Spooky ghost (writers)
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So today, we’re going to talk about ghosts.
Writing for ghosts.
Writing AS ghosts.
Yesterday, writer and audio producer Alex Sujong Laughlin published an essay in Study Hall about ghostwriting. Her career started out as actual ghostwriting, but she weaves a thread through her roles working in social media in a newsroom and later, as an audio producer.
Ultimately, she puts the focus on jobs that are invisible by design. When a social media manager tweets out an article, it’s not their article—but crucially, she points out, they’re the last line of defense before the story goes out into the ether. Audio producers typically don’t write for themselves, but even if you try really really hard not to, they will always come through in the writing in one way or another.
Writing for other people can be a bit of a rush. It’s a challenge to try to take the core of what you want to say and find the words that fit the host. We all speak with different cadences and reach for different words. The more I work with hosts, the more I learn their unique language, and the better I can write for them.
I like that someone else gets to read my writing; it takes the pressure off. Sure, as a producer, my name is on it, but it’s in the credits, way at the end. And a lot of people drop off before the credits.
But Laughlin’s essay forced me to reflect—what do we miss out on when we spend all our time and energy writing our words for other people?
Take a few minutes and read it over lunch or something.
I will also be bookmarking it to send to relatives when they ask what producing a podcast means.
Warm up your vocal chords! The Globe and Mail is hiring a new host for The Decibel. Current host Tamara Khandaker is leaving, so you’ll have big shoes to fill. More info if you scroll down on their job site.
CBC is hiring two full-time, permanent producers: one for The World this Hour, and one for World Report and the Hourlies. Both applications are due midnight on October 23.
I have heard only wonderful things about working at Transmitter Media, and they’re hiring a lead audio engineer/technical director! This job is based out of New York, so if you live in the concrete bunghole where dreams are made up, you should apply.
Tradeoffs is a show about America’s healthcare system, and they’re hiring a podcast producer/reporter to pitch, report, and produce two 10 to 20 minute episodes per month. Send a resume, cover letter, and samples to jobs@tradeoffs.org.
Alright all you hot shot experienced audio journalists, The Atlantic is hiring an executive producer of audio for their storied magazine.
Have you been to a Freelancing with Tim panel yet? I went to a bunch when he started them last year and they are so helpful. This Sunday, Tim Herrera is hosting a panel on how to write better personal essays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. ET. Tickets are free!
And Pandemic University is back with a panel on best practices and ethics for freelance writers. Tickets are by donation and the panel is stacked — Omar Mouallem hosts Steven Sandor (Edify), Rachel Giese (Xtra) and Jason Markusoff (Maclean’s). The event will be on Tuesday, October 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. ET.
Did I mention I’m a scaredy cat? I am a major scaredy cat. I tried looking for more horror shows. I listened to the trailers for two shows and I was genuinely too freaked out to listen to the first episodes. However! Based on the trailers, these shows are VERY well produced. I’m picky about scripted podcasts (I find a lot of them to be a bit stilted) but the voice acting in both of these is top tier. Good enough to freak me out to the point that I would not, could not, listen to an entire episode.
But maybe you will!
The Burned Photo begins with a young girl Felicia’s creepy encounter, prompting her mother to move them across the country. I don’t know anything else, because again, I was too scared.
If I Go Missing, the Witches Did It stars Gabourey Sidibe (Precious, American Horror Story, Empire), so you know the acting will be good. Sidibe plays Jenna, a writer who goes missing during a summer in Westchester checking out how the other half lives. Elise, a white lady podcaster, takes up the cause. Apparently this show is about white saviours and witch covens. It sounded really good. But I am too scared! Please listen to these and tell me if they’re as good as they seem.
This week on Well Said, Dr. Dale Bredesen joins Heather to talk about the protocol he uses to reverse cognitive decline in patients.
Producers Sabrina Brathwaite and Katie Jensen produced a show for the University of Toronto’s School of Nursing, so Sabrina shared some of what they learned on our blog about how you can use podcasts in class. Read that here!
We want to hear from you! What are you looking for in your podcast news? Let us know on Twitter, Instagram, or by email at info@vocalfrystudios.com.
Thanks to Emily Latimer for editing this newsletter, and to Katie Jensen for designing it.
We’ll see you again on October 22. Until then, here’s an update from digital producer Emily’s kitties on a walk.
Yours in friends and fries,
Michal
