Who we’re looking for
Every contributor on The Clear Head has firsthand experience in what they write about. That’s non-negotiable. We’re specifically interested in people with established credibility in one of these areas:
AF Drinks Experts
Bartenders, brand founders, sommeliers or enthusiasts who know the non-alcoholic drinks market properly — not just what’s on the shelf at Waitrose.
City Locals
People who know their city’s food, nightlife and culture scene from the inside — and can write about the sober experience of it with real authority.
Wellbeing & Health
Qualified practitioners — nutritionists, therapists, fitness coaches — who can write accurately about alcohol and health without being alarmist or preachy.
Community & Support
Coaches, counsellors, community builders or people with lived experience who can write about sobriety with warmth, honesty and no agenda.
What we want — and what we don’t
The Clear Head has a specific voice. Before you apply, it’s worth knowing what fits and what doesn’t.
We want:
- Specific opinions stated plainly — “this is better than that and here’s why”
- First-person experience woven in naturally — not forced personal anecdotes, just real context
- Specific details — named places, named products, real prices, real experiences
- Pieces that could only have been written by someone who’s actually done the thing
- A voice that sounds like a knowledgeable friend, not a content article
We don’t want:
- Generic roundups that could have been written by anyone with a search engine
- Preachy or evangelical content about sobriety — we’re lifestyle, not recovery
- Clinical or academic writing — this is a warm, accessible site
- AI-generated or heavily AI-assisted content — we can tell, and we won’t publish it
- Pieces that feel like press releases or brand promotion dressed as editorial
How it works
Apply below
Tell us who you are, what you know about, and send us a writing sample. It doesn’t need to be about sobriety — we want to see your voice and how you write, not just the topic.
We review and respond
We read every application personally. If we think you’re a good fit, we’ll get back to you within two weeks to talk about what you’d like to write. If we don’t think it’s the right fit, we’ll tell you honestly.
First piece
We’ll agree a brief together. You write it. We give feedback and work with you to get it right. We don’t publish things we’re not proud of, but we’re not prescriptive — your voice should come through.
Ongoing contributor
If the first piece works well, you get a contributor profile on the site with your byline, bio and links. You contribute on a schedule that suits you — we don’t demand quotas.
Current contributors
Sarah Johnson
Hospitality writer · Manchester · Sober since 2022
Mark Tennyson
AF drinks & spirits
Priya Lahiri
Health & wellbeing
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