Writer’s Block is looking for fresh, new, enthusiastic, talented, and creative editorial board members! Do you like writing, editing, or do you have any journalistic aspirations? Then join the Writer’s Block editorial board!
What/ who is Writer’s Block?
Writer’s Block magazine is the student magazine of the English department at the University of Amsterdam, but we have an international readership and contributors from across the globe. In our magazine, which is released every 3 months, we publish articles, essays, reviews, interviews, short stories, poetry, photography, and artwork. Even though the magazines are published in English, we also encourage students from outside the English department to join our board, so it doesn’t matter if you study astrophysics, law, pedagogy, history, or play the clarinet in the national orchestra – everyone is welcome at Writer’s Block.
Why should you join the Writer’s Block? What do we offer?
Joining our editorial board gives you the opportunity to improve your own reading, writing, editing, and organization skills greatly. You will not only be doing editorial work for the magazine but you also get the chance to use your creativity in writing monthly website articles where you get to express your own thoughts and ideas. Joining Writer’s Block is also a nice addition to your CV, since it shows experience in writing and editing in English for a media platform, as well as experience in the management of a small student organization. More importantly, you will be working with a close-knit team of fun and creative people.
What are your tasks at Writer’s Block?
Your main role in your year at Writer’s Block will be that of general editor. Your tasks as a general editor are to attend weekly meetings, write a monthly website article (of around 500-1000 words), and to provide the submitted articles for our magazines with feedback, edits, and suggestions. As for the meetings, we have a two-hour meeting every week. Of course we take everyone’s work and study schedule into account when planning the meeting, and during busy periods (like exam weeks or deadlines) there will be room for you to focus on your studies. Apart from the meetings, you are expected to write a website article every month which can be on any topic, as long as it is non-fiction. You will receive feedback from your fellow board members and, in turn, give feedback on their work as well. Lastly, as a general member of the editorial board your task is also to give good, useful, and constructive feedback on magazine submissions. Writer’s Block is a magazine for students and by students. In this, we heavily rely on contributors, so it is important to find a balance in being critical and showing respect to the work of our contributors. Apart from being a general editor, you will also be performing a role-specific function (see below for descriptions). Overall, your tasks at WB will take up 4-6 hours per week.
How and where do you apply?
If you are interested in joining the 2018-2019 editorial board, send in your application together with your CV, a motivation letter, and (optionally) a piece of written work of no more than 800 words[1] to info@writersblockmagazine.com. You can submit a general application or you can have a look at the list below to see if a specific function in the editorial board has your name written all over it. Please note that due to a limited number of spots we might not be able to give you the role which you initially applied for. If this would be the case, we might be inclined to offer you a different position on the team.
The deadline for the applications is Saturday December 1st. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
For general inquiries you can contact us via: info@writersblockmagazine.com
For more information, please check out our
Facebook : @wbthemag
Instagram : @wb_magazine
Twitter : @wb_magazine
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Secretary
Are your notes flawless? Do you always answer your emails within 1 or 2 business days? Are your emails eloquent and well-structured? Do you like having an overview on things?
A secretary plays a crucial role in any organization. In Writer’s Block you will be the right hand of the Editors-in-Chief, supporting them by keeping a clear overview on what is happening in the board as well as outside the board. Practically this means that your job is to keep track of the email and make sure that nothing remains unanswered. You will manage most of the email by yourself and keep the Editors in Chief informed about our contacts. Additionally, you will be responsible for taking the minutes during our meetings and sending them to the editorial board.
May be suitable for those who:
- Are precise, alert, and attentive;
- Like to have a clear overview;
- Can be active and assertive in supporting the Editors-in-Chief.
Graphic Designer*
Do you enjoy thinking about what makes a stand-out visual? Do you like working with programs like Photoshop and Indesign, or would you like to learn? Do you think you can help the team set a vision for that Writer’s Block “look”?
As our graphics designer, you get to be in charge not only of designing posters and other visual material for Writer’s Block, which we like to keep updated at least once a year, but you will also have a lot of freedom in making the layout of the actual magazine. This is a large responsibility, but one that comes with a lot of satisfaction when you have the final product in hand.
May be suitable for those who:
- Know how to work with Indesign and similar programs, or are willing to learn (not all that hard!);
- Are creative and original;
- Have a feeling for visuals.
*If you’re interested in joining the board next year as Graphic Designer, we recommend you apply now in order to learn how to put a magazine together.
[1] Sending in an example of written work is not compulsory but it can play a decisive role in our decision-making process. We’d also just like to read your work!
Writer's Block Magazine 