Work for The Skinny

A pink box with green text reading 'The Skinny; We are hiring!'

The Skinny is an independent, creative company that seeks to connect curious readers with interesting artists and events. We aim to offer freedom within your role to work towards our company goals and business vision.

Comedy Editor

We’re looking for a new Comedy Editor to coordinate our coverage in print and online. At The Skinny, we cover up-and-coming acts from the Scottish scene, local comedy legends, and big-name acts hitting town on tour, as well as looking at comedy on TV, streaming services and podcasts. Our coverage of the Edinburgh Fringe and Glasgow Comedy Festival gets a lot of compliments too – and now we’re looking for someone to help build on this and bring their vision to the section.

The main tasks of this role are as follows:
– Writing and/or commissioning articles for The Skinny, in print and online (typically two to three articles per monthly issue, with a substantial increase in commissioning around the Edinburgh Fringe)
– Managing writers and contributors to the section
– Setting the overall direction and tone for the Comedy section, in discussion with Editor-in-Chief and editorial colleagues
– Working to deadlines and delivering high-quality copy to schedule
– Building and maintaining relationships with acts, venues, PRs, and other key comedy folk
– Planning and delivering comedy coverage at key festivals and events throughout the year, particularly during the Edinburgh Fringe
– Representing The Skinny in the Scottish comedy community, and keeping up-to-date with developments in the scene

This is a freelance role – the monthly fee is £125, and you will also receive additional payment on a per-article basis for pieces written for the print edition and website. 

Interested? To apply, send two relevant writing samples (published or unpublished), a feature pitch for a future edition of The Skinny, and a cover letter with a bit of information about yourself and your vision for The Skinny’s comedy coverage, to jobs@theskinny.co.uk

Deadline: Sun 17 May, midnight

Any questions? Get in touch with our Editor-in-Chief, Rosamund West, on rosamund@theskinny.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS (Writers, Illustrators, Photographers)

We are looking for writers, illustrators and photographers on an ongoing basis to help make The Skinny an informed, inspiring, witty and opinionated collection of the voices and talents that makes Scotland such an exciting place to be.

With tens of thousands of copies distributed to hundreds of venues across the country, The Skinny gives writers a platform to get their voice heard, and illustrators and photographers an opportunity to showcase their work and build their portfolio.

We are particularly keen to hear from prospective writers for the Music, Film, Clubs, Books, Intersections and Theatre sections of the magazine, more details below.

Pitching to The Skinny: Before you start, please read this pitching guide! We have put a lot of effort into demystifying the process, and offering what is hopefully clear advice on writing a successful, eye-catching pitch to ourselves or other outlets.

If you’re a writer: Introduce yourself to the relevant section editor – see contact details here – and send them two or three samples of your work.

If you’re an illustrator or photographer: Please email jobs@theskinny.co.uk with the subject line 'Contributor: illustrator' or 'Contributor: photographer' and let us know your area of expertise/interest (e.g. perhaps you’re a fashion photographer, or would like to try more live music photography) – and please link us to your portfolio where possible rather than attaching large files.