Come write for Lolesports.com!

RiotMirhi·May 19, 2015·12 votes·28,207 views

Hello friends!

Love League of Legends esports and wish you could get paid to write about it? Well, now's your chance! Lolesports.com is currently looking to expand our pool of freelance writers, and if you've got the chops we'd love to hear from you!

Though you don't need any previous professional writing experience, there are a few things we'll be looking for from you:

Specialize in non-LCS regions (LCK, LPL, LMS, IWC)
Be available to edit your work daily
Have solid writing fundamentals
Age 18 or older

So, think that's you? If so, send an email to [email protected],* and please include four article pitches, two writing samples, and a bit about your background (who you are, which leagues you watch, previous working experience, etc.). In your pitches, try to focus on topics that could be written about right now, and be as specific and sharp with your angle as possible. The better the pitch, the higher your odds of getting an actual assignment, so treat this seriously!

We'll be accepting submissions until May 31, 2015.

Please let us know if you have any questions, and we can't wait to hear from you!

*Thanks for reports about email listing being undeliverable. The issue should be solved now.

94 Comments

RiotSpinneliMay 19, 20153 votes

Hey everyone! We're here to answer your questions about writing for Lolesports. Thanks for your interest!

LUS MontplaisirMay 22, 20151 votes

Hey! So I've been loosely following the esports website, and I think I have a handle on what you're asking for. My questions mostly revolve around format and style. For your article pitches, are you looking for one/two sentence summaries on the ideas, or are you looking for an article outline or perhaps a walk through in what we'd like to talk about? For the writing samples, what are you looking for/allowing? I've been writing for a few years, but I typically write poetry and fantasy/science fiction. I do of course have copies of essays and whatnot if you're looking for formal non-fiction, and I similarly have informal non-fiction, but I was personally wondering which style you would rather see?

OblongOtterMay 19, 20153 votes

I'm only a random 18 year old with no experience in this sort of thing, but now I kind of want to try my hand at those pitches and writing samples, for fun. Does anyone have any tips for someone who's literally only really gaining interest in this now? It seems that it would be a lot of fun and if I get a good start I might just be able to apply the next time around.

dahraeMay 29, 20152 votes

i'm somebody who wants to do this for a living! i'm in college studying journalism and the best advice I can give you is to ALWAYS stay hip to breaking news whenever you can and to read. Read all the time. Read other people's articles. Read other people's opinions, tweets, whatever it is. Just read everything. Specifically for LCS writing, I'd say to read everyone's opinions and formulate your own. Pay close attention to reactions from players themselves and really try to grasp how the players feel. A lot of people forget that the pros are humans and they have emotions, too. All the best LCS writing I've seen really shows this imo

ALSO: Don't let people get you down because they don't like your articles. That was really rough for me to learn, and it's easier to do it early than it is later. (((: Good luck!

The Anagram KingMay 20, 20152 votes

Instead of writing for esports, would it be possible to write for writers of e-sports? I'm a very talented writer (especially about lizards) and I really need a job at Riot to pay for game programming school, but no matter how many lizard articles I write about the president (he's a lizard), I just can't seem to get employed @ Riot by Riot staff who work there (they work at Riot?).

Please consider me for a spot in your staff, here's an editorial:

E-sports, and atricle by Thanagram King,

Number 1: Welcome to my article by the anagram King today we're learning about E-Sports. One thing I learned about Esoprts is that Riot is hiring you to write articles about it, would you like to do that? If so call this number [Riot's number goes here]

Number B: What is an esport? An esport is 2 things - one is a thing that you can write articles about, and the other is [______] (if you can finish this you might have what it takes to write for esport?)

In conclusion I am also a talented artist as well I bet.

Also can you do a Viktor skin?

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20152 votes

¯_(ツ)_/¯ okay

The Anagram KingMay 22, 20151 votes

http://s1317.photobucket.com/user/AllottedTimeframe/media/Viktor%20Skip_zpsv9dq4ajy.jpg.html

SquiblonMay 19, 20151 votes

I'm assuming it would be the normal rate? (I've freelanced for you folks once before) Also how steady would the assignments be? I passively follow most leagues and occasionally watch LCK/LPL but would need to justify taking on the extra undertaking that is consuming as much content related to League X as possible.

RiotSpinneliMay 19, 20152 votes

We accept pitches from writers on a weekly basis, and the number of pitches we accept is based on the quality of the pitch, the need for the piece, and how many other pitches we've accepted that week. This usually comes out to about 1-2 articles a week, but if you're one of the only people writing about a specific region, there's a higher chance your pitch may be accepted.

RiotGogoUsagiMay 19, 20152 votes

Just want to throw in my endorsement for Kamikaze -- He's bomb.com :P

SquiblonMay 19, 20152 votes

Ziggs ?

Rk EdenMay 19, 20151 votes

What would the schedules for deadlines look like? I've written for a few review sites and I love keeping up with all regions to see all the new metas and wild play styles (Unicorns of Love especially.) I work a full time job but I still have so much free time that I would find a way to make it work.

RiotSpinneliMay 19, 20154 votes

We generally give a week to work on a piece, though if you pitch something that requires urgency, that's okay too. Once a piece is submitted, we try to provide feedback within 1-2 days. You then edit the piece based on that feedback and let us know you've seen to the edits. We then go through another round of editing if needed, then post it to the site once it's ready.

Dragon Fang ShotMay 19, 20151 votes

Do the writing samples have to be esports-themed, or would any kind of writing sample be acceptable?

RiotTayTay BotMay 19, 20152 votes

We'd certainly prefer them to be esports related, but any samples are welcome!

Sakura39MiyawakiMay 19, 20151 votes

What length do you want the writing samples to be?

RiotSpinneliMay 19, 20153 votes

We want the samples to show your best work, regardless of length.

Rew711May 20, 20151 votes

Are samples suppose to be in summed into one paragraph or two? Or do you want a sheets worth? Or ten sheets worth? I'll even write a book if I have to. (sorry for the last part, got carried away)

Dragon Fang ShotMay 19, 20151 votes

Would a sample related to one of the pitches be acceptable, or would you rather have us diversify?

RiotSpinneliMay 19, 20151 votes

This is a great question! I would say that it's a good idea to diversify, as we may have you write up one of the pitches as a future exercise. Plus, we're looking for depth and originality in your pitches. If it's something you've already done, that makes it less appealing (to me personally), as someone has already validated whether or not the pitch is worth doing.

Dragon Fang ShotMay 19, 20151 votes

What about pitches that are common themes among all regions, ie "How well will this new team from challenger do?" and the like?

JohahMay 19, 20151 votes

Would our writing strictly be non-LCS, or would we still have a chance to get some LCS action?

RiotSpinneliMay 19, 20152 votes

I won't say that you'd never get an LCS assignment, but we are looking for folks who want to write about other regions at this time.

NanchyKMay 20, 20151 votes

Hello!

I have a few simple questions:

Are there any word-count limits on pitches (min and/or max)
Do the pitches need to follow a certain format (since the pitches are already the requirement, do they need to follow the "standard" pitch structure with greeting and intro, or can they be submitted in an outline form - bullet point format)
Can writing samples be links to already published articles?

Thank you very much for your answers.

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20151 votes

No hard word count limit, but please keep your pitches to one paragraph at most.
You may submit your pitches in bullet form.
Yes!

Thank you! :)

Darcade333May 20, 20151 votes

can you give a link to an example of an article that has been written in the same context

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20151 votes

http://na.lolesports.com/news

Here are all of our articles and we're looking for something like these.

SnowfoxMay 20, 20151 votes

and be as specific and sharp with your angle as possible

Cynical, Opinionated and Headstrong.

The end.

Blue Collar BearMay 20, 20151 votes

Hey, Riot! I just wanted to say thanks for the opportunity and you'll hear from me before the week is out!

EDIT: Sent it in earlier today. Good luck everyone!

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20151 votes

Yay!

Blue Collar BearMay 23, 20151 votes

Sunday! My next off day is Sunday, and I'll put together some samples of my writing for you! I am so psyched!

AlamyrMay 20, 20151 votes

[deleted]

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20151 votes

As I said to Jbob2015 above, I'd encourage you to apply in our next open call, as we wouldn't be able to assign you any work until you turn 18 and we need writers to start immediately. In the meantime I'd advise you to work on your writing (start a personal blog or write on Reddit/Liquid Legends) and continue following the regions you're passionate about. This will help you improve your skills so that when you're old enough you'll have some work to show us and will already be in the habit of covering the regions.

Matt The HeroMay 20, 20151 votes

Sent in my application. Hope to hear back, even if I'm rejected!

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20151 votes

Thanks for sending in your application! We'll get back to everyone after we go through all of the submissions.

Matt The HeroMay 22, 20151 votes

Well shucks, I guess I've already gotten what I wanted.

~~Now I just need the job.~~

Jbob2015May 21, 20151 votes

I am eager and willing to apply, but currently I am 17 and will turn 18 in August. Is there a way I can apply and have a chance of being accepted? I follow LPL and LCK nearly as much as I do Na and Eu LCS, and would love to have a way to contribute to my favorite game.

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20151 votes

I'd encourage you to apply in our next open call, as we wouldn't be able to assign you any work until you turn 18. Thanks for the interest and in the meantime I'd advise you to work on your writing (start a personal blog or write on Reddit/Liquid Legends) and continue following the regions you're passionate about. This will help you improve your skills so that when you're old enough you'll have some work to show us and will already be in the habit of covering the regions.

GundayMondayMay 21, 20151 votes

What kind of content? Breaking down strategies and tactics? Team dynamics? More detail about the players themselves?

Spiral ContinuumMay 21, 20151 votes

A good idea would probably just be something you would be interested in reading and think other fans would be interested in reading about that particular region. Generally for professional writing-work, it's good to be able to think both outside and inside the box. If, in the same article, you cross from inside to outside or the other way round might "damage" your chances though... Thresh

GundayMondayMay 22, 20151 votes

Agree with you! Just not sure if Riot's looking for articles around if Faker is a boxer or brief man versus game strategy (I know one WAY better than the other). If it's whatever you want, as long as it's interesting, then that makes it easier.

RiotSpinneliMay 22, 20151 votes

Actually, we're looking for both! It's encouraged to have variety in your pitches. If you can write about all of these things, that's great. I also agree with Spiral Continuum -- if you would be interested in reading the content, then so might other people. :)

GundayMondayMay 22, 20151 votes

Makes sense, thanks!

RaymaxeMay 22, 20151 votes

Umm, well... I watch a lot of LPL and LCK

I've written a lot for a Croatian scientific website when I joined college and had relative success. I've also got the Cambridge proficiency certificate. So contact me if you're interested.

P.S. I'm 22 y/o