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 board? 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?
Apart from the role-specific tasks, (see below for descriptions) your general tasks as a board member 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. 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 2019-2020 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. The deadline for the applications is Friday October 4th at midnight. 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
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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 an attentive;
- Like to have a clear overview;
- Can be active and assertive in supporting the Editors-in-Chief.
Treasurer
Do you tend to spend your money wisely? Can you keep a financial overview? Do you enjoy keeping things nice and organized?
As a treasurer you will be in charge of the financial side of Writer’s Block. Your job is to keep a financial overview of Writer’s Block’s incomes (from donations, UvA subsidies, earnings from advertisements) and outcomes (from magazines, promotion material, events) throughout the year. You will be responsible for our subsidy application in October and February, and together with the Editors-in-Chief you will attend the Alpha meetings which take place about four times a year. Since Writer’s Block does not have an own bank account, you will be working closely with the treasurer of Etcetera (the study association of English at the UvA).
May be suitable for those who
- Are precise and are good at keeping a (financial) overview;
- Are good with numbers (though we don’t require a mathematical genius);
- Are orderly.
[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 