Freelance Writer and On-Camera Contributor

Freelance Writer & On-Camera Contributor — Paid Per Assignment (Remote) 

Candidates are recommended to Email directly. Information below.  

About Milky Way News: https://milkywaynews.com

Milky Way News is an independent digital newsroom covering where humanity's headed next: science, space, the environment, tech, UAP/UFO, AI, and consciousness. We're small, we move fast, and we publish under real bylines. Async-friendly, high standards, no drama.

The Work

We're opening three contributor slots for freelance writers who are also comfortable on camera.

This is per-assignment work, not a staff job. Each assignment is a package:

• One article—short and sharp, roughly 500–800 words, on one of our beats
• One short vertical video—roughly 60–120 seconds, you on camera explaining the story, for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts
• $125 per published package. Feature stories are commissioned separately at higher rates, agreed case by case before you start.

Read this part before you apply: Every assignment includes a video with you in it. This is not a writing job with occasional video attached—it's both, every time. If you'd rather only write, or you're hoping to negotiate the video away later, this isn't the right fit and we won't be able to consider your application. No hard feelings, and we'd genuinely rather you find that out now than three assignments in.

You pitch stories you're excited about, and we also bring you assignments. You choose which ones you take, you set your own schedule, and you work on your own equipment. There's no minimum, no maximum, and no set hours. Contributors who deliver well and deliver consistently get offered more work.

What to expect: real bylines under your own name on a real publication, an author page and archive that's yours, short-form video with an audience attached, and line edits on every piece from our editor-in-chief, a former Vice journalist. If you're early in your career and trying to build real journalism clips, we'd love to help get you started.

Who We're Looking For

• Curious about the universe: science, space, the environment, tech, UAP/UFO, AI, consciousness, the bigger questions.
• A clean, fast writer: you can take a press release, a research paper, or an interview with a scientist, and turn it into something a smart, busy reader actually finishes.
• Willing to be on camera: You don't need to be a polished TV personality, but you do need to be excited about on-camera journalism. You should enjoy explaining things out loud. Phone-shot is fine. Energy and clarity matter more than gear. Canva, CapCut, or Premiere experience is a plus, not a requirement.
• Some journalism, blogging, video, or creator experience: but a portfolio of personal writing or video projects counts too. We care about how you think, not where you went to school or who you've published with.
• New to the industry? You're welcome here. If you've never had a byline or a paid writing gig but you're genuinely passionate about our beats, we want to hear from you. We'd rather work with someone hungry, curious, and willing to learn than someone with a stacked resume and lukewarm interest.

Pay & Logistics

• Rate: $125 per published package (one article + one short vertical video). Feature stories commissioned at higher rates, agreed per assignment.
• Payment terms: paid within 14 days of publication.
• Location: 100% remote, work from anywhere in the US.
• Schedule: entirely your own. No set hours, no required availability, no standing meetings.
• Engagement: independent contractor (1099). You're free to write for other outlets.

How to Apply

Email contact@milkywaynews.com with the subject line: "MWN Contributor Application — [Your Name]"

In the body of the email, tell us:

• Why Milky Way News specifically—not why journalism in general. Two or three sentences is plenty.
• Which of our beats draws you in—science, space, the environment, tech, UAP/UFO, AI, consciousness.
• Your experience—Published clips, Substack, a blog, a school paper, social media videos. Anything that shows us who you are and what you're capable of.

Attach your resume; your introductory email serves as the cover letter.