Magazines generally is a implausible approach for freelance writers to construct their careers and earn a living writing, typically $500 or extra per article.
The pay scale for print magazines can range. Many smaller or regional publications pay between $50 and $150 for articles. These kinds of charges may be good stepping stones for brand new writers to construct a portfolio and achieve expertise.
To jot down for magazines and land the higher-paying freelance charges and achieve a prestigious byline, concentrate on magazines that work with freelancers, research their submission pointers, and develop contemporary, distinctive story concepts.
Whether or not you’re masking cultural points, enterprise developments or writing private essays, mastering the pitching course of is the gateway to magazines that pay writers nicely. Hold studying to seek out magazines that pay writers.
How can I begin writing for magazines?
If you wish to receives a commission to write down for magazines, right here’s a easy plan that will help you get began and scale back pitch nervousness.
Construct your writing portfolio
Many on-line magazines that pay for articles wish to see examples of your work first. Begin by writing private essays, characteristic tales or quick articles on matters like psychological well being, cultural points or present occasions. These samples present editors you possibly can write nicely and perceive learn how to write for a selected viewers.
Grow to be aware of submission pointers
Each journal has pointers for pitching and submitting articles. Some need a question with a transparent headline, others ask for full tales on spec and a few merely ask for a couple of concepts. Studying submission pointers fastidiously and following directions offers you a significantly better likelihood of getting your article accepted.
Pitch good story concepts
To jot down articles that editors wish to publish, pitch tales that match the journal’s matters and elegance. Whether or not it’s environmental points, enterprise developments or service journalism, be certain that your pitches are clear and centered. A robust question letter with a strong story concept grabs the eye of editors.
Hold pitching and enhancing
Efficiently pitching and writing for magazines takes observe. Don’t get discouraged by rejections—use these experiences to enhance your pitches. Hold writing and submitting to seek out the suitable match and receives a commission on your work.
Following these steps helps you begin writing for magazines and discover publications that pay freelance writers nicely. Able to ship your first pitch?
How a lot does it pay to write down for {a magazine}?
Fee for writing articles can range extensively relying on the journal, matter and your expertise as a contract author. You’ll discover some magazines providing a flat price of $50 and others paying upwards of $500 or extra per task.
Smaller publications typically pay on the decrease finish attributable to having small budgets and restricted funding. In distinction, bigger magazines like Nationwide Geographic, Enterprise Insider, Entrepreneur Journal or Smithsonian Journal pays freelance contributors greater charges for well-researched, in-depth articles or characteristic tales.
Commerce magazines and literary magazines additionally present alternatives to pay writers nicely, particularly for tales masking trade matters, publishing literary fiction or showcasing private essays. Some girls’s magazines or males’s well being publications pay nicely for reported options or private tales associated to well being, style developments or private progress.
Magazines that pay freelance writers usually publish a price chart or present fee particulars of their submission pointers. Realizing the place to look and learn how to pitch tales that match the journal’s most popular matters and readers will enhance your possibilities of touchdown assignments.
So if you wish to write for a lot of magazines and receives a commission, concentrate on pitching sturdy story concepts, following submission pointers and aiming for publications recognized to pay writers pretty.
What on-line magazines pay $1 per phrase?
For writers aiming to write down for magazines that pay nicely, hitting $1 per phrase can really feel like a significant milestone. There are magazines that pay this price or extra, however take into account that is for well-researched characteristic articles, essays or in-depth reported items.
Magazines like The New York Occasions Journal and The Paris Overview pay aggressive charges for high-quality writing that covers cultural points, political matters and literary fiction. Commerce magazines or specialty publications specializing in enterprise, environmental points or psychological well being typically additionally provide this stage of pay for skilled freelance contributors.
Take into account that magazines paying $1 per phrase normally anticipate pitches to be polished, tailor-made for his or her goal readership and punctiliously adhering to their submission pointers.
50 magazines that pay for articles
If you wish to earn cash by writing for magazines, intention for publications with clear pay charges and a robust editorial fame. It takes effort, however for the writers who keep it up and maintain training, this dream can grow to be a actuality.
Here’s a listing of some magazines and publications that pay for articles to get you began.
1. AARP, The Journal
AARP The Journal welcomes freelance submissions, however solely pitches, not full drafts (until it’s a private essay). Deal with points related to readers over 50, together with wholesome consuming, retirement, relationships and provoking tales.
Writers should submit pitches through e-mail, with no attachments. That is a type of few publications that also pay writers and canopy matters starting from private progress to shopper developments.
NOTE: No pitches accepted from exterior North America.
2. Alaska Journal
Alaska Journal invitations freelance submissions that highlight genuine Alaskan life, together with wildlife, tradition, outside journey and off-the-beaten-path journey. This literary journal accepts each pitches and accomplished items, plus images. Writers should embody samples and comply with every problem’s theme.
3. The Atlantic
The Atlantic accepts freelance pitches masking worthwhile info like politics, overseas affairs, science, training, tradition and international points. This is likely one of the extra distinguished magazines that welcomes articles, particularly well-researched, reported options and essays.
Moreover, they welcome each fiction and poetry—submit through e-mail as a Phrase doc or PDF. Freelance writers ought to research the journal’s submission pointers and previous work earlier than pitching tales on cultural points or present occasions.
4. Chatelaine Journal
Chatelaine is a high girls’s journal in Canada, masking private tales, style developments, psychological well being and present occasions. This publication pays writers who pitch well timed, tailor-made concepts fairly than accomplished articles. Submit a one-page question through e-mail, together with hyperlinks to earlier work. Use Canadian stats and various sources. Chatelaine is a robust decide for these searching for girls’s magazines that settle for pitches on social points, private progress or cultural criticism.
5. Hoof Beats
Hoof Beats focuses on Standardbreds and harness racing, making it an incredible match for writers passionate concerning the sport. They settle for each pitches and manuscripts, plus images. Subjects embody tools improvements, veterinary care, private tales and historic items.
That is a type of commerce magazines that pay freelance writers as much as $500 for options. Question by e-mail with writing samples, and get aware of the journal’s voice earlier than sending your story concept.
6. Uncover Journal
Uncover appears to be like for thrilling science tales with sturdy narratives and extensive enchantment. Pitches ought to be concise, spotlight contemporary analysis, and present your science-writing chops. Net tales pay $300 for 600–1,000 phrases; print pays as much as $1/phrase.
7. Earth Island Journal
Earth Island Journal publishes deeply reported environmental journalism with a concentrate on justice, advocacy and options. Subjects embody local weather change, biodiversity, agriculture, power, conservation coverage, eco-innovation, animal rights and environmental activism.
This publication is very fascinated with international tales, frontline reporting and underrepresented voices. Pay is $0.50/phrase for print (usually 2,800–4,000 phrases) and $400 per on-line article.
NOTE: No poetry, fiction or AI-generated submissions.
8. Consuming Properly
EatingWell is a trusted digital vacation spot for meals lovers who care about well being, sustainability and science-backed vitamin. Whereas the print model has closed, the web site reaches 10+ million month-to-month readers with deeply reported options, wellness suggestions, wholesome recipes and particular version points on stands.
They’re recognized for celebrating international delicacies, seasonal substances and culinary traditions, with a robust concentrate on dietitian-approved meal plans (examples embody coronary heart well being, diabetes or irritation) and farm-to-table values. Primarily based in Vermont, the workforce consists of award-winning journalists, cooks and vitamin specialists. Writers fascinated with meals writing, sustainable agriculture and vitamin science could discover freelance alternatives right here.
9. enRoute
Air Canada enRoute is a journey journal that reaches over a million month-to-month readers aboard Air Canada flights and in lounges. Writers ought to pitch authentic, narrative-driven tales with a robust sense of place centered on Air Canada or Star Alliance locations.
This airline publication seeks well timed, first-hand journey options—each quick (200–550 phrases) and lengthy (1,200–1,700 phrases), masking meals, tradition, design, expertise and social developments.
10. The Open Pocket book
The Open Pocket book is a non-profit offering important instruments and assets for science, well being and atmosphere journalists. They welcome pitches for reported options and story-behind-the-story interviews, particularly for his or her Various Voices in Science Journalism collection. They pay $1,800–$2,400 for 1,500- to 2,000-word items.
11. KITPLANES
KITPLANES loves listening to from each skilled journalists and hands-on plane builders! In case you’ve obtained a narrative about package or amateur-built plane, whether or not it’s design suggestions, flight trials or building methods, ship a fast question first. They’re searching for centered articles (round 2,000 phrases) and good images exhibiting your course of. AI-generated content material isn’t accepted.
12. Sierra
Sierra Journal seeks writers enthusiastic about environmental justice and cultural points. Pitches for characteristic articles, essays and reported tales should comply with the submission pointers, specializing in well-researched, in-depth items that spark dialog. Rising writers who wish to write could discover Sierra a rewarding publication to work with.
13. Smithsonian
Smithsonian Journal welcomes freelance submissions with a concentrate on cultural criticism, present occasions and tales starting from historic insights to environmental points. Writers fascinated with pitching characteristic tales or short-reported items ought to fastidiously comply with the submission pointers and tailor their pitches to suit the target market.
14. The Solar
The Solar invitations freelance writers to submit private tales, essays and literary fiction with emotional depth and honesty. First-time authors and marginalized voices discover a welcoming platform right here. Submission pointers spotlight pay charges and concentrate on narrative writing that sparks private progress and significant cultural criticism.
15. Teen Vogue
Teen Vogue seeks freelance pitches on youth tradition, popular culture criticism, psychological well being reporting, reproductive rights and social justice. Deal with reported tales or op-eds on tradition, id, model, magnificence and politics. Submit clear, well timed pitches highlighting distinctive angles and skilled sources. Splendid matters embody quick style ethics, local weather change protection and long-form investigative journalism.
16. Lengthy Now
Lengthy Now seeks pitches on long-term considering, civilizational views, local weather change, AI, science historical past and speculative fiction. Submit essays, reported options, interviews, poetry or fiction centered on deep time and future foresight. Fee begins at $600 for options. E mail your concepts with headlines, bios and story relevance to temporal and cultural themes for finest consideration.
17. PublicSource
PublicSource invitations native freelancers and group members to pitch story concepts, essays, suggestions and questions. Use their detailed pitch kind to submit reported tales or a brief kind for first-person essays. Fee varies by story. In case you don’t hear again in every week, your pitch wasn’t chosen.
18. The Goal
The Goal is a nonprofit newsroom centered on journalism fairness, newsroom tradition, media energy and underrepresented voices. Freelance writers can pitch authentic tales, investigations and critiques that align with these themes. Fee is $0.50 per phrase, with different venture charges. Response time could also be gradual attributable to a volunteer management workforce. Pitch clearly and wait one week earlier than following up.
19. Wellbeing
WellBeing Journal loves soulful, stunning tales about holistic well being, spirituality, sustainability and pure therapies. They don’t settle for promotional or advertorial items, so concentrate on empowering, well-researched articles that inform and encourage. Submissions normally vary from 800 to 2,500 phrases. Ship your authentic work with correct references and a brief bio in a Phrase file.
20. Amazonas Journal
AMAZONAS is a high freshwater aquarium journal accepting expert-level freelance articles and underwater pictures. Writers should pitch first—ship a brief e-mail along with your concept, {qualifications} and low-res pictures. Articles pay $100–$600 and images pay as much as $150. Weblog posts pay $25. Deal with fishkeeping, aquatic science or aquarium expertise.
21. Stanford Social Innovation Overview
Stanford Social Innovation Overview accepts pitches from freelance writers {and professional} writers on political and cultural points or environmental justice with contemporary views. Submission classes embody Area Report ($1,500), What’s Subsequent ($600) and Case Examine ($3,500).
22. American Craft Council
The American Craft Council is a type of publications that celebrates creativity and connection. Writers can pitch essays, reported options or private tales on handmade artwork, group and craft tradition. It’s good for writers who wish to write articles with that means. Pay ranges from $0.50 to $1 per phrase.
23. Analog
Analog publishes articles centered on science fiction and fact-based content material. Freelance writers can pitch quick tales the place science or tech drives the plot and options good, sturdy storytelling. This literary journal pays as much as $0.10 per phrase.
NOTE: AI-written content material is not going to be accepted.
24. Audubon
Excellent for writers who wish to write articles on matters associated to environmental justice, birds and cultural points. Audubon pays as much as $1.50 per phrase for well-researched characteristic tales. They’re searching for private essays, reported options and contemporary views.
25. Uncover
Uncover accepts freelance pitches year-round. This journal is searching for contemporary, participating science tales for broad audiences. Hold your pitches quick, one concept per e-mail, and embody your background and writing samples. Uncover pays as much as $1 per phrase or $300 per internet piece.
26. WIRED
WIRED seeks long-form options about how science, tech or innovation shapes our world. Pitches ought to inform a transparent, compelling narrative with sturdy characters and a transparent arc. This publication pays $2,500 for many options of about 5,000 phrases. Embrace clips and a short bio along with your pitch and ensure to ship it to the suitable editor. Shorter freelance work for science, enterprise or gear sections is accepted however restricted.
NOTE: WIRED doesn’t assign breaking information tales to freelancers.
27. Author’s Digest
Author’s Digest accepts article and pitch submissions centered on the writing craft, publishing enterprise and author inspiration. Submit full manuscripts or detailed pitches with bios and clips. Key sections embody Inkwell, method items, creator profiles, market stories and new columns on nonfiction and kidlit writing. Pay is $0.50 per phrase for print. Net items could also be unpaid.
28. The American Gardener
The American Gardener seeks article proposals centered on sustainable, regionally applicable gardening, plant profiles, backyard design, horticultural historical past and group impacts. Submit an in depth pitch along with your matter, relevance to a nationwide viewers and key factors. Embrace writing samples and your gardening expertise. Options run 1,500–2,500 phrases and columns are 900–1,000. Fee ranges from $150–$700 upon publication.
29. Science
Science is accepting freelance pitches for breaking information, options, profiles and investigative tales in all areas of science and science coverage. Submit tight pitches (three to 4 paragraphs) outlining story scope, key characters or locations and why it issues. Embrace related clips if new. Pay begins at $1 per phrase for on-line tales and $1.25 per phrase for print tales.
NOTE: Some tales pay flat charges.
30. Herizons
Herizons accepts pitches from girls, non-binary and Two-Spirit writers primarily based in Canada. This feminist journal pays $125–$600 CAD for options, essays and critiques on gender, tradition or politics. Writers can receives a commission to write down for magazines with sturdy feminist views by submitting pitches year-round.
NOTE: No simultaneous submissions.
31. Grey’s Sporting Journal
Grey’s Sporting Journal accepts full manuscripts—no queries—on searching, fishing or journey adventures. Writers can receives a commission to write down for magazines with vivid tales or yarns. Pay ranges from $600–$1,250 for options, $600 for yarns and $100 for poetry.
32. Backcountry Journal
Backcountry Journal invitations writers to pitch sharp, related tales with a robust backcountry hook. If you wish to write for magazines that cowl mountain abilities, journey, profiles and mishaps then be certain that to take a look at this journal. Pay is usually $0.35 per phrase.
33. JSTOR Every day
JSTOR Every day pays writers for well-researched, participating tales grounded in scholarly sources. Pitch concepts that use JSTOR, Reveal Digital or JSTOR Collections to discover present occasions, historic moments or classroom use. Submit detailed pitches through the location’s Contact the Editors kind. Tales run about 2,000 phrases.
34. The New Yorker
The New Yorker accepts fiction, poetry, Shouts & Murmurs and cartoons. Fiction and humor items have to be PDF attachments despatched through e-mail. Poetry and cartoons undergo Submittable. Submit solely unpublished work.
35. New York Occasions Journal
New York Occasions Opinion welcomes visitor essays that current sturdy arguments grounded actually and private experience. Essays ought to concentrate on newsworthy matters or problems with public concern. They settle for submissions masking present occasions in textual content, video, audio, illustration or knowledge.
36. Bon Appétit
Bon Appétit invitations pitches for meals tales with sturdy angles, private voice and cultural relevance. Writers ought to suggest particular, well timed concepts with pattern headlines and a short rationalization of the story, angle and reporting plan. Charges begin at $250 for brief items. Embrace writing clips and optionally available social media concepts.
NOTE: Bon Appétit encourages submissions from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ writers.
37. Longreads
Longreads accepts authentic nonfiction pitches that maintain reader curiosity over long-form storytelling, usually between 2,000 and 6,000 phrases. They publish reported options, crucial essays, private essays (accomplished drafts solely) and curated studying lists.
Pitches ought to clearly define the story’s form, proof, reporting plan and relevance to Longreads’ viewers. Essays require polished drafts and pay $500. Studying lists concentrate on well timed or distinctive themes and pay $350. Reported options begin at $0.50 per phrase, whereas crucial essays begin at $500, relying on size and analysis. Fiction isn’t accepted.
38. Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping seeks writers with contemporary voices and powerful concepts for long-form narratives, deeply reported service items and essays rooted in dwelling, well being, household and private struggles. Tales ought to provide compelling factors of view, private tales behind the information or sensible guides that enhance readers’ on a regular basis lives.
The tone is optimistic, hopeful, good, typically humorous and approachable, avoiding preachiness or judgment. Subjects vary from well timed social points and private experiences to home-centered tales and repair guides.
39. The Paris Overview
The Paris Overview accepts unsolicited prose submissions in February, June and October, and poetry in January, April, July and October. All work have to be in English and unpublished. They permit simultaneous submissions with notification upon acceptance elsewhere. Prose ought to be beneath 40 pages. Submit as much as six poems or one prose piece per interval.
40. The Rumpus
The Rumpus publishes authentic fiction, poetry, essays, literary humor, comics, interviews and e-book critiques. All work have to be unpublished and submitted throughout open studying durations, which happen a number of instances yearly. Writers could submit concurrently elsewhere however should notify if accepted. Contributors earn $50 per revealed piece.
41. Animal Wellness Journal
Animal Wellness, North America’s high pure pet well being journal, welcomes unsolicited articles and story outlines centered on holistic therapeutic—bodily, emotional, or non secular. Articles ought to be 500–1,500 phrases. Familiarize your self with the journal earlier than submitting, and guarantee well being details come from dependable sources. Ship authentic, unpublished work (no a number of submissions until cleared). Embrace contact data and a short bio.
42. The Horse
The Horse doesn’t settle for unsolicited manuscripts. Writers should submit a resume and samples to the managing editor earlier than pitching article concepts. The journal prefers how-tos, technical matters and interviews for horse house owners, avoiding first-person tales until assigned or from veterinary professionals. Articles vary from 250 to 1,800 phrases, with fee primarily based on size.
43. Household Enterprise Journal
Household Enterprise Journal seeks sensible, insightful articles from advisers and consultants centered on household enterprise points in massive, multigenerational corporations with revenues within the tens of thousands and thousands and above. They don’t settle for normal enterprise recommendation, promotional content material or small enterprise matters.
Articles (as much as 1,800 phrases) ought to provide contemporary views on succession, governance, household insurance policies, and management. Writers should conduct candid interviews with a number of relations and non-family executives. Manuscripts have to be unique, unpublished and submitted through e-mail as Phrase recordsdata (no embedded pictures).
44. ADDitude
ADDitude seeks weblog posts from dad and mom, adults with ADHD, educators, spouses and specialists sharing distinctive, private experiences and useful methods in 500–800 phrases. For webinars, contributors should maintain superior levels, be acknowledged ADHD authorities, and suggest related, non-promotional matters. Webinars attain massive audiences and grow to be on-demand podcasts. Writers ought to concentrate on contemporary, sensible content material that helps and informs the ADHD group.
45. SELF
SELF publishes service-focused well being and wellness tales, with sturdy reporting and sensible suggestions readers can apply. Freelancers can pitch reported recommendation, private expertise with takeaways or opinion items backed by perception. Tales ought to match core matters like well being, health, meals, magnificence and relationships. No normal private essays, Q&As or food regimen content material. Pay begins at $450.
46. Bustle
Bustle seeks well timed, voice-driven pitches, essays, experiments, interviews and cultural options, masking life-style, wellness, style and leisure. Pitches should embody a headline, abstract, entry to sources, why it issues now and a price.
This publication doesn’t settle for listicles, how-tos or roundup-style items. Writers ought to present familiarity with Bustle’s tone and embody clips. Tales ought to begin conversations, provide contemporary angles and resonate with Bustle’s millennial and Gen Z viewers.
47. HuffPost
HuffPost seeks various voices to inform authentic, inclusive tales throughout politics, essays, tradition, wellness, life, meals and elegance. Pitches ought to embody a headline, a two or three paragraph paragraph abstract, a reporting plan, timeliness and why you’re the suitable author. They welcome first-person tales, reported options and distinctive cultural takes.
NOTE: No PR or agent pitches.
48. Psychological Floss
Psychological Floss accepts quick pitches for quirky, well-researched lists and reporting options in areas like historical past, science, popular culture, language and artwork. Embrace a potential headline, story abstract, examples (for lists) or angle and sources (for options), plus a brief bio and hyperlinks to clips. No information tales, essays or political takes. E mail just one related editor. Fee begins at $125–$200+, relying on story sort and size.
49. Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan not often accepts unsolicited pitches and usually assigns tales to common contributors. Nonetheless, new writers should submit 1,000–1,500-word articles by e-mail or mail and might anticipate a response inside a month. Print options pay $200–$400, with extra fee for high-quality images. On-line submissions earn round $100.
50. BuzzFeed Information
BuzzFeed Information Tradition Desk is open to freelance pitches. They’re searching for cultural criticism that explains developments and presents clear insights, characteristic tales about individuals, locations or occasions with sturdy storytelling, and essays which have a novel voice and related message. Essays ought to be 1,500 to 2,500 phrases, whereas options run 2,500 to 4,000 phrases. They provide aggressive pay.
Ultimate recommendations on learn how to write for magazines
Need to write for magazines and receives a commission? Publications like Nationwide Geographic settle for submissions and pay freelance writers $500 or extra per article, with some providing $1 per phrase for the suitable story.
In case you’ve solely written for small publications up till now, don’t cease there—larger alternatives open rapidly with the suitable pitch and strong analysis.
Use instruments like this web site to seek out freelance writing jobs that pay skilled charges, particularly for well-researched options, e-book critiques, overseas affairs or in-depth articles.
Don’t overlook customized publications! These kinds of magazines additionally settle for submissions from freelancers and pays high greenback for articles on enterprise, style developments, outside journey, political and cultural points and extra. Whether or not writing about cultural criticism, psychological well being or present occasions, concentrate on story concepts that ship new concepts and spark dialog.
To extend your possibilities of getting an task, discover a couple of magazines in your space of curiosity or experience that settle for freelance pitches. Then research their submission pointers and craft your pitch. Your e-mail question ought to embody a robust topic line, hook, hyperlinks to comparable articles you’ve written and a bio. Comply with up politely if you happen to don’t hear again.
If you wish to write for magazines simply keep in mind it takes persistence and persistence. With centered pitching and following submission pointers, you can see your self turning concepts into paid assignments very quickly.
Be part of Freelance Writers Den
In case you’re searching for a group to assist you, take into account Freelance Writers Den! This group presents recommendation on pitching (and can allow you to polish that Nationwide Geographic pitch!), discovering magazines that pay good charges and programs on pitching. It’s an incredible place to seek out likeminded colleagues and enhance your writing abilities.
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