Publication: Lux, Dirt & the Economic Hardship Reporting Project
Pay: Winner – $1,800 | Runner-up – $1,000
Deadline: June 15, 2025

If you’ve got a raw, real, or radical story about work—this is for you. Whether you’ve been stuck in a soul-sucking 9–5, survived a toxic gig, or found meaning in unexpected places, Lux, Dirt, and EHRP want to hear your truth.

They’re looking for narrative-driven essays (1,500–2,000 words) that explore labor in all its messy, personal, political, and cultural dimensions. Think:

• What it’s like working in underpaid or overlooked industries
• The emotional toll of your job
• Personal encounters with inequality, corporate culture, or burnout
• What labor means to you in today’s economy

Your piece should blend storytelling with sharp cultural critique—no fluff, just bold, grounded truth.

How to pitch:
Submit a completed, unpublished essay (1,500–2,000 words) by June 15, 2025 to: work@dirt.fyi
Put “The Way We Work submission” in the subject line. No need for a fancy cover letter—let your writing speak.

Heads up: Winning essays will be published across Lux, Dirt, and EHRP.

This is a rare chance to get your work in front of top indie platforms and get paid well for your story. Don’t hold back.