Speculations on my future plans: Knight fellowship

So, my fabulous hostess lariel and her SO fifthforce are both graduate students in physics. While I'm super happy to visit them, it is always bittersweet to be reminded of what I've left behind.

I got talking to them about the Knight Science Journalism Fellowships yesterday, and the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that this is a necessary step in my evolution towards happiness and success.

The fellowship lasts for the balance of an academic year (9 months). It requires that I forego any professional writing during that time, but gives me the opportunity to audit classes at both MIT and Harvard, and attend a wide range of seminars and boot camps for science writers.

It would give me the opportunity to get closure on my physics career and explore neuroscience more thoroughly.

I WAS concerned about it because I would have to leave my job to do this and refrain from freelancing. But now that I know that the stipend is $55,000 I'm not so worried. That's a 9-month stipend, so I'd have three months afterwards to get my bearings/job search.

There remains two concerns.

Am I eligible?

Knight Fellowships are designed for journalists who have at least three years of experience covering science, technology, medicine or the environment. Such journalists represent our core clientele. Journalists who wish to gain expertise in these fields are also eligible and must have at least five years of experience.

Applicants must demonstrate a high level of journalistic excellence and accomplishment, as well as a long-term commitment to their craft. Applicants may be reporters, writers, editors, producers, illustrators or photographers. They may work for newspapers, magazines, television, radio or the web. We also consider full-time freelance journalists.

I've been doing science journalism since January 2002, which will be four years by the time applications are due in March. Ignoring the freelance work I've done off and on, however, my actual time in newsrooms or employed as a writer will have been 29 months, or just about 2.5 years. By the time the fellowship started, it would be three years.

I'm not sure if they would view the time I spent teaching as a sign that I don't have a long-term commitment to writing. Perhaps the fact that I went back to writing would improve that; I don't know.

And, I'm not sure if they will see my background and writing and consider it to be at a "high level of journalistic excellence and accomplishment."

So, I might be able to apply for this September, but my application would be marginal. I might be much better off applying for NEXT September, and spending the intervening year ramping up my freelancing so that I can better demonstrate my commitment and accomplishment.

Either way, in two weeks when I'm attending the NASW/CASW conference I'm hoping to find the right people to talk to so that I can find out whether I should bother applying this year, and if not, what I should be working on between now and March 2007 so that I can apply effectively.

What about my life plans?

I've spent too much of my life since graduating saying that in Boston things were better. I need to establish for myself that I can have a fulfilling social and love life here in Canada, or I might never return from Boston. And I love Boston, and I love my peeps there, but the United States is not good for me. It isn't where I want to make my home.

At the same time, I don't like the idea of starting to build a life, and then up and leaving for 9 months. My singleness is a major source of sorrow and unhappiness in my life, and I'm not sure how this would affect that.

All this about life plans makes me think that even if I could get the fellowship for this September, maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I need more time to get established in Toronto.

But... but... wah! I don't want to stay at this job for another year! I'd rather eat my shoes. Maybe with better endocrinal control and medical treatment I will hate it there less, and recognize it for the blessing it is.

Ren Fest and fellowship

Still feeling kinda preoccupied about the whole fellowship idea. A good look at their website and the fellows they've had so far, and it is pretty clear that I am not qualified. The fellows tend to be editors or senior writers at prestigious publications, or to have won at least two awards for their writing. So, if I'm super successful over the next year, I might be able to apply in March 2007 for September 2007. In that time I need to consider finding a full-time position elsewhere that is more in my field, and do freelance articles which can be used to apply for awards.

I've just finished compiling a list of awards and award deadlines. Next I need to take a closer look into places in the GTA I could work in my field. I have five months before I can start thinking about another job for sure, but I'd like a better idea of my options nonetheless.

Today lariel and I went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. We wandered, looked at the pretties, and watched a show. My knees were all achey though, as were other body parts including my head, so I wasn't much for stamina. Next time I'm going out and going to be standing a lot on a humid moist day, I must remember to bring anti-inflammatories, for my knees do NOT love me.

Web page designer wanted: this time I mean it

I kept on saying I wanted to do this myself, but I've decided that my attention (and stress levels) are better expended elsewhere.

( What I'm envisioning )

Interested in this job? Please email me with an estimate of how much you would charge (and what currency you're quoting in).