Studio Blog
My name is Jocelyn Myers. I have a B.A. in music and business and an M.A. in English. I'm a full-time mom and community volunteer. While I love being home with my kids, our family started struggling financially during the recent economic downturn. Finding a job that used my skills, worked around my husband's demanding schedule and still allowed me plenty of time with my family seemed impossible. I found Demand Media Studios, and it was a perfect fit. I can work while the kids have their afternoon relax time or after they go to bed. I feel like I can contribute to my family in every way necessary, and I am thrilled to be building a resume while being a stay-at-home mom — something I never thought possible.
I'm Anne Baley, and I've been writing online for more than two years. I live in Michigan, and our economy is one of the worst in the nation. About a year ago, I lost my job and home in the same month. I went for half a year with only a 10-hour-a-week, part-time job until I found Demand Media Studios. Demand Media Studios is literally a dream come true for me. I'm doing what I've always wanted to do but never believed was possible. I can write as much as I want and make as much money as I want. I've found a community of writers in the forums at Demand Media Studios that is like an extended family to me. I have, in every way possible, found a home with Demand Media Studios.
I'm Lisa Larsen, a writer for more than 20 years. My first love is the short story, and I've had several pieces of my work published in various literary magazines. I've been freelance writing for more than 10 years. Demand Media Studios is an outstanding source of income for me. I am a single parent of six kids, and I run my own lawn business here in Florida. Demand Media Studios gives me the freedom to write when I can. The pay rate is fair, and I truly enjoy all I learn while writing articles. I think that might be the best part — after the money, of course.
Building on the success of our previous three Write for a Cause campaigns, we are thrilled to announce a special holiday edition that promises to be our most impactful one to date.
Demand Media is working with First Book and HarperCollins Publishers to equip hundreds of childhood literacy programs across the country with age-appropriate books this December. To make sure we raise the greatest number of books possible, we need your help!
Taking Part is Easy: For every eight articles written and approved from December 1 through December 15 a few exciting things will happen:
- Demand Media will donate one book on behalf of our writers and copy editors
- HarperCollins will match our total donation resulting in twice as many books
- Writers and Editors will become eligible for fun prizes and recognition for each article
Be a Part of Something Big: In the previous three Write for a Cause campaigns, our dedicated writers and editors together donated more than 41,000 new children’s books. Combining your creative talent and our philanthropic partnerships, this edition of Write for a Cause promises to be our most successful to date. To learn more about those on the receiving end of the book drive, watch this video from our friends at FirstBook:
Have Fun Doing It: To make sure everyone wins by Writing for a Cause, we will be awarding daily prizes to participants. Past prizes have included the Complete New Yorker Gift Set, autographed editions of popular books and recognition in a widely distributed press release. Every article you write is a chance to win. We urge you to pledge some of your time and creativity this December and make a difference in the lives of thousands of underserved children.
Make sure to visit the Write for a Cause Facebook page for daily updates, prize announcements and more!
My name is Kelly Seiler, and I have been writing for Demand Media Studios for more than a year. I am in love and wish I'd been doing this for years. Writing for Demand Media Studios fits perfectly into my mom/work schedule, and I love that if I need money for something, I can calculate how many extra articles I need to write to get it. I was supposed to go into my "real" job this morning, but my baby is home sick with a fever, so I am just figuring out how many articles I need to write to make up for that lost income (and actually, I can make more money in an hour with Demand Media Studios than I do at work). I'm looking forward to all my kids being in school, so I can work for Demand Media Studios full time.
My name is Bobbi Holmes. I’ve been with Demand Media Studios for more than a year now. It’s been a godsend for our family, as it has for many others during this difficult economic downturn. But what’s truly amazing is that it enables me to do something I sincerely enjoy. I’ve corresponded with various Demand Media Studios editors and managers, and they’ve been helpful and respectful (sometimes funny). I love the fact we choose our own titles and make our own schedules. I especially love how Demand Media Studios has grown in a positive direction.
I'm Renee Miller. My college career was cut short due to a second battle with cancer, and I thought I would never further my career as a writer without my degree. Demand Media Studios accepted me as a writer based on merit, not degree. I have been able to grow as a writer with them, thanks to patient, honest, knowledgeable editors. I dare anyone to find another company that can hold a candle to Demand Media Studios. Contests for laptops, holiday money, the offer of health insurance and now grants for outside projects — it's just incredible. Freelancers just don't get those kinds of opportunities. Thanks to Demand Media Studios, I keep food on the table and shoes in the closet. I love Demand Media Studios.
I'm Melissa Worcester, and I've always been a good writer, but only within the last couple of years have I pursued it as a career. I have been doing freelance writing for a couple of years now. As a mother and also a homeschooler, I find Demand Media Studios a great place to write because I can choose how much to write and I can choose the titles from their list. I can write when I want to and as much as I want to.
My name is Anna Scanlon, and I recently graduated from NYU with a master's degree. During that time, I decided I wanted to become a full-time writer and went on to produce my own full-length plays and complete two novels. While at NYU, I was diagnosed with Lupus SLE, making it literally impossible for me to hold down a full-time job. Being so young, it was nearly impossible for me to receive government aid. After finding Demand Media Studios, I've been able to earn more than what I'd make with government aid, live independently and make money doing what I love best: writing. Demand Media Studios also allows me to find time to work on creative projects and get involved with the community since I can set my own schedule.
This week we want to give Community Kudos to Studio writer Marnie Kunz. Marnie is an active and positive presence in our forums, on Facebook and Twitter. After we announced Demand Media Studios Meetups Marnie was one of the first people to schedule and organize a Meetup in her city. We later noticed her on Twitter, recruiting for other DMS freelancers to join and schedule events of their own. She even set up a Facebook page for DMS writers in her city of St. Louis!
Thank You!
