3. IT’S AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY GENRE.
Rich white guys might still dominate certain bestseller lists and editorial jobs, but that’s not the case with essay columns. Novices often worry they’ll have little chance if they’re too young, too old, from a minority, gay, politically radical or out of the mainstream. Yet first-person pieces require only a great story and the ability to tell it well. In fact, the more varied your background, the better; these editors prefer weird, dramatic, exotic and idiosyncratic tales to boring life slices on how much you enjoy your spouse, parents or children.
