iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

The Objective @objectivejournos.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"If a $1/word rate matched today’s inflation, the average writer should be making about $2/word. But — according to our data — they aren’t." @fspnwu.bsky.social members jen byers and Elena Novak analyze data from the project's Rate Sharing Database. buff.ly/g7wyXFU

buff.ly

Freelance journalism rates have barely changed since 2000

New data from the National Writers Union offers a glimpse into a bleak picture of decades-long wage stagnation in freelance journalism.

01820

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

kayti burt @kaytiburt.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

If you are a writer/creative worker reading this, I hope you will consider joining the National Writers Union (@nwu.org)/The Freelance Solidarity Project (@fspnwu.bsky.social), where we are organizing for better working conditions for writers, freelancers, and creative industry workers. It is vital.

0217

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

National Writers Union @nwu.org · 25/08/2026

Hey, NY 🗽 Join NWU's Digital Media Division @fspnwu.bsky.social for a reading & fundraiser supporting our sibling union, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. All proceeds will go to the @ifjglobal.bsky.social Safety Fund for journalists in Palestine. Thurs, Sept 3 @ Starr Barr in Brooklyn

Promo graphic with text that reads "A reading for Palestinian Journalists, September 3, 6-8pm". Logos for NWU and FSP sit below the text. To the right is a sepia picture of a young Palestinian woman picking from an olive tree.

078

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Media monopolies a potent threat to media workers and to US democracy overall. Join us on Monday, April 27 at 7 pm ET for a panel discussion on the dangers of media consolidation, how we got here, and what we can do about it. Register: bit.ly/FightBigMedia

045

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Media workers across disciplines are laboring under precarity. Help us fight to raise pay and improve working conditions. nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

Quote on the graphic reads "One could think of writing a book and writing literary criticism as a kind of call and response, and how lonely it would be to call to no response! As a writer of books, I'm thankful for the critics; as a reader and occasional writer of criticism, I know how very much work and thought can go into a review. Books and readers need critics, and critics need to be paid well for the considerable work involved" by R.O. Kwon. Illustration is by Colleen Tighe, showing a cartoon of a person driving a boat holding a bag of money while water is splashed on a second person in a lifebuoy with three piles of books perched on it. FSP-NWU Book Critics Working Group is noted at the bottom left

000

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

A healthy critical landscape demands institutional investment and good-faith bargaining. Help FSP-NWU fight for better rates! nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

Quote on the graphic reads "Critics and reviewers dedicate themselves to the art of writing, to the cultural and social meanings of books. They create a necessary and important dialogue between writers and readers. We writers usually work in solitude, though writing is never a singular pursuit. What we write comes from the world, not only from the world inside us, but also from the one outside us, and from other lives. Critics help writers understand what our writing might mean to others" by Lynne Tillman. Illustration is by Colleen Tighe, showing a cartoon person seated in front of a laptop surrounded by a toppling pile of books. FSP-NWU Book Critics Working Group is noted at the bottom left

010

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

As media workers, we are mutually invested in the amplification of cultural output. A dollar a word would help combat inequality in the media space. nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

Quote on the graphic reads "Criticism is an essential part of a functioning literary ecosystem, and it takes an enormous amount of time, effort, and care. We get the quality of criticism we pay for, and we should pay more for it" by Ed Yong. Illustration is by Colleen Tighe, showing a cartoon person in a green shirt that reads "The Prestige Mag" swiping a card; the card reader shows a big red X and a loaf of bread and two apples are nearby, implying that the person's card was declined while buying groceries. FSP-NWU Book Critics Working Group is noted at the bottom left

031

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Published authors rely on freelance critics for dialogue, context, and exposure. Help us fight to raise pay and improve working conditions. nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

Quote on the graphic reads "As a queer author, literary criticism is crucial to my work - not only so readers get an opportunity to find my books, but also so the public has a richer, deeper understanding of what's so important about LGBTQ+ literature. Good criticism requires time, thoughtfulness, and genuine talent. I owe so much to the incredible community of critics who have taken such care with my writing" by Kristen Arnett. Illustration is by Colleen Tighe, showing a cartoon of five people reading / typing next to images of a pacifier, a bag of groceries, a house key, and a caduceus. FSP-NWU Book Critics Working Group is noted at the bottom left

031

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

The assault on criticism echoes the subversion of free speech, embrace of generative A.I., and hostility toward the press. FSP-NWU is fighting for better rates. nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

0113

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Criticism is a crucial and democratic counterforce in the face of marketing budgets and recommendation algorithms. Help FSP-NWU fight for better rates! nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

084

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

The muffling of critical voices compromises consumer choice. A dollar a word would help critics make a living wage. nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

02212

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

2025 has been a year of devastating disinvestment across arts and culture criticism. Join us in calling for $1/word as the minimum rate for book critics. nwu.org/join Illustration by @colleentie.bsky.social

02011

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Today, we join unionized nonprofit newsrooms across the country as they stand shoulder-to-shoulder to demand that news industry leaders agree to common-sense guardrails around the implementation of artificial intelligence to protect the integrity, quality, and accuracy of our journalism.

1159

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

TOMORROW: Join the Rate Sharing Crew for a drop-in on Dec 4 at 12pm ET to close out the year! We want to hear about your wins and build momentum for the new year. RSVP: forms.gle/meFVcJTiaVWN...

forms.gle

FSP Rate Sharing Drop-in

Join the Rate Sharing Working Group for an end-of-year drop-in on Thursday, December 4 at 12pm ET! Now's the perfect time to celebrate this year's wins. We want to hear: What did you do this year not…

000

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

Marianne Dhenin @mariannedhe.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

freelance journo friends, I'll be at this drop-in! Come hang out.

022

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Join our end-of-year rate sharing drop-in on Thursday, December 4, at 12 pm ET! We want to hear about your wins this year and talk about how we'll hit the ground running next year, organizing so freelancers can have greater assurance and stability. RSVP: forms.gle/L1R3NyaiMEsm...

docs.google.com

FSP Rate Sharing Drop-in

011

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Media closures are happening much too often these days, but there is POWER in a UNION! ✊🏼

011

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

"The death of institutions hasn’t killed solidarity among journalists — I’m a member, for example, of the Freelance Solidarity Project at the National Writers Union, which provides resources for independent writers and has contracts for minimum standards with several publications." 🫡

0103

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

We had the privilege of working with @goodbyealma.bsky.social on our know your rights panel for queer & trans media workers, so trust us when we say it's worth subscribing to Hell Gate to read this full interview. Then go sign the petition to support the Fired Four: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

061

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Sign the petition to reinstate the Fired Four!

0207

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

Alma Avalle @goodbyealma.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

More important to me than my identity, I am also the Vice President of the NewsGuild of New York, and targeting me with a blatantly retaliatory termination like this feels like an egregious shot against our union and against media workers as a whole.

111044149

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

We stand in solidarity with our @condeunion.bsky.social siblings at @teenvogue.com who were unceremoniously laid off last week. Layoffs are not a solution to unbalanced budgets, especially when those laid off come from marginalized backgrounds typically not represented at major media orgs.

12211

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 29/10/2025

Speaking of freelancers, looking out for fellow freelance creatives is really important to me. We worked with @nwu.org and @fspnwu.bsky.social to develop contributor guidelines to protect freelancers, be transparent about our relationships, and set fair pay standards.

the-flytrap.ghost.io

Freelancer Policies

The Flytrap and National Writers Union have agreed upon freelancer policies for media workers contributing to The Flytrap Media.

189

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Tomorrow, comrades! Who’s joining us?

001

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

But we CAN organize! Want to hear how? Join us at our next general info session on October 28, 7:30pm ET. RSVP at bit.ly/FSP-RSVP-info

011

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

"Freelancers can't collectively bargain."

172

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

The NewsGuild-CWA @newsguild.org · 11/08/2025

NEW: POLITICO’s top editors testified that its AI experiments don’t need to follow the newsroom’s own editorial standards. If media execs won’t protect journalism standards, NewsGuild members @pen-guild.bsky.social will! www.niemanlab.org/2025/08/poli...

niemanlab.org

Politico’s recent AI experiments shouldn’t be subject to newsroom editorial standards, its editors testify

In a July arbitration hearing, Politico faced allegations that two generative AI tools violated its union contract.

24330

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Thrilled to be a part of this crucial work! 🫡

041

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

Kristen Martin @kwistent.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

"There are only seven full-time book critics left in the United States...The rest of us are freelancers—and according to the Freelance Solidarity Project, nearly one-third of freelance book critics make less than the federal minimum wage for their reviews." worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/septemb...

worldliteraturetoday.org

Criticism Is Literature. Why Is It Vanishing?, by Adam Morgan

What do the best book reviews do? What is the current state of the critical ecosystem? Chicago Review of Books founder Adam Morgan takes stock of book reviewing in the US.

283

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

National Writers Union @nwu.org · 19/08/2025

Israel is carrying out the largest massacre of journalists & media workers in modern history,& the most dangerous attack on the ideal of a free press in the modern era. Donate to the IFJ Safety Fund to support our colleagues & sibling union, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. bit.ly/supportPJS

NWU's statement on the continued assault on journalists in Gaza. Read the full statement at nwu.org.

196

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

National Writers Union @nwu.org · 14/08/2025

Mario Guevara is now the 5th longest-jailed journalist in U.S. history. Sign & share this petition from his daughter, Katherine, to bring him home. "If a government can punish a reporter for doing his job, what message does this send? What protections are left for the rest of us?" chng.it/8HfJqdW75h

chng.it

Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?

Help Bring Mario Back Home

0109

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

The NewsGuild-CWA @newsguild.org · 12/08/2025

NEW: Israel targeted and killed five @aljazeera.com journalists in Gaza. They risked everything to document atrocities so we could know the truth. Killing them is an attack on journalism itself. With @nwu.org, we demand accountability: newsguild.org/the-newsguil...

newsguild.org

The NewsGuild-CWA and National Writers Union condemn Israel’s targeted killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA

The NewsGuild-CWA and National Writers Union join press freedom advocates around the world in condemning the targeted killing of Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza.

111461

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Missed our Journalism Futures panel? You can catch the recording below. ⬇️ These leaders are forging a more just media industry, and not afraid to answer the big questions about reporting on Palestine, immigration, and AI in an increasingly suppressed media climate.

youtu.be

Journalism Futures: Funding Under Fascism

The journalism industry is facing economic breakdown. Philanthropy and nonprofit status have been presented as one solution, especially to serve the needs of communities of color and immigrant…

130

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

We're excited to add @theflytrapmedia.com to the list of publications we have a Unilateral Announcement with as they help raise standards across the industry. Who's next? 👀

0205

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

Alleen Brown @alleenbrown.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Proud of my union for speaking out against Israel's systematic starvation of people in Gaza, including journalists -- and for pushing our colleagues at mainstream outlets to cover it better. Freelancers, please consider joining @fspnwu.bsky.social nwu.org/starvation-o...

nwu.org

NWU Calls on Unions and Media to Denounce Israel’s Starvation of Gaza | NWU

The National Writers Union calls on our colleagues at mainstream news outlets to provide truthful coverage of the ongoing, now-worsening campaign of starvation that Israel is inflicting on Palestinian...

072

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

k.e. harloe @keharloe.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Over 100 ppl (& counting) are registered for this @fspnwu.bsky.social convo abt funding news under fascism, happening TMRW @ 12 pm EST! Signing up is free and takes 2 min. You won't wanna miss out: bit.ly/FundingUnder...

023

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Philanthropy & nonprofit status have been presented as one solution to the breakdown of the media industry, especially to serve the needs of communities of color & immigrant communities who have historically been failed by mainstream outlets. Can it work? Let's talk! bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism

Text reads "Journalism Futures: Funding Under Fascism, register: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism". The panelists are listed as Alicia Bell, Director, Racial Equity in Journalism Fund; Lara Witt, E.I.C. of Prism; and Mazin Sidahmed, Co-Founder of Documented. Roshan Abraham, freelance journalist/FSP member, will moderate. The date reads August 5th, 12pm EST. The logos for FSP and NWU are displayed at the bottom left. The background is red, and a black lightning strike trails down the right side ending in a red fist holding a pen. The words "a virtual panel series about funding the news" are written above it.

021

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

Ilana Masad @ilanaslightly.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Oh and relatedly, it's pretty clear to myself and most book critics I know that we will never get a staff job. Perhaps that's part of why we're so eager to organize together and try to improve rates for all freelance critics :). @fspnwu.bsky.social

071

Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project

k.e. harloe @keharloe.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Got the nonprofit industrial complex on your mind? Us too. Join @fspnwu.bsky.social, moderator @roshanabraham.bsky.social, and these stellar speakers for a chat about ~funding under fascism~ next week! Register & send us your burning q's here - it's totally free & takes 2 min: tinyurl.com/mrxubuyj

023

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

The journalism industry is facing economic breakdown. What promises and pitfalls does the nonprofit news model offer? Hear from Mazin Sidahmed of @documentedny.bsky.social, Alicia Bell of @borealisphil.bsky.social, & Lara Witt of @prismreports.org on August 5. Register: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism

098

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

As the Trump administration slashes federal funding & threatens basic press freedoms, how should nonprofit newsrooms—especially those serving marginalized communities—navigate an already shaky media ecosystem? Find out on August 5: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism

011

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Invest in worker-owned media! We're proud to share that FSP-NWU alongside @defector.com & the Media Economies Design Lab at @colorado.edu was awarded $1.5 million from Press Forward, an initiative to invest in local news infrastructure, to support media co-ops through the incubator start.coop.

084

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Interested in learning about organizing for a more sustainable and equitable media industry? Join us for our next quarterly info session on July 29, 7:30pm ET on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/FSP-RSVP-info

000