Share it far, share it wide: if you’re a New Jersey Devils fan looking for a place to write, All About the Jersey is looking for someone like you.
As the readers here know, All About the Jersey has seen a lot of change in 2025. With John stepping back from blogging, I have taken over managing duties since June 1. However, John was not the only person to depart the site, as Alex also stepped away from the site after 11 strong seasons blogging about the Devils. Additionally, as I noted in that June 1 post, Ian informed me that he would be unable to continue previewing and recapping games for the 2026-27 season. So, over the course of summer, we will be filling three writer’s positions. We will be taking it one step at a time, though.
The Position
This writing position is for any New Jersey Devils fan to write long-form articles at All About the Jersey. This is a hockey blog with a laser focus on the Devils, and posting on this site will reflect that. However, there are many ways to accomplish quality blogging. Not every piece has to be a statistical deep-dive or an intensive video analysis, and I will always be interested in ways to diversify the content output from this site. Please do not feel like you have to emulate anyone else: be yourself.
This position is compensated with a small monthly stipend.
The Requirements
- Be a New Jersey Devils fan. All About the Jersey is a blog for Devils fans by Devils fans.
- Be a registered user in good standing. If you do not currently have an account on SBNation, please make one. It will be necessary for access to our content managing system. Additionally, having an account will allow you to engage with other fans here at All About the Jersey as well as the other many blogs run under the SBNation umbrella. If you are a banned user, however, that might not be a great start.
- Write well, with reason. This is a blog. Nobody here is a professional journalist, but we all do our best to write to a high standard. While we are not journalists with press passes, it is mandatory to write in a defensible manner. If you have a take, be prepared to provide evidence and references as necessary. It helps our readers verify what we write, and it shows that we are not just making things up for clicks.
- Be passionate. While I am the managing editor of All About the Jersey, I try not to be overbearing to the writers. Weekly writers come up with their ideas for their posts. If you ever need help developing an idea or editing a post, I am certainly available. But I am not the minister of propaganda: there is no “AATJ line” on hockey matters, and if you have a different take than I do, you will be free to write about it.
- Be willing to be an active community member. One of the things that keeps readers coming back to the site is how responsive writers are around here. It has always been that way, and we will continue to engage with fellow fans on a regular basis. However, comments sections are not an “anything goes” forum. At All About the Jersey, there is active comment moderation: our readers are held to a standard as well. This protects readers who enjoy being on a site that is not a cesspool in addition to protecting writers who don’t want to be bashed into oblivion for sharing a moderately unpopular take.
- Be able to communicate. Obviously, this is not a newsroom being run out of some office building. Everyone here does their job remotely via the internet, so email is our primary form of communication. Of course, I am also available via direct messaging on Twitter, and you may be able to reach me by phone if you are hired. Communication is key: if you have things that need attending in your life or you find yourself in an emergency situation, reaching out is how I know what needs to be moved around to upkeep our content flow. I am a pretty understanding person, and blogging is not a full-time job or a primary source of income for anyone here.
- Be ready to put your real name on posts. As of now, everyone who writes for this blog does so under their real name. I am willing to consider exceptional circumstances for this rule, but do not expect me to be willing to waive the rule. If this is a concern to you and you want to apply, just try to share why you feel like you cannot write under your real name. I would like to avoid the use of pseudonyms.
How to Apply & The Process
It is the dead of summer, and I understand that interest in the Devils may be reaching the yearly low right about now. But we will have three positions to fill over the next two months (one or two weekly writers and one or two game preview/recappers), and I am eager to get at least one weekly writer going in the not-too-distant future. This is how we will run this:
- Write a post about the New Jersey Devils relevant to the team today. It can really be anything. It can be a post about setting expectations for Arseni Gritsyuk. It can be a post analyzing the defensemen and how they should be paired in 2025-26. You might have a bone to pick with Sheldon Keefe for something about the 2024-25 team: or you might be really excited to point out why you think he’s taking the team in the right direction. Maybe you want to write about the Utica Comets and how their operation will impact the Devils. I am open to anything Devils-related.
- Please write your post using Microsoft Word or Google Docs and attach them to the email. The body of the email should be used for any other concerns, such as questions for me or any information you think I need to know.
- Please hyperlink data sources and references. Please be judicious about use of embedded pictures. You will be able to use them here, but they can be a bit of a drag to play around with on Word or Docs. If you want to use pictures in your submission, I recommend you also email me a PDF copy of your sample.
- If you have a relevant writing sample from another site or publication, you can submit it. However, fresh writing is preferred.
- Please note that the first writing position filled this summer will not be subject to an open audition where the readers judge the submissions. I do not want to discourage anyone from applying: your sample is for my eyes only, unless you want it published upon potential hiring.
- Resumes are not required, but I will look at them if you send them. Attached cover letters are not necessary, as you can include any additional information in the body of your email.
- If you need any help with your submission, please reach out.
2. Email your submission to chrisf.allaboutthejersey@gmail.com with the following subject line:
2025 AATJ Weekly Writer Application – (your name and/or username at AATJ) – (headline)
3. I ask that you please make your submission in the near future. I would love to make a decision by July 18. That would give our new writer time to acclimate and engage with our upcoming Top 25 Under 25 ranking. However, if I am unable to find a good enough application by the July 18, I will extend the posting as necessary.
Encouragement
Eight years ago, John posted for three then-volunteer positions. Two positions were for dedicated game preview and recap writers, and the third was for a dedicated news writer. I can still remember telling my brother at a Buffalo Wild Wings just a week or so later that I got one of the positions, still having trouble believing it was real. By September, I was posting preseason game previews, and I am still here now. But when I emailed John my sample back in 2017, I did not expect to get the position. I thought, surely, someone more experienced, with more polish, would want to throw their hat in the ring. It did not go that way. You will never know unless you apply.
Blogging is not a full-time job, but it does have its rewards. I have a ton of energy for the New Jersey Devils. I may even still have excess energy despite my postings here. But this is a great place to put your thoughts to writing, engage with a community, and become more knowledgeable about the game of hockey. With the help of you, I want to make this community even better.
Thanks to all who apply. Even if you do not end up writing here, I have immense respect for anyone who puts themselves out there like this. But keep in mind: after this first position is filled, there will still be two more to go. Have a great night, everyone, and keep enjoying the summer.