You guys, it is killing me going through these EB job applications. I hate that I can only hire one person. With over 100 applications, I have honestly only had 2 or 3 that I’ve been like, “Dude, why did you even bother applying?” I mean, the overwhelming majority of applications are from really, genuinely, honestly good writers. Some are definitely funnier than others or have voices that are just better suited for the job, and it just kills me that I have to pass on a lot of REALLY good writers because they just don’t have the right voice for this.
Just as I expected, most of my favorite applicants do not have a writing background or journalism degree. Not that there’s anything wrong with those things — and not that I’m not considering those people — but I’ve always been of the opinion that the strongest writing exists in a person at a very young age and cannot be taught. Practiced, yes, but not taught.
But I know how it feels to really, really, really want a writing gig and not get it — trust me, it’s happened to me many a time — so I’m trying very hard to read through every single application and give it a fair shot. But it’s hard because, like I said, a lot of people are obviously very smart and talented, but are just not right for this job.
I keep thinking that maybe I want to start another blog. I hate to say this, but maybe even a women’s blog, like a Jezebel competitor. I mean, Nick Denton laid off most of that site’s best talent, and then Jess Grose quit (when she got a writing gig that I, ahem, applied for and didn’t get). Jess — who was my neighbor in Brooklyn and whom I adore — is going over to Slate to be the managing editor for XX, Slate’s women’s blog. It’s funny: years ago, I applied for jobs at Defamer and Gawker and didn’t get them, and then I decided to start Evil Beet, which totally took off and ended up being way more awesome and lucrative for me than either of those gigs would have been. Since Slate didn’t want me for their women’s blog, maybe I should just start my own. Lord knows I already have a gazillion apps from uber-talented female writers …
