One thing I need you to know
Thank you for reading, as always!
Journalism is too opaque and misunderstood. Chills gives a behind-the-scenes look at how dangerous investigative journalism gets made.
Hi all!
I just wanted to give a head’s up: I’m paywalling most of my posts. I realize everyone wants journalism to be free (including me), but we reporters and editors can’t support ourselves by giving away our work, especially because our industry generally pays only a few hundred dollars for 1,000 or more words, even when they’re written from a war zone. While I do offer some opinion and personal pieces on here, most of my posts are deeply reported (and largely self-funded) from places in conflict, like Ukraine or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With Chills, I’m also trying to show you how we make the journalism — and I’d love to hear more about what you want to know.
I’m not tied to any particular news outlet, and freelancing, unfortunately, doesn’t pay the rent. This Substack is a necessary part of my income, and it is a place I can publish stories mainstream outlets might not want to run. Like this one, this one or this one.
I also wanted to let you know that I offer private mentoring and editing; the fee is negotiable.
I wish I could give you Chills for free, but I can’t keep it up without your support. Thank you for reading, as always!
— Lauren
On Chills, there are no ads, and no outside influences because of it. This is a subscriber-supported space that gives a behind-the-scenes look at how risky investigative journalism gets made, from a journalist with 20 years of experience. Read Chills for free, or subscribe for bonus content like this. You can sign up here. Thank you for supporting independent journalism.
That's understandable. Writing is hard work, a lot harder than people realize. Especially investigative journalism- you guys put so much time and effort behind each article, it's unreal!
I wish you luck in building a strong, paid audience to help support what you do.
it's okay with me.
Julie