@marinafang
Reporter, editor, and journalism educator for hire, formerly a senior culture reporter at HuffPost • Adjunct journalism prof, CUNY • she/her • bymarinafang@gmail.com or marinafang.72 on Signal marinafang.substack.com
I'm one of five visiting journalists at @mujschool.bsky.social for the next few days, working with students, leading a few workshops, and seeing some films at @truefalsefilmfest.bsky.social, as part of #CriticsinColumbia. More on this exciting pilot program: journalism.missouri.edu/2026/03/crit...
Wanted to reiterate that in addition to my continued search for full-time jobs, I'd love to pick up more short-term contract work. Do you need a writer to turn around a few stories for an upcoming project? A researcher or fact-checker for your book? etc. etc. Get in touch: bymarinafang@gmail.com
When I wrote this story a few years ago, the main thing everyone I talked to said was that JVDB was always fully committed, whether he was playing a breakup scene with utter seriousness, or mocking the breakup scene 20 years later. Not everyone would have gone so hard! www.vox.com/culture/2236...
This is always the complaint of sophists who never seem to grasp that art! is! political!
We have launched a new fundraiser to support The Washington Post's courageous international employees and local staff who were laid off, who are not eligible for Guild protections, and who face additional logistical challenges and security risks.
Please give & share widely:
gofund.me/e765aab9f
The cover of the newest Chicago Reader, which features a huge photo of an egg that’s cracking open
My feature on Fire Talk Records’ Chicago-based imprint, Angel Tapes
After a month and a half break from print, the Reader makes its debut as a monthly. Thank you to everyone who supported the paper last year when we were scraping by week to week, and all the ups and downs before then. Thank you to everyone who picks up a new issue, it means the world.
the Washington Post effectively blew up its arts section today, dismissing its books, TV, music, and theater critics, features writers, and several editors. (I'm also guessing the vacant film critic position will stay that way.) Just an insane loss of talent and a huge self-inflicted wound.
So many people doing great work here; many of us were caught in layoffs repeatedly or squeezed out of traditional staff jobs. I value the indie media ecosystem so much but there's also a critical need for newsrooms and their resources: Some stories need a lot of support, especially investigations.
Sports coverage is more than scores. It’s about the people, politics and cultural factors that drive it. Sports journalism adds vivid color and context to these dynamics. Without it, every sports fan suffers. Some of the best sports journalism all-time came from WaPo. Inexcusable loss.
Well, I was laid off at The Washington Post today.
It's been an honor to work with some of the best journalists in the business.
I'm hoping to continue reporting, producing videos and finding long-forgotten archival footage.
If you have any openings, reach out.
My time with The Washington Post is up. I was laid off with hundreds of folks I am so honored to call my colleagues.
I covered it all at The Post (really), so now I'm looking for my next adventure.
➡️ kbellware [at] gmail dot com
Website update coming soon
@postguild.bsky.social
forever
The "summarize this email" is really the cherry on top of the fucking cake
One of the very best to ever do it. Sending you all the love and solidarity.
Yes, and not everyone has the capacity to be an internet personality/entrepreneur/marketing expert/lawyer/HR/accountant, etc. etc. — on top of doing the writing and reporting itself!
also being edited is GOOD having colleagues is GOOD being part of a context and community makes the work BETTER we can't all just be typing in little boxes alone in the dark forever
With the closing of the Kennedy Center and the cuts at the Post, the Washington, DC metro area has lost its biggest arts institution and of its largest local journalism outlet.
In the year since my layoff, many well-meaning people have said things like: "Start a newsletter/podcast/independent publication!" What about health insurance, legal support, and all the essentials — and frankly, more peace of mind — that a full-time job at an established news outlet provides?
I really hate that media layoffs have been happening for the last three years, including my own, and most of the people responsible for the mismanagement won't experience any negative consequences, especially for decimating the number of people of color in so many American newsrooms.
When I tried reporting on LSU, football, and gendered violence as a freelancer, I hit so many walls. I joined the team at USA Today and we did award-winning work bc, in large part, it was a big team of people and they were able to sue the school repeatedly, which was withholding public documents.
I don't know what it is about idiots who buy newspapers without understanding why they exist or what their business is, but I think gutting books coverage is some kind of canary in the coalmine. These jackasses don't read books, so they assume no one else does either.
The line in this courageous essay about her child not remembering her broke my heart. I hope she knows what an impact it had on so many people.
So sorry to hear this. I hate this for you, and for our whole industry. Hope someone commissions you to continue doing your great work.
I'm a versatile reporter, critic, and editor with a decade of experience covering breaking news, politics, and culture; and working in all manner of formats, from fast-moving daily stories and liveblogs, to reported features, to sharp essays and criticism. I'd love to work with you!
For any editors: I know budgets are really tight right now, but in addition to taking general pitches, if you have any series/packages for which you're looking for writers, or any ongoing or evergreen content that you rely on freelancers for, please reach out: bymarinafang@gmail.com
In a lot of cultures, it's pretty common to call any elder of your parents' generation an aunt or uncle.
Some news: I'm starting a part-time contract role managing web content & newsletters at the Pratt Institute. Excited to turn over a new leaf. Still looking for full-time work & open to other PT/freelance work, so reach out if you're looking for an experienced reporter, editor, & journalism educator.
Love when a CEO undermines the work that their company produces www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Here's a reminder of the many things I've done over my decade-long career bsky.app/profile/mari...