Anyone can write for us. No experience necessary.

[byline]: Staff writer:

Description: A staff writer routinely contributes articles for the Messenger voluntarily. Staff writers are encouraged to write for any and all sections of the Messenger. Staff writers can choose stories from a selection of pitches given by the editorial staff during pitch meetings and may also pitch story ideas of their own to the section editors.

Prerequisites: At least five published stories in the Messenger, one from each section, and a meeting with the executive and managing editors about your work and what types of stories you’d like to write.

Responsibilities: A staff writer must…

• Attend weekly pitch meetings
• Meet occasionally with staff
• Meet length requirements
• Adhere to weekly deadlines
• Follow journalistic standards and codes of ethics
• Write in accordance with AP Style and Manitou Messenger style rules

Compensation: Staff writers will get a bio page on the Manitou Messenger’s website, which contains a photo, short bio, and portfolio of work. Staff writers get first pick of stories each week.

[byline]: News reporter, Sports reporter, Arts and Entertainment reporter:

Description: A beat reporter routinely contributes to a chosen section of the Messenger, as well as the rest of the paper. Beat reporters attend Sunday night pitch meetings and help section editors generate story ideas. Beat reporters are still welcome (and encouraged) to contribute to sections outside of their beat.

Prerequisites: Open to staff writers only. Beat reporters must write at least three articles for their chosen section of concentration beyond the requirements to become a staff writer and meet with the section editors of their chosen section of concentration. Those editors will determine whether or not a writer is ready to become a beat reporter.

Responsibilities: A beat reporter must…

• Attend both the editorial and writers weekly pitch meetings
• Develop pitch ideas for their section of concentration
• Meet length requirements
• Adhere to weekly deadlines
• Write at least one story per week
• Meet as needed with other beat reporters and section editors
• Follow journalistic standards and codes of ethics

Compensation: Beat reporters will get their name on the masthead (printed on the left of A2) and a bio page on the Manitou Messenger website. Beat reporters get first pick of stories during the editorial pitch meeting.

[byline]: Senior reporter

Description: Senior reporters regularly contribute to all sections of the Messenger, undertake investigative projects in collaboration with beat reporters and the editorial staff, and assist the reporting team with their reporting skills and AP style.

Prerequisites: The senior reporter is hired along with the editorial team in the spring. Open to staff writers/beat reporters only.  

Responsibilities: The senior reporter must…

• Attend weekly editorial and writers pitch meetings
• Keep tabs on investigative projects, long-form stories, and breaking news
• Assist contributing writers, staff writers, and beat reporters with their writing, AP style, interviewing and reporting
• Meet with particular writers for workshops and story collaboration
• Serve as a liaison between writers and the executive team, as well as a go-to resource for the writing staff.
• Help the executive team plan workshops and programs for the writing staff.

Compensation: $200 stipend, name on the masthead, bio page on the Manitou Messenger website.

Description: A staff photographer takes photographs for the Messenger voluntarily. Staff photographers are encouraged to contribute to any and all sections of the Messenger. Staff photographers may choose from a selection of events and stories given by the photo director.

Prerequisites: At least five published photos in the Messenger and a meeting with the photo director to discuss and reflect on your work and what types of photos you’d like to take in the future.

Responsibilities: A staff photographer must…

• Attend weekly photo meetings
• Adhere to weekly deadlines
• Follow journalistic standards and codes of ethics

Compensation: Staff photographers will get a bio page on the Manitou Messenger’s website, which includes a photo, short bio, and portfolio of work. Staff photographers will get first pick of photos each week.