New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Hi there, I’m Sarah Durn, and I’m a journalist, bestselling author, and editor. As a journalist, I’ve written for The New York Times, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Popular Science, Atlas Obscura, Gizmodo, the AV Club, among many others. I currently work as an associate editor at Popular Science, where I edit, report, and write original, wonder-inspiring stories. My stories have delved into everything from the wacky handwashing rituals of medieval Europe for National Geographic to the badassery of Viking female traveler Gudrid for Smithsonian. I previously worked as an associate editor at Atlas Obscura and a writer for Culture Trip editing and writing articles about my adopted home, New Orleans. My work has been translated into multiple languages and has been republished in Brazil, England, and Australia. I’m the author of the Amazon bestselling book The Beginner’s Guide to Alchemy, published by Callisto and Rockridge Press in May 2020.
Features Editor for Popular Science, a publication that’s been demystifying the wonders of our world for more than 150 years. I help bring curious, science-minded stories to life—especially ones that answer the questions you didn’t even know you had. In this role, I: - launched and oversee two new history series: That Time When (https://www.popsci.com/that-time-when-series/) and The History of Every Thing (https://www.popsci.com/history-of-every-thing/) - oversee the Ask Us Anything series (https://www.popsci.com/category/ask-us-anything/), assigning and editing reader-driven science explainers, as well as the A Century Later series (https://www.popsci.com/a-century-later/) - launched, write, and host Popular Science's new Ask Us Anything podcast, based on the written series - assign, field pitches, edit a range of feature stories across our many series - pitch, report, and write original features, news, and service stories - work closely with a growing network of freelancers to ensure a steady flow of sharp, fact-based content - research and edit up to 3 stories a day across a range of topics, from tech to health to weird science - collaborate with the editorial team on long-term planning, story strategy, and daily publishing operations - keep the homepage fresh and functional, process invoices, and provide general editorial support
Research, conduct interviews, and write articles for renowned national & international online and print outlets. My work has been translated into multiple languages and has been republished in Brazil, England, and Australia. I've also written investigative journalism pieces for Drilled News and personal essays for Stage & Candor.
- Assign and edit in-depth, reported features and Q&As for digital magazines like Atlas Obscura. - Work with, maintain, and grow a stable of diverse and emerging freelance journalists as well as seasoned professionals with bylines in the world's top publications. - Thoroughly fact-check pieces to ensure they comply with the highest journalism ethics and standards. - Editing stories across verticals, beats, and different subjects, including the arts, history, science, digital culture, food, nature, and more. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with writers of varying experience levels. - Keen eye for detail. - Collaborate and communicate in real-time and asynchronously with publication staff across various messaging channels (e.g., Slack, Zoom, etc.). - Produce content in content managing systems. - Edit photos on Canva and Photoshop for stories. - Ensure all content complies with current SEO best practices.
Features editor and staff writer for the award-winning digital magazine, Atlas Obscura, a digital travel magazine geared toward off-beat stories from around the world through the lenses of science, history, and culture. During my time as an editor, I’ve: - built up a roster of talented, diverse writers from around the globe - written/edited 2-3 feature stories a week - edited 4-5 place entries a week - written as-told-to stories with Kesha, Maisie Peters, and others as part of the celebrity vertical I launched, “Secret Obsession” (https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/secret-obsessions) - interviewed female scholars writing forgotten women back into history for the Q&A series I launched, "She Was There" (https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/she-was-there)
Staff writer for Atlas Obscura researching, reporting, and writing original stories and places entries for their atlas of wonder-inspiring destinations. During my time at as a fellow, I've: - launched a new celebrity vertical at Atlas called "Secret Obsessions" where we talk to talented, wondrous people about their favorite rabbit hole: https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/secret-obsessions - launched a Q&A series called "She Was There" where I interview female scholars who are writing long-forgotten women back into history: https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/she-was-there - contributed four times to the chart-topping Atlas Obscura podcast -sourced images through the public domain and paid photo sites - written & edited a diverse array of place entries from all over the world, helping to make the Atlas more inclusive - written longform features, from a story about meteorite hunters (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/meteorite-hunters) to a profile of an English adventurer retracing the historic journeys of past female travelers (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/elise-wortley-traveler-freya-stark)
I help historical tour & wellness travel companies attract more clients through targeted blog posts and articles, consistent newsletters, website copy, landing pages, email sequences, rental descriptions, opt-ins, and ebooks.