Jenée Desmond-Harris

Thank you so much!!

Anyone from Chattanooga? I don’t normally answer super specific questions like this but I thought it would be fun to give this guy some concrete ideas for bars/restaurants/clubs/activities

Thank you! I have what I need for now and my inbox is overflowing with promising pitches. I told myself I would respond to each one but at this point (after midnight on Saturday, technically Sunday) I’m admitting defeat. Please accept my apology

Oh no I can’t take credit for that! Just sharing pieces that have worked well at Slate

That email address should have no weird spaces or accent on the e (my phone insists on it, sorry!) Jenee.Desmond-harris@slate.com

Hi! Open to personal essays and reported opinion, definitely! There are some examples in the thread. Feel free to reach out and run an idea by me

I’ve Always Suspected “Cat Person” Was Based on My Life. Now I Know It Was. Since I first read Kristen Roupenian’s viral story, I’ve wondered: How did she know about me?

https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/07/cat-person-kristen-roupenian-viral-story-about-me.html

I Never Understood Why Veterinarians Are at Such High Risk of Suicide. Until I Became One. The story of Lacey, and why I had to kill her.

https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/02/veterinarians-euthanasia-mental-health-dogs-cats.html

It Was Late to Have a Baby. I Knew the Risks. I Still Wasn’t Ready for How Bad It Could Get. I gave birth at 45. I didn’t know what it could cost me.

And I (personally ☺️) really love a big personal essay: https://slate.com/technology/2023/11/childbirth-death-united-states-advanced-maternal-age.html

In the ’80s, We Decided Bike Helmets Make Riders Safe. Cyclists Have Paid for It Ever Since. Some cyclists refuse to wear helmets on principle. They have their reasons.

https://slate.com/technology/2023/01/bike-helmets-cyclist-deaths-do-you-need-to-wear.html

It’s the Most Hated Airline in America. You’re Not Going to Like What Happens When It’s Gone. You might never get on its planes—but it’s already done more for you than you know.

Reported arguments: https://slate.com/business/2024/10/flights-airlines-travel-spirit-cheap-bankrupt.html

Her Dad Was the BTK Killer. Their Daughter Was Gabby Petito. Why Would They Ever Agree to This? It's one of the strangest—and fastest-growing—gatherings in America. I went to see it for myself.

Dispatches: https://slate.com/life/2024/08/crime-murder-mystery-petito-btk-jonbenet-interview.html

It Was One of 2023’s Most Shocking Crimes. The Year That Followed Was Even Harder to Explain. In a Maine town, one store was a lifeline—and right in the middle of the deadliest tragedy ever in state history.

https://slate.com/business/2024/12/maine-state-mass-shooting-guns-lawsuit.html

Donald Trump Is Enacting His Darkest Agenda in the Backyard of a Small Town. Absolutely No One Wants to Talk About It. In Jena, Louisiana, the people knew everything and nothing about what’s happening there.

Newsy features: https://slate.com/business/2025/06/donald-trump-immigration-ice-raids-arrests-jena-louisiana.html

I’m going to share some examples of the kind of thing that might work well, in case they inspire anyone:

Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.

RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!

This is a crazy thing to come on here and say given everything going on in the world but I have to get it off my chest:

People are selling “original artwork” on Facebook marketplace but it’s very clearly what they made at a sip ‘n paint

The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced. I spoke out against hatred and violence in America — and it cost me my job.

Some personal news:

I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.

Thread incoming.

substack.com/@karenattiah...

Seriously, like bro there are military troops in Washington DC RIGHT NOW cracking down on “crime“ that doesn’t even fucking exist. They don’t need an excuse, they will do it ANYWAY.

I was extremely offline today and the out of context texts from people who reasonably assumed I was keeping up with the news were a wild ride

And to whoever is getting off on sending multiple letters about seeing a neighbor naked/having sex/watching porn: Go write terrible erotica or tell it to ChatGPT or something. Give us a little break.

To the person sending multiple fake letters to Slate Advice: I am begging you to vary the voice, length, and sentence structure and take the drama down a notch to make the stories more realistic. I’m not against using the ones that are suspicious but actually good. Please just put some effort in

He currently mostly likes asmr videos of trucks crushing things and marble runs but he got really into something animated about robots in the doctor’s office waiting room yesterday so I think there’s room for growth

@joelanderson.bsky.social and I are both people who never got into anything related to superheroes but we don’t want the same fate for our three year old. What should we show him and when?

I just realized friends and family never ask me for help with writing stuff (cover letters, emails, applications, texts, etc.) anymore and I think it’s because of ChatGPT! I guess it’s fine but what do I have to offer now? 🥲

it's pretty frustrating how republicans can just spew endless lies about city life with zero repercussions but the moment a dem disparages a pickup truck it's open season

A Court Just Ruled That Cops Can’t Stop-and-Frisk You—if They Suspect a Gun The ruling makes clear, however, that cops can still stop and frisk a person for existing while Black.

There's a terrible 5th Circuit opinion I'd like you all to see. Lots of people say we should "use conservative arguments against them," but you have to understand, FedSoc judges do not care about their own hypocrisy. They just write their way through it.

www.thenation.com/article/soci...

Please! Or I’ll be reading your bio instead of the thing I’m supposed to be reading and then going to look up your former employer because ????

If an influencer posts my ideal outfit, too bad for me. It takes way too many clicks to find it where they’ve hidden it.

And if you want me to watch a video with an ad before it? Sorry, please just summarize it because I’m not sitting through that

I know social media makes everything an adhd symptom but one I haven’t heard about is never being able to make it to the “link in bio.” I will just have to wonder what the article says because I’m going to get bored on the way there