So let me level with you. I'm Chris, and I started this website in October 2009 in an effort to improve accessible, intelligent coverage of the up-to-the-minute, niche-riddled world I love.

Since then my scheme has been validated by the number of people who have shown an interest in Stuff Happening Now and I've decided that I want this thing to grow. More. That's where you come in.

The Deal

Sad thing is, there ain't no money in it. But don't snatch up your heels in a huff just yet! The site doesn't make me any money, either. Right now, it doesn't even pay for its own hosting. Why do I do it? The opportunity to get experience in the field I want to work in. Would sell my big toes to work in. Journalism.

And I know, from badgering weary section editors at newspapers and magazines, that there are a lot of people like me out there. Thousands, in fact. Thousands of journo-hopefuls who are watching the industry they love totter under the strain of globalised recessions and the free news era. Well we all have our own unabashedly public methods of self-promotion, but I wondered if any fellow bloggers, tweeters, student journalists and - for want of a less tarnished word - hacks out there would like to come together and put their minds, pens and investigative acumen toward this little home-grown project of mine, to give all of us a better chance of starting out in the industry and either getting a job - or making jobs for ourselves. My dream is to put together a group of aspiring, worthy writers who can collectively capture people's imaginations and perform a genuinely informative, entertaining duty to the world.

It's happening now

Before I'd even had the chance to dash off this notice about the whole thing, a certain recent contributor replied to a little ad I posted on something called the internet and said she wanted a piece of the action. So here's the chance to take part yourself. Jaded freelancer? Ambitious student or bright-eyed graduate? Undiscovered literary maestro? Here's your brief:

Email editor@stuffhappeningnow.com and introduce yourself - tell us why you want to be published - we'll listen to everyone. Suggest a couple of feature or interview ideas for the site and we'll see if we can make them happen. Regular contributors will receive stash. Potentially t-shirts, badges and natty caps. I haven't decided yet.

Do get in touch. And good luck.