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The Open Notebook: A Look Into How Science Writers Work

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


Pitching is an art in itself: you have to convince editors—a ruthless breed—that they should publish your story. In theory, you do know how to write a pitch. In reality, you lack practice and your pitches are getting rejected. But no need to despair. Thanks to TheOpenNotebook, you can browse through a database of successful pitches and learn from the very best science writers.

The pitch database is only one of the endeavours of The Open Notebook. The non-profit organisation also publishes interviews with leading science writers to give an insight on their working process, as well as a wide range of features which look at various aspects of science writing: spotting a good science story, keeping your research organised, finding a good narrative.

The goal of The Open Notebook is to explore the science writers’ entire process when working on a story. It wants to showcase science journalism as a craft. To do so, it takes a very interesting approach: it shows that science writing, just like science, is first and foremost a human enterprise.


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The Open Notebook is not only a fantastic resource for young and early-career science writers, it is also a great source of motivation.

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Here is what you need to know about The Open Notebook:

Website URL: http://www.theopennotebook.com/

Twitter: @Open_Notebook

Facebook: The Open Notebook

The founders: Jeanne Erdmann and Siri Carpenter.

Board of advisers: http://www.theopennotebook.com/board-of-advisers/

Funding: In part by a grant from the National Science Writers Association.

What they do:

  • Pitch database: Currently contains 70 successful queries to a wide range of publications from various well-known science journalists.

  • Story-Behind-the-Story interviews: Insight into science journalists’ working process while reporting a particular story.

  • Topical features: Articles about different elements of science writing to enlighten or help you fine tune your writing process.

  • Ask TON: Allows you to ask questions about the craft of science journalism. Answers typically from myriad of experienced science writers and editors.

  • Natural Habitat: Visit science writers in their typical working spaces mostly because it’s fun. Also, unbelievably inspiring.