Hello š
I appeared on the Remotely Inclined podcast last week and had a wonderful chat about the future of work, digital nomads, and productivity tools with fellow remote work geek Stefan Palios. You canĀ listen to our conversation via SpotifyĀ (~22 mins) orĀ read the highlights on Substack.
I also publishedĀ a blog post outlining six common mistakes to avoidĀ when applying for freelance writing jobs. Itās based on my experience sifting ~200 replies to a talent request I issued over the summer. If you find it useful, donāt forget toĀ buy me a coffeeĀ to say thanks and help me share more resources in future.
-Lauren
šĀ #Merky Books New Writersā PrizeĀ (Penguin)
Budding author aged 16-30? The #Merky Books imprint ā Penguinās collaboration with grime superstar Stormzy ā seeks young, underrepresented voices for its annual prize. The winner gets a publishing deal, and longlisted/shortlisted writers receive a package of advice and information. Submissions are open until midnight on Friday 30th October.
š¼Ā Hot New Job Title in a Pandemic: āHead of Remote WorkāĀ (Washington Post)
As Europe dives head-first into a messy second wave of Covid-19, itās increasingly clear that work has changed for good. Thatās why a slew of companies are setting up new departments and hiring executive talent dedicated to making remote work a success. This story tracks the trend and meets early adopters across various sectors.
š¦ Ā This Overlooked Variable Is the Key to the PandemicĀ (The Atlantic)
Speaking of the pandemic, this epic long read of 5,000 words is the best piece of journalism Iāve read about Covid-19 so far. Zeynep Tufekciās sharp analysis looks at the different approaches governments have taken to contact tracing and super spreaders, and explains how this has helped some countries contain the virus more effectively than others.
š§ Ā Building A Second Brain - A Life-Changing Productivity SystemĀ (YouTube)
In this explainer video, YouTuber Ali Abdaal breaks down the concept of ābuilding a second brainā based on his experience attending Tiago Forteās knowledge management course of the same name. He outlines 10 fundamental principles ā from recycling ideas to looking out for your future self ā that will be super useful to any maker.
šĀ What You Need to Know About Newsletter PlatformsĀ (Contently)
Contently writer Natalie Burg interviewed me about the power of newsletters and how to make them a success. We spoke back in May, so my comments are a little outdated now, but the article itself is full of useful tips from seasoned newsletter scribes, and it offers good steer if youāre thinking about launching a newsletter yourself.
š„ļøĀ John Brockman: the man who runs the world's smartest websiteĀ (The Guardian)
This story is almost a decade old, but itās a juicy one. John Brockman is the legendary founder of an influential American literary agency that has represented and associated with some of the worldās most prominent thinkers for decades. In this interview, Brockman talks about the publishing industry, championing good ideas, and his website Edge.org.
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Thanks for reading š
-Lauren