some sample articles can be accessed below:
Five Habits You Can Start Tomorrow to Become More Successful
Six Reasons to Get Help for Mental Illness
Diabetes Mellitus Type II – What is it and Why Care?
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Internships
The Guilford Gazette was originally founded as a hyper-local print newspaper to serve a distinct area of Howard County, Maryland. We are moving soon to a new name and a new mission — to serve all of Howard County. We are in search of various high school and college interns to serve in various roles. At this time, we are only looking for reporters, photographers and videographers. If you have writing or artistic (photography and videography) skills, this may be the right opportunity for you. The opportunity is unpaid, but we provide extensive training and assistance to help you determine if journalism is a good fit for you. We are looking for academically oriented students who actually have time to write one article per week, plus one group tutoring session per week. We provide three books for you to study during the internship. Interns can choose among a 12-month commitment, nine-month commitment, or a three-month commitment. If you are interested or want to know more, please contact your guidance counselor, check your institution’s announcement board for internships, or send a note to ricardo@guilfordgazette.com.
Some sample articles can be accessed below: