November Newsletter
Hola desde Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! I’ve been enjoying the last week or so at home and tomorrow I’m setting off on my final press trip of the year. Any guesses where?
Thank you for subscribing to my monthly newsletter that highlights my recently published articles, upcoming calls for sources, and a peek into my travels. If you’d like to support my work, tips are appreciated via Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the paid version of this newsletter for $9.99 a month. If you’d like, buy me a tea here as a token of appreciation.
If you’d like to work with me, I offer consultations where I workshop pitches and allow writers to pick my brain about the industry: LolaAnnMendez.com/Consultation
In November, I wrote two articles—one was commissioned by my editor and the other was an assignment from the same editor. I wrote about 1,000 words and earned $600.
This was the worst month of my freelance writing career. Many editors got back to me saying they ran out of budget for the year—which is daunting as I only have two deadlines for December so far.
There’s also been an uptick of journalists being ostracized, and those on staff fired, for being against genocide and supporting Palestinian liberation. I may not have earned enough funds this month to cover my rent—but I won’t be silent about ethnic cleansing.
On that note, as I tweeted: I’m happy to help any writers of Palestinian heritage who want to write about the ongoing genocide and need assistance developing pitches, brainstorming story outlets, finding editor contacts, etc. It’s best to email me for a quick response.
And while I tweeted that I was available for work (which usually leads to work, but this month it did not) I was also hustling trying to find gigs. I sent 79 pitches this month—three were commissioned, three are being considered, 29 were rejected, and 44 are pending a response.
My portfolio can be viewed at any time at LolaAnnMendez.com. In November, I had three articles published. I have upcoming pieces in new-to-me publications including Virtuoso, The Magazine.
I always post my calls for sources on Twitter.com/LolaAnnaMendez. Newsletter subscribers are privy to the first look at my current work. PR folks (and individuals, when relevant) are welcome to send pitches for the stories on which I’m currently working.
Articles I’m currently writing:
A hotel review in Sweden
A sustainable guide to Gothenburg, Sweden
A neighborhood guide in Uruguay
A feature on a queer wine festival
I kicked off November in Oaxaca for Día de Los Muertos. After a few nights at home, I returned to Costa Rica on a press trip that fully encompassed all things Pura Vida. I had a nice stretch at home after focusing on my health and wellness. Tomorrow I’m off on my final press trip of the year to a new-to-me destination and back to a continent I haven’t visited since 2019.
More about those travels in next month's newsletter.