Interviewed!

Sr. Kimberly Ben of The Avid Writer and Muslimahs Working at Home recently interviewed me about the business of freelance writing. Insha'Allah you will enjoy the interview--and if you have any specific questions about getting started as a freelance writer, please feel free to leave a comment on this blog's Q&A section.

Journalism Student Wants to Discuss the Veil

A journalism student wishes to speak to "both those who feeling strongly FOR and AGAINST the practice of veiling -- whether you are a Muslim women who wears the niqab daily or a feminist who views the veil solely as an institution of control (or somewhere in between)."

See this Craigslist Ad for more information.

Wanted: Afghan Culture Consultant for Manuscript

This author is "looking for an Afghan person who speaks and reads English and can advise me on Afghan Muslim wedding customs."

He/she says: "The ideal person would be a woman familiar with rural traditions, especially in Farah, and able to consult on an ongoing basis, but I'd appreciate the views of any native Afghan who has attended a wedding."

Discuss the Burqa with a Journalism Student

This NYU Journalism student is writing about the burqa from "historical, religious, cultural, and social perspectives" and is interested in "talking to Muslims (male or female) who feel strongly about this issue."

Interview with the Baltimore Muslim Examiner

J. Samia Mair was kind enough to interview me on her newly established blog: Baltimore Muslim Examiner. You can read the whole interview here:

Award-winning blogger Amel Abdullah shares her secrets

While you're there, check out some of the other informative articles authored by J. Samia Mair, such as:

The connection between Islam and green

Are American mosques designed for women?

Sababa! Did you know that camels have a third...

'Fortress of the Muslim' - don't leave home without it

Interview with Dr. Esam Omeish - Part I: The Candidate

Author Umm Zakiyyah Speaks to Muslimah Source

If you like Islamic Fiction, you'll probably enjoy this detailed interview with Umm Zakiyyah, the author of several novels having Islamic themes.

As an aside, Muslimah Source (the site where the interview is published) is seeking Muslim women to contribute articles "of relevance to Muslim women and the Ummah" (click here for guidelines and information).

Although I believe this is a non-paying opportunity, this seems like a nice site to write for if you are looking to reach out to the Muslim community in a meaningful way.

Thanks to the anonymous poster who directed me to the site.

Muslim Women and the Three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle)

Sister Aaminah of Writeous Sister Speaks is seeking Muslim women to fill out a survey/questionnaire for an article she is writing on how Western Muslim women are incorporating the "Three Rs of Environmentalism" into their lives. Take a look here.

Blogging for SISTERS Magazine

SISTERS Magazine is seeking bloggers. The initial deadline for this project has already passed, but, from the language used in this announcement posted on Ijtema.net, it seems like there may be more opportunities to blog for SISTERS over the next several months. Since no mention of payment is made, check with the editor for more information.

As I have mentioned before, SISTERS is also seeking writers for the magazine itself. When I wrote that post (more than a year ago), SISTERS was a digital magazine only. Now there is a print edition, too.

You can hear an interview with Naima B. Robert, the editor, over at the Nisaa Podcast site.

I noticed, by the way, that the magazine has a few UK-based job vacancies listed on its site:

Shopping Editor
Advertising Sales Executives

Muslim Girl Magazine – Guidelines for Writers

More than a year ago, I posted a link to an interview with Ausma Khan, the editor-in-chief of Muslim Girl Magazine. At the time, that article provided the only guidelines for writers I could find on-line. Since then, the magazine's website has developed and posted a form for making pitches. I would, however, still read the interview, because it contains lots of important information for writers.

Writers for Muslim Girl should be based in the US or Canada. Unfortunately, I lost the on-line reference, but my understanding is that this is a relatively high-paying market for the professional writer.

Muslim Women Needed for Interviews

This person (a journalist) is seeking Muslim women to interview on wearing the hijab (which he/she incorrectly calls the burka). Depending on the story, this could be a good opportunity to correct some misconceptions and get some authentic information out there.

More Audio: NPR Interviews with Tayyibah Taylor

Since we're doing audio, here is a 2002 NPR interview with Tayyibah Taylor, editor-in-chief and publisher of Azizah Magazine.

While browsing the NPR site, I came across an earlier 2001 interview here. It's always nice to put a voice with the name.

Interview with Ausma Khan and Kid Magazine Writers

Just read an interview with Ausma Khan, the editor-in-chief of Muslim Girl Magazine.

The interview provides very specific information on the magazine's vision and how writers can pitch everything from feature articles to fillers such as quizzes.

I have, by the way, received confirmation that Muslim Girl is a paying market.

Also, if you are interested in writing for children/teens in general, the website the above interview is a great resource with detailed market reports and interviews with editors:

Kid Magazine Writers