Optimism Central

Item Description

Have you always wanted to write for The Intelligent Optimist?

Do you have an idea so good that it simply has to make it into the pages of this magazine? Or would you like to learn more about what a good story pitch is? This is your chance!

Meet up with The Intelligent Optimist's associate editor, Elleke Bal, over coffee in the Parisian-esque Cafe de la Presse in the heart of downtown San Francisco. (If you're not in San Francisco, don't worry, we'll find another way to meet in person or over Skype). In our last auction, Elleke met with four enthusiastic bidders. Because of their pitches, stories were developed about women in business and natural childbirth.

Originally from the Netherlands, where she earned her MA in journalism at the University of Amsterdam, Elleke now works at the San Francisco headquarters as associate editor. She writes, edits and reviews stories and guides freelance writers in their writing. At The Intelligent Optimist, she's discovering that there is a whole new way of practicing journalism. By telling stories about solutions instead of about problems, and by writing about people, ideas and initiatives that are changing the world for the better.

Work with Elleke and discover for yourself how journalism can offer a positive and hopeful contribution to the world and maybe find your own contribution in print!

Item Special Note

To all bidders in The Intelligent Optimist Auction:

If you have the winning bid on one or more items, an automatically generated message from Bidding for Good in your email “in” box at auction’s end will serve as proof of your win. You'll hear from the staff at The Intelligent Optimist with instructions on how to redeem the item in the days to follow. 

If you bid on a tangible item, we’ll mail your item the week after the close of the auction on November 18. We will add $4.99 to your charge for shipping and handling for small items and $9.99 for larger items. You’ll be charged the actual shipping price on items of significant weight. We will mail these the least expensive way available from the United States Post Office (i.e., media mail for books and magazines), with delivery confirmation. If you’re concerned about shipping costs, please contact auction@theoptimist.com for a quote.

Global Light Media will pack each item with care but is not responsible to donors or bidders for lost or damaged materials.

Any product proven defective will be replaced with a product of equal or better quality at no cost to the bidder. We guarantee bidders will be sent all items they won. We do not guarantee shipping delivery times.

While Global Light Media is not liable for anything beyond our control that occurs as a result of the auction, the company will reimburse any bidder who does not receive an item or experience that fulfills the description on the auction site for the amount paid to Global Light Media through the site.

Please email us at auction@theoptimist.com with any questions.

Thank you for participating in The Intelligent Optimist Auction and making a bid for a better world!