I'm hiring
Narrative writers for Whispers
Freelance · Remote · Up to three writers · November 2026
I'm Marcus Adolf, a filmmaker and the founder of Perpetual Motion Pictures. I'm finishing the second printed volume of Whispers, a photography-led magazine about people, meaningful objects and the stories behind them.
I'm looking for experienced human writers who can help me turn my original recorded observations into thoughtful first-person essays. I want stories with a real emotional arc, vivid detail and a voice that sounds like me when read aloud.
The project
We have thirteen draft articles, about 8,700 words in total, plus original voice memos, timestamped transcripts, source notes and supporting interview material. The subjects include New York's public clocks, a musician's inherited instruments, a chef and his community, a polo player's first trophy, watches, aviation and my own experiences making films.
The photographs carry much of the book. Each essay needs to earn its space through a clear point of view, a meaningful turn and an ending that stays with the reader.
What I'm looking for in the writing
The work should feel personal, observant and emotionally honest. Find the scenes, tensions and connections already present in the recordings. Preserve the language and rhythm of my voice where they serve the story. Ask me specific questions when an important detail or emotional connection is missing.
Fresh structures are welcome. Precise vocabulary and poetic language should feel earned. Avoid inflated phrasing, generic lessons, em dashes and formulaic “not this, but that” constructions. Please don't invent scenes, quotations, facts or feelings.
Strong personal essays, literary journalism, profiles, memoir or collaborative writing samples are especially welcome. Familiarity with watches is a plus; curiosity about people and an ability to work in another person's voice matter more.
The work must be written by you. Please do not use generative AI to draft or rewrite the articles. We provide existing automatic transcripts, which need to be checked against the audio where it matters.
The assignment
Each writer will take a defined group of pieces, approximately 2,400 to 3,300 existing words. One writer will also be paid to make a final voice and continuity pass across the issue.
Listen to the source recordings and propose a short story map.
Deliver a first draft and work through two consolidated revision rounds.
Provide clean copy, titles, decks and simple source notes for important details and quotations.
Coordinate with me so the pieces feel connected across the magazine.
Photography, Canva layout and new reporting are outside this assignment unless separately agreed. Selected writers will receive the relevant recordings, transcripts, draft articles and creative brief privately.
Schedule
November 11: target writer selection.
November 14: first drafts.
November 18: copy lock.
November 19: final proof review.
All dates are in 2026. Please confirm that you can commit time during this window and respond promptly to consolidated feedback. We'll agree exact milestones before starting.
Pay
$650 starting fee for a substantial feature.
$275 starting fee for a short essay or vignette.
$1,575–$2,775 for a typical writing group, depending on the pieces.
$900 additional for the lead continuity pass.
All fees are in USD. These are fixed fees for a defined scope, including source listening and the revision rounds above. Experienced writers can propose a different fee with a clear explanation of scope.
Shortlisted candidates will receive a paid $175 trial: a 300 to 400 word treatment of supplied material plus a brief story map. We'll pay for the trial regardless of the hiring decision. It is additional paid work. Credit and publication rights will be agreed before the full assignment begins.
How to apply
Email contact@perpetualmp.com with the subject Whispers writer application. Please include:
Two relevant published samples and a short description of what you wrote or edited in each.
Your experience working in another person's voice.
Your availability through November 19 and whether you'd like to be considered for the lead role.
A few sentences about how you approach a transcript with good material but no obvious structure.
A short, specific response is plenty. Please apply as soon as possible so we can meet the November 11 selection target.