websites that pay for essays

Get Paid to Write: 13 Sites That Pay Up to $450 per Article

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Paid freelance writing is a lucrative way to get paid to write from home. You don’t need a degree or even the most eloquent prose to have a lucrative side hustle as a freelance writer.

• Side Hustles

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When I started a blog four years ago, I had no idea I could get paid to write about anything. Fast forward three years. Now I get paid to write about things I love, and I make a full-time living doing it.

Freelance writing can be a great way to make money from home. But with any business, there’s a steep learning curve. You have to know what editors want, where to find jobs that are legitimate, and what to charge as you progress.

A Look at the Best Freelance Writing Websites

When you’re building your writing portfolio, there are some freelance writing sites that stand out for offering legitimate jobs and paying writers a living wage. They’re the best freelance writing websites for beginners.

Upwork is a freelancer marketplace and go-to source for business owners looking for all kinds of digital services. You can find hundreds of paid writing jobs in dozens of subjects.

One of the benefits of using Upwork is that you won’t have to chase down payment from clients. All invoices and payments happen through Upwork, and you’re guaranteed payment for the work you do.

The downside is that Upwork charges a 20% fee on your first $500 earned with each client, 10% up to $10,000, and 5% beyond that. It’s a good place to get started, but you won’t want to use it for long.

Known for offering services starting at $5, Fiverr is a marketplace for freelancers to showcase their services to prospective clients. You create a profile, list a “gig,” and then it becomes available to a global audience.

All communication and payments are processed through Fiverr, but it also charges a steep 20% fee on all earnings. If you’re nervous about reaching out to clients yourself, Fiverr can be a good platform where they come to you.

But you’ll have to do something to make yourself stand out in a sea of other writers. That’s where specializing in one subject matter can be your strength.

3. Textbroker

Textbroker only offers content and writing services on its platform. Writers who sign up with Textbroker will find many resources on how to improve their writing, including editors to review articles, writing tutorials, and videos on how to get the most out of Textbroker.

Earnings per word depend on your quality level. You can earn from $0.07 per word up to $0.50. You choose from thousands of orders available based on your quality level, and there are no additional fees. Textbroker also offers milestone and quarterly bonuses when you achieve different word counts.

Writers, designers, videographers, and other creatives can all find jobs on Skyword . Skyword is a marketplace where you can find jobs and be found by clients. It works with both small and high-profile clients and is a great way to make the jump from lower-paying job sites.

You can’t just sign up for Skyword clients. Fill out a profile and wait until you’re hand-selected for jobs, meaning your profile can sit in Skyword for a long time before you’re submitted to clients or able to view job opportunities. You can increase your chances of being picked by editors by keeping your social media relevant and updated.

5. ClearVoice

ClearVoice connects qualified writers with job opportunities based on the writer’s CV or ClearVoice portfolio. Once you complete your CV, you’ll be able to join ClearVoice’s Talent Network and have your CV sent to prospective clients.

Writers are then handpicked for opportunities based on their CV, so there’s an incentive to create one that stands out. You set your own rates and are paid via PayPal upon assignment approval, so you get the security of going through a marketplace without the fees typically associated with them.

6. Contently

Contently is an online writing agency that connects freelance writers with businesses. Many writers use the site for its free portfolio service, but Contently editors use these portfolios to handpick freelancers for clients.

Many high-profile websites and companies use Contently to source writers, so the jobs pay well. These jobs tend to go to the most experienced candidates, and it can take years for an editor at Contently to refer you to a client. But if you’re patient, Contently can offer lucrative writing opportunities.

Another place experienced freelance writers can find high-paying jobs is on nDash . nDash is a content platform where writers can create a profile and pitch ideas for blogs, articles, and whitepapers to prospective clients.

nDash claims the average writing assignment on its platform pays between $175 to $450. Once an assignment is approved, payment is deposited directly into the writer’s bank account within two to three business days.

It’s a relatively new site so not as many companies are using it, but writers have reported that if you’re willing to pitch more, you’ll make a decent income.

8. SmartBug

SmartBug is a content marketing company specializing in B2B (business to business) marketing and copywriting. Its writers produce content for the web, social media, email, sales pages, and more.

This is a great site for writers who aren’t beginners but may not have the experience or portfolio to compete for jobs with other top writers. There’s no direct way to apply, but you can fill out a general interest application on the website.

9. NewsCred

NewsCred is a community for experienced freelance content creators. In-house editors pair creators with customer programs, but you can also view freelance positions on the platform. Then NewsCred’s editorial team serves as your managing editor for all client work.

You can find high-profile Fortune 500 companies from a variety of industries using NewsCred, the most popular being tech, healthcare, and financial services. There’s currently no button to apply on NewsCred’s website, but you can contact the company via the contact form on its website.

10. The Writer Finder

Growth Machine is an SEO-focused content marketing company with a freelance writing platform called The Writer Finder . Growth Machine works with a variety of clients in AI, travel, wellness, dogs, weddings, and more.

What sets The Writer Finder apart is the Slack group for freelance writers. It lets you communicate with other freelance writers on the team. Rates are competitive, and you’ll also have the chance to learn sought-after SEO skills.

Related: 51 Freelance Jobs Websites with the Best Remote Work Opportunities

Apply for Assignments on the Best Freelance Writing Job Boards

Job boards are easy places for companies to post their jobs. The job board doesn’t vet freelancers, handle payments, or make promises on behalf of clients.

There are some things to be aware of when applying and taking a job from a job board. Because the service is free for writers, you’re competing against thousands of other bloggers for a limited number of jobs.

Job boards are also notorious for phishing scams. “Clients” may ask you to download a zip file of their payment terms or writing guidelines and ask you to invoice them via PayPal. The zip file is actually a keystroke logger allowing them to steal your PayPal credentials. Be careful when applying to jobs on these boards.

11. ProBlogger

The ProBlogger job board is updated daily with blogging and article writing jobs across all subjects.

Businesses have to pay ProBlogger to post their job ad, meaning the writer isn’t paid through ProBlogger. They don’t charge the writer any fees for joining or getting paid.

Another job board filled with many freelance writing opportunities is Indeed . You can find full-time, part-time, and freelance remote writing jobs across all subjects, and because of the vastness of the board, competition isn’t as high compared to others.

You can sign up for job alerts based on your searches. Simply enter your email address and activate emails to see them as soon as they hit the website.

13. MediaBistro

Journalists and anyone else in media will find MediaBistro helpful for finding jobs in the industry. If you’re looking for paid writing jobs in marketing, advertising, television, or news, you can find hundreds of jobs from recognizable names on MediaBistro’s job board.

There are entry-level positions listed, but your best move is to get enough writing experience to make a professional-looking resume before you start applying for jobs on this site.

How to Get Paid to Write (Step by Step) 

Before you apply to get paid for writing, there are a few things you should do to make yourself stand out to potential clients.

1. Choose What to Write About

When you’re writing for money, you might think that only writing about a couple of topics limits your options, but it actually expands them. Sites and companies that pay well don’t want freelancers who write about anything, they want experts in their field. When you stick to a single niche and become known for it, you’ll become a sought-after writer.

Choosing one topic also allows you to scale your business faster. You learn your subject thoroughly, research less, work faster, and can take on more clients. All this leads to being able to earn a higher hourly rate for your work. The key is to pick a profitable niche.

2. Create a Portfolio

There are several ways to create a portfolio. The first is with a blog. Every new writer should have a blog, especially if you don’t have many clips to show potential clients.

Once you choose your niche, write five to ten blog posts on various topics within it. This shows potential clients your writing style, expertise, and gives them a place to contact you.

You can also make money with a blog . One way is to find products and services related to your niche that you like using and see if they have an affiliate program. Then every time someone makes a purchase through your affiliate link, you’ll earn a small commission.

3. Create Profiles on Multiple Sites

Once you’ve written a few articles for other sites or publications, you can create profiles and portfolios on multiple professional freelance writing sites. Clippings.me is a portfolio site for journalists, Contently is used by many web-based content writers, and LinkedIn is a go-to place for businesses looking for expert writers.

Having a presence on a few different sites makes it easier for clients to find you and your work. They may also learn personal facts about you that give you an edge over other writers so don’t underestimate including things like your alma mater, pets, and hobbies.

4. Post on Social Media

Building a social media presence around your niche can also put you ahead for freelance writing jobs. Twitter is most popular for journalists and print publications while Instagram is becoming a popular place for e-commerce businesses to find writers.

You don’t have to make another social media account just for your writing. Post facts, breaking news, advice, and stories related to your niche and tag them with relevant hashtags. It’ll help brands find you, and it can further reinforce to potential clients that you’re knowledgeable and stay current about the topics you write about.

Related: How to Become a Social Media Manager

5. Accept Smaller Jobs While Building Your Reputation

While you’re building your portfolio and expertise in your niche, you’ll have to be willing to accept lower-paid writing jobs. Think of them as practice that you’re getting paid to do. The more organizations, editors, and platforms you work with now, the more you’ll be able to impress high-paying clients in the future.

You can also pitch websites to guest post. You won’t get paid to write guest posts, but you may be able to add links to your blog posts in your article. This will help your posts rank higher in Google, and potential clients may be able to find you through simple Google searches.

Related: How to Get Paid to Write Reviews

 6. Learn to Network

You can start freelance writing on your own, but if you want to build a business and make a living writing, you need a network of other writers. Your network should be filled with writers and editors in your niche who are a little ahead of you and a little behind you in the journey.

Your network can also help you find sources for stories, give you feedback on pitches, advise you on rates to charge, and help you to feel like you’re not alone in this often isolating industry.

Related: How to Make More Money as a Freelance Writer

Resources on How to Get Paid as a Writer

When you’re running your freelance writing business, you’ll want to have some resources to make it easier to write and get paid.

Freelance Writer’s Den

Started by veteran freelance writer Carol Tice, the Freelance Writer’s Den is a membership site just for freelance writers. You have access to over 300 hours of freelance writing education including eCourses, webinars, and podcasts.

There’s also a forum for networking with other writers and a job board with new writing jobs posted every Monday and Thursday, all with a minimum rate of $50 per article.

Membership for the Freelance Writer’s Den only opens twice a year. If you’re interested in joining, sign up for the waitlist to be notified.

Get Paid to Write for Blogs (Course)

This is a course geared towards new freelance writers that was created by Cat Alford (who, coincidentally, has been a freelance writer on DollarSprout in the past).

The course features eight video modules covering beginner-level lessons, including how to create a portfolio that will attract high-value clients. The course also covers everything you need to know about running the business side of things. 

Related: The Best Online Writing Courses for New Freelance Writers

Getting Paid to Write is Possible

You can get paid to write in any field at any level. Like any business, it’s difficult to get started.

However, if you work your way through the many content marketing agencies and job boards, you’ll be able to find steady work and grow your business.

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Get Paid To Write Articles: 20+ Websites That Pay You For Writing

20+ Websites That Pay You For Writing

What To Write About : Anything with a Top 10 Tagline How Much Can You Make : $100 per 1,800 word article (via PayPal) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 8.02M monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here Listverse is full of (you guessed it) lists! Top 10 lists and such are a great attention grabber for readers and Listverse pays for articles with at least 10 list points. They will easily shell out $100 for good quality list articles. If you have a great idea for an attention-grabbing list, submit your list idea to Listverse for consideration. It may be a quick way to get paid to write articles, making $100 per article on our list of websites that pay you for writing. Just make sure that you do your research on your lists, avoid easy grammar issues and create a really attention-grabbing headline.

Smithsonian Magazine (online)

What To Write About : History, Science, Innovation, Arts & Culture, etc. (Smithsonian stuff) How Much Can You Make : $1,000 per article Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 9.81M monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here How ambitious are you? The Smithsonian is a big deal and one of the more prestegious websites that pay you fro writing. So you may be surprised to hear they do accept submissions from freelance writers. Although you need to provide at least 3 links to previous writing examples, and if you don’t have good ones, you should move on. If you do have all of that, you should “pitch” an idea for an article you have. Don’t worry about having crazy good photographs, they’ll provide the photography your article needs, you just need to supply the 250-300 worded idea and eventually final article if approved.

How To Start A $5K Blog Free Email Course

A free step by step course with Andrew Kraemer looking at examples of blogs making over $5k, how to set up your own blog and what you need to do to get more traffic. 

Join us to get wonderful blogging tips and access to this amazing course! 

I will guard your email with my life. Check your inbox. =)

What To Write About : Anything How Much Can You Make : Pennies Per Page View (via ads) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 3.18M monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here HubPages is an online community that writes about anything and everything. Once you sign up for free, you can write about whatever your passionate about. Your article will have ads on them and you’ll receive a portion of that revenue while you get paid to write articles. The more popular your articles are, the more money you’ll make. This is similar to having your own blog , but HubPages host your articles for you in return for a small portion of the ad revenue your articles produce.

What To Write About : Topics They Ask For How Much Can You Make : Up to $40 for a 500 word article (depending on writing level) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 591.52K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here How iWriter works is that people pay iWriter to write articles for them. So a client will pay iWriter to write an article on “Baking Bread”, for example. Then iWriter will send the request to its army of writers (you) and you’ll take the job. The client will pay iWriter and iWriter will pay you in return. The more great articles you write, the more you’ll earn from iWriter based on their 4 tier (Standard, Premium, Elite & Elite Plus) writer levels. Once you receive Elite Plus level, you’ll be paid $40 for a 500-word article. You’ll pay will depend on the level of writer you are and the number of articles you write. What’s nice is you can accept/decline as many articles as you can write from the comfort of your own home. This is nice because the email request will come in with different topics where you can get paid to write articles.

What To Write About : How To Articles for coding, web design, Adobe Products, anything graphic How Much Can You Make : $200 per tutorial (increases the more you submit) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 19.74M monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here Tuts+ is a site I used to visit all the time when learning Photoshop. They have some great tutorials by some awesome teachers, so this probably isn’t for new writers, but people who can prove they’ve written similar tutorials for well-known websites. This makes them one of the top websites that pay you for writing, paying around $200 (starting out) for How-To’s. There are opportunities to create written and video how-to-tutorials. Just make sure you have the depth of experience to back up what you’re teaching. Here is a list of tutorials they’re looking for people to teach .

Income Diary

What To Write About : Tips to help out bloggers (blogs, social media, making money online) How Much Can You Make : $100 – $200 per article Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 303.49K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here The Income Diary is a website focused on helping new bloggers to set up their site, write content and monetize it for future revenue. Since this is a specific niche, there is much similar content that currently exists on the site. While you may be able to earn $200, it is a very difficult way to get paid to write articles and get your content accepted. However if you have an idea that you think fits well with their audience, submit your idea and they’ll tell you if it’s worthy. Otherwise don’t bother writing an entire article until your idea is accepted. If you do get your article idea accepted, you should jump for joy because they are one of the top paying websites that pay you for writing.

Travel + Leisure

What To Write About : Trip Ideas, Destinations, Hotels (travel stuff) How Much Can You Make : $1 a word (articles range from 400 – 2,000 words) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 6.03M monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here With an audience of 1 million viewers per month, Travel + Leisure receives many writer submissions so they’re looking for high-quality articles from writers with previous writing experience. If you’re interested in writing for them, go over their website and understand what type of articles are published. Then go over to their contact page and email them a short email with your “pitch”, don’t bother writing your full article. If they like your idea, they’ll email you back with the guidelines they want. About 95% of the articles on their site are from freelance writers so you may have a shot. They’re one of the few proven websites that pay you for writing.

Transitions Abroad

What To Write About : Volunteering, Work, Living and Studying Abroad How Much Can You Make : $50 – $150 (for a 1,250-2,000 word article) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 422.94K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here While not the most aesthetically pleasing website, these guys have tons of articles submitted by people around the world relating to volunteering, working and living abroad. So much so that their “Travel Writer Guidelines for Submissions” page is heavily detailed on what they’re looking from their writers. Overall this is a great place to share that amazing study abroad adventure you had in college and share all those little secrets you learned along the way like don’t buy cheap outlet plug converts or how to use hotel key cards as knives for your PBJ sandwiches . If you have any of those wacky travel stories, consider this one of the first websites that pay you for writing that you try.

Back To College

What To Write About : Things important to adults going back to college How Much Can You Make : $55+ (for a 1,000-1,500 word article) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 386.82k monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here This is an old-school website but maintains high popularity for people interested in going back to college later in life. This site makes money by ads and selling leads to college recruiters. So articles about sharing your personal story about going back to college or how your thinking about going back to college may be ideal. This may be a great place to get paid to write articles if you’ve ever considered going back to school.

The Travel Writers Life

What To Write About : Getting paid to travel whether it’s writing, photography, tours, etc. How Much Can You Make : $50 – $200 (for a 300-600 word article) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : less than 10K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here This is an interesting writing topic because The Travel Writers Life showcases popular ways people are making money while traveling. So you won’t find any fluffy travel stories here. It’s more about how you paid for your study abroad apartment by working at your landlords banana stand. If you have any stories where you made a little money while traveling, this is a great place to share your story on one of the few websites that pay yforfro writing.

The Matador

What To Write About : Wide range of topics from life style, culture to family and night-life How Much Can You Make : $20 – $60 Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 3.35M monthly visitors Since this is such a popular website they receive numerous writing solicitations and thus don’t have to offer much money for people looking to get paid to write articles. While they don’t pay much, this may be a good place to start if you’re a beginner writer. If you’re looking to try it out, you’ll have to create a profile on their contributor page and send them your article idea. It’ll take them a month or two to review it and if you don’t hear back, don’t take it personally they get a lot of ideas. Try submiting another idea. When it comes to larger websites like this, it’s a numbers game. Luckily you have the option to write about a wide range of topics on their websites that pay you for writing.

A List Apart

What To Write About : Web development related to code, content, design, process, business, etc. How Much Can You Make : $50 – $200 (1,500 word articles avg.) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 543.71K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here This is a very niche website related to website development. If this topic interests you, send their team your pitch idea (ideally in a Google Doc) for review. They review all ideas once a week and rarely accept pitches on the first draft. However they’ll likely help you develop your idea further making it worthy of their website. They’re currently looking for new writers so if you have a story to share regarding web development or user experience, shoot them an email.

Flywheel – The Layout

What To Write About : All things WordPress Website related How Much Can You Make : $50 (They give you a list of topics with prices) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 712.64K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here These guys have one of the most efficient ways to get new writers. Beyond their super easy sign-up page where you submit your credentials, they give you a list of topics to write about and how much they’ll pay for each one. It looks like someone on their team realized keywords they want to rank for and added that list for potential writers to write about. Most of the articles they currently have posted only pay $50 per article, but they claim up to $150. Keep in mind, most of the articles they are looking for are related to how to code WordPress websites, so it may be a little niche for most people. If you have the WordPress knowlege though, it’s one of first websites that pay you for writing you should consider.

What To Write About : Trip Ideas, Destinations, Travel Adventures (travel stuff) How Much Can You Make : $50 per article (articles range from 1,200 – 2,000 words) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb): 160.98K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here This is a site I really enjoyed right after researching. It’s a very indie type travel site where it encourages really exploring your travel destinations over high-end resorts. If you have a travel story/idea that you want to pitch, send it to them after you check out their article guidelines to get paid to write articles. Most of is it pretty basic, but something to keep in mind. If you’re not sure your work is good enough to submit, try their “Guest Post” guide where your article won’t be paid for, but you can submit it in front of their audience. It’s a great way to gain travel writing exposure without much pressure on our list of websites that pay you for writing.

International Living

What To Write About : All things related to retiring overseas (cost, living, places, etc.) How Much Can You Make : $75 – $400 Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 712.64K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here International Living has both a blog/newsletter (they call it a Postcard) and monthly magazine that they’re looking for contributing writers to get paid to write articles. If your article gets accepted to the Postcard, it’s worth around $75 while the monthly magazine is worth $250 for 840 words and $400 for 1,400 words. If you’re curious what to write about, they love inspirational stories about retiring abroad in your dream location ( use SEMrush for popular keyword ideas ). They want to know how your money will stretch longer in other countries and how that affects healthcare and other lifestyles. If you’ve ever been thinking about retiring in a small tropical country or somewhere cooler, maybe this is one of the websites that pay you for writing for you.

What To Write About : Anything Pop Culture with a funny twist How Much Can You Make : $100 – $200 Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 19.24M monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here While most websites actively look for experienced writers, Cracked is all about encouraging new writers to submit ideas with lots of different ways to contribute and get paid to write articles. You can write the long lists they’re known for like “ 26 Sexy Halloween Costumes That Shouldn’t Exist ” or creating funny graphics they can use on their social media accounts. They are heavily reliant on content writers like you can contribute to their online publication. If you think you have a sarcastic or satire writing personality, definitely register as a writer for them and jump into the hilarious world of Cracked. This is one of the most popular websites that pay you for writing on our list.

What To Write About : Articles About Great Photography How Much Can You Make : Likely Around $50, not listed Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 151.96K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here This is a really open category, photography. Everyone has tried photography at some point in their life. It’s pretty easy to point and click to great a great image. Either to sell via stock photography , share with your friends or hang up in a gallery. The point is, most people have a photography lesson learned or story to share and Photodoto is the perfect place for topics such as Photography Inspiration, Tips, Gear or post-production. Take a shot at this website to write a guest post, they seem to be very excited to hear about pitch ideas.

The Dollar Stretcher

What To Write About : Anything to help people save time and money (stretch your dollar) How Much Can You Make : $0.10 per word (Most articles 500-700 words) Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 151.96K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here Now, this is a site we can get behind, another personal finance website! If you have some great ways to save money/time this is the place but keep in mind, The Dollar Stretcher has been in circulation since January 1998. They have TONS of articles on how to save money so if you’re going to pitch them you need to be creative, inventive and very specific. They ask you don’t pitch them “ 7 ways to save on groceries “, but rather “7 ways to save money on ground beef”. If you email them your pitch and don’t hear anything, they likely already have similar content and didn’t bother responding. Try pitching again being more creative, everyone does something cool to save money. It’s a great way to get paid to write articles if you’re able to niche down into specific money saving ideas.

What To Write About : DIY Home Improvement / Interior Design Projects How Much Can You Make : Likely Around $50, you set your price. Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : 271.60K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here Yay I’ve been looking for a good DIY site where I can get paid to write articles. Curby started as one man’s journey doing home improvement projects and grew into a vibrate community of 271 thousand visits a month focusing on cool home improvement and interior design projects inspiring people. Now they’re one of the top websites that pay you for writing about home improvement projects. If you have a home improvement project that all your friends just rave about, consider pitching Curby to see if it’s a good idea for their site and get paid!

What To Write About : Life of a Pet Owner (tips, hacks, pet stories, etc.) How Much Can You Make : $75 per article Monthly Visitors (SimilarWeb) : less than 10K monthly visitors How To Become A Writer : Sign Up Here Many websites that pay writers are related to web development or travel so it’s great to see sites like this that pay for articles that most people have experience with, like pets. This site focuses on connecting pet owners through their site and social media. More importantly, they help animal shelters and rescues connect with a wide range of pet owners for possible adoption. Blog Paws really tries to capture the reality of life with pets and can use writers that can help others navigate that world. If you’re a pet owner that can’t stop talking about how great it is to be a pet owner, this may be a perfect place to get paid to write articles on our list of websites that pay you for writing in 2018.

Consider Writing For Your Own Blog

Writing for others is a quick way to get paid writing and build up your own portfolio. However, you’re working for other people and making THEM money. Consider using our guide to Starting Your Own Blog That Makes Money on Day 1 ! This is a nice alternative utilizing your writing creativity. Having your own website allows you to display a portfolio of your writing work and earn money for yourself from the awesome content you create!

Get Paid To Write Articles – Our Thoughts

Hope you like our blueprint for starting to get paid to write articles! We absolutely love websites that pay you for writing, helping fellow freelance writers and side-hustlers. While writing this and looking at the criteria these websites are looking for in contributing writers, it’s actually a really easy way to earn extra money . Most of these websites paying between $50 – $150 per article even for beginners, you could write an article every day for a month (30 days) and make $3,000.

Wallet Squirrel is a personal finance blog by best friends Andrew & Adam on how money works, building side-hustles, and the benefits of cleverly investing the profits. Featured on MSN Money, AOL Finance, and more!

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This is a very beautiful thing to know that money is everywhere online. In fact, content is and always will be king on the world wide web. Thank you for sharing this beautiful information with us. DrewryNewsNetwork is in your corner as a solid supporter of WalletSquirrel! 🙂

I had to double back to this post and say that I never knew Smithsonian paid everyday people to write content for them. I’m completely blindsided knowing this now. I’m wondering how many links are you allowed to include in a Smithsonian post linking back to your blog or website before submitting content to them.

They would not only be excellent for promoting WalletSquirrel, but also help improve your long term SEO and side hustle income potential.

Wow, thanks for doing all the dirty work and getting this awesome list out there for us! I can’t wait to dig into some of these!

Good morning Andrew and Adam,

This is beautiful news to know that websites pay writers for organic content marketing. This goes to show that there’s more money online in job security then traditionally working for the man on a regular day job in America. You gotta invest in yourself I tell people instead of making your employer rich without a pay raise!

Heya exceptional blog! Does running a blog like this take a large amount of work? I’ve no expertise in computer programming but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyhow, should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject nevertheless I simply had to ask. Cheers!

Hi Rosalyn! It really doesn’t cost much to run a blog. We share all our blog costs in our monthly reports and provide screenshots on how to start a blog . Let me know if you have any other questions!

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Get Paid to Write: 40 Legitimate Websites That Pay $100+

Table of Contents

As a freelance writer, building a sustainable writing career is super important. And one of the ways to achieve this is by landing consistent, well-paid gigs.

Rather than spending time filtering through scam jobs and content mills that pay peanuts, I’ve compiled a list of 40 legitimate websites where you can get paid to write for over $100.

These websites cover a variety of industries, such as content writing, affiliate sales, web design, and feature stories. Here’s the first one on our list.

Related Reading : Freelance Writing Rates

10 Websites You Can Try to Pitch as a New Freelance Writer

Here’s an updated list of websites that you can try to pitch and get paid writing in 2023:

• Income Diary
• Freelance Mom
• Chicken Soup For The Soul
• International Living Magazine
• Grow and Convert Content Marketing Agency
• Writer’s Digest
• The American Scholar

Get Paid to Write Articles About Business 

If you’ve got extensive knowledge about business management and operations, here are online websites where you get paid to write about your insights.

1. Ecommerce Insiders ($75-$150)

If you’ve got experience in the Ecommerce industry, Ecommerce Insiders will pay you to write blog posts centered around online marketing. 

Article submissions may be retail-oriented, with a focus on topics like design, marketing, merchandising, and operations. Writers can also provide commentaries on industry news/trends or write educational pieces on how to succeed in the e-commerce industry.

The publishing team at Ecommerce Insiders has very specific requirements, so I’d advise you to review their submission guidelines before sending in your pitch. They typically offer between $75 to $150 for blog posts of about 400 words and above.

2. B. Michelle Pippin ($50-$150)

B. Michelle Pippin is looking for entrepreneurial experts to share their knowledge with other women entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses and income. So, if you’re a woman who’s an expert in marketing, making money from YouTube, sales, or other business-inclined topics, she is ready to welcome you. 

B. Michelle requires submissions to be instructive, original, savvy, and contain actionable advice for readers. She offers between $50-$150 per article and will pay more for content she intends to publish in her newsletter. However, you will not be able to republish any content that has been paid for and shared on the website.

3. Success Lifestyle Magazine (Up to $100)

Success Lifestyle magazine is an online publication house that caters to entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development. 

They are open to receiving articles about other entrepreneurs who’ve built their businesses from scratch. Furthermore, they also accept articles that cover different business development ideas. Editors at the magazine make it a duty to hire writers who are dependable, inspiring, and fun. 

If you’d like to write for the magazine, you’ll have to send an article proposal first and wait for them to request a sample article before you turn in a draft. The application process also involves a 15-minute interview with the magazine’s editors. 

Success Lifestyle Magazine pays $0.50 per word (about $250 for a 500-word article).

4. Inc. (Up to $100 per article)

Inc. is a leading magazine that pays experts to write short articles that provide guidance and actionable strategies to startups and small businesses. 

Aspiring writers who want to write for the publication are expected to be experts or thought leaders in their industries. Furthermore, writers are required to apply by sending in column proposals. The column proposal should generally include the following:

• The reasons for applying.
• The topics of interest.
• A 500-word sample article with 10 sample headlines.
• Links to existing published works.

They prefer articles between 800 and 1,200 words and pay up to $2,400 per column submission— some column editors pay as high as $2 per word.

5. Liisbeth & Rabble.CA ($100-$,2000)

If you have a mastery of the intersection between feminism and entrepreneurship, Liisbeth & Rabble may be a great fit. Here, writers produce long and short-form content that female entrepreneurs consult when building their businesses and careers.

As a writer here, you’ll cover topics on enterprise, feminism, and innovation and write critiques of policies and systems that perpetuate inequality. 

So, if you’ve got a passion for supporting women-led businesses, join hands with Liisbeth to write high-quality content that can make a difference. Writers often get paid as high as $2,000 per article. 

Get Paid to Write Articles About Lifestyle 

If you enjoy telling great stories about the human experience, you’re in the right place. Here, I’ve compiled a list of online platforms where you can get paid to write about your perspectives on freelance writing, family life, evolving trends, and lifestyle.

6. FreelanceMom ($75-$100)

FreelanceMom caters to working moms, particularly those who earn an income via freelancing. So, if you fit into both categories, feel free to share your journey in entrepreneurship and work-life balance. What’s more, you can also give advice on how other stay-at-home parents can become successful freelancers. 

The company expects that article submissions contain content that is practical, well-researched, and well-organized. The articles should also offer new approaches and actionable advice that readers can benefit from. 

As a freelance writer here, you’ll be writing from personal experiences in a manner that other moms can relate to. Be sure to check their guidelines for more clarity before submitting your article. FreelanceMom prefers blog posts between 900 and 1,500 words and offers between $75- $100 per article.

7. Listverse ($100)

If you love funny and unusual content and are good at creating lists or rating things, send a pitch to Listverse today. All you have to do is send them an original article on any topic you choose, with at least ten listed items and a paragraph or two under each item. Then, if the work gets published, they pay writers $100 per article. 

To make your work easier, Listverse assures a proper review by its seasoned editors. Also, editors will help with inserting pictures and videos where necessary. Still, to ensure that your work is properly vetted, they have a fact-checking team that verifies all links and citations. 

Listverse only pays via PayPal, and they don’t entertain alternative forms of payment. So, as a freelance writer on their team, you’ll need a PayPal account to receive payments.

8. Reader’s Digest ($50-$250)

Reader’s Digest encourages people to share interesting, non-fictional narratives, experiences, and funny stories. 

They welcome articles on current events and contemporary American life, dramatic narratives, jokes, and funny true stories. The magazine caters to a diverse audience and wants articles that will educate, entertain, and provoke their readers.

Writers here produce blogs of about 800 to 1,000 words. For every published article, the writer gets paid $50-$250, depending on the category it falls under.

9. Her View From Home (Up to $100)

Her View From Home calls out to writers to deliver blog posts and feature articles about family life, parenting, children, relationships, and other related topics. It’s worth mentioning that they accept both original and previously published works.

They require articles to be genuine and heartfelt, with about 600 to 800 words. Writers must also familiarize themselves with the magazine’s guidelines and content before submitting their articles. 

Furthermore, editors make payments based on the number of page views accumulated over 30 days. After that, they’ll ask you to send an invoice for payment. They pay up to $100 for original articles with over 4,000 views and $50 for previously published articles with over 10,000 views.

10. WorthPoint (Up to $100)

Are you an expert lover of antiques and collectibles? Worthpoint is offering you an opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with their readers.

Writers are expected to write informative articles or blog posts on antiques, art, collectibles, and other related subjects that will be assigned by their editors. Other useful writing skills include fluency in English, familiarity with Google’s advanced search features, and knowledge of Microsoft Word Editor.

The company prefers articles between 400 and 1,200 words and offers up to $100 per article, alongside other benefits. 

Get Paid for Creative Writing

If you’ve got a flair for storytelling and a good imagination, you can make loads of money writing online. These websites offer various avenues to bring your creativity to life and earn money writing articles online.

11. Longreads ($350-$500+)

Longreads features high-quality, comprehensive, and captivating stories about human experiences that readers can relate to. The content they’re interested in includes book reviews, essays, columns, and reading lists. 

The required word count for an article depends on the category it falls under; thus, your submission can be anywhere from 800 to 6,000 words. Longreads pays $350 for reading lists and $500 and above for essays and columns. 

12. Bustle (Up to $100)

Bustle is a trendy site that caters to a wide target audience and delivers content under various niches— from entertainment and fashion to beauty, style, wellness, and evolving trends.

As such, they are interested in receiving creative pieces, original reporting, personal stories, and commentaries or editorials with unique approaches. It’s best to familiarize yourself with their content to know their preferred areas of interest, writing style, and tone.

Note that you’ll be required to submit a pitch first before sending your article. Bustle pays about $125 for a 500-word article.

13. Fantasy & Science Fiction (Up to $100)

If you love writing fantasy and science fiction stories, this one’s for you. Fantasy and Science Fiction welcomes stories with surprising plots and subtle speculative elements. They prefer character-oriented stories from different genres, including fantasy, horror, humor, and science fiction.

Submissions are only accepted for fictional stories, and writers are encouraged to incorporate diverse perspectives into their articles.

For every published article, the client pays $0.08 to $0.12 per word, with a maximum of 25,000 words (about $1,600 for 20,000 words). To improve your chances of getting published, ensure that you send in a high-quality story that is fully edited. 

14. Cricket Magazine (Up to $100)

Cricket Magazine is a young adult literature and comic print magazine for younger readers. So, feel free to send long-form fictional or non-fictional stories, poems, or translations that cater to this demographic. 

• Concerning fiction, the print magazine welcomes fantasy, folk tales, historical fiction, humor, myths and legends, realistic contemporary fiction, and science fiction. The stories are required to be character-driven, well-plotted, and have satisfying conclusions.
• For non-fiction, writers can pick from various subjects— art, history, inventors, explorers, science and technology, and theater. The articles should be well-researched and include biographies.
• Regarding poems, both serious and humorous pieces are accepted, and they are expected to be descriptive, well-crafted, and precise. Writers can write on different themes, including family, friendships, and nature. 

Per rates, Cricket Magazine pays an estimate of $0.10 per word for fictional stories, $0.25 per word for non-fictional stories, and $3 per line for poems.

15. Cracked ($150-$250)

Cracked is a witty site with clever and funny articles usually written in list formats. They welcome articles that tackle popular subjects from fresh perspectives. 

You can apply to write feature articles without experience, but you must have good writing skills. On the other hand, experienced writers can apply for columnist roles by sending their pitches alongside links to their previous works. 

Cracked expects writers to be funny, sarcastic, and sharp and pays an estimated $150-$250 for each accepted piece. The price range varies according to the article’s length and the number of articles written. 

16. Narratively ($300-$400)

Narratively welcomes a wide range of articles that deliver authentic and captivating storytelling of the human experience. Their niches include culture, family, food and drink, environment, news, travel, and technology. 

They prefer long-form articles that provide vivid narrations of the content. So, if you enjoy writing essays and articles from a personal and experiential point of view, give Narratively a go. 

Be sure to check out their submission guidelines for more direction in picking your article and writing it. Narratively offers an estimate of $300 to $400 per published article.  

17. VQR ($200-$1000+)

VQR is a literary journal that accepts original and unpublished poetry, fictional, and non-fiction submissions. They are not interested in genre fiction like fantasy, romance, and science fiction, and they prefer short fiction of about 2,500 to 8,000 words. 

For non-fictional pieces, they approve of essays, investigative reports, and memoirs with 3,000 to 7,000 words. For poems, they welcome all types and do not have a limit on the number of words. VQR has specific requirements, so read through their guidelines before applying. They generally pay $200 per poem and $1,000 and above for short fiction and non-fiction pieces.  

Get Paid to Write Articles on Technical Freelance Writing

For the tech experts who can demystify complex subjects with precision and clarity, you can build a successful career as a technical writer. Here, I’ve compiled some websites where you get paid to write articles about niche tech topics.

The first is….

18. nDash ($150-$450)

nDash provides an opportunity for tech freelance writers to connect with clients and reputable brands. They offer a variety of projects you can take on— email newsletters, blog posts, white papers, and online articles. You can also set your rates for the specific type of project. 

Additionally, nDash does not charge any fee for the jobs you get, meaning you keep 100% of your earnings. 

Furthermore, you can apply to write for nDash directly by creating a profile on their website and featuring your previous work experience. Then, create a Stripe account, which the platform uses to pay its writers, who earn an estimated $150-$450 per assignment.

And the best part? You can do all this for free!

19. Copyhackers ($300-$1,000)

Copyhackers centers on practical content for designers, freelancers, marketers, and startups. Their content mostly includes branding, conversion copywriting, freelancing for money, business growth and development, marketing, product design, web development, and UX and A/B testing.

For Copyhackers, your article submission must be thoroughly detailed and researched. Additionally, it should be from a first-person point of view, and it should be a minimum of 2000 words. For every published article, you’ll be paid between $300 and $1000.  

20. Writer’s Digest (Up to $100)

Writer’s Digest is dedicated to inspiring writers and helping them improve their writing skills. As such, they are open to receiving submissions that fall under this category, including personal essays and memoirs. 

They pay $0.50 per word for the one-time publishing of your article electronically and in print. Then, if they decide to repurpose or republish it, they’ll pay you 25% of the original purchase price.

21. UX Booth ($100)

UX Booth prides itself as an authority in the User Experience field, and they are open to receiving comprehensive and well-researched articles that guide improving user experience. 

Writers can select topics from different areas like analytics, business strategy, content strategy, interaction design, philosophy, and universal design and accessibility. The articles should be relatable and beneficial to readers, with guidance on how to implement what they read.

Additionally, they should be written from the third person point of view and between 1,200 and 1,800 words. UX Booth pays $100 for every published article.

22. Semaphore ($400-$500)

If you’re an expert in automation, application deployment, and software, and you know how to write, then you’re a good fit for Semaphore . 

This technical site is open to receiving articles about software architecture, DevSecOps tools, and development tools and practices. 

Semaphore pays an estimated $400-$500 for every new article and $100-$200 for article updates. Additionally, you will be paid a 50% bonus if your published article generates over 1,000 non-paid views seven days after it’s posted. 

23. Make a Living Writing ($75-$150)

Make A Living Writing is aimed at helping freelance writers develop their businesses and increase their earnings. As such, they welcome articles that provide insight and advice on achieving this. Their pay ranges from $75 to $150 per article, depending on the topic’s complexity and the depth of research required. 

To ease your application process, check out their guidelines for more clarity on the type of content they want. Additionally, this site considers your submissions for their other sites, including Selfpublishing.com and The Write Life, to increase the chances of getting your article approved.

24. Smashing Magazine ($50-$200)

Smashing Magazine is another leading technical site on the lookout for articles related to graphics design, UX design, WordPress, web development, and web/mobile design. 

They accept submissions in the form of case studies, opinions, tutorials, and guides. However, you should pitch your article idea in about 200-300 words first and wait for approval before submitting a draft. 

If your outline is approved, you may be assigned to an editor to guide you through the writing process. For every approved submission, Smashing Magazine pays between $50 and $200 per article.

25. Sitepoint ($150-$200)

Are you a web design expert? Are you well-versed in CSS, HTML, and SASS? Can you share this knowledge with others? Then you’re a good fit for SitePoint .

SitePoint is interested in receiving articles about development tools and environments, entrepreneurship and digital marketing, no-code and low-code tools, and web development and design. Article submissions are expected to be accurate, clear, concise, well-researched, and contain a bit of humor.

It’s worth mentioning that SitePoint also encourages beginner writers to pitch. This is subject to certain conditions, though, including a passion for technology, fluency in English, and the ability to share their knowledge with other developers. 

Sitepoint offers $150 for articles and $200 for tutorials. However, writers whose articles are comprehensive and estimated to generate plenty of traffic are paid more than $150. 

26. Photoshop Tutorials ($25-$300)

If you have a passion for Photoshop and design, Photoshop Tutorials invites you to share your knowledge and educate other Photoshop users.

They generally accept educational materials with comprehensive tips on how to use Photoshop for digital creations and edits like human portraits, photo manipulation, and posters.

Writers can send in short articles with quick tips or full tutorials with detailed instructions. Although the company generally pays $25-$50 for an accepted article, they pay between $150-$300 for each approved tutorial.

Get Paid to Write Articles for Journalism Publications

Freelance writing doesn’t always involve fiction or lifestyle writing. There are also opportunities for freelance writers to showcase their investigative skills and spread accurate information. 

So, if you have a passion for reporting, these websites will pay you to inspire others and ignite change. 

27. Informed Comment ($100)

Informed Comment features content on foreign policy and is looking for experts to contribute to their niche. Their content specifically focuses on US foreign policy and Middle Eastern and South Asian politics. 

Other content areas they delve into include climate change, green energy, human rights, religion, religious discrimination, and women’s and workers’ rights. 

Informed Comment typically accepts submissions from experts with advanced degrees or who have published works in prominent online publications like The Nation and The Washington Post.

Article submissions are expected to be between 800 and 1,000 words. However, you are required to send an inquiry introducing yourself. After sending in your pitch, wait for approval before sending a draft. Informed Comment pays $100 for each published article.

28. Slate ($300)

Slate is a popular site that focuses on content centered around business, culture, news, politics, technology, and more. 

They welcome submissions in any of these areas and want contributors who can deliver original pieces with brilliant and surprising arguments and analyses. Writers are required to send in clear and concise pitches explaining their articles first before submitting drafts.

Slate offers $300 for a published article, ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 words. 

29. Columbia Journalism Review (Up to $100)

Columbia Journalism Review has maintained its long-standing reputation as a leading voice in journalism. It tackles worldwide pressing issues and welcomes critical essays, investigative features, and profiles. 

Applications should be made through pitches sent to the magazine’s email. The pitches generally include the intended story or argument, the reason for selecting the story, why the writer wants to report it, and the reporting plan. The writer should also include whether the story is time-sensitive and why. 

The Columbia Journalism Review pays $0.05-$1 per word for every published article (about $500 for a published article). Writers can also negotiate for higher rates, depending on the nature of the piece.

Get Paid to Write Articles About Finance

For finance enthusiasts, here are some websites that will pay you to share actionable strategies readers can use to increase their earnings and save more money.

30. The Penny Hoarder (Up to $100)

The Penny Hoarder is a leading publication centered on personal finance and prefers articles that are written based on personal experiences. Their content usually features detailed advice and actionable strategies for saving and earning money.

In this regard, writers can submit articles covering comprehensive money-saving tips, in-depth reviews, product recommendations of financial applications, products, and services, and opportunities to make more money.

Article submissions are expected to be engaging and easily understandable by readers from different financial backgrounds. The articles should be around 700 to 900 words, and The Penny Hoarder pays between $75-$100 for each article. However, the pay depends on many factors, and you might need to discuss payment with the editor first. 

31. Money Pantry (Up to $150)

The Money Pantry was created to help people learn how to increase their earning capacity while saving more money. Pretty great, right? They welcome high-quality articles that help readers in this regard and pay up to $150 for blog posts ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 words.

Writers are expected to write about unique and unusual strategies that will help their readers make and save more money. Their articles should be original, practical, precise, include real-life examples, and be written in bloggy and friendly tones. 

However, Money Pantry’s contributing page has been temporarily closed since February 2021 and will update their site when they are back up and running guest posts.

32. Income Diary (Up to $200)

Income Diary is a financial site that welcomes articles and blog posts on various financial topics— content creation, website creation, buying and selling websites, affiliate marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO).

Income Diary requires each article submission to be original, unique, and well-written. They have very high standards, and they encourage writers to check out their guides on content creation for more clarity on their requirements.

Income Diary pays up to $200 for every approved article, and they are currently looking for an expert in SEO to write an article for an estimated pay of $150-$300.

Additional Websites Where Writers Get Paid to Write

For more diverse areas, here are websites where you get paid to write and contribute to other niches— from entertainment and human resource management to traveling and living abroad.

33. The Escapist Magazine (Up to $200)

The Escapist Magazine features content about the gaming industry and welcomes articles about video games, board games, movies, science, and technology. It is every video game and technology fan’s dream. 

The magazine is interested in articles that are well-written, thoroughly researched, and offer unique perspectives on the various aspects of a game, movie, or TV show. They also welcome interview pieces that tell new stories about the gaming industry. As such, in-depth knowledge and a passion for the gaming industry are required to excel in this role. 

The Escapist pays up to $200 for every published article.

34. The AV Club (Up to $100)

The AV Club is an entertainment website that features TV and movie content, celebrity news, and all things pop culture-related. 

They strive to make their articles sharp and witty and want contributors who can captivate their target audience. As such, they are open to receiving high-quality entertainment content, including trending celebrity news, movie and series reviews, and real interviews. 

The AV Club pays an average of $0.21 per word (this sums up to about $210 for a 1,000-word article).

35. PTO Today ($125-$500+)

PTO Today caters to parents with kids in elementary and middle schools. The magazine is focused on helping the leaders of these groups be more involved in their children’s academic experiences. 

As such, they welcome best practices and instructional pieces for enhancing children’s school experiences, fundraising, leadership, group management, parent involvement and working with school authorities.

They prefer informal and conversational tones and are looking for writers that can engage their target audience. PTO Today prefers articles with 600 to 1,500 words and pays an estimate of $125-$500 and above. 

36. The Barefoot Writer ($100-$300)

If you want to help other freelance writers make money writing from home, then you should pitch to The Barefoot Writer . 

They are interested in articles that provide inspiration, tips, and tools to help build a freelance writing career, develop writing skills, and increase one’s earning capacity. Personal essays and success stories about how your writing has positively impacted your life are also welcome. 

The required word count ranges from 400 to 800 words, depending on the category the article falls under. The magazine offers between $100-$300 for approved pieces.

37. International Living ($250-$400)

International Living focuses on retiring and living overseas, and they want articles that shed more light on such realities. 

Writers are advised to write inspiring stories reflecting their experiences or those of people they interview. Their articles should also include advice about retiring in another country— including money-saving ideas, tips on moving and adjusting to a new life, and getting insurance and access to special facilities. 

Recommendations and practical solutions readers can act upon are also welcome. For every publication, International Living offers $250 for 840 words and $400 for 1,400 words. Additionally, they pay $50 for the one-time use of your photographs.

38. Great Escape Publishing ($150)

Here’s one for passionate travelers: Great Escape Publishing curates content for various travel-centered blogs and newsletters, including The Travel Writer’s Life and The Right Way To Travel. They prefer articles that help other creative freelancers learn how to build their freelance businesses as travel writers and entrepreneurs. 

Articles usually range from 300 to 600 words and may include interviews or personal experiences. The magazine offers $150 per published article. Again, I’d advise you to read through their submission guidelines for more insight on what they’re looking for.

39. The American Scholar ($250-$500)

The American Scholar magazine covers articles, essays, fiction, and poetry. However, they only accept guest posts for non-fiction pieces. In this vein, The American Scholar welcomes articles on culture, literature, history, public affairs, and science. 

They have a limit of 6,000 words for articles and only consider submissions made through Submittable, their online submissions manager system. The American Scholar offers $250-$500 for accepted pieces. 

40. iWorkwell ($200+)

iWorkwell is a resource site that aims to help organizations boost productivity, subsidize management costs, and cultivate better human resource practices. 

They seek experts willing to share their knowledge in diverse areas— including change management, employee relations, HR strategy, legal compliance, technology and HRIS, and workforce planning. 

iWorkwell generally assigns articles based on expertise and availability, and they pay $200 and above for every accepted article, alongside other benefits.

Land Your First Paid Writing Gig Today!

Today, there are many online freelance writing websites out there that will pay you more than pennies for your thoughts. If you’re a new writer, you can also explore freelance job boards where companies post freelance writing jobs you can apply for. 

So, go forth and write your way to success.

Adetayo Sogbesan

With a writing journey spanning over half a decade, Adetayo has honed her craft by producing standout articles and blogs for renowned companies like MUO, Brightlio, Careerkarma, and Copypress. Specializing in work & career, tech content writing, and both B2B and B2C content, she has established a diverse and impactful portfolio. Beyond the world of words, Adetayo is an avid bookworm and a cinephile, cherishing moments of relaxation with riveting reads and cinematic masterpieces. Valuing the essence of connection, Adetayo also treasures quality time spent with her close-knit circle of friends.

Elite Content Marketer offers education and software reviews to help beginner creators graduate into the middle class (and beyond) sustainably. Learn more about us here .

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Get Paid to Write Essays: 21 Great Sites For Making Money

In a rush? Writers Work is a great place for getting paid to write essays. Our guide to the top essay-writing companies from academic to personal essays.

Academic writing can be an excellent way to make money. Students will pay writers to create example research papers or assist them in writing their school essays and papers. Learning how to write a 5 paragraph essay  will open the door to more income potential. There are two primary methods to make money writing essays, and the first is to write academic essays.

Essay writing companies look for writers who can create high-quality English essays and academic-style papers, and you can make a good income as a freelance writer. The second method is to write personal essays and pitch them to online and print magazines. Either way, the income potential is quite good. The key is finding the right essay writing service company to write for so you can avoid any scams; these 18 are a good starting point.

Writers Work contains freelance writing opportunities for writers who want to start their career

1. Writers Work

2. academic writers online, 3. paperhelp, 4. speedypaper, 5. advancedwriters, 6. writing creek, 7. essaypro, 8. iwritessays.com, 9. essayshark, 10. bluecorp, 11. lancerhop, 12. writers lab, 13. dame magazine, 14. the change agent, 15. buzzfeed, 16. narratively, 17. new york times modern love, 18. the smart set, 19. vox first person, 20. practical wanderlust, what are the advantages of getting paid to write essays, what is the best essay writing site.

Writers Work is a popular platform for new freelance writers. It connects writers, including aspiring essayists, with online clientele, enabling you to fulfill tasks and earn income, all from the comfort of your office or library. You’ll need to pay a fee to sign up. Once inside, Writers Work aggregates dozens of writing jobs and opportunities across various niches and magazines. If you want to spend more time writing essays and less time pitching, it’s worth checking out. Read our Writers Work review to learn more. 

Academic Writers Online has a free application process for potential freelancers. This site has a small pool of writers, so you have a better chance of getting quality freelance writing work here. They pay between $9 and $15 per page, and writers are paid on their credit card via wire transfer two times per month. You can also check out our guide on how to get paid to write a blog .

PaperHelp is an academic essay page that takes ghostwriters. You must submit a resume via email, then take a writing test. Understanding MLA and APA formatting is helpful for this page. After the initial test, they then put writers on probation for lower pay, and eventually, you can work your way up the writer ladder if you publish flawless work, opening the door to higher-paid work.

SpeedyPaper is a large essay and paper writing company that provides excellent customer support for its paying customers. To write for them, you will need to email them or use the live chat feature to access the writer application. They pay a minimum of $8 per page, but the pay range varies depending on the length and type of paper.

AdvancedWriters has a large team of writers who write everything from case studies to research papers. They do not advertise their rates or application process, but you can email them directly to get the application. They have a writing test and sample essay process you will need to go through to write for them. You may also be interested in our guide on the best ways to get paid to write poetry .

Writing Creek has a constant workload of academic writing projects. They pay between $4 and $12 a page, depending on experience, via Payoneer or PayPal. You will need proficiency in your area of study and good use of the English language. You will need to take a test and submit a sample essay to write essays for money for this site.

Essaypro offers payment on the 15th of each month and then again on the last day of the month. They don’t use PayPal but Payoneer, so writers must be comfortable with that. Customers will place orders; then, writers bid on those orders. Turning in papers on time and following directions will increase the pay rate.

iWriteEssays advertises itself as a student homework help and essay writing service. Students use an order form to input the instructions and deadline for their paper, and then they get matched to a writer with the correct writing style. As a writer, you’ll interact directly with the student to ensure the final project meets their needs well. You must upload a writing sample and pass a grammar test on writing for them. They don’t publish their writing rates.

EssayShark is a unique essay writing service. They allow freelance writers to register as writers and then bid on writing projects. They have a high work volume, and writers who deliver excellent work can get bonuses, but there can be a lot of competition for available jobs. If you feel like taking on the competition of bidding for jobs, consider registering here.

Bluecorp is a top-notch writing website for essay writers. They are very strict about their formatting, so you will need to know how to make a title page, references page, citations, and similar structural elements of academic papers. They also offer proofreading and editing services for students. Work is paid per page with a range of $3.50 to $9 a page for writers with an undergraduate degree, and all work must be plagiarism free.

LancerHop is a unique site in that it offers both academic writers and writers for web content and general copywriting. They also have review writers. If you are looking for freelance writing jobs that cover a wide range of topics and are interested in adding essay writing to your skillset, apply for LancerHop. You will need to take a writing test for this site. The rate of pay will vary depending on the type of work you do.

Writers Lab offers academic essay and personal essay writing jobs and general article writing. This is a one-stop shop for freelance writers, and they pay between $5 and $26 per page with bonuses if you are very efficient with your work. Writers Lab hires both native English writers and ESL writers for their writing projects.

Dame Magazine takes personal essays on subjects that interest women. The current pay rate is around 13 cents per word, with an average of $350 to $750 per piece. This particular magazine is looking for edgy, unexpected topics. You will have to pitch a topic to the site to get your writing published.

The Change Agent accepts essays on social justice and changes topics. This magazine focuses on adult education, paying $50 for essays between 200 and 1,000 words. However, payment is made in the form of a gift card, not actual money. Also, they only take articles a few times per year, and they will publish a topic to write on.

If you want to write personal and argumentative essays and get a lot of exposure for your work, then Buzzfeed is your site. You can pitch topics on culturally hot topics. They are looking for argumentative essays that connect to culture in some way, and they pay well. The average pay rate is between 13 and 27 cents per word for accepted essays.

If you have a personal story, consider pitching it to Narratively . They are looking for essays with click-bait titles that will gather traffic from social media. All essays for this site need a takeaway, which is a lesson for the reader. Expect between $200 and $300 for accepted essays between 2,000 and 2,500 in length.

The New York Times is a prestigious publication, and you may be able to get a piece posted through the Modern Love column . Your essay will need to cover marriage, dating, and relationships in some way. They also accept parenting articles. The pay is $300 per essay of 1,500 to 1,700 words.

The Smart Set is an established print magazine for the literary world. It is published through Drexel University in Pennsylvania and is regularly on the lookout for personal essays. The rate of pay is 7 cents per word. This magazine prefers long essays between 1,000 and 3,000 words.

Vox First Person takes first-person essays or thoughtful discourses on hot political and cultural topics. You will need to email the First Person Editor to pitch your topic, but you will earn between 19 and 41 cents per word for essays up to 3,000 words.

If you want to become a travel writer and make money on essays, consider writing for Practical Wanderlust . They pay $300 a piece for essays of around 3,000 words and require pitches. You will need an essay that makes people stop and think or laugh, and it must be travel related.

FAQs About Ways to Get Paid to Write Essays

Learning to write essays for pay can help you add to your freelance writing income. You will be able to write on various topics and have steady work. There is a high demand and great flexibility to write for this niche.

EssayPro is considered one of the top essay-writing sites. It pays consistently and has steady work. Customers know they can count on EssayPro to deliver plagiarism-free high-quality work.

To learn more, check out our tips on blogging for writers !

Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006. She specializes in education content and real estate writing but enjoys a wide gamut of topics. Her goal is to connect with the reader in an engaging, but informative way. Her work has been featured on USA Today, and she ghostwrites for many high-profile companies. As a former teacher, she is passionate about both research and grammar, giving her clients the quality they demand in today's online marketing world.

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30+ Websites to Write and Get Paid Instantly

This page may contain links from our sponsors. Here’s how we make money .

If you have a flair for writing, why not turn this into an income stream?

Whether you want a side gig or are looking to replace your full-time income, there are some great opportunities to get paid instantly for writing content .

Freelance writing allows you to do something you enjoy with the flexibility to work around your current schedule. However, it can be a challenge to find places that will pay you to write. Although there are many content mills around, they tend to be very low-paying. Because freelance writing is hard work, it can become demotivating if you struggle to earn fair compensation for your time.

The websites listed here may not offer the highest-paying writing opportunities (although some are very good), but if you’re struggling to find writing jobs, these opportunities could serve as a way to gain more experience while still making money. Higher-paying writing assignments could come with time.

Table of Contents

Opportunities to Write and Get Paid Instantly

1. listverse.

Listverse is considered the original Top 10 website, which not only makes for an interesting read, but also a potential source of income and getting paid instantly. Listverse will pay $100 for your list. You will need to compile an interesting and unique list and send it in. If Listverse approves it, you will receive a reply confirming it will be published and $100 into your PayPal account. You will need a list with at least a paragraph or two per item, so get creative. The worst-case scenario is that your list will be rejected and you will be encouraged to try again.

Learn more here: http://listverse.com/write-get-paid/

2. Wonderslist

Another list site that pays freelance writers for submissions is Wonderslist. If you have a unique, different idea, then turn it into a list. Your list needs to be 10 things with a word count of more than 1500 words. The content needs to be interesting and not have been previously published. You will not only get paid instantly, but also get an author credit on the post, which can be a great line on your freelance writing resume. You will need to get your article approved by the Wonderslist editorial team, and there are some topics that are not permitted, such as gambling, adult content, drugs, or violent content.

Learn more here: https://www.wonderslist.com/write-us/

Cracked is a popular comedy site with content that is seen by lots of people. While the site is picky about what they will publish, there are no credentials for writers. This means that if you have writing skills and a good idea, you can get paid. Cracked is famous for list-style features, so if you have lots of ideas, it is worth trying to write articles and get published. All you need to do is sign up for the Cracked writers’ forum and follow the submission guidelines.

Learn more here: https://www.cracked.com/write-for-cracked/

Tutsplus helps students to learn technical and creative skills through courses and tutorials. So, if you have specialist knowledge or skills, you can get paid to share your experience and ideas. You will need to create a tutorial that can inspire people to learn a new skill. You will need to submit a request and follow the submission guidelines.

Learn more here: https://tutsplus.com/teach

5. SitePoint

Sitepoint produces information hubs with a focus on creating content for a linear path for skills, such as web performance and React. The content is determined in advance and assigned to authors, but ideas are welcome. The site has an embedded form to apply, and if you’re approved, you will be added to the contributor pool and contacted when the editors are planning new hubs. You will need to be prepared to meet specific guidelines and produce engaging, high-quality content.

Learn more here: https://www.sitepoint.com/write-for-us/

6. Smashing Magazine

Smashing Magazine is a publication for web developers and web designers , so if you have an interest or experience in this niche, you could earn extra cash as a contributor. Smashing Magazine publishes tutorials, opinion pieces, case studies, and longer guides. The editors prefer to see initial outlines before you submit a completed article, so the content can be refined to something acceptable. You will not only be paid for your content but receive a byline, which boosts your freelance writing profile. Read through the writing process guide and use the contact form to submit your ideas.

Learn more here: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/write-for-us/

7. Photoshop Tutorials

Photoshoptutorials.ws allows you to share a tutorial with thousands of site visitors each day. You can earn anywhere from $50 to $300 for quick tips through to full tutorials. You don’t need to have a tutorial ready before submitting the form, so you can check if it qualifies for publication.

Learn more here: https://www.photoshoptutorials.ws/money-photoshop/

8. InstantShift

As a freelance writer, you can make money online writing articles for InstantShift. They require articles on design-related topics, and they pay based on the quality and volume of the content. You don’t need specific experience or requirements, but you need to produce fresh, creative content that is well-researched. You will need to provide some information to identify yourself as the writer of the post and use the website form for submissions.

Learn more here: http://www.instantshift.com/contribute/

9. DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean supports tech-focused charities and non-profits, and the Write for Donations program supports creating content for the site’s public knowledge base. You can earn $300 for a typical tutorial, and the site matches every payout with a charitable donation.

Learn more here: https://www.digitalocean.com/write-for-donations/

10. Make A Living Writing

Make A Living Writing pays for guest posts about the business of freelance writing for $75 to $150 per post. This includes posts about blogging , copywriting, ghostwriting, work-life balance, marketing, moving up to earn more, productivity, self-publishing, and writing craft. You will need to pitch your ideas and follow the Facebook page for notifications of when the pitch programs open.

Learn more here: https://www.makealivingwriting.com/why-i-pay-writers/

11. Writers Weekly

Writers Weekly focuses on articles about making money writing and pays $60 for 600-word articles. You will need to avoid generic topics and think about whether your article will help the reader make money from writing. You will need to submit a query letter and will usually receive a reply within a week.

Learn more here: https://writersweekly.com/writersweekly-com-writers-guidelines

12. Funds for Writers

Funds for Writers require articles about earning a living writing. The articles need to be 500 to 600 words with a payment of $50 for original articles. Avoid rambling when you write articles, as the editors want concise content that gets to the point. Your article must be themed around earning your living as a writer, so avoid generic subjects and think about unique tips and ideas, unusual income streams, success stories , and pointers for winning contests.

Learn more here: https://fundsforwriters.com/submissions/

13. The Barefoot Writer

Earn money writing articles for Barefoot Writer, which is a popular subscription magazine helping people to make money from home as freelance writers. You can get $100 to $300 for a published article, but you will need to follow the submission guidelines carefully. You should also be aware that The Barefoot Writer does receive lots of pitches each week, so it is not possible to respond to everyone. Generally, if you’ve not heard back within two weeks of submitting your pitch, consider it rejected and try to think of another article idea to submit.

Learn more here: http://www.thebarefootwriter.com/submission-guidelines

14. FreelanceMom

If you’re a mom looking for freelance writing jobs, The FreelanceMom just might be it for you. This community supports freelance or solopreneur moms. They enjoy content that offers actionable, practical advice, tips, or case studies between 900 and 1500 word count. It is a good idea to use your personal experience, so this is really more suited to writers who are parents. The content must be original, and you will receive $75 to $100 via PayPal.

Learn more here: http://www.freelancemom.com/guest-post-guidelines/

15. IncomeDiary

If you’re a professional writer, you can start writing for IncomeDiary and get paid by sharing your expertise. Articles need to be of the highest standard, but you can receive up to $200. You can use the online form to submit your post idea, and you will receive writing instructions.

Learn more here: https://www.incomediary.com/write-for-incomediary

16. The Penny Hoarder

Share your writing skills on The Penny Hoarder and earn money online. They want original articles on a variety of topics from cricket farming to couponing. The posts need to be between 700 to 900 words, practical and fun, particularly if they are based on personal experience.

Learn more here: https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/contributor-guidelines/

17. Money Pantry

Money Pantry looks for posts of 700 words or more written in a friendly “blog” style that helps the reader. You can add a short bio to promote your writing, and you’ll be paid $30 to $150 per blog post depending on the quality and usefulness of the content.

Learn more here: https://moneypantry.com/contribute/

18. The Dollar Stretcher

The Dollar Stretcher is a collective of publications promoting “living better for less,” providing readers with ways to save money and time. You can write and get paid on this frugal living blog but you need to query your post idea before submission, and it should be up to 800 words. There are hundreds of articles already on the blog, so pitching an idea is crucial before you start to draft your post. The Dollar Stretcher will not accept articles that repeat already published content, so wait until your pitch is checked. If the concept is approved, you’ll receive $0.10 per word, so that is $100 for a 1000-word article.

Learn more here: https://www.stretcher.com/menu/writers.cfm

19. International Living Magazine

The International Living magazine offers writing jobs that are focused on living, retiring, real estate, and traveling around the world. This is not a travel magazine, so tips, tricks, and insider insight articles work best. Approved articles can command a rate of $225 for a 900-word piece, and if your photographs are used, you will receive an additional $50 for one-time use.

Learn more here: https://internationalliving.com/about-il/write-for-il/write-for-international-living-magazine/

20. International Living’s Daily Postcards

Another area where you can make money with International Living is with the Daily Postcards section. If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen overseas, you can earn money online telling your story. Generally, postcards are at least 600 words and published postcards are paid at a rate of $100. It is worth signing up for the Daily Postcards archive to familiarize yourself with the style before you submit your ideas.

Learn more here: https://internationalliving.com/about-il/write-for-il/write-for-international-livings-daily-postcards/

21. Fund Your Life Daily and The Savvy Retiree

The third area where you can make money with International Living is the Fund Your Life Daily e-letter. Stories range from 500 to 700 words and are paid at a rate of $100.

Learn more here: https://internationalliving.com/about-il/write-for-il/write-for-fund-your-life-daily-and-the-savvy-retiree/

22. The Travel Writer’s Life

The Travel Writer’s Life publishes articles on getting paid to travel. So, if you have enjoyed success in travel writing or photography, you can share your insider tips. Submissions should be up to 600 words, and you can receive $50 to $200 depending on the type of content.

Learn more here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/writers-guidelines/

23. Matador Network

The Matador Creator community is a collective of writers, photographers, filmmakers, and editors. There is a board of the latest writing jobs, so you may find a project that is perfect for your location, interest, and skillset. Remuneration depends on the specific project, but you can expect great rates.

Learn more here: https://creators.matadornetwork.com/

24. Great Escape Publishing

Great Escape Publishing looks for articles on getting paid to travel. The pay is $150 for personal stories, articles, and interviews. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the publication to meet the subscription guidelines.

Learn more here: https://www.greatescapepublishing.com/writers-guidelines/

25. Clubhouse Magazine

The Clubhouse Magazine inspires and teaches Christian values to children aged 8 to 12. The team offers freelance writing jobs focusing on contemporary stories, historical fiction, choose your adventure, and non-fiction. Generally, the pay is 15 to 25 cents a word, depending on editing requirements.

Learn more here: https://www.clubhousemagazine.com/submission-guidelines

26. Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family looks for practical, hands-on parenting content of up to 300 words. This includes tips and tricks that you were surprised worked, and guidance to help children become motivated or calm their emotions. The pay is $50 on acceptance.

Learn more here: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/magazine/call-for-submissions

Write and get paid by Dame, which looks for features covering reproductive rights, civil rights, politics, race, gender, disability, cultural trends, and LGBTQ. They offer competitive rates depending on the type of feature. You need to promote a strong viewpoint with an original voice, but the reported pay is $200 per post.

Learn more here: https://www.damemagazine.com/about/

28. Her View from Home

Her View from Home covers categories including parenting, family, relationships, and faith. You can submit original and previously published pieces in 600 to 800 words. The pay is related to the number of views, but it can be up to $100.

Learn more here: https://herviewfromhome.com/contact-us/write-for-her/

29. JustParents

Earn money writing for Just Parents, which publishes information for primarily first-time parents and pregnant couples. Articles are typically informational pieces or lighthearted opinion articles between 700 and 1500 words. Just Parents provides a style guide to help you to familiarize yourself with suitable content. You will need to submit a pitch and get approval before you start writing, but payment is via PayPal within a day of the article’s approval.

Learn more here: https://www.justparents.co.uk/write-for-justparents/

30. This Old House

If you’ve renovated your home and completed most of the work yourself, you can share your experience and earn $250. You must send copies of a floor plan, a description of the work, and before and after pictures. You’ll receive a payment if your project is featured.

Learn more here: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/tell-us-your-story

31. EatingWell

Get paid to write for EatingWell, which is a food magazine focused on eating healthily. The publication is looking for ideas for articles that fit into a specific department. This includes food stories, good health, travel, trends, and good life. On approval, there is a lead time of up to 6 months and a pay rate of $1 per word.

Learn more here: http://www.eatingwell.com/article/290691/writers-guidelines/

32. The Change Agent

The Change Agent is focused on adult learners. Submissions must meet the publication deadline and be up to 1000 words. Publishing calls are published twice each year, typically in August and February for submission in November and May respectively. Submissions are reviewed, and approved articles are paid at $50.

Learn more here: https://changeagent.nelrc.org/write-for-us/

32. Dropzone

Dropzone provides factual, quality content in different styles from general articles to reviews and press releases. There are word counts for specific categories and different rates. You will need to contact Dropzone for further details and compensation.

Learn more here: https://www.dropzone.com/articles/about/dropzonecom-article-submission-guidelines-r688

33. Eureka Street

Eureka Street accepts submissions of up to 800 words, but you need to adhere to the writer guidelines. The articles need to provide commentary or ethical analysis of religion, politics, current events, and popular culture around the world. Approved articles are paid at $200 for up to 1000 words. Before submission, you need to familiarize yourself with the Eureka Street style to increase the chances of your article being published.

Learn more here: http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=33927#.VjraH2SrT

Final Thoughts

Starting a new career is not easy and kickstarting your freelance writing career is no exception. Although it is possible to grind out a part-time income writing for content mills, if you want to earn a serious wage, you need to look around for sites that will pay for your efforts.

It can be overwhelming to think about where to start, but these 30 plus sites that pay you instantly for your writing should be a great stepping stone to a fantastic new career. Even as a newbie with no writing experience, you can still get paid good rates for your original and interesting writing ideas. Hopefully, this list has shown where you can start, but it is just the tip of the iceberg, with hundreds of sites that pay for contributing writer content.

READ NEXT: Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners

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Get Paid to Write: 160 Websites That Pay Freelancers to Write

There are many websites out there that will pay you to write articles and blog posts.

But truth be told, not all of them are worth your time.

That’s why I have spent hours researching and comparing different get-paid to-write websites to make this list of the 160 best websites that pay freelance writers.

And to make your life easier, I made sure to divide them into different categories, so you can find the perfect opportunity for you.

So without further ado, let’s make money writing online.

Table Of Contents

• LiisBeth: Up To $2,000 Per Post

Other Sites

• Alaska Airlines Magazine: Up To $700 Per Post
• Gray’s Sporting Journal: Up To $1250 Per Post
• PTO Today: Up To $700 Per Post
• Youth Today: Up To $2,000 Per Post
• American Educator: Over $300 Per Post
• Fantasy And Science Fiction: Up To $3,000 Per Post
• The Sun Magazine: Up To $2,000 Per Article
• Western Art & Architecture: Up To $600 Per Post
• Eating Well: Up To $2,000 Per Post
• The American Gardener: Up To $600 Per Post
• Sports Spectrum: Up To $420 Per Post
• Cracked: Up To $200 Per Post
• Reader’s Digest: Up To $100 Per Post
• Photoshop Tutorials: Up To $300 Per Tutorial
• Problogger: Up To $0.15 Per Word

Other Freelance Writing Services

How do i start writing and get paid, how much can i earn from writing, can i get paid to write about anything, what type of writing makes the most money, do you want to get paid to write, get paid to write about business & finance, liisbeth : up to $2,000 per post.

LiisBeth is a media company for and about women in the new economy.

They want original voices on topics like social enterprise, entrepreneurship, freelancing, and innovation to help other female entrepreneurs.

Send your story idea or query to their email with any previously published work.

And if they like it, they’ll get back to you and let you know what they’re willing to pay.

Get Paid To Write About Vacation & Travel

Alaska airlines magazine : up to $700 per post.

Alaska Airlines is looking for fresh, original writing and stunning photography for their in-flight print magazine.

Their magazine reaches over 2 million travelers each year, so this is a great opportunity to get your work seen by a large audience.

To apply as a freelance writer, send them an email with your story idea, a brief summary of your qualifications in the writing career, and some samples of your work.

Also, make sure to check their submission guidelines and editorial calendar to see what they’re looking for in upcoming issues.

Get Paid To Write About Outdoor Activities & Sports

Gray’s sporting journal : up to $1250 per post.

Gray’s Sporting Journal is one of the most prestigious online publications in the outdoor & hunting niche.

The journal is published 7 times a year, and they are always looking for freelance writers like you to write new, original content on a variety of outdoor topics.

Over 90% of their audience are hunters and anglers, so they are especially interested in stories about these topics.

They also accept articles on bird dogs, upland game birds, fly fishing, and other outdoor activities.

So if you have extensive knowledge about hunting and fishing, then this is the best place for you.

Get Paid To Write About Parenting

Pto today : up to $700 per post.

PTO Today accepts submissions about Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) fundraising, leadership, playground projects, education, and advocacy.

They prefer submissions to be between 600 and 2,200 words, and they pay $100-$700 per article.

Get Paid To Write For Teens

Youth today : up to $2,000 per post.

Youth Today is looking for articles about after-school programs, at-risk youth, community service organizations, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, education, job training, and more. Freelance writers can really find a lot of interesting things here.

It’s a great site for anyone who wants to make a living as a freelance writer writing articles about social issues affecting kids and teens.

Get Paid To Write About Education

American educator : over $300 per post.

American Educator is looking for articles about education politics, labor issues, and new trends in education across the country. It is one of the more popular freelance writing sites nowadays.

They pay at least $300 per post, and they prefer submissions to be between 1,000 and 5,000 words.

Get Paid To Write Fiction, Short Stories, And Poems

Fantasy and science fiction : up to $3,000 per post.

If you are a talented freelance writer who can write compelling short stories or novels, then you can make good money publishing on Fantasy and Science Fiction. If you have a nag for writing and you like fantasy, this is one of the best freelance writing sites for you.

They pay $0.08 to $0.12 per word for stories in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and slipstream. You can also make money writing poems .

Get Paid To Write About Politics & News

The sun magazine : up to $2,000 per article.

The Sun Magazine is a general interest magazine that covers a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, and arts. It is one of the most recognized freelance writing sites. If you have been on the lookout for good online writing jobs online and you want one that pays well, consider signing up for The Sun Magazine.

You can expect to make 300 to $2,000 per article, depending on the length and complexity of your article.

Get Paid To Write About Arts & Crafts

Western art & architecture : up to $600 per post.

This magazine is aimed at architects, interior designers, and art collectors in the Western United States.

They are looking for articles about architecture, interior design, and art collections from a lifestyle perspective. If you think that you can excel in this niche, then this is the best freelance writing gig you can find nowadays. What are you waiting for? Kickstart your freelance writing career right now. Now let’s take a look at some more online writing jobs you might want to look into.

Get Paid To Write About Lifestyle

Eating well : up to $2,000 per post.

If you have a passion for healthy living, then you can earn money writing online with this online publication.

Eating Well are looking for freelancer to write articles or personal stories about family recipes, healthy food idea, food sustainability, and more.

They pay $0.1 per word for articles and even more money for feature stories.

Get Paid To Write About DIY, Home Improvement, And Gardening

The american gardener : up to $600 per post.

The American Gardener is the official magazine of the American Horticultural Society with over 20,000 members.

They are looking for articles about all aspects of gardening, including design, planting, maintenance, and any successful projects related to gardening.

Get Paid To Write About Religion

Sports spectrum : up to $420 per post.

If you are into sports and have Christian faith, then this is the market for you.

Sports Spectrum is looking for articles about how religion can be a positive influence in sports.

Get Paid To Write Jokes

Cracked : up to $200 per post.

Cracked is a website that focuses on humor, pop culture, and viral content.

If can write articles that are both funny and informative, then you can make a lot of money writing for Cracked.

Reader’s Digest : Up To $100 Per Post

Reader’s Digest is a general interest magazine with a global readership of over 40 million.

They are looking for articles that are funny, heartwarming, and inspirational, so if you have a joke that fits that bill, be sure to submit it!

Get Paid To Write About Web & Technology

Photoshop tutorials : up to $300 per tutorial.

If you are an expert in Photoshop and can write articles that are informative and easy to follow, then this is the market for you.

Photoshop Tutorials are looking for tutorials on all aspects of Photoshop, from beginner to advanced.

Services To Find Freelance Writing Gigs

Problogger : up to $0.15 per word.

Problogger is a website that helps bloggers to improve their writing skills and make money from their blogs.

They also have a job board where you can find freelance writing jobs for any niche you can think of.

From personal finance to travel writing, there’s bound to be a gig that interests you.

How much you get paid depends on the quality of your article, how much research you put into it, and the length of the article.

In general, you can expect to earn anywhere from $0.3 to $0.15 per word.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The best way to start writing and get paid is to find a writing niche that suits your interests and skills .

Once you’ve found a niche, you can start pitching article ideas to websites that pay freelancers to write articles or look for freelance writing platforms like Upwork and Problogger.

How much you can earn from writing depends on a number of factors, including your writing skills, the quality of your articles, and the length of your articles.

But you can expect to earn about $3,000 writing articles .

Yes, you can get paid to write about anything. There are markets for just about any topic you can think of, from personal finance to lifestyle and travel.

So, if you have a particular interest or skill, there’s likely a market for your article ideas.

Book ghostwriting is the highest-paying writing gig you can get, but it’s also one of the most competitive.

Other high-paying writing gigs include copywriting, business writing, and medical writing.

If you’re looking for ways to get paid to write articles, there are plenty of options available.

No matter what your interests or skills are, there’s likely a market for your personal story or blog post idea.

From my experience, the best way to get paid to write is to start your own blog and monetize it with affiliate marketing.

Matt Diggity

Matt is the founder of Diggity Marketing, LeadSpring, The Search Initiative, The Affiliate Lab, and the Chiang Mai SEO Conference. He actually does SEO too.

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37 Sites That Pay to Write Articles Online

by Stanley Udegbunam | Dec 26, 2023 | Making Money | 0 comments

Are you looking for sites that pay to write articles online? Working from home as a freelance article writer allows you to do so. Every day, new job opportunities for article writers are posted.

Numerous opportunities exist for freelance writers to earn income while doing what they love. From content creation to blogging, there are countless websites and platforms that offer compensation for quality written content. 

In this article, we will explore 37 websites that pay writers for their articles. I’ve categorized them into three – niche platforms, freelance, and writing platforms.

Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

Niche Platforms

Niche platforms cater to writers with expertise or a passion for particular niches. As a result, you can share your knowledge and earn income within the chosen niches. Below are some popular niche platforms.

1. Neptune 

Neptune is a metadata repository for machine learning researchers and engineers that includes experiment tracking and model registration.

Neptune is used for machine learning research. As a result, they are mostly anticipating data science and machine learning-related content. 

So, if you have a background in AI/ML, this platform is for you.

Payment ranges from $250 to $500 per tutorial.

Learn more about   Neptune

Food52 focuses on food and cooking. They allow food enthusiasts to write recipes, tips, and articles and earn money through their Partner Program. 

Payment: Depending on the estimated length and volume of work, Food52 pays flat prices as opposed to per word. This may be as little as $200 for a brief post or simple recipe (plus up to $50 for ingredient reimbursements). Or as much as $500 for bigger projects.

Learn more about   Food52

3. LogRocket 

Tutorials on React, Redux, Node.js, Wasm, GraphQL, Rust, Flutter, and other technologies are in high demand.

LogRocket combines session replay, error monitoring, and product analytics to enable software teams to build the best online and mobile product experiences possible.

The LogRocket blog is a well-known resource among front-end developers worldwide. 

Payment ranges from $250 to $400 per article.

Learn more about   LogRocket

4. Wellbeing

This Australian-based journal has a physical and online presence and covers a wide range of health and wellness subjects. 

Wellbeing accepts submissions based on four main article kinds. These include travel, special reports, and real-life experiences. 

Payment ranges from $150-$1700 (AU) for articles up to 2000 words.

Learn more about   Wellbeing 

5. The Krazy Coupon Lady

The Krazy Coupon Lady is a website that provides coupons and money-saving ideas. 

Their content is centered on offering helpful guides on how to save money using coupons and other tactics. 

You may check out The Krazy Coupon Lady’s writer’s standards and submission procedures on their website if you’re interested in contributing to their publication.

Payment:   This ranges between $50 and $100 per article.

Learn more about   The Krazy Coupon Lady

6. Tutorialspoint

Tutorialspoint is a website for all technical individuals since it provides step-by-step instructions for every technological issue.

Almost every techie has heard of this company. Their site is full of technical information. 

But as we all know, new technology is released every month. Thus, the need for writers never ends.

Payment ranges from $250 to $500 for each tutorial.

Learn more about   Tutorialspoint

7. English Island Journal

The English Island Journal addresses issues relating to the conservation of wildlife and land, scientific and technological advancements, environmental protection and public policy, energy, agriculture, and animal rights. 

Content that explores the connections between environmental challenges and other social justice and human rights concerns particularly piques their interest. 

They news writers to write news, articles, analysis, features, interviews, and reviews and not fiction or poetry.

Payment:   $0.25 cents/word for 1,200-1,500 words and longer investigative features (2,500-3,000 words). Expect to earn about $750-$1000 for an in-depth feature story (4,000 words).

Learn more about   English Island Journal 

VICE is a media firm that pays authors for their work and covers politics, culture, and news. 

They attract a large number of those who are interested in current affairs, social issues, and culture and have a reputation for their edgy and thought-provoking content. 

Your post must meet their strict editing standards and be well-researched, educational, and captivating in order to be published.  

Payment:   This ranges between $250 and $500 for each article.

Learn more about   VICE

9. Income Diary

Income Diary is a platform and website that offers various resources, articles, and guidance related to online business, entrepreneurship, and Internet marketing. The firm began as a graphic forum, with 1000 users signing up in just six months.

Income Diary operates profitably with 400 blog entries, 7 instructional courses, and software that sells and influences millions of users.

They require articles on SEO, startup business, social media, blogging, and more. 

Payment:    $200 for articles with a minimum of 1,500 words.

Learn more about   Income Diary

Auth0 is a versatile, simple-to-use solution for adding authentication and authorization services to an application. It is a user-friendly, extensible authentication and authorization framework. 

It is the world’s most-read developer blog. Here, developers talk about issues such as security, Python, and so on.

Payment:   Up to $500 per article.

Learn more about   Auth0

11. Cooking Detective

Cooking Detective is a website dedicated to studying various culinary and cooking-related subjects. 

Writers who want to share their culinary knowledge can write various articles. These topics can be on kitchen appliances, recipes, and other facets of the culinary industry. If you love food and enjoy writing about it, 

Cooking Detective gives you the chance to share your expertise while also earning money for your efforts. 

Payment costs up to  $75 for each article. 

Learn more about   Cooking Detective 

12. Transition Abroad

Transition Abroad is a travel magazine. it encompasses a broad variety of subjects relating to travel, work, schooling, living, volunteering overseas, and more. 

There are a ton of themes available in their writer’s handbook.

The pandemic caused this website to prioritize articles that highlight “your experience with virtual internship programs.

It includes virtual volunteering, virtual learning (including language study), online teaching and other international jobs, and online learning to teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). 

Payment:    From $75 to $150 for an article in the 1250-3000+ word range. The average payment is $100. 

Learn more about   Transition Abroad

13. Christian Science Monitor

Christian Science Monitor provides news from across the world and the United States. 

It also features individuals changing the world and a Christian viewpoint on science, literature, the new economy, and energy.

Payment:   $.036 cents/word for 1,100-word profiles 

Learn more about   Christian Science Monitor

14. Geeks for Geeks

This is a geeky computer science portal. It comprises articles on computer science and programming that are well-written, well-thought-out, and explained.

It is a website that provides blogs, articles, and tutorials on computer science topics. Other services include computer science courses and IT interviews to help individuals in studying.

Payment:   $50-$100 for each article and prize.

Learn more about   Geeks for Geeks

15. CSS-Tricks

CSS-Tricks is a popular website among developers. This is because it gives answers to complex CSS ideas, making the developer’s life easier.

This is an excellent platform for learning CSS. It also gives an opportunity for authors interested in authoring articles about web development, particularly CSS.

Payment ranges from $300 to $400 for each post.

Learn more about   CSS-Tricks

16. Writer’s Digest

For the writing community, Writer’s Digest pays writers for articles about writing tips and techniques.

Writer’s Digest is currently accepting submissions from freelance writers. They are a print magazine with a circulation of 110,000. They have readers all over the world, but largely in North America.

Payment:   Up to $1,200 per article. 

Learn more about   Writer’s Digest

17. FundsforWriters 

FundsforWriters is a website that helps writers with tools and support.

They provide details about employment, gigs, freelancing, writing grants, and competitions for writers.

Payment:   Between $50 to $ 150 per article

Learn more about   FundsforWriters

18. SitePoint

SitePoint is one of the largest online communities for web professionals. It has a huge, active forum and hundreds of lessons.

Also, it includes a diverse selection of books, kits, and other instructional items.

SitePoint is a community for web developers to share their love of creating amazing Internet content. 

Articles about   Jamstack ,   Gatsby ,   Figma ,   Rust , and current web technologies are in high demand.

Payment ranges from $250 to $500 per article.

Learn more about   SitePoint

19. FreelanceMom

This website is dedicated to motherhood and pursuing career dreams. 

FreelanceMom prioritizes real-life stories, case studies, advice, and personal articles. All of these come with lessons learned about motherhood. 

However, this website is not limited to women alone. Men can also apply. 

Payment:   Rangers between $75 and $100

Learn more about   FreelanceMom

20. A List Apart

This platform is dedicated to web designers and developers. It offers payment for insightful articles on web design and development.

The platform primarily publishes articles, essays, and tutorials that cover a wide range of topics related to web design, web development, user experience (UX), and web standards.

They often seek out insightful and well-researched articles from industry experts and pay for contributions.

This approach has led to the publication of many influential and thought-provoking pieces on various aspects of web design and development.

Payment:   $100 per article

Learn more about   A List Apart

21. The Write Life

The Write Life is a website that provides authors with resources and guidance and also compensates writers for their work. 

They are known for sharing educational and interesting articles on a range of writing-related subjects.

This spans marketing, publishing, freelance writing, and more. 

In addition, they provide an array of tools and services for writers, such as community forums, job boards, and courses.

Payment:   It ranges from $75 to $100 for each article.

Learn more about   The Write Life

22. Great Escape Publishing

Great Escape Publishing focuses on a specific niche, which is travel writing and photography. They provide resources, training, and guidance for individuals interested in pursuing careers in this niche.

Great Escape Publishing offers a range of resources, including workshops, courses, and events. 

This will help aspiring writers and photographers hone their skills and find opportunities to get their work published.

Payment:   $150 for interviews, personal stories, and any articles they request.

Learn more about   Great Escape Publishing 

23. Nutri Inspector

The blog Nutri Inspector focuses on diet, nutrition, and weight loss. 

They release fresh, educational content, product evaluations, recipes, and how-to manuals.

You should apply for this blog if you’re interested in writing about fitness, diet and nutrition, and weight reduction strategies.

Payment:   Ultimate how-to guides (3000-4000 words): $120-$180

• Informational articles (2000-3000 words): $120
• Product reviews (1000 words): $60

Learn more about   Nutri Inspector 

24. Copyhackers

For authors who appreciate writing about branding, marketing, and user experience (UX) design, Copyhackers offers a number of chances. 

They also welcome submissions regarding advice for freelancers and entrepreneurship. 

If you would like to contribute to Copyhackers, go to their website, read the submission rules, and select an area of expertise to begin writing about. 

Payment:   $300 to $1,000 in income per article

Learn more about   Copyhackers

Freelancing Platforms 

1. textbroker.

Textbroker is a well-known network that serves as a hub for freelance writers wishing to work on a range of writing projects for a number of customers. 

The site functions as a content mill. 

Textbroker is a realistic option for authors looking for flexibility and the opportunity to make money via their writing abilities.

Payment ranges from $0.07 to $0.10 per word.

Learn more about   Textbroker

2. WriterAccess

WriterAccess is a platform that serves as a bridge between skilled writers and clients in search of high-quality content. 

It offers a space for writers to showcase their talents and cater to the diverse needs of clients.

One of the distinguishing features of WriterAccess is its adaptable compensation system. 

Writers on this platform are categorized according to their performance and expertise, often represented by star ratings.  

Payment ranges from $0.10 per word.

Learn more about   WriterAccess    

Cracked is a well-known online platform popular for its humorous stories. 

Cracked, known for its distinct and funny style, allows authors to exhibit their wit and humor. It is a site worth considering if you’re an aspiring writer with a sense of humor.

Payment costs up to  $200 for each piece.

Learn more about   Cracked .  

4. Vocal Media

Vocal Media has a number of writing challenges and contests where you may enter your work for a chance to win money.

Furthermore, their Vocal+ program compensates authors with a monthly fee for unique material.

Payment varies according to the effectiveness of your submissions. Members of Vocal+ may earn around $6 for every 1,000 readings.

Learn more about   Vocal Media

One of the most often-used websites for writers to locate jobs online is Upwork.   

Writers, graphic designers, videographers, marketers, and other creative workers can choose from a wide range of jobs available. 

All you need to do is complete your profile and upload samples of your written work. You may look for jobs and submit bids for the projects you’re interested in after your profile is complete.

Payment:   $5 to $20 per hour or $0.01 to $0.03 per word

 Learn more about   Upwork

nDash is a website that mainly serves as a platform for freelancers and writers. 

It connects writers with companies or clients who want written content.

It gives them a place to promote their writing skills and work with customers on a range of content projects, including whitepapers, blog posts, and articles.

Payment:    $150 – $450

Learn more about   nDash

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How can I find websites that pay for writing articles?

You can find websites that pay for articles by searching on popular freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. 

Additionally, you can explore dedicated platforms like Medium’s Partner Program, HubPages, Vocal Media, and Listverse, which pay writers for their content.

2. What types of articles are in demand on these sites?

The demand for articles can vary, but some popular categories include technology, health, finance, lifestyle, travel, and personal development. 

3. How much can I earn from writing articles online?

Earnings depend on factors such as your experience, niche expertise, and the platform you write for. Payment can range from a few dollars per article to hundreds of dollars, especially if you gain a reputation as an expert in your field. 

4. Do I need to have prior writing experience to get paid for my articles?

While prior writing experience is beneficial, it’s not always a strict requirement. Some websites and platforms are open to writers at various skill levels.

Final Thoughts

Remember, freelance writing is a competitive field. But with dedication and the right strategies, you can build a successful career and get paid for your articles. 

Try out the aforementioned platforms today and start earning when you write. Your determination and persistence will pay off in the long run. 

Good luck in your writing journey!

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I’m Stanley, founder of Website Hurdles and I curate high-quality guides geared towards making money online, profitable blogging and building passive income.

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197 magazines & websites that pay for essays.

Here’s a list of nearly two hundred publishers that pay writers for essays, covering a huge variety of topics.

We’ve done our best to find payment information and contact information for all of these publishers. They’ve also been organized by category, to make it easier to browse the listings, and to connect with publishers.

Because this is such a large list, we’ve done our best to make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date. However, if you find any errors, please let me know ([email protected])

For reference, here are some of the categories included:

• 9 Travel Websites & Magazines that Pay for Essays
• 6 Parenting Publishers that Pay for Essays
• 16 Entertainment / Lifestyle Publishers that Pay for Essays
• 5 Magazines and Websites that Pay for Essays About Writing
• 15 News/General Interest Publishers that Pay for Essays
• 7 Feminist Websites that Pay Writers for Essays
• 6 Food Publishers that Pay Writers for Essays
• 5 Christian Magazines that Pay for Essays
• 13 Canadian Magazines and Websites that Pay for Personal Essays

MyWorldAbroad offers “actual advice and commentary on every aspect of going abroad.” They are looking for story submissions. The stories can be of 2 formats: Q&A format (up to 2,400 words) and essay format (up to 2,400 words). They offer an honorarium of $50 per story. The honorarium is only offered to US and Canadian residents. For details, visit this page .

Curiosity is “a magazine for the conscious traveler.” Their readers are curious about politics, backgrounds, ingredients, and people. They publish travel features, food features, essays, ‘be a better traveler’ pieces, stories geared towards writers, bloggers, or influencers, and ‘just a taste’ stories. Their rate for ‘just a taste’ stories is $25. For all other pieces, their rates start at $150. Learn more about them here .

World Nomads provides travel insurance to independent travelers from over 150 countries. They are looking for personal stories regarding life-changing trips and experiences. They want stories that fall under the categories of love, fear, discovery, connection and transformation. They pay $0.50 per word for written stories and $350 to $600 for photo essays. For details, visit this page .

Holidays for Humanity “publishes original articles on mindful travel opportunities.” They also publish interviews and photo essays. they pay $50 to $75 for articles, $100 to $150 for interviews, and $150 to $200 for photographic essays. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Note that their link for submissions is incorrectly formatted. Submissions should be emailed to [email protected]

France Revisited is a web magazine that provides information, insights and impressions about travel, culture and life in France. The types of work that they publish include “journalism, review, analysis, experience, interview, opinion, essay, humor, vignette, video, photography.” They pay up to $50 per article, but this amount is subject to change. For details, refer to their contributors’ guidelines .

Adventure Cyclist is a bicycle-travel magazine that inspires and empowers people to travel by bicycle. They generally use two types of stories (i.e. feature-length stories and The Final Mile essays) from freelancers. The feature-length stories are about specific areas, whereas The Final Mile essays are “less about locale than about a singular experience while on a bicycle trip.” They generally pay $0.25 to $0.50 per word. To learn more, visit this page .

Porthole Cruise Magazineis a consumer focused travel magazine on the topic of cruises and cruising. They publish cruise ship reviews, destination travel information, and photo essays. Payment reports indicate a payment of $400 for an 800 word article. Rates will need to be negotiated. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Travelers’ Tales Collectionaccepts nonfiction travel essay for consideration in its anthologies. Editors look for personal nonfiction stories reflecting “that unique alchemy that occurs when you enter unfamiliar territory and begin to see the world differently as a result.” Previously published essays are considered. Shorter pieces have a better chance of being accepted. Payment is $100. To learn more, read writers’ guidelines: http://travelerstales.com/submission-guidelines/ .

Pathfinders Travel Magazine (The Travel Magazine for People of Color) is a quarterly publication containing articles on travel destinations (domestic and international) and vacation tips. The magazine’s goal is “to tell its readers where to go, what to do, where to dine, and how to get there from a cultural perspective.” Editors buy only original material; they do not publish historical pieces or travel essays. Payment is $150 for features (800-1000 words), Chef’s Table/Post Cards from Home (500-600 words), Wine Column, and Looking Back Column. To learn more, read writers’ guidelines: http://pathfinderstravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/WRITERS-GUIDELINES1.pdf .

Art & Design

Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) is a nonprofit organization that is a leading platform for critical thinking on contemporary jewelry. They are accepting proposals for articles and reviews. They pay $100 for shorter essays (about 500 to 1,000 words), $200 to $250 for longer reviews and articles (about 1,000 to 2,500 words), and $300 for research projects (about 2,500 to 5,000 words). To submit content, visit this page . To view their website standards, visit this page .

Temporary Art Review is “a platform for contemporary art criticism that focuses on alternative spaces and critical exchange among disparate art communities.” They pay $50 for reviews (500 to 900 words) and $75 for essays (1,200 to 2,000 words) and interviews. To learn more, refer to this page .

In the In-Between (In-B) is “an independent photo-arts journal that acts as a platform of support and critical examination of contemporary photographic authorship.” They welcome proposals from independent arts writers and organization affiliates. They pay $80 for essays and artist profiles (1,500 to 5,000 words), $50 for interviews (1,000 to 3,000 words), and $30 for book and exhibition reviews (500 to 1,000 words). To learn more, refer to this page .

Afterimage is a bimonthly publication that covers visual arts, photography, independent film and video, new media, and alternative publishing. They cover issues and debates within art history, visual and cultural studies, media studies, and related fields. They have features, essays, reviews, reports, news, media noted sections for writers, and double exposure, which are collaborations of photography and prose. The magazine is partly funded by New York State Council on the Arts. They pay $0.05/word for articles, max $300 for features, $150 for essays and $100 for news, reports and reviews. When I last checked, it was not clear whether their funding was still able to support paying writers. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Hyperallergic is an art blog, covering visual artists from around the world. According to their guidelines “while we’re technically an art publication, we’re not interested in speaking only to an art crowd.” They publish art reviews, reported stories, interviews, photo essays, opinion pieces, and more. Expect payment around five to fifteen cents per word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

North99 is a Toronto-based non-profit that creates “progressive content and opinion with the goal of shifting opinion and making Canada a more fair, equal, and inclusive country.” They are looking for pitches from workers, students, and ordinary Canadians. They pay a standard rate of $125 for opinions, reviews, personal essays, and policy arguments (usually 1,500 words or less). They pay a standard rate of $325 for articles that require substantial primary research and investigative work (usually over 2,500 words). To pitch them, visit this page .

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting is a citizens’ movement that is dedicated to defending Canadian culture and democracy. They publish essays, op eds, and feature articles (of up to 1,000 words) in both English and French. According to their website, their articles “offer a distinctly Canadian take on media-related issues and help readers understand the state of journalism and storytelling in our country and how the changing landscape affects our democracy, culture, and daily life.” They pay $250 CDN per article. Details here .

Emerging Policy Lab (EPL) is “designed for young people to inform the world about what they feel may be a pressing policy issue in the short to near future that policymakers need to be aware of.” They are accepting submissions on emerging issues from young people (aged 14 to 32) who are residing in the province of Ontario. Submissions can be in the form of op-eds or essays of 600 to 750 words. They pay successful contributors an honorarium of $200. Details here .

Maisonneuve is a Montreal-based quarterly of “arts, opinion and ideas.” They are looking for all kinds of non-fiction writing including essays, memoirs, reporting, and humor. Payment reports indicate that they pay $0.10 per word. To contact them, visit this page .

LiveWire Calgary is a news media organization that is committed to delivering timely, relevant, and unique Calgary-area stories. They are looking for stories (350 to 1,500 words), photo essays, and opinion pieces. They pay a base rate of $0.30 per word. To learn more, read their freelance guidelines .

C Magazine is a quarterly published contemporary art and criticism periodical based in Toronto, Canada. Each issue of the magazine has a theme. They welcome “writing on contemporary art and culture that is lively and rigorously engaged with current ideas and debates.” They accept pitches for reviews (800 to 1,000 words), columns (800 to 1,000 words), and feature essays, cultural analysis, and interviews (1,200 to 3,500 words). One payment report indicates that they pay $0.14 per word. To learn more, visit this page .

Hakai Magazine is an online magazine that “explores science, society, and the environment from a coastal perspective.” They are based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The length of stories and commentary in their “news & views” section is 300 to 800 words. While, the length of narratives, essays, profiles, and investigative pieces in their “features” section is 1,000 to 5,000 words. Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.60 per word. According to Hakai magazine’s website, they have a “modest travel budget and all expenses must be approved in advance.” To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

The Walrus is a Canadian general interest magazine that “provokes new thinking and sparks conversation on matters vital to Canadians.” They publish short essays, long-form narrative journalism, features, essays, fiction and poetry. Reports suggest that they pay their writers an average of $0.48 per word. To find out more, visit their submission guidelines .

Canadian Women in the Literary Artswants writing by women, trans, genderqueer, and two-spirit Canadian writers on topics relating to literary arts. Apart from book reviews, possible genres include creative non-fiction, literary criticism, essays, and any innovative, alternative or hybrid genres. Submissions should explore topics related to women and other marginalized groups in literary arts. Submissions can be in English or French. They pay CAD200. Details here .

The Hamilton Review of Books publishes twice annually, in Spring and Fall, and accepts work by Canadian writers. They publish book reviews and long-form essays on works of Hamiltonian, Canadian and international fiction, nonfiction, poetry and graphic novels. Reviews are 500-750 words and pay CAD50. Essays are 1,500-5,000 words and pay CAD75, and focus on a literary subject; authors may, for example, engage with a book’s subject matter as a jumping-off point for a thematic, personal essay. Details here .

Abilities is Canada’s foremost cross-disability lifestyle magazine. Topics include travel, health, sport, recreation, careers, education, transportation, housing, social policy, relationships, technology, family life, movie/book reviews, personality profiles, events and conferences. The magazine has a conversational tone. They’re not looking for personal essays, but encourage writers to draw on their experiences to illustrate a broader topic. They pay a kill fee if negotiated in advance. They pay $50 to $325. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Faith Today is a bimonthly Canadian general interest magazine connecting Evangelical Christians. Its content includes feature articles, short essays, news, and profiles of Canadian individuals and ministries. Editors buy both first North American serial print rights and perpetual web rights. Payment for most features is $0.25/word (800-1,800 words), essay – $Cdn 0.15/word (650-1,500 words), and reprints – $0.15/word. To learn more, read the writers’ guidelines: https://www.faithtoday.ca/writers .

subTerrain (Strong Words for a Polite Nation) is a literary magazine published 3 times per year. Its content includes fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, essays, and commentary. Editors look only for original material and are “happy to consider work from all corners of the identity spectrum.” Payment is $0.10 per word (to a maximum of $500) for fiction (up to 3,000 words), non-fiction (up to 4,000 words), and commentary ((up to 4,000 words). To learn more, read writers’ guidelines: http://subterrain.ca/about/35/sub-terrain-writer-s-guidelines/ .

The Salve is “a progressive Christian lifestyle publication covering love, doubt, politics, and more.” They are looking for essays, reported guides, news analysis, and book, music, movie and TV reviews. Their rates start at $200 and go up depending on experience and complexity. For more information, visit this page .

The Christian Century is a Chicago-based Christian magazine that “explores what it means to believe and live out the Christian faith in our time.” They invite readers to contribute first-person narratives (of less than 1,000 words) on the topics of lapse and feet. They pay $100 per essay. For details, visit this page .

Bearings Online is Collegeville Institute’s bi-weekly online publication that “examines relationships between religion and culture, highlights unexplored facets of contemporary religious life, and suggests faithful responses to today’s problems and opportunities.” They are looking for regular contributors who can write an essay, article, or book review (800 to 1,200 words long) once every two months. They pay $50 per piece. For details, visit this page .

Liguorian Magazine a Catholic magazine, bills itself “a redemptorist pastoral publication.” They publish articles, personal essays, and fiction. They pay 12 to 17 cents per word. They offer a free sample copy –– just send them a stamped envelope. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

The Lookout is a weekly magazine published to a Christian audience. Previously independent, it has “merged” with The Christian Standard. They are a general interest Christian magazine. The publish essays “dealing with topics of current concern.” According to our research, they pay up to 11 cents per word, with a maximum of 400 words. To contact them, read these submission guidelines.

Literary Journals

Slice is a literary journal that publishes fiction, non-fiction essays, and poetry. They were created by two book editors who wanted to “create a space where new voices were just as important as famous voices.” They pay $250 for stories and essays. They have funding from Amazon. To learn more read their submissions guidelines.

The Puritan is a literary journal that publishes interviews, essays, reviews, fiction, and poetry. They pay $100 for essays. Submissions are free, but they do charge for submissions to their contest.  To learn more, read their submission guidelines. You’ll need to scroll past the contest guidelines to get to the regular submission guidelines.

Strange Horizons is a speculative fiction magazine that publishes fiction, poetry, reviews, essays, and interviews. They pay 8 cents a word. For their fiction department, they want “speculative fiction, broadly defined.” They accept stories up to 10,000 words. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Environmental & Sustainability

Reckoning is “an annual journal of creative writing on environmental justice.” For their fourth issue, they are looking for pieces (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry) about urban nature and the environmental challenges of cities. They are especially looking for work from indigenous writers, writers of color, queer and transgender writers. According to their fiction and nonfiction editor , “I don’t have nearly enough essays and creative nonfiction, and I want them.” Payment is 6 cents per word for prose and $20 per page for poetry. They are always open for submissions, but their arbitrary cut-off point for the fourth issue is September 2019. To learn more, visit this page .

Grist is a non-profit online publication that covers climate and sustainability. They welcome “a wide range of freelance pitches, from reported essays to in-depth investigations to changemaker profiles and Q&As.” Their “core topics include clean energy, sustainable food, environmental justice, livable communities, and reinventing the economy through cutting-edge science and cleantech.” Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.27 per word. Details here .

Wild Lot Press is a publisher and residency program that focuses on “the curious gray areas between the natural world and civilization, and the influence of the wild on people, characters, and the creative process.” They are looking for pitches for essays, photo essays, book reviews, and interviews. They pay up to $250 for essays. They pay $150 for photo essays, $50 for book reviews, and $50 for interviews. To learn more, visit this page .

Whole Life Times is a bimonthly magazine that focuses on holistic living, mainly in Southern California. They accept queries for articles that reflect a holistic lifestyle in any area, including farming and sustainability. Writers can submit queries via email for features, the front-of-book section, or their personal essay section. Payment: $25 to $150, depending on article placement and length.   Submission Guidelines

Farm & Gardening

Texas Gardener publishes practical information for statewide garden enthusiasts. They accept queries and submissions for technical and feature articles as well as their Between Neighbors essay section. All pieces must focus on “Texas’s unique growing conditions.” They pay $50 to $200 for features and $50 for Between Neighbors essays. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Rebellious Magazine is feminist website that covers Chicago  news, events, politics and culture. They publish articles, essays and interviews. Payment is $50 per article. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Scum is a feminist-friendly web magazine based in Australia. Submissions should be classified as able to be classified as “fiction”, “culture”, “memoir”, “column”, “poetry”, and/or “review.” They only accept submissions from the first to the seventh of the month. So, if you’re not in that window, it’s time to draft your submission and then wait. They pay $60AUD per piece. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Ravishly describes itself as “the Internet’s cool aunt.” It brings an intersectional feminist perspective to issues that matter to its community, such as gender equality, body positivity, pop culture, and cat pictures. Pay varies but has been reported to usually be ~$50-$75 for each article or essay. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

Six Hens publishes first-person nonfiction stories about “moments that define and redefine.” They only accept submissions from women writers but the topic of the essay does not have to be about feminist or women’s issues. Pay is $50 for stories of up to 2,000 words. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

Femme Feminismis a hybrid fashion blog and feminist magazine. According to its editor Dena Marie Landon, “The site’s mission is to create an inclusive community for all women, feminine and non-binary, to discuss the intersection of fashion, femmes and feminism.” The editor publishes personal essays and historical pieces exploring these topics within a monthly theme. Payment is $75-$100 for essays (800-1,300 words). Writers must provide 3 photos to accompany their submissions. To learn more, contact the editor here.

HerStories Project is a website for Gen X women. They publish personal essays “about what it’s like to be a Gen-X woman at midlife. ” Payment is $80. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Women’s Voices for Change publishes news, commentaries, personal essays, and expert analysis. They seek to redefine the way women over 40 are seen in the culture. They pay $50 per post, though their “write for us” is not currently working. To learn more, contact the editors here.

Finance / Business

Fast Company is a progressive business media brand that focuses on innovation in technology, design, leadership, and ethonomics (ethical economics). They are seeking reported stories and essays that critically examine the impact of technology, while tracing an ethical way forward. They are mostly seeking stories from journalists. They pay $250 to $500 per piece. To learn more, refer to their deputy tech editor’s Twitter post and this link .

Food & Nutrition

Bon Appétit is a magazine that features recipes, cooking tips, reviews, and more. They are seeking “mid-to-longform reported articles that reflect the food world right now; profiles of fascinating, awesome people in food; hot takes on minuscule details like folding pizza; and personal essays with a strong angle.” Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.50 per word. To pitch, visit this page .

Smart Mouth E-Newsletter is a twice-monthly newsletter that is a companion to the Smart Mouth podcast. They pay $400 for “300 to 500-word posts, either essays or reported, about food/culture/food culture topics.” They pay $200 for “200 word-ish blurbs about a recommended restaurant or dish at a restaurant, with an excellent (excellent!) photo of its food to accompany the post.” For details, visit this page . 

Eaten is a print magazine focused on food history. They publish 3 times a year. Their magazine is “filled with a cornucopia of old recipes, enlightening gastronomic essays, and the fascinating and forgotten tales of the people who have grown, cooked, and enjoyed all things edible over the centuries.” They seek stories related to both food history and the theme of their upcoming edition. According to one payment report, they paid $200 for a reported story of 1,000 words. To contact them, refer to this page .

High Steaks Media is a multidisciplinary arts collective. They publish content on food and identity. They are “interested in the different ways food can be used to delve into a myriad of topics and broader cultural phenomena.” They welcome pitches for essays, reviews, and interviews (800 to 1,500 words). They pay $150 per piece. Details here .

Taste is an online magazine for those who love to cook at home. They are looking for original recipes, reported stories (500 to 2,000 words), concise guides for the home kitchen, chef and cookbook author profiles that have a home cooking angle, photo essays, shopping guides, opinion pieces, and colorful stories from unique home kitchens. According to payment reports, they pay up to $0.60 per word. To pitch, visit this page .

Serious Eats @ Medium is the member’s only version of the website Serious Eats. They publish articles about food, cooking, and eating. They pay $100 per article – 800 to 2,000 words. They prefer essays, but not “gauzy introspection that ends by evaporating into a puff of scented vapor.” They pay $100 per article/essay. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

General Interest / News

The New York Times covers politics, business, technology, science, health, sports, arts, style, movies, travel, books, education, jobs, real estate, and more. They accept opinion essays (400 to 1,200 words). According to payment reports, they pay up to $1.00 per word. Details here .

GEN is a publication by Medium about politics, power, and culture. They are looking for 3 to 4 pieces (on music, art, books, food, etc.) by critics of color each week. They pay $1.00 per word for essays/stories and $2.00 per word for reported pieces. For details, refer to this Twitter thread and this page .

Public Seminar is “a journal of ideas, politics and culture published by the Public Seminar Publishing Initiative at The New School.” They accept full submissions but recommend authors to pitch first if they are writing specifically for Public Seminar. They want essays and reviews of 800 to 2,000 words. They only pay students and people who are contingently employed. Pay: $200 per article. To learn more, refer to this page .

The American Interest is a bi-monthly magazine that focuses on American policy, politics, and culture. They welcome submissions of feature essays and book/film reviews. According to one payment report, they paid $200 for a blog post of 2,000 words. To learn more, refer to this page .

Prism is a nonprofit that is working in tandem with Daily Kos. They elevate “stories, ideas, and solutions from leaders, thinkers, and activists whose voices are critical to a reflective democracy.” They are seeking pitches for articles, essays, and op-eds. They pay 40 cents per word. They are also seeking comics, graphic stories, or other illustrated work, for which they pay $150 to $500. To learn more, refer to this  Twitter post  and their website .

The Morning News (TMN) is a webzine that covers “what’s interesting on the web, from breaking news to slow-tempo analysis, personal essays and restaurant trivia, investigative reporting, weird headlines, and videos from every era of David Bowie’s career.” According to payment reports, they pay up to $0.07 per word. Queries and articles should be sent to [email protected]. To learn more about them, visit this page .

Point.51 is an independent print magazine that explores essential contemporary issues in Europe. They are looking for pitches and story ideas from freelance journalists and photographers. They pay €300 for commissioned long-form stories and photo essays. They also cover some reporting expenses by prior agreement. Details here .

Areo is an opinion and analysis magazine that is focused on current affairs, particularly humanism, politics, culture, science, human rights, and free expression. They publish “thoughtful essays from a variety of perspectives compatible with broadly liberal and humanist values.” They want pieces of 1,200 to 3,000 words. They pay $50 for a regular piece and $100 for a feature. For details, visit this page .

Salon covers “news, politics, entertainment, culture, and technology through investigative reporting, commentary, criticism, and provocative personal essays.” Payment reports suggest that they pay an average of $0.12 per word. For more details, visit this page .

Overland is a magazine of cultural criticism, essays, and literature. Each week they list topics that they are seeking pitches for. They pay $70 for articles of 500 to 1000 words. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

AARP: The Magazine accepts submission from freelance writers on a variety of topics, including personal essays. They want “thoughtful, timely, new takes on matters of importance to people over 50.” According to our sources, they pay up to $1 a word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

The Christian Science Monitor is an international news organization. They’re looking for in-depth, journalistic pieces that display “quality of thought.” They also publish personal essays in their “ Home Forum ” department. Their basic rate for a story is $200 to $225. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Parabola is the magazine published by The Society for the Study of Myth and Tradition, a non-profit organization. Each issue of Parabola focused on “one of the timeless themes of human existence.” The tag line for the magazine is “the Search for Meaning.” They pay $150 to $400 for essays, 1,000 to 3,000 words. They also accept book reviews, retellings of traditional stories, and poetry. To learn more, and to submit, read their submission guidelines.

Al-jazeera English is one of the better known outlets giving ‘a voice to the voiceless’. They receive over 100 pitches a week, and claim that all queries are looked over and carefully considered. They have a detailed submission page  explaining what makes features, long-read interactives, photo-essays or videos stand out and tell the story they want.

Longreads is a blog from the company behind WordPress, the software which powers over 25% of the internet. Base pay is $500 per essay. Payment is determined by the amount of work. They also pay for features, at a higher rate, competitive with large publications. To learn more, visit their submission guidelines page.

Health and Wellness

The Temper is “an online publication that explores life through the lens of sobriety, addiction, and recovery.” They are “particularly interested in amplifying the work of women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ communities, people aged 55+, people with disabilities, and those in any other historically marginalized or underrepresented group.” They mainly publish personal essays, service-based articles, and op-eds. They want posts of 900 to 2,500 words. According to one payment report, they paid $75 to $100 per piece. To learn more, visit this page .

SheThinx Blog is seeking “personal essays about reproductive health, lifestyle, or unique perspectives about topics society typically considers taboo.” They are also specifically seeking narratives and perspectives on “people experiencing perimenopause, menopause, parenting later in life, or other subjects related to aging.” They pay $125 for pieces of 600 to 800 words. Details here .

You and Me Magazine publishes personal essays about experiences as a medical patient. They also publish some articles from provider’s perspectives. They pay 4-5 cents per word for articles 1,000-2,500 words. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Spirituality and Health covers a broad spectrum of topics that fall under spirituality and health. They accept personal essays, recipes, how-to articles, investigative reporting and narrative journalism. http://spiritualityhealth.com/submission-guidelines

Diabetes Health caters to people who have diabetes and their caregivers. They publish personal essays and medically based articles. https://www.diabeteshealth.com/contact/

Cure Today explores the latest in cancer research and treatment. They accept personal essays no longer than 700 words and well-researched evidence-based articles. Writers must have medical writing and interviewing experience. http://www.curetoday.com/write

Folks is a daily online magazine focused on publishing the stories of “remarkable people who refuse to be defined by their health issues.” Editors look for strong personal essays offering “a unique hook and a strong takeaway” that would challenge readers’ perspective about the issues of health conditions. Editors prefer to receive queries first.  Editors buy exclusive publishing rights to published essays for a one-year period and consider only original submissions.  Payment is $400. To learn more, read the writers’ guidelines.

Eidolon is an “online journal for scholarly writing about classics that isn’t formal scholarship.” They welcome submissions from authors with historically underrepresented identities. They prefer articles about the ancient world. Their articles are generally 1,500 to 3,000 words long. They pay “$150 for columns and long-form articles, $100 for essays, and $50 for reviews and lighter content.” To learn more, refer to this page .

Horses / Dressage / Riding

HorseChannel.com is a website for horse lovers and riders. They publish horse industry news, essays, care information, and more. They pay $25-$150 for articles. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Human Rights / Social Justice

Lacuna is “an online magazine that exposes injustice and promotes human rights.” They specialize in environment, equality, politics, migration, food poverty, and conflict. They “welcome unsolicited submissions and proposals from both new and established writers.” They publish features of at least 3,000 words and shorter essays of 1,500 to 3,000 words. One payment report indicates payment of £400 for a 3,000-word piece. For details, visit this page .

Filter is a nonprofit publication committed to “rational and compassionate approaches to drug use, drug policy, and human rights.” They seek pitches for feature-length articles, including op-eds, essays, interviews, and investigative reports. According to one payment report, they paid $250 for a 2,000-word feature. To learn more, refer to this page .

Lifestyle / Entertainment

Elite Daily is an online news platform for millennials. They are seeking pitches for Black History Month. They are “looking for personal essays from millennials tagged to news issues including reproductive rights, politics, activism, social justice, and youth culture.” They pay $150 to $300 per essay. For details, refer to their editor’s Twitter post . To learn more, visit their website .

Kali Letter is a biweekly publication that is “an unfilt(her)ed lens of news, pop-culture lifestyle and feminism for East African women.” They publish opinions, personal essays, features, Q&As, profiles, and comic strips. They pay Kenya Shillings 10,000 on average per 800 to 1,000 word article. For details, visit this page .

Yes Plz Weekly is “an insanely delicious, ever-evolving mix of the best coffees and a gratuitously eclectic print magazine.” It is important to note that the magazine is not just about coffee. According to their contributing editor, they are looking for pitches for pieces that are: “weird; about your obsessions; unplaceable.” They are also looking for profiles of artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs, personal essays, and mini-musings. They pay $200 to $500. For details, refer to this  Twitter post . To contact them, refer to this  page .

Good Old Days accepts personal essays about growing up between 1935 and 1960. They should be informal and conversational in tone. Payment varies. http://www.goodolddaysmagazine.com/contributor_guidelines.php

Culture Eater is an online, Australian indie zine that is looking for feature submissions across these categories: the arts (e.g. music, theatre, and photography), gaming (e.g. video games and tabletop), film and TV, literature, fashion, podcasts, and personal essays. They pay $25 to $100 per feature submission. To learn more, refer to this page .

Mel is a lifestyle and culture magazine that is committed to producing content that men care about e.g. their bodies, mental health, jobs, money, sex lives, relationships, digital personas and entertainment. They publish features and essays of 1,500 to 3,500 words. Payment reports suggest that they pay up to $0.50 per word. To find out more, visit this page .

The Gay & Lesbian Review is a bimonthly magazine for GLBT men and women.  They publish essays, book reviews, movie reviews, and plays. Payment is a flat fee of $100. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

L.A. Affairs is the Los Angeles Times column about the dating scene in L.A. They publish essays with a strong sense of place — rooted in Southern California. They pay $300 per essay. Read their submission guidelines.

Modern Love is a regular column published by the New York Times. They are “interested in receiving deeply personal essays about contemporary relationships, marriage, dating, parenthood…” They pay $300 per essay. The submissions page is old, but is still up to date. To learn more, or to submit, be sure to read their submission guidelines.

Dame is a website “For Women Who Know Better.” They are “smart, quick-witted, opinionated and unapologetic.” They publish essays, news, analysis, and unique takes on relationships, gender politics, sex, race, entertainment, the arts, business, politics, Internet culture, health and everything in-between. Pay is negotiated. Previous reports indicate 13 cents per word. Learn more here.

Sasee is a women’s lifestyle magazine. They are interested in 500-1,000 word non-fiction submissions for and about women: essays, humor, satire and first-person experiences. Previous writers have reported payment from $100 to $200 per essay. Details here .

Mask Magazine is a monthly “online repository of youth and internet culture packed with interviews, editorials, news, and style in the age of unrest.” Editors look for “expressive, evocative prose”: personal essays, documentation of a singular event, studies of movements or phenomena from history, how-to guides or tutorials. Note:  Editors decide whether submissions are featured as free content or content to be paid for. Payment is $40-$200. To learn more, read the writers’ guidelines: http://www.maskmagazine.com/docs/writers .

Extra Crispy is a lifestyle blog owned by Time Inc. They publish “opinion pieces, reported stories, personal essays, works of humor, illustrated narratives, breakfast-y profiles, original recipes, how-tos and unusual points of view on the beloved morning meal are all welcome. ” Payment reports indicate a rate of 50 cents per word, but will need to be negotiated. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Vox is seeking personal narratives for their “First Person” section. They are seeking “provocative personal narratives that explain the most important topics in modern life. ” Reports indicate they pay around $500 per essay. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

VFW Magazine is the magazine for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW. They have a very large circulation, with many readers. Their primary interest is recognizing veterans and military service. They do not publish memoirs, first person accounts, or personality profiles. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Real Life Magazine is a website funded by Snapchat. They publish “essays, arguments, and narratives about living with technology.” According to reports, they pay around 15 cents per word. To learn more, read their contributors page.

Miscellaneous

ILY is an online magazine about love. They cover “all variations of love, from kinship to romance, ILY features essays, interviews, vignettes, photography, poetry, interviews, and other forms of art.” They are always seeking love/dating pitches. They would love profiles, Q&As, and trend/reported pieces. They pay $75 to $200 per piece. For details, refer to their founder’s Twitter post and this page .

SOLRAD is a new website that mostly covers independent/alternative comics. They are looking for pitches for comics criticism, essays, and interviews. They are particularly interested in cartoonists writing about other cartoonists, and work from academics. They will pay $75 per article. For details, refer to this Twitter post and their website .

Horse Girls is “an anthology that reclaims the horse girl stereotype through personal stories that explore privilege, ambition, traditionally feminine and unfeminine desires, domestication, and wildness.” It will be published in 2021 by Harper Perennial. They are looking for essays, particularly from “writers of color, non-binary/trans writers, and southern and midwestern writers.” They will pay $750 per essay. For details, refer to this Twitter thread and this page .

AP Marvel is a progressive podcast and publication for Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans from “marginalized communities to talk politics, social issues, and story themes.” They are looking for unique perspectives from the MCU fanbase. They are seeking “pitches from women, queer people, people of color, disabled people, and people of various faiths.” They are paying for written pieces and essays. Payment: $50 per piece. For details about pitching, refer to this page .

Peril is an Asian Australian online magazine of writing, arts, and culture. They are accepting submissions for their “Edition 39: Testing Times” till 14 October 2019. They “accept contributions of art works, prose, poetry, non-fiction, essays, blog posts with a word limit of 1,000 words (where applicable), a relationship to issues of Asian Australian interest, and a connection to the issue theme.” The writers don’t have to identify as Asian-Australians to contribute, but their contributions should be of Asian-Australian interest. They pay $50 to $100 per piece. Details here .

Antic Magazine is an “online literary magazine of new writing in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and criticism.” They feature works of Australian writers. They are looking for nonfiction, criticism, commentary, comics, photo essays, art, and mixed media. They don’t want fiction or previously published work. They pay AUD$150 to all of their contributors. Details here .

Supermaker is a media platform that “celebrates diverse, independent brands & modern workplace thinking.” They are seeking “story pitches from Latinx writers that explore Latinidad as it intersects with the workplace, career, and entrepreneurship.” They are open to essays or reported pieces. Their pay will start at around $0.50 per word. To learn more, read this Twitter post .

Gumbo Magazine is a bi-annual print publication by Gumbo Media, a media company and storytelling platform that “curates content, experiences, and opportunities that expand the narrative of Black life.” They are seeking Black creatives for essays, short fiction, poetry, profiles, and interviews. They pay $100 to $300 per piece. The deadline for submission of pitches is October 1, 2019. The deadline for submission of completed pieces is October 15, 2019. For details, refer to their Twitter post and call for submissions page .

Everything Wrong with the Presidents is a book project of the Cato Institute. They have been publishing a continuing series of essays that detail everything that their contributors can find wrong with every presidential administration of the United States. Their current list of options is: “Washington, JQ Adams, Taylor, Pierce, Andrew Johnson, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, Taft, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Carter, GW Bush, Obama.” The final submissions should be of 2,000 to 5,000 words. Payment will be $150 to $300 per chapter. Details here .

We Black and Nerds is a blog by Black Girls Create which is an “intersectional hub for Black creators and critical fandom”. They are looking for blog posts by Black writers for their Critical Companion series. They “love personal essays about growing up nerdy, early fandom experiences, and pivotal moments in your own nerdy lives.” They pay $50 per post (around 700 words). To learn more, visit this page .

The Muse is an online career platform that is a go-to destination for people to research companies and careers. They are seeking “advice features, personal essays, and ‘I tried this’ experiments.” They want unique angles and diverse voices. They generally pay $150 to $400 per article. Details here .

Color Bloq is a platform for queer and trans people of color. They are “building a safe media space online, and safe community spaces offline.” They pay up to $500 for nonfiction articles/ essays of 1,200 to 2,000 words. They pay $200 for personal essays of 600 to 800 words. They pay $300 to the writer and $100 stipend to the artist for visual artist features. To learn more, refer to this page .

The Latest is an online forum by The Bare Life Review that focuses mainly on memoir, criticism, and politics. They only publish work by immigrant and refugee writers. The submissions “may, but need not, deal explicitly with issues of immigration, exile, or refuge.” Prose submissions should not be longer than 3,000 words. An exception to this word count may be made for very long pieces (over 8,000 words) that may be published in multiple installments. They pay $100 per accepted piece (prose, photojournalism, or interview). Details here .

Violet Summer Zine is an urban literary magazine. Each issue of the magazine has a theme. For their summer 2019 edition, they want personal essays on “self-care and wellness from Black LGBTQ community or non-binary people and the LatinX community.” They pay $50 for print features and $35 for digital features. Details here .

Nothing to Say is “a place where some artists write about things they care about.” They welcome submissions from artists of all backgrounds, especially those that belong to racial, ethnic, gender, or sexual minorities. They pay $200 for an essay of 1,500 to 2,000 words. For more information, visit this page .

Places Journal is a resource for “contemporary architecture, landscape, and urbanism.” They are looking for lively and original writing. They publish interdisciplinary scholarship, essays, narrative journalism, criticism, multimedia work, and photography. Most of their articles are 1,000 to 6,000 words long. According to one payment report, they paid $0.30 per word for a 4,000-word feature. For details, read their submission guidelines .

AnswersForMe is a website that “offers support and encouragement for every-day life.” They accept unsolicited stories, articles, and essays. They pay $50 for first-person stories (300 to 800 words) that have a spiritual element, and $75 for short articles (300 to 500 words) about human motivation, passion, and discovery. They also pay for articles (800 to 1,500 words) about health but do not mention the payment rate (they ask writers to contact them in order to find out the rate for a particular topic). For more information, refer to their writer’s guidelines .

SAPIENS is a digital magazine committed to popularizing anthropology to a wider audience. They “only consider scholars who are currently enrolled in an anthropology degree program, have a degree in anthropology, and/or have an appointment in an anthropology department.” They publish essays (1,000 to 2,000 words), comments (600 to 800 words), snapshots (400 to 1,200 words), debates (400 to 600 words), reviews (400 to 1,500 words), photo essays (6 to 12 images), videos and podcasts. They pay an honorarium of $100 per piece. Details here .

Public Discourse is the online journal of the Witherspoon Institute (a research center in Princeton, New Jersey). They pay an honorarium of $200 for original essays (1,500 to 2,000 words), first-person stories (800 to 2,000 words), and review/response essays (1,500 to 2,000 words). They pay $50 for book notes (300 to 500 words). For details, visit this page .

YourTango is an online magazine that offers love and relationship advice to women. They seek personal essays, service pieces, and reported articles from freelancers. Their pieces are generally 500 to 1,200 words long. According to payment reports, the pay up to $0.06 per word. For details, visit this page .

The Avery Review is a digital journal that is “dedicated to thinking about books, buildings, and other architectural media.” It is a project of the Office of Publications at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. They are looking for reviews and critical essays about books, buildings, and other architectural media. Their essays are usually 2,500 to 4,000 words long. They pay $400 for essays. To learn more, refer to this page .

The Smart Set is an online magazine published and supported by the Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. They cover “culture and ideas, arts and science, global and national affairs.” They publish high quality writing in a broad range of genres which include reportage, personal essays, critical essays, memoirs, travel writing, and stories. Payment reports suggest that they pay up to $0.09 per word. To learn more, visit this page .

Popula is a “news and culture alt-global” publication that runs on Civil (an Ethereum-based publishing platform). They publish essays, stories and comics. According to payment reports, they pay $0.20 per word. To contact them, refer to this page .

Solver Stories is a feature in New York Times’ column, Wordplay. It includes personal essays regarding the effect of puzzles on people’s lives. They prefer essays of 800 to 1,300 words. They pay $200 per essay. To find out more, read their submission guidelines .

LightHouse seeks to publish first person stories and essays by blind and visually impaired writers. They want to hear stories “not merely about blindness, but about what it takes to survive and strive as a human.” Read their submission guidelines.

Movies / Film / Television

Luma is an online quarterly publication about independent film and media art. It is published by the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers and EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society. They publish “critical essays, news, reviews, event previews, interviews, reflections, and photo/video essays about culturally relevant productions, events and ideas.” They pay successful contributors an honorarium of $200 per submission. To learn more, visit this page .

Offscreen is a monthly online film journal that features essays, interviews, reviews and festival reports. They frequently produce special thematic issues. They want reviews and festival reports of at least 1,000 words and essays of at least 2,000 words. They pay up to $150 (Canadian dollars). To learn more, read their contributor guidelines .

SVLLY(wood) is a biannual movie magazine which is “geared towards building a new cinephilia through diverse themes and leftist ideology.” They accept pitches (of 300 to 400 words) that outline the potential piece and its link to the issue’s theme. They pay $40 to $50 per essay. To learn more, refer to their submission guidelines page

Cineaste offers social, political and aesthetic perspective on cinema. Book reviews should deal with newly published books (or up to two years old), and may be single-book or multiple-book reviews. They encourage review-essays in which the discussion serves as a vehicle for a broader treatment of ideas or issues, and individual book reviews should be 1,000-1,500 words. They also publish feature articles, interviews, film reviews, DVD and Blu-Ray reviews, and columns. Pay is $18 for Short Take reviews, $36 for book or DVD reviews (in the case of book or DVD reviews posted on their website as Web Exclusives, no cash payment is offered), $45 for film reviews and short articles, columns, sidebar interviews, or essays, and $90 for feature articles or interviews. Details here .

Metro Magazineis Australia’s film and media magazine, run by the Australian Teachers of Media association. They publish essays, articles, reviews and interviews that analyse the film and media cultures of Australia and the Asia-Pacific. They pay up to $350 AUD per article. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Outdoors / Hunting / Fishing

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is a bimonthly print publication that is devoted exclusively to fly fishing in saltwater. They are always seeking great content on saltwater fly fishing (with focus on conservation and the environment). They want feature articles of 2,000 to 2,500 words, and short features of 1,000 to 1,500 words. They pay more for well-polished articles with great photos. They pay up to $500 for features, $300 for short features, $200 for “fly tying/ step-by-step”, $150 for “inside the box”, $200 for “an angler opines”, and $600 for photo essays. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

American Angler is a magazine all about fly fishing. They cover every aspect of the sport, with a focus on coldwater fishing for trout, steelhead, and salmon. They pay $450 to $600 for feature articles, and $200 to $400 for short features. They also pay $600 for “Waterlines” or “Expeditions” essays. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

Bird Talk Magazine is for the owners of parrots, canaries, finches and doves. They want “informative articles on the care of birds; photo essays on historical and current events dealing with birds; how-to articles; and human-interest stories.” They pay $100 to $400 for articles, including photos. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

BirdWatching Magazine is a bimonthly magazine for people with an interest in wild birds and bird watching. They accept article proposals from freelance writers and pay $400 for most features. They accept submissions on a variety of topics, including “first-person accounts”, birds in the news, hotspots near you, and photo essays. For more information, and to submit, be sure to read their full submission guidelines.

Field & Stream is an American magazine that focuses on hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. They’re looking for queries, no longer than a page, that lucidly describe the subject at hand. Some pieces that “depend on writing style, such as humor, mood, and nostalgia or essays” can be sent in manuscript form, as can short tips. Payment: The magazine reports that payment ranges from $100 to “as much as several thousand dollars, depending on the quality of the work, the experience of the author, and the difficulty of obtaining the story.” Submission Guidelines

Bugle Magazine is the magazine of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. They accept submissions in a variety of categories, including conservation, natural history, wildlife management, hunting, human interest, and “women in the outdoors, ” which are personal essays or stories about elk/hunting/etc. They pay 20 cents per word, up to 4,500 words. To learn more, visit their website here.   A sidebar links to 3 separate submission guidelines pages.

Family Story is “a think tank founded in 2015 to recognize, validate, and protect the many ways individuals form and re-form families.” They are looking for personal essays and opinion pieces for their blog. They especially encourage submissions from people of color and/or LGBTQIA+ folks. The submissions should be of 600 to 1,200 words. Payment is $100 per post. To learn more, visit this page .

Romper is a website for millennial moms. They are “looking to a) explore facets of parenthood that may yet be unaddressed by the media, and b) ruminate deeply on The Great British Baking Show.” They accept pitches for essays and reported pieces of 800 to 2,000 words. According to one payment report, they paid $150 for a profile or interview of about 1,000 words. To learn more, refer to this page .

Your Teen Media is a resource for parenting teenagers. They want writers to send pitches of ideas for articles, essays, blogs, or expert advices to their editors. According to one payment report, they paid $0.10 per word. To learn more, visit this page .

On Parenting is a parenting blog of Washington Post. They are looking for pieces with an interesting angle to parenting. They welcome reported pieces and personal essays. They want the pieces to be no more than 1,200 words long. Payment reports suggest that they pay up to $2.50 per word. According to one of our readers, expect no more than $300 total. To learn more, refer to this page .

Adoptive Family Magazine – An award-winning resource for adoptive parents and people navigating the adoption process, Adoptive Families provides information and support through expert articles, personal stories, and advice. If you’re an adoptive parent (or in the process of adopting), click on the writers’ guidelines here for info on submitting articles or personal essays.

MotherWell is a blog that features personal essays and “perspective pieces” about all sides of parenting. According to an interview with their editor, they pay $50 per post, though payment is not listed on their website. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

The Bark has grown into one of the most trusted and recognized dog magazines on the market. It started as a newsletter in 1997.  They require robust features about nutrition, behavior, wellness, and adoption for dog lovers.  They are seeking feature articles and short how-to pieces with a word count of 600.  They also like fiction, essays, and poems.  Pay rates vary, are based on the length of the article, and are negotiated.  They pay for online submissions with a one-year subscription to their magazine.  Read their submission guidelines here:  https://thebark.com/content/submission-guidelines

Philosophy and Culture

American Composers Forum and I Care If You Listen are launching a 10-month series entitled “Out of Context” to help their “collective field open new channels for exploring and understanding cultural appropriation.” They are looking for essays and interviews about cultural appropriation. They especially encourage submissions from non-white authors. They offer an honorarium of $250 per article (less than 1,500 words). To learn more, refer to this Twitter post and this link .

theFold is an online magazine by Double Double store (an Australian store that offers curated streetwear and fashion from global designers). They publish “critical and exploratory writing on contemporary culture, broadly defined.” They “welcome writing about art, fashion, architecture, film, music, television, and more.” They are “particularly interested in personal essays that incorporate cultural criticism and critique.” They accept completed articles (1,200 to 1,700 words) and pitches. They pay $300 per article. For details, read their submission guidelines .

London Review of Books is Europe’s leading magazine of culture and ideas. They publish twice a month. Each issue of the magazine contains poems, reviews, reportage, memoirs, letters, ‘short cuts’, and a diary. They accept unsolicited submissions as well as proposals. Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.60 per word. For details, visit this page .

Kill Your Darlings is an online magazine that is dedicated to arts and culture. In November 2019, they are shining a spotlight on writing from Aotearoa New Zealand. They are looking for “writers from, living in or with a significant personal connection to New Zealand.” They are “particularly keen to hear from Māori, Pasifika, and other non-Pākehā voices, as well as writers living outside Auckland and Wellington.” They are seeking essay/commentary (short 1,000 to 1,500 words, or long 1,500 to 3,000 words), memoir or personal essay (1,000 to 1,500 words), cultural criticism (1,000 to 1,500 words), and short fiction (1,500 to 3,000 words). They pay at least A$250 per piece. The deadline for submission is September 30, 2019. For details, visit this page .

Gay Magazine is a new publication partnership between Roxane Gay (an author, editor, and commentator) and Medium (an online publishing platform). They offer interesting and thoughtful cultural criticism. They are looking for personal essays, short fiction, illustration and photography. They pay $1.00 per word for work up to 3,500 words. Details here .

Antithesis is a graduate run arts and humanities journal that is published annually in association with The University of Melbourne’s School of Culture and Communication. Contributors do not have to be students at the University to be published in the journal. They want scholarly essays, reviews, creative nonfiction, short fiction, poetry, artwork, and more. They pay $50 per piece. Details here .

Bright Wall/Dark Room is an online magazine that is dedicated to “exploring the relationship between cinema and the business of being alive.” They publish profiles, interviews, personal essays, cultural criticism, formal analysis, and humor pieces. Their critical essays are generally 1,500 to 3,000 words long. They pay $50 per essay. For details, refer to this page .

Exeunt is an online theatre and performance magazine for quality theatre essays, long-form writing, criticism, interviews, and podcasts. They are “open to everything from in-depth academic explorations of interesting topics, to visual responses to performances, to interviews, to rants, to games.” One payment report indicates that they pay $0.10 per word. To contact them, visit this page .

HowlRound is a “free and open platform for theatremakers worldwide.” It is based out of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. They are looking for writers who are actively involved in theatre. They pay $150 for essays (1,500 to 2,000 words), $50 for blogs (750 to 1000 words), and $100 for NewCrit reviews (1,000 to 1,500 words). To learn more, refer to this page .

The Point is a Chicago-based print and digital magazine of “philosophical writing on everyday life and culture.” Each issue of the magazine contains three sections which are essays, symposium and reviews. Print essays are 4,000 to 7,000 words long, symposium articles and reviews are 1,500 to 3,000 words long. They pay authors whose articles are published in the print journal. One writer reports that they pay a flat $700 for “Symposium” essays. To learn more, refer to this page .

n+1 is a magazine about “literature, culture and politics.” They feature a limited number of pieces in their magazine which is published three times a year, and a wider range of work in their online-only section. Writers can send “new fiction, essays, criticism and translation” to [email protected]. Currently, they are not accepting “poetry, art, illustration, or interview submissions.” According to reports, they pay 4 cents per word. To find out more about n+1, refer to this page .

Westerly Magazine publishes short stories, poetry, memoir and creative nonfiction, essays and literary criticism. Their reviews are between 500-700 words, to be published online or in print. They pay AUD75 for reviews, AUD75-100 for poetry, and AUD150 for features and short stories. Their style guide is quite specific about submissions . Details here .

Confrontation Magazineis a very established literary journal, with a prestigious background. They published W.H. Auden, John Steinbeck, T.C. Boyle, and many other legendary writers. They pay up to $250 for short stories, $100 for poetry, and $150 for essays, plus more for “commissioned work” To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Washington FAMILY Magazine is a go-to resource for D.C. area parents. They feature parenting tips, camps and school info, local events, and much more. They are seeking parenting-related personal essays and reported features from D.C.-area writers. Their rates start at $100. To learn more, refer to their editor’s Twitter post and this link .

Bitterroot is an online weekly magazine that covers the politics, economy, environment, and culture of the Western U.S. They publish longform features, photo essays, and news and analysis. According to one payment report, they paid $0.29 per word for a 1,200-word feature. To contact them, visit this page .

Best of Central Vermont Magazine is a lifestyle magazine that covers central Vermont. They are “interested in any article, query, story idea, photography, or photo essay that has to do with the central Vermont area, including outlying communities.” They pay $250 to $450 for feature articles (1,500 to 2,000 words) and about $150 for departments (850 to 1,000 words). They pay a kill fee of $75. Details here .

Boom California is a peer-reviewed publication by the University of California Press. They focus on the culture of California. They accept scholarly essays (short form: 800 to 2,000 words and long form: 5,000 to 10,000 words), reviews (1,000 to 2,000 words), interviews, portraits (2,000 words), postcards (2,000 words), and photo/art essays (8 to 12 images). According to one payment report, they paid $0.17 per word for a 3,000-word feature. For details, visit this page .

Root Quarterly is “a print-only, subscription-based quarterly journal rooted in Philadelphia, but not limited to Philadelphia-based content.” They are looking for fiction (500 to 2,000 words), personal essays or articles, cultural criticism and think pieces (500 to 3,500 words), long-form profiles of Philadelphia region artists, recommendations on what they might cover in their “recommendation” and “destination” sections, and artwork and photography. They give “very heavy preference to Philadelphia region writers” but are “open in particular when it comes to cultural criticism to a wide array of people.” They need submissions for their winter issue by September 30 and their spring issue by January 15. They typically offer honorariums of $25 to $100 per piece. They pay 10 to 20 cents per word for longer, assigned profiles or articles. Details here .

730DC is a daily email newsletter that connects Washingtonians to their city and to one another. They are always seeking new stories that help their readers connect to their city. They are looking for reported pieces, profiles and interviews, and op-eds and personal essays. They prefer outlines to completed drafts. They pay $25 for Q+A interviews and $50 to 100 for essays or reported pieces. To learn how to pitch, refer to this page .

The Texas Observer is a bimonthly magazine and website that offers sharp reporting on news, politics, and culture of Texas. They publish short news stories (500 to 1,000 words), political commentaries and opinions (500 to 1,000 words), book reports (800 to 1,200 words), features (1,500 to 4,000 words), culture features (2,000 to 3,500 words), essays (1,000 to 1,500 words), postcards (2,000 to 3,500 words), and poems (30 lines or shorter). Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.50 per word. To learn more, read their freelance writer’s guide .

See Chicago Dance is a resource for information on Chicago’s dance scene. They are accepting submissions for their article feature series, Our Readers Write. They want essays of 500 to 800 words about anything related to dance in Chicago. They pay an honorarium of $50 per essay. The deadline for submission is Dec 31, 2019. Details here .

On Second Thought is a magazine by Humanities North Dakota, a nonprofit organization devoted to lifelong learning opportunities for the citizens of North Dakota. They are looking for submissions for their annual “Sense of Place” issue, a collection of stories, essays, and poems by North Dakota’s best writers. The submissions do not need to be about North Dakota. They pay $250 for poems (up to 60 lines), fiction (1,000 to 3,000 words), and non-fiction (1,000 to 4,000 words).  They pay $500 for scholarly essays on the topic of humanities. Details here .

The New Southern Fugitives is a biweekly zine that “challenges our comfortable perspective of the South.” They encourage contributions from “indigenous, LGBTQIA+, disabled, current or previously incarcerated, and non-binary people, women, and people of color.” They pay $100 for book reviews (1,000 words or less), essays (1,200 words or less), or short stories (2,000 words or less). They pay $40 for poems (1.5 pages or less), flash/micro fiction (800 words or less), or a photograph/piece of visual art. Details here .

Scalawag is a website and magazine dedicated to the American South. They are looking for untold stories, original thoughts, and fresh perspectives on the culture, politics, and life in South America. They publish nonfiction, fiction, poetry, state politics coverage, and photo essays. According to their website, they pay all their contributors. Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.25 per word. For details, visit this page .

Cascadia Magazine is an online magazine committed to quality journalism, essays, poetry, fiction, and photos from the Pacific Northwest. They are always seeking great journalism, stories, and photos that “express what it’s like to be a human being in the Pacific Northwest.” They pay $100-$350 for feature articles, $50-$100 for fiction and essays, $50 for poetry, and $25-$50 per photo. For details, visit this page .

North Dakota Horizons is a quarterly magazine focused on the people, places, events, and culture of North Dakota. They are looking for short, nonfiction articles or essays of 1,000 to 1,200 words, and feature articles of 1,500 to 2,000 words. They want writers to send photographs or illustrations with manuscripts whenever possible. They pay an average of 20 cents per word for articles, and $125 to $300 for photography for major layouts. To learn more, visit this page .

Colorado Central is a monthly magazine for Central Colorado and the San Luis Valley. They want articles, essays, profiles, reviews, and more, along with related photos and artwork. They pay 5 cents per word, and $10 per photo. For details, refer to their submissions and writers guidelines .

Chapter 16 is an online journal that covers books, authors, and literary events in Tennessee. They serve as “the state affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.” They are looking for essays from anyone with a Tennessee connection. They prefer essays of 900 to 1,500 words, and pay $100 upon acceptance. To learn more, refer to their submission guidelines .

Washingtonian is a general-interest magazine for the DC area. They cover politics, technology, art, entertainment, dining, shopping, health, parenting, and personalities. They publish profiles, true-crime yarns, pieces of narrative journalism, trend pieces, column-length arguments, comprehensive lists, and photo essays. According to payment reports, they pay about $1.00 per word. To learn more, refer to their writers’ guidelines .

Creative Loafing Charlotte is a print and online newspaper that is a “go-to source for all things arts and entertainment in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area of North Carolina.” They publish reviews, profiles, polemical essays, investigative pieces, stories about local institutions, and more. Their pay generally starts at 10 cents per word. To learn more, refer to this page .

The Boston Globe Magazine is published weekly inside the Sunday paper of The Boston Globe (a newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts). For new writers, the best places to start with the magazine are the Perspective column (which includes opinionated essays of 800 words on timely local news topics) and Connections (which includes first-person essays of 650 words on relationships of any kind). According to payment reports, they pay up to $1.33 per word. To learn more, visit this page

Oregon Humanities Magazine is a triannual publication that “connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities.” They exclusively publish work by Oregon-based creators. They prefer completed drafts but also accept queries and proposals. For shorter online pieces, they pay $200 to $300. For personal essays and features, they pay $500 to $1,000. Details here .

Down East is the magazine of Maine. They pay 40 to 70 cents per word. However, according to their guidelines they accept very few unsolicited queries each year. They publish articles about Main’s culture, history, personalities, destinations, and current events.  They also accept personal essays about the author’s connection to Main. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Charlotte Parent Magazine is a monthly publication with a circulation of 40,000 catering for parents in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Although they prefer articles and essays with local relevance they accept reprints of articles from publications outside of their region. Articles range from range from 500 to 1,200 words. According to their website, “Fees vary depending on the length, depth and use of story. Assigned articles generally pay $50-$150, and reprints pay $30-$45. Writers are paid upon publication. We do not pay kill fees.” To learn more, and to submit, be sure to read their submission guidelines .

Charleston Style & Design is a local magazine that publishes articles about architecture, fashion, businesses, food, and travel of interest to people in Charleston, South Carolina, and the surrounding region. They pay $200 for personal essays that offer a relatable story and good insight. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Minnesota Conservation Volunteer is the magazine of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. They want features and essays on the state’s natural resources and outdoor recreation. They like anecdotes and quotes used liberally. They pay $0.50/word for features and essays, $50-100 for online rights to features, essays and reprints. Details here .

Smoky Mountain Living Magazine covers the southern Appalachians and its environment, people, crafts, music and art. Word count: 1,500-3,500 for features, 1,000-1,500 for non-fiction, 700-850 for Mountain Views essay and departments. Pay: $250-450 for features, $200 for non-fiction/personal essay, $125 for Mountain Views essay and departments. Details here . –– http://www.smliv.com/about/contribute

Washington City Paper –– Stories should be about the city and its surroundings, and narratives with a conflict of some sort at the center are preferred. They publish a variety of journalistic genres, including profiles, investigative pieces, polemical essays, and stories about local institutions. They have news, arts and food departments that accept shorter pieces, an arts blog, and reviews. No op-ed pieces or ‘service journalism’. Word count: 2,500-5,000 for cover stories; 800-2,000 for departments – not a firm limit; 500-2,000 for reviews; 150-250 for City Lights. Pay: Varies; they have paid $15-2,000. Details here .

The Bold Italic is a blog covering the San Francisco Bay area. They cover the ways the bay area is rapidly changing, and how the city functions. They publish personal essays, reported pieces, humor, interviews, and profiles. They pay $50 per article. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

The North Coast Journal (of Politics, People and Art) is a newspaper published in Humboldt County, CA . Its editors do not want “ straight hard news articles, inverted pyramids” – they look for articles “that people want to read simply for the pleasure of reading.” Editors want this publication “to tell the story of Humboldt County, one chapter at a time” through features – narratives, reported essays, and experimental writing. Payment is $300-400 for cover stories (3,000-4,000 words) and $100-150 for upfront stories (1,000-1,500 words). To learn more, read the writers’ guidelines: https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/WritersGuidelines/Page .

Religions & Spirituality

Kveller.com is a website for people “who want to add a Jewish twist to their parenting.” They want essays about women’s issues and parenting that are written from a Jewish perspective. Their suggested word count is between 500 and 1,000 words. Payment reports suggest that they pay $0.03 to $0.04 per word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

Image is a quarterly literary journal which publishes work that reflects “a sustained engagement with one of the western faiths—Judaism, Christianity, or Islam.” They accept fiction, poetry, longer essays, work in translation, interviews and artist profiles. According to one payment report, they pay $0.02 per word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

Sports / Athletics / Fitness

Scientific American covers science discoveries and technology innovations. They “welcome ideas for articles on recent scientific discoveries, technical innovations and overviews of ongoing research.” The average length of their articles is about 2,500 to 3,000 words. They also welcome essays (700 to 800 words). Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $1.50 per word. For details, refer to this page .

Logic is a print and digital magazine about technology and society. They publish 3 times a year. They are looking for reported articles, features, essays, and profiles for their next theme, Security. They pay $150 for shorter essays (1,000 to 1,200 words) and $400 for longer features (2,000 to 3,000 words and up). The deadline for submission of pitches is Oct 30, 2019. To learn more, refer to this page .

Lady Science is a monthly magazine about “women and gender in the history and popular culture of science, technology, and medicine.” They publish well-researched and reviewed articles, personal essays, takes on news and politics, pop culture criticism, and more. They pay $100 per piece. Details here .

Trade Magazines, Professions & Professional

H-Net is “an international interdisciplinary organization of scholars and teachers dedicated to developing the enormous educational potential of the Internet and the World Wide Web.” The editors of the H-Net Book Channel are looking for proposals for essays on topics related to new books. Book Channel essays are short-form (1,200 to 1,500 words) and have a list of titles for further reading. Authors are paid an honorarium of $150. Details here .

Curbed, a website focused on housing and urban planning, is now seeking pitches for longform journalism, essays, and narratives for their website.  They pay competitive rates, and reports indicate payment of up to $1000 for a 4,000 word article. This website seems to be part of a new breed of niche websites that are able to pay reasonably well, taking the role that niche magazines long held. Interestingly, they are owned by Vox, which is now a major website publisher. To learn more, read this page.

Video Games / Board Games / Roleplaying Games

Videodame features “writing and artwork about and inspired by videogames, produced by women and other marginalized groups in the gaming industry.” They invite pitches for “essays, fiction, poetry, comics, art, videos, and/or soundscapes (or anything else you can think up!) about or inspired by games and gaming culture.” They encourage everyone to pitch but give particular encouragement to “women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and any members of other groups typically marginalized in the gaming industry.” They pay $50 per piece. To learn more, refer to this page .

New Writing Scotland publishes “works by writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing, or inclination.” They accept all forms of writing: “autobiography and memoirs; creative responses to events and experiences; drama; graphic artwork (monochrome only); poetry; political and cultural commentary and satire; screenplays; short fiction; travel writing or any other creative prose.” Their maximum recommended length is 3,500 words. Pay is £20 per published page. The deadline for submission is 31st October, 2019. For details, visit this page . The Writer is a magazine that gives professional and aspiring writers a “comprehensive how-to advice on the craft of writing.” They are looking for reported pieces, how-to stories, profiles and narrative essays. The length of their articles varies from 300 to 3,000 words. According to payment reports, they pay up to $0.40 per word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines .

The Writer’s Chronicle is the official publication of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs. The magazine has been in circulation for over four decades, and it is one of the most respected writing magazines. They accept submissions of interviews, pedagogical essays, craft essays, and other areas. They pay $18 per 100 words up to a maximum 7,000 words ($1,260). To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Writer’s Digest is a widely-read and well-respected magazine about the art of writing. They accept both manuscript submissions and queries for articles that “inform, instruct, and inspire” readers. Writers can submit to any of their departments, including their “5-Minute Memoir,” “Reject a Hit,” and writing technique sections. They pay between 30 and 50 cents a word for articles up to 2,400 words ($720-$1,200), and they also work with a 25% kill fee. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Submittable is a widely-used submissions portal that publishes its own blog. They accept articles that discuss publishing or digital media. They’re also looking for book reviews and essays on any topic, as long as they “of high literary quality.” They pay $50 per post. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

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100 Websites That Pay Freelance Writers $50-$800 and Up Per Article

I f you love to write but don’t want to start a book or manage your own blog, why not get paid big money to write from top publications? This post contains over 100 websites and companies that pay writers the most for much needed written content in various scopes and across all industries. 

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you and I thank you. For more information, please read my  disclaimer.

Big Demand for Writers

There’s a huge demand now for  freelance authors ,  content creators , ghostwriters, copyeditors, and proofreaders by multimillion dollar companies and brands seeking talent to boost their marketing materials and business.

With virtually an endless need for  well written content  in various industries looking to market their many services, read on to learn about the top websites that pay writers  big money to write!

Companies Need Good Writers

Despite the emergence of  AI , writers and creators are still extremely sought after. Humans are needed to efficiently generate, research, tweak, proofread and create specialized content for brands and industries. 

Writing for the web is a great career that provides consistency, flexibility and creativity – did you know that websites that have blog content have 434% more search engine indexed pages that those that don’t? –  Content Marketing Institute

Companies are keenly aware of the need for great written content and that’s why successful businesses are hiring skilled freelance writers and content creators in droves.

Some companies have already spent upwards of 195.58 billion or more in content marketing. The research firm Technavio predicts spending will more than double to $412.88 billion. – Resource  Technavio 

This post is compiled of  over 100 (PLUS) writing sites  and other resources that will pay you good money for your creative work.

The niches below are comprised of a variety of topics such as:  travel ,  lifestyle ,  technology ,  finance,  theater, culture, education, parenthood and more.

Scroll below to see additional  sites that pay upwards of $50-$800 per post , even some that pay up to $2,000 for articles or guides. 

If you have experience as a writer and want to get paid good money to write, use this list as a way to get started.

For some great tips to get started making money as freelance writer, I recommend you check out this post:

How to Start Your Epic Career as a Freelance Writer

Anyone can create content with AI. Sign up with  WriteSonic for FREE!

How to Get Paid Big Money as a Freelance Writer

Rates for writers earning money to write vary depending on the company of course and your levels of experience.

Some are sponsored networks that set you up with brands that pay big bucks, some are affiliate companies that pay commissions and others that pay per gig, but it can all add up to a great  side hustle  or full-time career!

For the highest paying rates scroll way down the list for companies that pay $100 per post and more.

If you’re an experienced writer or even a newbie who has always wanted to see your name in print and want to make a great living writing, there’s no better time to start than now!

Contact the companies you’re interested in, in the niches you enjoy, read their requirements, style guides and get started!

Websites That Pay Big Money to Write – Updated for 2024!

Bustle.com  – Bustle Digital Group is seeking a part-time, remote Commerce Beauty writer to create affiliate content. The writer will work under Bustle’s commerce editors to produce articles about products that readers will love, whether it’s a list of the best Korean beauty products or a round up the best hair dryers for fine hair. Ideal candidates should have a strong background and knowledge of beauty and be able to speak with authority on everything from skin care to hair tools.

Freelancer  – This is actually a site that hires freelancers, but they have a ton of postings for writers to fill jobs for any kind of niche. Just type in what type of writing you do, and jobs will populate.

MakeALivingWriting.com  – Pay per post $75-$150 and up. They accept guest post proposals from current and former members of Freelance Writers Den and Students/Graduates of Jon Morrow’s Blog Mentoring Program.

Microsoft Start  –  Microsoft  publishing center is a simple way for creators and small to medium-sized  publishers  to  earn money  from their site via RSS or by publishing articles directly.

I publish here regularly. You can view my posts by clicking here.

Income is related to popularity of posts and writers receive 60% of advertising revenue.

Casual Money Talk  – Personal Finance – Pay: The standard rate is $50 but negotiable for longer & higher quality articles.

Seeking personal money stories that are:

• Original (isn’t published elsewhere) and interesting
• Extremely well-written
• Over 1,000 words long

The Content Panel  – This board states that they’re one of the highest paid and most flexible of writing programs on the planet. Join a range of writers from various backgrounds. They have an easy to apply with AI algorithm which sets up writer with ideal client for a perfect match. You’ll be pre-approved ahead of time from the job board with the help of the “Panel Brain”. They only allow one writer to work on a job at a time.

Most posts have a 72hr deadline. The more quickly you submit the ‘panel’ recognizes this and ranks you higher making you eligible for numerous higher paying writing jobs. Writers are paid every Monday through PayPal.

You are able to control your income, hours and workload which makes this a very appealing site for anyone who loves to write, in need of part time or full-time income, a seasoned writer, blogger or content marketer.

Writer’s Weekly  – $60 pay per post. 600 words. Articles on how to earn money writing, self-publishing, corporate writing, ghost writing, unique book ideas. They only accept ideas that are related to the topic of writing and how to help writers support themselves.

Listverse  – If you have an unusual or interesting idea Listverse wants to hear from you. Add a sense of humor and you may have a gig! You don’t even have to be the best writer! 10 items per list with a 1-2 paragraph short description. $100 pay day - payments via PayPal only.

Fiverr  – This company is similar to Upwork except you create your gigs (promoting blog posts, making eBooks, courses, etc) instead of applying to them, and potential clients contact you. A lot of smaller gigs start at $5, logos and shorts tasks, hence the name but if you promote your gigs and add special offers such as expedited delivery, SEO, title tags, images, etc. these services can easily add up fast! I often use Fiverr when I need something done quick!

The Freelance Writing Job Board   – Since 1997 delivering daily and real time freelance writing jobs for beginners to experts.

Linqia  – This site is a sponsored post network. You get partnered with brand and write/post/video featuring their products or services and get paid to do so! Just sign up, wait to get approved and the offers come to you.

The Income Spot  – Here’s a blog post that lists 63 sites that pay writers big money such as Eating Well that pays $1.00 per word and the Income Spot itself that pays $125 per 1800 word post.

Verblio  – (General Writers) Formerly  Blogmutt . Love this site. Great customer service and easy navigation. You do have to submit a writing test which isn’t too horrific. They create high quality content for businesses and agencies worldwide so there’s always a lot of work to apply for.

Problogger  Job Board – A popular, competitive free job board for writers. Check it religiously for high quality paid gigs!

Image by Hautestock.com

Sites By Niche That Pay Writers Big Money to Write ($50 & up)

B. Michelle Pippin  – (Business & Finance) Aims at helping business owners, startups and entrepreneurs. Pays $50-$150 per business related articles.

DailyWorth  – (Women & Finance) Pays $150 for articles about women and money specifically.

Site Point  – (Web Design) Looking for content on HTML, CSS, Sass, PHP, WordPress, Java, as well as other popular or trending technologies.

List Verse  – (Entertainment) Publishes list-style, top-10 type Viral articles. Anything goes as long as the content is unique and interesting, and over 1500 words – Pays $100.

The Change Agent  – (Education) Features writing by adult students and learners that raises awareness or evokes thought among readers about social justice. Suggested length is 200-1000 words. They pay $50 stipends to adult education students whose work is accepted for publication.

TakeLessons Blog  – (Education) Online teaching and tutoring. Set your prices. Also features articles written by teachers on learning music, academic subjects and languages.

Money Crashers  – (Finance) MoneyCrashers.com, a popular personal finance site, is currently looking for writers with a passion for detail and research to contribute engaging, informative posts on a range of topics, including, but not limited to, investing, money management, retirement planning, estate planning, tax preparation, credit and debt, real estate, mortgages, frugal living, and lifestyle.

Expertise in one or more of these broad areas through direct experience, advanced education, or certification is preferred.

Dollar Stretcher  – (Finance) – Pays .10 per word for the print publication. Their online publication offers either payment or a link back to your site.

RankPay  – If you love writing about SEO,  social media,  content marketing etc. submit your content here. Pays $50 per post.

WritersDomain.net  – Founded in May, 2011, WritersDomain is a branch of the online marketing company Boostability. They match top writing talent from around the world with thousands of writing assignments each month in the US, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia.

Websites That Pay Writers ($150- $200) Per Article

Transitions Abroad

Transitions Abroad’s focus is on people who travel, regardless of the reason – work, education, retirement, volunteering, etc.

They pay an average of $150 for travel-related articles.

They especially like articles written based on your own personal experience.

Cracked  – (Multi-niche) If you are a funny/smart/creative person, Cracked is the single best opportunity you will ever come across in your life. No experience necessary. They will pay you if it’s good. You talk directly to the editors. Pop culture, Internet style humor.

Income Diary  – (Business/Finance) Welcomes expert articles on creating websites, social media, SEO driving traffic, making money online, and setting up a successful online business. Pays up to $200 per article.

The Penny Hoarder  – (Finance) Articles cover the topic of earning, saving and investing money as well as unique ideas that are related to finance and making money.

They pay up to $800 for articles!

You can also earn a bonus if your posts gets a certain amount of views.

MoneyPantry  – Pays up to $150 per post for 1,000 to 2,000 words about earning and saving money.

Today I Found Out  – (General Knowledge) From trivia to knowledge that requires research to dig up, this site is always looking for interesting articles to publish.

eCommerce Insiders  – (eCommerce) Accepts content on online retail issues such as marketing, loyalty, operations, merchandising and design and industry-related experience.

Scotch-io  – (Web Development) Looking for tutorials, lessons, how-to guides for PHP, AngularJS, servers and hosting, etc.

How l Round  – (Theatre) A site for the theatre community that accepts and posts essays, blog post and critical reviews.

The Partially Examined Life  – (Culture) A philosophy podcast and philosophy blog that accepts book reviews, brief posts related to culture and ideas, and philosophy accompanied by commentary.

The Introspectionist  – (Philosophy) Looking for article ideas and pitches that will interest women. Accepts articles, creative non-fiction, essays and informative content.

VibrantLife  – (Christian) This publication pays $100-$300 for articles up to 1,000 words about physical health, mental clarity and spiritual balance from a Christian perspective.

A Fine Parent  – (Parenting) A site that looks for positive parenting methods and the sort of articles and tips that adopt that approach. Articles selected for publication will earn $75 via PayPal.

Babble  – (Parenting) Babble is a parenting blog by Disney that accepts submissions on various categories including pregnancy, parenting, home, entertainment, beauty, and more.

Babble pays $150-$200 per article.

WhatCulture  – (Entertainment) If you like to write about movies (or films), TV, music, gaming, sports and other cool topics, here’s the place to submit. Pays $50 per post.

New Scientist  – (New Science) They have internal staff but are always on the lookout for write-ups on new research in the Sciences: Physics, Health, Earth, Technology etc.

The publishers pay per words published, which will normally be about the same as the number of words commissioned. The editor handling a story can tell you the going rate. Payment will be sent to the address you give us within a month or so.

Lies About Parenting  – (Parenting) If textbook parenting isn’t getting the job done, then the content you find in this post may help. They look for advice, stories, experimentation and personal experiences. Think going against the grain. Pays $50 per post.

BabyFit  – (Parenting) The site has their own in-house writers but will accept articles on health topics related to pregnancy, parenting, nutrition and fitness.

Scary Mommy  – (Parenting) Articles to do with different stages of parenting, from pregnancy to childbirth, to issues to do with raising kids and more.

DigitalOcean Community  – (Tech) Teach others and grow as an author while supporting tech-focused nonprofits and charities doing important work in the field.

Most new tutorials are paid out at $300; complex production-focused topics may be paid out at up to $400. Updates for existing tutorials, such as distribution changes, are typically paid out at $75 to $150, based on the number of changes and technical content. All payouts are at editorial discretion.

Bee Culture  – (Bee Industry) Interested in articles to do with beekeeping, history, equipment, imports, pesticides and even about predators and diseases.

Unsolicited regular or feature articles, between 1500-2000 words pays roughly $150.00-$200.00, including photos (more on negotiation). Payment is usually made on publication.

Great Escape Publishing  – (Travel) Looking for posts on travel writing, photography, travel blogging, tours, and even import & export businesses.

Great Escape Publishing has historically paid “$150 for interviews, personal stories, and any articles they request for the website with specific income advice readers can print and follow to earn more income.”

Linode Guides & Tutorials  – (Tech ) Looking for cloud hosting posts and guides as well as helping people to learn Linux. Also pays for updates to already posted articles. Pays up to $300 per guide.

International Living  – (Travel) Covers the stories that are told from the eyes on the street, leaning towards better, cheaper, healthier alternatives than what you find in mainstream publications.

They pay $75 for “daily postcards,” which share stories from expats. · $250 for 800 Words · $ 400 for 1400 words  · $50 for photographs.

Mamalode  – (Parenting) A site which publishes personal experiences seen through the eyes of new and seasoned moms and dads, as well as plenty of children stories. They pay $50 per post.

Transitions Abroad  – (Travel) Looking for practical tips and experiences about working, living, travelling and studying abroad.

This site pays up to $150 USD for articles (800 to 2,000 words) about travel advice, experiences, and adventures to help and inspire others to see the world.

Write Naked  – (Writing) Covers write-ups on writing life including interviews, day-in-the-life of a writer, publishing trends and writing essentials.

They pay $75 when the post is published.

Wow!Women on Writing  – (Writing) An e-Magazine that promotes communication between women readers, writers, editors, authors and publishers and writing essentials.

This site pays $50 - $100 per post and is looking after female writers, promote them, and genuinely seek to offer the opportunity to budding freelancers. Their audience is diverse and all focused on providing excellent content for the women.

Writers Weekly  – (Writing) Covers articles on how to earn from writing as well as sell-employment and home-based businesses.

They pay $60 on acceptance via PayPal.

Polygon  – (Gaming) Publishes everything about modern gaming including game reviews, game videos, gaming consoles and hardware reviews, etc.

They pay 25 cents a word. Features seem to be around 2,000 word, which works out to $500 for a featured article. They may also pay for other “mixed media” assets, such as photographs or other relevant imagery.

The Diplomat  – (News) Interested in breaking news, articles and blog posts about Asia on economy, environment, politics etc. They pay $50+ per post.

Blog Meets Brand  – Another sponsored post network like Linqia. You sign up and get notified. Payment depends on the sponsors rates.

Massive Sway  – Developed by the SITS girls – once you register and are approved you have access to all their offers.

There are requirements for each offer such as a certain # of followers, note to self. Join their Facebook group for more info as well. They have multiple sponsored posts and campaigns running.

Modern Love  (Personal Essay) – The NYT love column reportedly pays as much as $300 for essays classified as ‘modern love’. Send submissions to:  [email protected]

Vox  – (First Person) – Reportedly pays in the range of $400 for personal narrative essays explaining topics of modern life. Submit to :  [email protected]

Skyword  – Rates range from $150- $800. They work in two ways: sometimes they act as intermediary between writer and client. They also allow brands to search their writer pool and select writers.

A Note on Content Mills – Not all are alike 

Upwork  – I’ve made some money on Upwork when first starting out. Some consider it a content mill with bottom feeder rates.

It’s important to remember to set your rate for what you deserve and what you think the job is worth.

To get started sign up for an account, set up your profile & rate and apply for freelance writing gigs.

A client will reach out to you and once you agree on terms & budget you can get started right away.

I made $100 for a 10-minute gig with them which to me at the time was big money to write!

Keep in mind though, that they do take a hefty cut! And IMO finding a job with them is practically a full-time job within itself.

I have in all honesty also experienced some frustration with them. It can be a race to the bottom of the barrel at times and some people are only looking to pay as little as they can possibly get away with. Make sure you don’t sell yourself short.

If you’re a beginner, the best to get started making money writing is to sign up for a  quality course  from Fiverr Academy and master it. There are also a lot of excellent free writing courses out there such as LinkedIn learning that don’t cost you anything.

This is the only way you will have the writing skills and authority to back it up, generate a monthly income authentically and get the pay grade you deserve!

More Sites That Pay Writers Big Money to Write

Buzzfeed  – A viral site with competitive rates in the range of $0.13 – $0.27 per word. Accepting personal essay experiences.

Clever Girls Collective  – This is another sponsored post network that you must apply to. I’ve heard they’re pretty selective and it’s tough to get in. Your traffic must be really high to get into this club of influencers.

Elite Daily  – If you’re a generation Y’er Woman, they want to hear from you and your experiences about fashion, dating, politics, celebrities, travel, fitness, health etc. Rates begin at $250 and are negotiable.

Please email all questions and submissions to Jonathan Borge, Senior Entertainment Editor of Elite Daily at:  [email protected] .

College Humor  – This site that generates millions of pageviews per day and once bought a stuffed banana for like $4 grand? Send an email to  [email protected]  with your pitch, and our editors will work with you to craft the perfect article.

Even better? For a single page article, they pay you $35. For a larger multi-page article, they pay you $50. Not too shabby. Hint – Cosmo pays $100 for essays about College.

Image by  Hautestock.com

Companies That Pay Writers ($100 & up)

The Sun Magazine  – Fiction and Nonfiction works and poetry. Pays $100-$250 for posts and up to $2,500 for essays and interviews and $300 to $2,000 for fiction and poetry. They also accept photography and artwork submissions.

Chicken Soup for the Soul  – 1200 words, seeking inspirational, empowering true stories. If they publish your story, you will be paid $250 one month after publication of the book and you will receive ten free copies of the book your story or poem appears in.

Reader’s Digest  – Seeking a 100-word true story. Compelling and completely true that is fascinating to readers. $100. Readers Digest Asia is paying $ 25 for published jokes and $100 for funny true stories . You can find the joke submission information here.

Income Diary  – Looking for experts on blogging, social media, website creation, digital marketing strategies. They pay up to $200 for worthy articles  – but they emphasize that your article needs to be of the highest standard and genuinely of interest to our audience.

Nutrii Inspector  – Looking for product reviews and guides on food, nutrition and weight loss.  Pay up to $180 and they have regular gigs!

Payout Rates

• Ultimate how to guides (3000-4000 words): $120-$180
• Informational articles (2000-3000 words): $120
• Product reviews (1000 words): $60

bloggingpro.com  – The BloggingPro Job Board is updated daily with fresh paid blogging jobs, blog writing jobs, freelance writing jobs and more.

Matador  – “Matador Network has inspired millions of readers to become fearless travelers and better-informed, more engaged global citizens.

We are always looking for original writing and visual storytelling about travel, culture, and political commentary.”

Who Pays Writers claims Matador's average pay is $0.06/word for a 1,000 – word editorial and $0.02/word for a 2,000 – word piece. Expect to get paid within 15 days of your submission.

A List Apart  – “Always looking for new authors. If you’ve got an idea that will challenge our readers and move our industry forward, we want to hear about it.

But you don’t need to wait for an idea that will  redefine web design . Just aim to bring readers a fresh perspective on a topic that’s keeping you up at night”.

Pays $200 per article of 1500 - 2000 words per Fully Booked Va.

I hope you enjoyed this vast list of resources for bloggers and freelance writers that pay well! Make sure you read through the writing and guidelines submissions page for each website you're most interested in.

Follow me for more work from home jobs, selfcare, wellness tips, trends and great ways to grow your business online!

Next read>>> The Best 27 Side Hustles for Stay At Home Moms (msn.com)

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80 Best Magazines & Websites That Publish Personal Essays

Wouldn’t it be great to find a whole list of magazines that publish personal essays, and even pay you for the privilege?

Well, you’re in luck because you’ve just found a list of magazines that accept essay submissions around pop culture, personal finance, personal stories, and many other topics. If you’re passionate about crafting personal essays and your work typically falls within a range of 600 to 10,000 words, consider submitting your essays to the organizations listed below. They generally offer compensation of $50-$250 for each accepted essay. After this guide, you may also want to check my list of the best essays of all time .

Here are the top magazines and publications that publish thought-provoking essays:

1. the new york times – modern love.

“Modern Love” accepts essay submissions via email at [email protected] with the essay subject or potential title as the email subject line. Submissions should be original, true stories between 1,500 and 1,700 words, sent both as an attached Microsoft Word-compatible document and pasted into the body of the email. The team collaborates with writers on editing, and authors are compensated for published work. Submission info .

2. The New York Times – Opinion Essays

To submit an essay to this publication, fill out the provided submission form with the essay and a brief explanation of your professional or personal connection to its argument or idea. The essay should include sources for key assertions (either as hyperlinks or parenthetical citations). Although all submissions are reviewed, the publication may not be able to respond individually due to the high volume of entries. If there’s no response within three business days, authors are free to submit their work elsewhere. Submission info .

3. Dame Magazine

DAME is a women’s magazine that prioritizes accessible and intersectional journalism that dives into context rather than breaking news. Their stories are unexpected, emotional, straightforward, illuminating, and focused on people rather than policy. They aim to reveal new or surprising information, provoke action or empathy, simplify complex issues, introduce fresh ideas, and foreground the people most affected by discussed topics. Submission info .

4. The New Yorker

The New Yorker welcomes letters to the editor sent to [email protected] and includes your postal address and phone number. For fiction submissions, send your work as a PDF to [email protected] or mail it to their New York address. They review all submissions within ninety days and will only contact you if they decide to publish your work. Submission info .

5. The Atlantic

The Atlantic is keen on high-quality nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Familiarity with their past publications can guide your submission. All manuscripts should be submitted as a Word document or PDF. They only respond if they’re interested in discussing your submission further. Separate submission channels exist for fiction and poetry. Submission info .

6. The Globe and Mail

The Globe and Mail welcomes your original experiences, viewpoints, and unique perspectives for your daily first-person essay. A good essay should have an original voice, an unexpected view, humor, vivid details, and anecdotes that illuminate a wider theme. While a successful essay could be funny, surprising, touching, or enlightening, it should always be personal and truthful, rather than political or fictional. Submission info .

7. The Guardian

To contribute to this publication, you should identify the most relevant section and contact the commissioning editor with a brief outline of your idea. You may be invited to submit your work speculatively, meaning payment will only be provided if your contribution is published. It’s important to note that your contribution should be sent electronically and will be published under standard copyright terms with payment at normal rates unless agreed otherwise before publication. Submission info .

8. Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times is open to opinion articles on any subject, with most published pieces being about 750 words long. Submissions must be exclusive to them and not published elsewhere, including personal blogs or social media. Full drafts of articles are required for consideration and should include the author’s name, the topic, the full text, a short author biography, and contact information. Submission info .

9. The Sun Magazine

The Sun publishes personal essays, short stories, and poems from both established and emerging writers globally, particularly encouraging submissions from underrepresented perspectives. Their contributors’ work often garners recognition in prestigious anthologies and prizes. The Sun seeks personal essays that are deeply reflective, celebrating hard-won victories or exploring big mistakes, aiming to make newsworthy events feel intimate and wrestle with complex questions. Submission info .

Slate invites pitches that are fresh, and original, and propose strong arguments. They appreciate ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and encourage you to clearly articulate the insights your reporting can uncover. A concise pitch is preferred, even if a full draft is already written. You should include a short bio and any relevant published work. They advise waiting a week before pitching to other publications, and if an editor passes, refrain from sending it to another editor at Slate. Submission info .

VICE is primarily interested in mid-length original reports, reported essays, narrative features, and service journalism related to contemporary living and interpersonal relationships. They welcome stories informed by personal experiences and insight but advise writers to consider what makes their story unique, why they’re the right person to tell it, and why it should be on VICE. While all stories don’t need to be tied to current events, a timely element can distinguish a pitch. They also accept quick-turnaround blogs and longer features. Submission info .

12. Vox Culture

Vox Culture seeks to provide readers with context and analysis for understanding current entertainment trends. They are interested in pitches that answer significant questions about major movies, TV shows, music artists, internet culture, fame, and women’s issues in the entertainment business. Notably, they are not interested in personal essays or celebrity interviews. Past successful stories have ranged from exploring Disney’s move away from traditional villains to analyzing historical inaccuracies in popular shows. They accept story pitches ranging between 1,000 and 2,500 words. Submission info .

Aeon, a unique digital magazine since 2012, is known for publishing profound and provocative ideas addressing big questions. Their signature format is the Essay, a deep dive into a topic, usually between 2,500-5,000 words, approached from a unique angle and written with clarity to engage curious and intelligent general readers. Aeon’s contributors are primarily academic experts, but they also welcome those with significant professional or practical expertise in various fields. Submission info .

14. BuzzFeed Reader

This platform welcomes freelance pitches on cultural criticism, focusing on current or timeless topics in various categories like books, technology, sports, etc. Essays should offer a unique perspective on how these subjects reflect our society. The content must be relevant, advance ongoing dialogues, and add value to the existing discourse. Submission info .

15. The Boston Globe

Boston Globe Ideas welcomes a variety of content including op-eds, reported stories, book excerpts, first-person essays, and Q&A features. Submissions should be sent directly, not as pitches. Please include your submission in the body of the email, not as an attachment. Briefly explain why you’re uniquely qualified to write this piece. Ensure your submission hasn’t been published or under review elsewhere. Submissions page .

16. The Bold Italic

This platform is actively seeking submissions in the genre of personal narrative essays. These pieces can encompass a broad range of experiences from the hilariously light-hearted to deeply poignant, encapsulating the vibrant and diverse experiences of living in your community. Submission info .

Before pitching to a Medium Publication, thoroughly understand its unique style by reviewing published content and submission guidelines. This ensures your work aligns with their preferences. With numerous Medium Publications available, persist in your submissions until you find a fitting outlet. Submission info .

18. Refinery29

Refinery29 Australia is committed to empowering women and underrepresented groups, with a particular focus on Australian women and trans and gender-diverse individuals, primarily Gen-Z and millennials. We publish a diverse array of content, from timely personal essays to reports on race, reproductive rights, and pop culture, all with a distinctly local perspective. They aim to shed light on the world around us, and highly value pieces that capture the unique Australian experience, be it in subject matter or authorial voice. Submission info .

ELLE’s annual talent competition is back for, seeking out the next superstar in writing. The winner will have their 500-word piece, inspired by the hashtag #RelationshipGoals and focusing on a significant relationship in their life. Submission info .

20. Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan is looking for first-person features that cover all aspects of beauty. This can include writing personal essays or narratives about your struggles with adult acne, your journey to an all-natural beauty routine, or other unique beauty experiences. We are also open to opinion pieces about beauty trends or movements that resonate with you. Submission info .

Bustle encourages freelance pitches across different verticals such as Lifestyle, Books, News and politics, Fashion and beauty, and Entertainment. We value pitches that are brief yet comprehensive, including a sample headline, a 2-3 sentence description of the piece, your plan for photos, sources you have access to, your clips if you haven’t written for us before, and your standard rate. Make sure to understand what we’re looking for and convey your story idea clearly and professionally. Submission info .

22. The Walrus

The Walrus seeks short essays (up to 1,200 words) that are timely, focused, and sourced from Canada and globally. These can be reported narratives, memoirs, or mini-features on specific topics. Each essay should exhibit a distinct argument, a strong writing voice, and present an original and significant viewpoint. Writers new to The Walrus or those without long-form journalism experience are particularly encouraged to contribute to this section. Submission info .

23. Autostraddle

Autostraddle welcomes pitches, works in progress, and completed submissions. Any issues with the submission form should be emailed to Laneia Jones with the subject line “SUBMISSION ERROR”. Questions about the submission process can be directed to Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya with “SUBMISSION PROCESS” in the subject line. Please note that pitches or submissions sent via email will not be accepted. Submission info .

24. Narratively

Narratively focuses on original and untold human stories, welcoming pitches and completed submissions from diverse voices. They use Submittable for managing submissions. To better understand what they’re looking for in new writers, contributors can review their guidelines, and the best pitches they’ve received, and ask questions to their editors about how to pitch. Submission info .

25. Catapult

Catapult offers a regularly updated list of submission and freelancing opportunities. Some current options include Black Fox Literary Magazine, open for fiction submissions; Carina Press, seeking romance manuscripts; Elegant Literature, welcoming submissions for its contest; Inkspell Publishing, looking for romance manuscripts; Interlude Press, seeking original novels featuring diverse casts; and Intrepid Times, accepting stories about romance while traveling. Submission info .

26. Jezebel

At Jezebel, the high volume of daily emails (over 500), including tips and questions from readers, makes it impossible to respond to all of them, even though they are all read and appreciated. Their primary job involves posting 60+ items a day, and due to workload constraints, they may not always be able to reply to your email. Submission info .

27. Bitch Media

Bitch Media seeks pitches offering feminist analysis of culture, covering a wide array of topics including social trends, politics, science, health, life aspects, and popular culture phenomena. They publish critical essays, reported features, interviews, reviews, and analyses. First-person essays should balance personal perspectives with larger themes. Both finished work and query letters are welcome. However, due to the volume of submissions, they cannot guarantee a response or that every pitch will be read. Submission info .

28. Broadview

Broadview magazine prefers pitches from professional writers for unique, audience-focused stories. While unsolicited articles may be accepted, the initial idea pitch is recommended. Responses to each pitch are not guaranteed due to high submission volumes. Submission info .

29. Briarpatch Magazine

Briarpatch Magazine accepts pitches on a variety of political and social issues, valuing stories from diverse voices. They seek well-researched, fact-backed pieces aimed at a non-specialist, progressive audience. They recommend writers to first pitch their ideas, including contact info, estimated word count, recent publications, and a short writing sample. The magazine aims to respond within one to two weeks after the pitch deadline for each issue. Submission info .

30. Maisonneuve

Maisonneuve Magazine welcomes non-fiction writing submissions in various forms (reporting, essays, memoirs, humor, reviews) and visual art (illustration, photography, comics). They do not accept fiction, poetry, or previously published work. They prefer well-developed, well-researched pitches, but also accept polished drafts if the writer is open to edits. To understand what the magazine is looking for, it’s recommended to read some recent issues or check their website. Submission info .

31. Room Magazine

Room Magazine seeks original fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and art from individuals of marginalized genders, including women (cisgender and transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit, and nonbinary people. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, and submissions can be made through Submittable. Submission info .

32. Hazlitt

Hazlitt is currently not accepting submissions but it might reopen soon. They seek original journalism, investigative features, international reporting, profiles, essays, and humor pieces, but they are not considering unsolicited fiction. Pitches with proposed word counts are preferred, and they have a section called “Hazlitt Firsts” for reviews of experiencing mundane things for the first time as adults. Submission info .

33. This Magazine

This Magazine seeks pitches for their annual Culture Issue with a DIY theme, open to various topics related to DIY spirit. They publish Canadian residents only and prefer queries over already completed essays or manuscripts. They look for unique stories with a social justice angle, and pitches should include reasons for telling the story, relevant sources, and potential takeaways for readers. Submission info .

34. Geist Magazine

Geist magazine seeks submissions with a literary focus, including short non-fiction for the Notes & Dispatches section (around 800-1200 words) with a sense of place, historical narrative, humor, and personal essays on art, music, and culture. They encourage submissions from diverse writers and will pay writers $300-500 for accepted pieces. Submission info .

35. Discover Magazine

Discover magazine seeks pitches from freelance writers for science-related stories that enlighten and excite readers, with a conversational tone and high reader interest. Pitch one idea per email, mentioning the newness of the science and specific studies and researchers to be cited. Include your science-writing credentials and best clips in the pitch and send them to [email protected]. Payment starts at $1/word for print and typically $300/story for web, with rights purchased for both. Submission info .

36. Eater Voices

Eater Voices accepts personal essays from chefs, restaurateurs, writers, and industry insiders about the food world. To pitch, email a brief explanation of the topic and why you are the right person to write about it to [email protected]. Submission info .

37. The Temper

The Temper is an online publication focused on sobriety, addiction, and recovery, challenging drinking culture. They seek diverse and intersectional stories written through the lens of addiction, covering various topics like sex, food, relationships, and more. Submissions are currently closed, but they are especially interested in amplifying voices from marginalized and underrepresented groups. Submission info .

38. Chatelaine

Chatelaine is a prominent Canadian women’s magazine covering health, current events, food, social issues, decor, fashion, and beauty. To pitch, read the magazine first, and submit a one-page query letter explaining the idea’s fit for the magazine, section, and format. They prefer email submissions with at least two previously published writing samples, and response time may take six to eight weeks. Submission info .

39. Conde Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler seeks pitches for reported and personal travel stories with inclusive coverage, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities. Focus on stories and angles rather than destinations, check for previous coverage, and offer a fresh perspective. If pitching a personality, indicate exclusivity and access. Consider your expertise in telling stories, especially about marginalized communities, and disclose any sponsorships. Keep pitches brief, including a suggested headline, angle, sources, and why it’s timely. Responsible travel stories are prioritized during the pandemic. Submission info .

40. Boston Globe Ideas

Globe Ideas is dedicating an entire issue to young people’s voices and stories. Teens are invited to share their aspirations, concerns, and experiences about mental health, school, social media, and more, up to 700 words or through short notes, videos, or illustrations. This is a chance for teens to set the record straight and tell the world what matters most to them. Submission info .

41. Babbel Magazine

Babel welcomes submissions from all linguists, focusing on accessible and stimulating articles about language. Writers can submit feature articles or propose ideas for regular features, and guidelines for contributions are available for download. For those with ideas but not interested in writing, they can also suggest topics for articles through email. Submission info .

42. HuffPost Personal

HuffPost seeks to amplify voices from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ, and people with disabilities. They accept freelance pitches on a wide range of topics, providing clear guidelines for submissions. They also encourage visual creatives to submit their work, and all published contributors are paid for their work. Please note that due to the volume of submissions, individual responses may not be possible. Submission info .

43. Adelaide Literary Magazine

Adelaide magazine accepts submissions in various categories, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, translations, book reviews, interviews, and art/photography. Fiction and nonfiction submissions have a size limit of 5,000 words, while book reviews have a limit of 2,000 words. They do not accept previously published work or simultaneous submissions. Artists retain all rights to their work, and upon publication, rights revert to the author/artist. Submission info .

44. bioStories

BioStories welcomes nonfiction prose submissions of 500 to 7500 words, with the typical piece being around 2500 words. Submit via email to [email protected], pasting the submission in the email body with the subject line “biostories submission” and your last name. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but immediate notification is required if accepted elsewhere. Multiple submissions are allowed at a one-month interval, and the work must be previously unpublished in print and online. Noncompliant submissions will not receive a response. Submission info .

45. Quarter After Eight

Quarter After Eight welcomes innovative writing submissions in any genre from both new and established writers. To withdraw work, use the “withdraw” option on Submittable for the entire submission or the “note” function to specify which pieces to withdraw; do not email about withdrawals. Submission info .

46. The Rappahannock Review

The Rappahannock Review accepts original and innovative writing in various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and audio pieces. They encourage experimentation and creativity, seeking enthralling voices and compelling narratives. Additionally, the magazine showcases a variety of visual artists and welcomes submissions for consideration in each new issue. Submission info .

Allure is seeking writers to contribute pieces that explore beauty, style, self-expression, and liberation. They are looking for writers with relevant credentials and experience in the field, and they offer compensation of $350 for reported stories and $300 for personal essays. Submission info .

48. MLA Style Center

The Modern Language Association is inviting students to submit research papers written in MLA style for consideration in their online collection “Writing with MLA Style.” Essays should be 2,000 to 3,000 words in length and must be written in English. Works-cited-list entries do not count toward the word limit. Submission info .

49. Marie Claire

Marie Claire magazine is dedicated to highlighting the diversity and depth of women’s experiences. They offer award-winning features, essays, and op-eds, as well as coverage of sustainable fashion, celebrity news, fashion trends, and beauty recommendations. Submission info .

SELF magazine is actively seeking new writers, particularly from marginalized communities, to contribute to their health and wellness content. They are interested in pitches that offer helpful insights on topics related to health, fitness, food, beauty, love, and lifestyle. The focus should be on improving personal or public health clearly and straightforwardly. Submission info .

51. Her Story

HerStry is a platform that focuses on the experiences of women-identifying persons, including cisgender women, transgender women, non-binary persons, and more. They accept personal essays that are true stories about the author, with a length between 500 to 3,000 words. They pay $10 for each published personal essay here, but there is a $3 submission fee (with limited free submission periods). Stories are read blind, and explicit or offensive content is not accepted. Submission info .

52. Griffith Review

Griffith Review accepts submissions based on specific themes for each edition. They welcome new and creative ideas, allowing writers to express their voices in essays, creative and narrative nonfiction-fiction, and analytical pieces. Submissions should generally range from 2,000 to 5,000 words, with up to four poems allowed on theme. Submission info .

53. Literary Review of Canada

The Literary Review of Canada welcomes prospective writers, photographers, and illustrators to submit specific review proposals, essay pitches, or general queries. They prefer to receive unsolicited review topics and essay ideas rather than completed work and do not accept simultaneous submissions. Submission info .

54. Harper’s Magazine

For Harper’s Magazine, nonfiction writers should send queries accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Ideas for the Readings section can be sent to [email protected], but individual acknowledgment is not guaranteed due to volume. All submissions and queries must be sent by mail to their New York address. Submission info .

55. Virginia Quarterly Review

VQR only considers unpublished work, submitted online via Submittable. One prose piece and four poems are allowed per reading period, but multiple submissions in the same genre will be declined unread. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but if accepted elsewhere, notify them immediately via Submittable. Submission info .

56. The New England Review

New England Review is open for submissions in all genres during specific periods. They accept fiction, poetry, nonfiction, dramatic writing, and translations. The magazine only considers previously unpublished work, and simultaneous submissions are allowed. They welcome submissions from writers of all backgrounds and encourage diverse perspectives. Submission info .

57. One Story

One Story seeks literary fiction between 3,000 and 8,000 words, any style, and subject. They pay $500 and provide 25 contributor copies for First Serial North American rights. Only unpublished material is accepted, except for stories published in print outside North America. Simultaneous submissions allowed; prompt withdrawals upon acceptance elsewhere. Accepts DOC, DOCX, PDF, and RTF files via Submittable. No comments on individual stories. No revisions of previously rejected work. Translations are accepted with proper attribution. No emailed or paper submissions, except for incarcerated individuals. Submission info .

58. The Threepenny Review

The Threepenny Review accepts submissions for fiction, poetry, travel essays, and Table Talk pieces. They pay $400 per story/article and $200 per poem, granting first serial rights and copyright reversion to the author. Mailed manuscripts require a self-addressed stamped envelope, while online submissions should be in Word format with a single document for prose or poetry. Submission info .

59. Zoetrope: All-Story

Zoetrope: All-Story is currently not accepting general submissions. They will announce when submissions reopen and update the guidelines accordingly. Submission info .

60. American Short Fiction

American Short Fiction accepts regular submissions of short fiction from September to December. The magazine publishes both established and new authors , and submissions must be original and previously unpublished. Manuscripts should be typed, double-spaced, and accompanied by the author’s contact information. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but authors must withdraw their work if accepted elsewhere. Payment is competitive and upon publication, with all rights reverting to the author. American Short Fiction does not accept poetry, plays, nonfiction, or reviews. Submission info .

61. The Southern Review

The Southern Review accepts work during its submission period. They only consider unpublished pieces in English and accept simultaneous submissions. If your work is accepted elsewhere, promptly notify them via email with the subject line “withdrawal.” Do not submit work via email, as it will be discarded. They do not consider submissions from anyone currently or recently affiliated with Louisiana State University within the past four years. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the journal’s aesthetic by subscribing before submitting your work. Submission info .

62. Boulevard Magazine

Boulevard seeks to publish exceptional fiction, poetry, and non-fiction from both experienced and emerging writers. They accept works of up to 8,000 words for prose and up to five poems of up to 200 lines. They do not consider genres like science fiction, erotica, horror, romance, or children’s stories. Payment for prose ranges from $100 to $300, while payment for poetry ranges from $50 to $250. Natural Bridge Online publication offers a flat rate of $50. Submission info .

63. The Cincinnati Review

The Cincinnati Review accepts submissions for its print journal during specific periods: September, December, and May. miCRo submissions are open almost year-round, except during the Robert and Adele Schiff Awards and backlogs. They welcome submissions from writers at any stage, except current/former University of Cincinnati affiliates. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, and response time is around six months. Payment is $25/page for prose, $30/page for poetry in print, and $25 for miCRo posts/features. Submission info .

64. The Antioch Review

The Antioch Review seeks nonfiction essays that appeal to educated citizens, covering various social science and humanities topics of current importance. They aim for interpretive essays that draw on scholarly materials and revive literary journalism. The best way to understand their preferences is to read previous issues and get a sense of their treatment, lengths, and subjects used in the publication. Submission info .

AGNI’s online Submission Manager is open from September 1st to midnight December 15th, and again from February 15th to midnight May 31st. Manuscripts can also be submitted by mail between September 1st and May 31st. AGNI considers prose in various genres, including personal essays, short stories, prose poems, and more. They do not publish academic essays or genre romance, horror, mystery, or science fiction. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, and sending through the online portal incurs a $3 fee, but regular mail submissions can be made to avoid the fee. Submission info .

66. Barrelhouse

Barrelhouse accepts unsolicited submissions for book reviews through their Submittable online submissions manager. They pay $50 to each contributor and accept simultaneous submissions. There is no maximum length, but most published pieces are shorter than 8,000 words. They only accept Word or rich-text (.rtf) files and prefer poetry to be submitted as a single document. Submissions for their print and online issues are currently closed, but book reviews are open. Response time is approximately six months. Submission info .

67. Tin House Online

Tin House is a good company that offers a two-day submission period three times a year for writers without a current agent and no previous book publication (chapbooks accepted). They accept fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry, both in English and in translation (with formal permission). Completed drafts are required. They are particularly interested in engaging with writers from historically underrepresented communities. Submission info .

68. One Teen Story

One Teen Story publishes 3 stories annually and welcomes submissions from teen writers aged 13-19. They seek original, unpublished fiction across genres, focusing on the teen experience. Great short stories with compelling teen characters, strong writing, and a well-structured narrative are encouraged for submission to their contest. Submission info .

69. Bennington Review

Bennington Review accepts unsolicited submissions through Submittable during their reading periods in fall, winter, and spring. They seek innovative and impactful fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Response times vary, but they aim to respond within five to eight months. Accepted contributors will receive payment ranging from $25 per poem to $250 for prose over six typeset pages, along with two copies of the published issue and a copy of the subsequent issue. Submission info .

70. Epoch Literary

Epoch Literary accepts poetry submissions of up to five poems, short fiction or essay submissions as a single piece or a suite of smaller pieces, and visual art and comics for the cover. They do not publish literary criticism or writing for children and young adults. Electronic submissions are open in August and January, with a $3 fee, part of which supports the Cornell Prison Education Program. Submission info .

71. The Gettysburg Review

The Gettysburg Review accepts poetry, fiction, essays, and essay reviews from September 1 to May 31, with a focus on quality writing. Full-color graphics submissions are accepted year-round. It’s recommended to read previous issues before submitting, and sample copies are available for purchase. The journal stays open during the summer for mailed submissions or those using Submittable and purchasing a subscription or the current issue. Submission info .

72. Alaska Quarterly Review

The publication accepts submissions of fiction, poetry, drama, literary nonfiction, and photo essays in traditional and experimental styles. Fiction can be short stories, novellas, or novel excerpts up to 70 pages, and poetry submissions can include up to 6 poems. They aim to respond within 4 to 12 weeks, but authors can inquire about their manuscript status after 4 weeks if needed. Submission info .

73. Colorado Review

Colorado Review only accepts submissions through its Submittable portal and no longer accepts paper submissions. They encourage writers to be familiar with their publication before submitting and provide sample copies and examples of recently published work on their website. They look for engaging stories with original characters, crisp language , and a provocative central problem or issue. Submission info .

74. The Georgia Review

The Georgia Review accepts submissions both online and by post, but not via email. Submissions are free for current subscribers. They do not consider unsolicited manuscripts between May 15 and August 15 and aim to respond within eight months. Previously published work will not be considered, and simultaneous submissions are allowed if noted in the cover letter. They offer different prizes for poetry and prose and accept submissions in fiction, poetry, essays, and book reviews. Submission info .

75. New Letters

New Letters accepts submissions year-round through Submittable, with a small fee waived for current subscribers. They welcome up to six poems, one chapbook, one piece of nonfiction, one short story (graphic or traditional), or one novella per submission. Simultaneous submissions are allowed if notified, and response time is approximately six months. They publish short stories up to 5,000 words, novellas up to 30,000 words, graphic short stories up to ten pages in color or black and white, and chapbooks up to 30 pages. Submission info .

76. Shenandoah

Submissions for comics will reopen soon. The Graybeal-Gowen Prize for Virginia Poets will be open for a limited time. Poetry submissions are considered in November and spring. Prose submissions will open soon. Short stories, creative nonfiction, and flash fiction are welcome. Editor Beth Staples looks for writing that challenges and offers diverse perspectives. Submission info .

77. TriQuarterly

TriQuarterly, the literary journal of Northwestern University, welcomes submissions in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, video essays, short drama, and hybrid work from both established and emerging writers. They are especially interested in work that engages with global cultural and societal conversations. Submissions are accepted through Submittable, and they charge a small reading fee. Submission windows vary by genre. Submission info .

78. E-International Relations

E-International Relations invites current and former undergraduate and Master’s students to submit their highest-graded essays and dissertations for publication. They seek work that is of academic utility to other students and demonstrates engagement with the subject, using pertinent case studies/examples and engaging with complex literature and ideas. Submissions must meet specific entry criteria, including word count, language standards, and full bibliographic references. Submission info .

79. Longreads

Longreads publishes the best long-form nonfiction storytelling and accepts pitches for original work. They pay competitive rates and prefer pitches via email to [email protected]. Fiction is not accepted, and submissions using generative AI tools will be rejected. You can also nominate published stories by tweeting with the #longreads hashtag. Submission info .

80. Education Week

EdWeek welcomes submissions from various perspectives within the K-12 education community, including teachers, students, administrators, policymakers, and parents. Submissions should be concise, relevant to a national audience, and have a clear point of view backed by factual evidence. We value solution-oriented and practical pieces that offer best practices, policy recommendations, personal reflections and calls to action. Essays longer than 1,000 words or shorter than 600 words will not be considered. Please submit in Word format via email. Submission info .

If you want to get your essays published in a print magazine or an online publication, it’s time to approach the appropriate section editor or send your work via a submissions page. Even in a world where so much content is produced by AI, publications are still interested in receiving great writing written in a conversational tone. Just make sure to follow the guidelines (especially those around word count) and show off your flamboyant writing style in a prestigious online magazine. Next up, you might want to check a list of the top sites that will pay you to write,  or my extensive list of publishing companies .

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Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, getting college essay help: important do's and don’ts.

College Essays

If you grow up to be a professional writer, everything you write will first go through an editor before being published. This is because the process of writing is really a process of re-writing —of rethinking and reexamining your work, usually with the help of someone else. So what does this mean for your student writing? And in particular, what does it mean for very important, but nonprofessional writing like your college essay? Should you ask your parents to look at your essay? Pay for an essay service?

If you are wondering what kind of help you can, and should, get with your personal statement, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll talk about what kind of writing help is useful, ethical, and even expected for your college admission essay . I'll also point out who would make a good editor, what the differences between editing and proofreading are, what to expect from a good editor, and how to spot and stay away from a bad one.

Table of Contents

What Kind of Help for Your Essay Can You Get?

What's Good Editing?

What should an editor do for you, what kind of editing should you avoid, proofreading, what's good proofreading, what kind of proofreading should you avoid.

What Do Colleges Think Of You Getting Help With Your Essay?

Who Can/Should Help You?

Advice for editors.

Should You Pay Money For Essay Editing?

The Bottom Line

What's next, what kind of help with your essay can you get.

Rather than talking in general terms about "help," let's first clarify the two different ways that someone else can improve your writing . There is editing, which is the more intensive kind of assistance that you can use throughout the whole process. And then there's proofreading, which is the last step of really polishing your final product.

Let me go into some more detail about editing and proofreading, and then explain how good editors and proofreaders can help you."

Editing is helping the author (in this case, you) go from a rough draft to a finished work . Editing is the process of asking questions about what you're saying, how you're saying it, and how you're organizing your ideas. But not all editing is good editing . In fact, it's very easy for an editor to cross the line from supportive to overbearing and over-involved.

Ability to clarify assignments. A good editor is usually a good writer, and certainly has to be a good reader. For example, in this case, a good editor should make sure you understand the actual essay prompt you're supposed to be answering.

Open-endedness. Good editing is all about asking questions about your ideas and work, but without providing answers. It's about letting you stick to your story and message, and doesn't alter your point of view.

Think of an editor as a great travel guide. It can show you the many different places your trip could take you. It should explain any parts of the trip that could derail your trip or confuse the traveler. But it never dictates your path, never forces you to go somewhere you don't want to go, and never ignores your interests so that the trip no longer seems like it's your own. So what should good editors do?

Help Brainstorm Topics

Sometimes it's easier to bounce thoughts off of someone else. This doesn't mean that your editor gets to come up with ideas, but they can certainly respond to the various topic options you've come up with. This way, you're less likely to write about the most boring of your ideas, or to write about something that isn't actually important to you.

If you're wondering how to come up with options for your editor to consider, check out our guide to brainstorming topics for your college essay .

Help Revise Your Drafts

Here, your editor can't upset the delicate balance of not intervening too much or too little. It's tricky, but a great way to think about it is to remember: editing is about asking questions, not giving answers .

Revision questions should point out:

• Places where more detail or more description would help the reader connect with your essay
• Places where structure and logic don't flow, losing the reader's attention
• Places where there aren't transitions between paragraphs, confusing the reader
• Moments where your narrative or the arguments you're making are unclear

But pointing to potential problems is not the same as actually rewriting—editors let authors fix the problems themselves.

Bad editing is usually very heavy-handed editing. Instead of helping you find your best voice and ideas, a bad editor changes your writing into their own vision.

You may be dealing with a bad editor if they:

• Add material (examples, descriptions) that doesn't come from you
• Use a thesaurus to make your college essay sound "more mature"
• Add meaning or insight to the essay that doesn't come from you
• Tell you what to say and how to say it
• Write sentences, phrases, and paragraphs for you
• Change your voice in the essay so it no longer sounds like it was written by a teenager

Colleges can tell the difference between a 17-year-old's writing and a 50-year-old's writing. Not only that, they have access to your SAT or ACT Writing section, so they can compare your essay to something else you wrote. Writing that's a little more polished is great and expected. But a totally different voice and style will raise questions.

Where's the Line Between Helpful Editing and Unethical Over-Editing?

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether your college essay editor is doing the right thing. Here are some guidelines for staying on the ethical side of the line.

• An editor should say that the opening paragraph is kind of boring, and explain what exactly is making it drag. But it's overstepping for an editor to tell you exactly how to change it.
• An editor should point out where your prose is unclear or vague. But it's completely inappropriate for the editor to rewrite that section of your essay.
• An editor should let you know that a section is light on detail or description. But giving you similes and metaphors to beef up that description is a no-go.

Proofreading (also called copy-editing) is checking for errors in the last draft of a written work. It happens at the end of the process and is meant as the final polishing touch. Proofreading is meticulous and detail-oriented, focusing on small corrections. It sands off all the surface rough spots that could alienate the reader.

Because proofreading is usually concerned with making fixes on the word or sentence level, this is the only process where someone else can actually add to or take away things from your essay . This is because what they are adding or taking away tends to be one or two misplaced letters.

Laser focus. Proofreading is all about the tiny details, so the ability to really concentrate on finding small slip-ups is a must.

Excellent grammar and spelling skills. Proofreaders need to dot every "i" and cross every "t." Good proofreaders should correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. They should put foreign words in italics and surround quotations with quotation marks. They should check that you used the correct college's name, and that you adhered to any formatting requirements (name and date at the top of the page, uniform font and size, uniform spacing).

Limited interference. A proofreader needs to make sure that you followed any word limits. But if cuts need to be made to shorten the essay, that's your job and not the proofreader's.

A bad proofreader either tries to turn into an editor, or just lacks the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job.

Some signs that you're working with a bad proofreader are:

• If they suggest making major changes to the final draft of your essay. Proofreading happens when editing is already finished.
• If they aren't particularly good at spelling, or don't know grammar, or aren't detail-oriented enough to find someone else's small mistakes.
• If they start swapping out your words for fancier-sounding synonyms, or changing the voice and sound of your essay in other ways. A proofreader is there to check for errors, not to take the 17-year-old out of your writing.

What Do Colleges Think of Your Getting Help With Your Essay?

Admissions officers agree: light editing and proofreading are good—even required ! But they also want to make sure you're the one doing the work on your essay. They want essays with stories, voice, and themes that come from you. They want to see work that reflects your actual writing ability, and that focuses on what you find important.

On the Importance of Editing

Get feedback. Have a fresh pair of eyes give you some feedback. Don't allow someone else to rewrite your essay, but do take advantage of others' edits and opinions when they seem helpful. ( Bates College )

Read your essay aloud to someone. Reading the essay out loud offers a chance to hear how your essay sounds outside your head. This exercise reveals flaws in the essay's flow, highlights grammatical errors and helps you ensure that you are communicating the exact message you intended. ( Dickinson College )

On the Value of Proofreading

Share your essays with at least one or two people who know you well—such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend—and ask for feedback. Remember that you ultimately have control over your essays, and your essays should retain your own voice, but others may be able to catch mistakes that you missed and help suggest areas to cut if you are over the word limit. ( Yale University )

Proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you. Although we want substance, we also want to be able to see that you can write a paper for our professors and avoid careless mistakes that would drive them crazy. ( Oberlin College )

On Watching Out for Too Much Outside Influence

Limit the number of people who review your essay. Too much input usually means your voice is lost in the writing style. ( Carleton College )

Ask for input (but not too much). Your parents, friends, guidance counselors, coaches, and teachers are great people to bounce ideas off of for your essay. They know how unique and spectacular you are, and they can help you decide how to articulate it. Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. ( Vanderbilt University )

Now let's talk about some potential people to approach for your college essay editing and proofreading needs. It's best to start close to home and slowly expand outward. Not only are your family and friends more invested in your success than strangers, but they also have a better handle on your interests and personality. This knowledge is key for judging whether your essay is expressing your true self.

Parents or Close Relatives

Your family may be full of potentially excellent editors! Parents are deeply committed to your well-being, and family members know you and your life well enough to offer details or incidents that can be included in your essay. On the other hand, the rewriting process necessarily involves criticism, which is sometimes hard to hear from someone very close to you.

A parent or close family member is a great choice for an editor if you can answer "yes" to the following questions. Is your parent or close relative a good writer or reader? Do you have a relationship where editing your essay won't create conflict? Are you able to constructively listen to criticism and suggestion from the parent?

One suggestion for defusing face-to-face discussions is to try working on the essay over email. Send your parent a draft, have them write you back some comments, and then you can pick which of their suggestions you want to use and which to discard.

Teachers or Tutors

A humanities teacher that you have a good relationship with is a great choice. I am purposefully saying humanities, and not just English, because teachers of Philosophy, History, Anthropology, and any other classes where you do a lot of writing, are all used to reviewing student work.

Moreover, any teacher or tutor that has been working with you for some time, knows you very well and can vet the essay to make sure it "sounds like you."

If your teacher or tutor has some experience with what college essays are supposed to be like, ask them to be your editor. If not, then ask whether they have time to proofread your final draft.

Guidance or College Counselor at Your School

The best thing about asking your counselor to edit your work is that this is their job. This means that they have a very good sense of what colleges are looking for in an application essay.

At the same time, school counselors tend to have relationships with admissions officers in many colleges, which again gives them insight into what works and which college is focused on what aspect of the application.

Unfortunately, in many schools the guidance counselor tends to be way overextended. If your ratio is 300 students to 1 college counselor, you're unlikely to get that person's undivided attention and focus. It is still useful to ask them for general advice about your potential topics, but don't expect them to be able to stay with your essay from first draft to final version.

Friends, Siblings, or Classmates

Although they most likely don't have much experience with what colleges are hoping to see, your peers are excellent sources for checking that your essay is you .

Friends and siblings are perfect for the read-aloud edit. Read your essay to them so they can listen for words and phrases that are stilted, pompous, or phrases that just don't sound like you.

You can even trade essays and give helpful advice on each other's work.

If your editor hasn't worked with college admissions essays very much, no worries! Any astute and attentive reader can still greatly help with your process. But, as in all things, beginners do better with some preparation.

First, your editor should read our advice about how to write a college essay introduction , how to spot and fix a bad college essay , and get a sense of what other students have written by going through some admissions essays that worked .

Then, as they read your essay, they can work through the following series of questions that will help them to guide you.

Introduction Questions

• Is the first sentence a killer opening line? Why or why not?
• Does the introduction hook the reader? Does it have a colorful, detailed, and interesting narrative? Or does it propose a compelling or surprising idea?
• Can you feel the author's voice in the introduction, or is the tone dry, dull, or overly formal? Show the places where the voice comes through.

Essay Body Questions

• Does the essay have a through-line? Is it built around a central argument, thought, idea, or focus? Can you put this idea into your own words?
• How is the essay organized? By logical progression? Chronologically? Do you feel order when you read it, or are there moments where you are confused or lose the thread of the essay?
• Does the essay have both narratives about the author's life and explanations and insight into what these stories reveal about the author's character, personality, goals, or dreams? If not, which is missing?
• Does the essay flow? Are there smooth transitions/clever links between paragraphs? Between the narrative and moments of insight?

Reader Response Questions

• Does the writer's personality come through? Do we know what the speaker cares about? Do we get a sense of "who he or she is"?
• Where did you feel most connected to the essay? Which parts of the essay gave you a "you are there" sensation by invoking your senses? What moments could you picture in your head well?
• Where are the details and examples vague and not specific enough?
• Did you get an "a-ha!" feeling anywhere in the essay? Is there a moment of insight that connected all the dots for you? Is there a good reveal or "twist" anywhere in the essay?
• What are the strengths of this essay? What needs the most improvement?

Should You Pay Money for Essay Editing?

One alternative to asking someone you know to help you with your college essay is the paid editor route. There are two different ways to pay for essay help: a private essay coach or a less personal editing service , like the many proliferating on the internet.

My advice is to think of these options as a last resort rather than your go-to first choice. I'll first go through the reasons why. Then, if you do decide to go with a paid editor, I'll help you decide between a coach and a service.

When to Consider a Paid Editor

In general, I think hiring someone to work on your essay makes a lot of sense if none of the people I discussed above are a possibility for you.

If you can't ask your parents. For example, if your parents aren't good writers, or if English isn't their first language. Or if you think getting your parents to help is going create unnecessary extra conflict in your relationship with them (applying to college is stressful as it is!)

If you can't ask your teacher or tutor. Maybe you don't have a trusted teacher or tutor that has time to look over your essay with focus. Or, for instance, your favorite humanities teacher has very limited experience with college essays and so won't know what admissions officers want to see.

If you can't ask your guidance counselor. This could be because your guidance counselor is way overwhelmed with other students.

If you can't share your essay with those who know you. It might be that your essay is on a very personal topic that you're unwilling to share with parents, teachers, or peers. Just make sure it doesn't fall into one of the bad-idea topics in our article on bad college essays .

If the cost isn't a consideration. Many of these services are quite expensive, and private coaches even more so. If you have finite resources, I'd say that hiring an SAT or ACT tutor (whether it's PrepScholar or someone else) is better way to spend your money . This is because there's no guarantee that a slightly better essay will sufficiently elevate the rest of your application, but a significantly higher SAT score will definitely raise your applicant profile much more.

Should You Hire an Essay Coach?

On the plus side, essay coaches have read dozens or even hundreds of college essays, so they have experience with the format. Also, because you'll be working closely with a specific person, it's more personal than sending your essay to a service, which will know even less about you.

But, on the minus side, you'll still be bouncing ideas off of someone who doesn't know that much about you . In general, if you can adequately get the help from someone you know, there is no advantage to paying someone to help you.

If you do decide to hire a coach, ask your school counselor, or older students that have used the service for recommendations. If you can't afford the coach's fees, ask whether they can work on a sliding scale —many do. And finally, beware those who guarantee admission to your school of choice—essay coaches don't have any special magic that can back up those promises.

Should You Send Your Essay to a Service?

On the plus side, essay editing services provide a similar product to essay coaches, and they cost significantly less . If you have some assurance that you'll be working with a good editor, the lack of face-to-face interaction won't prevent great results.

On the minus side, however, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the service before working with them . If they are churning through many application essays without getting to know the students they are helping, you could end up with an over-edited essay that sounds just like everyone else's. In the worst case scenario, an unscrupulous service could send you back a plagiarized essay.

Getting recommendations from friends or a school counselor for reputable services is key to avoiding heavy-handed editing that writes essays for you or does too much to change your essay. Including a badly-edited essay like this in your application could cause problems if there are inconsistencies. For example, in interviews it might be clear you didn't write the essay, or the skill of the essay might not be reflected in your schoolwork and test scores.

Should You Buy an Essay Written by Someone Else?

Let me elaborate. There are super sketchy places on the internet where you can simply buy a pre-written essay. Don't do this!

For one thing, you'll be lying on an official, signed document. All college applications make you sign a statement saying something like this:

I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented... I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certified be false. (From the Common Application )

For another thing, if your academic record doesn't match the essay's quality, the admissions officer will start thinking your whole application is riddled with lies.

Admission officers have full access to your writing portion of the SAT or ACT so that they can compare work that was done in proctored conditions with that done at home. They can tell if these were written by different people. Not only that, but there are now a number of search engines that faculty and admission officers can use to see if an essay contains strings of words that have appeared in other essays—you have no guarantee that the essay you bought wasn't also bought by 50 other students.

• You should get college essay help with both editing and proofreading
• A good editor will ask questions about your idea, logic, and structure, and will point out places where clarity is needed
• A good editor will absolutely not answer these questions, give you their own ideas, or write the essay or parts of the essay for you
• A good proofreader will find typos and check your formatting
• All of them agree that getting light editing and proofreading is necessary
• Parents, teachers, guidance or college counselor, and peers or siblings
• If you can't ask any of those, you can pay for college essay help, but watch out for services or coaches who over-edit you work
• Don't buy a pre-written essay! Colleges can tell, and it'll make your whole application sound false.

Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications and then explore our step-by-step guide to writing a great college essay .

Using the Common Application for your college applications? We have an excellent guide to the Common App essay prompts and useful advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you . Wondering how other people tackled these prompts? Then work through our roundup of over 130 real college essay examples published by colleges .

Stressed about whether to take the SAT again before submitting your application? Let us help you decide how many times to take this test . If you choose to go for it, we have the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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• January 10, 2024

Get Paid to Write: 12 Websites That Pay Writers $100+

• By Laura Nicholls

The internet is fraught with content mills taking advantage of writers who simply want to put in the effort and get paid to write . When so many of these mills pay $5  for guest posts or $10 per article , it’s no wonder freelance writers get discouraged when trying to make money online .

But dig deeper, and you’ll find out that all is not so bleak.

We’ve put together a list of websites that pay writers a decent amount of money. This list has been updated for 2024 since some sites have changed their pay and/or referral requirements. 

This list is just a starting point. There are so many other websites that will pay for freelance writing. Brands and businesses need content like guest posts and are actively searching for freelancers who can write articles for them.

And because we didn’t just want to give you just a plain ol’ list, we’ve curated the best pitching advice from the pitching guidelines on every website.

Get started with these 12 websites to make money writing right away . It’s time you earn money online — at a good rate that you deserve.

1. FreelanceMom

Pay: FreelanceMom pays $75-$100 for articles between 900-1500 words, with a bonus of $150 each month for articles that are at the top of their most shared list. 

Topics: Motherhood and following your career dreams. Freelance Mom is a community for moms who believe that women can still be who they are after becoming a mom. This site favors personal stories, case studies, practical and actionable advice and “Highly personal articles where there are lessons learned that you share or aggregated case studies from other moms running businesses based on a particular theme.”

Pitching lessons : Share your topic, what will make your piece unique, exactly what the reader will walk away with after reading and submit a first paragraph and outline.

Good to know: Men are also welcome to apply.

2. Transitions Abroad

Pay: Transitions Abroad pays from $75 to $150 for an article in the 1250-3000+ word range. The average payment is $100. 

Topic: A wide range of topics related to cultural immersion travel, work, study, living, volunteering abroad and more. Their writer’s guide offers a plethora of topics.

Pitching lessons: While this website offers an extensive list of writer’s guidelines and topics, due to the pandemic they are currently favoring articles that highlight “your experience with virtual internship programs, virtual volunteering, virtual learning (including language study), online teaching and other international jobs, and online learning to teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).”

Good to know: Don’t submit previously published travel writing and material, and include a short bio at the end of each submission.

3. Christian Science Monitor

Pay: Christian Science Monitor does not currently list rates on their contributor’s page, however, it’s reported that pay is $.036 cents/word for 1,100-word profiles or interviews. This site has previously listed rates at $200 to $225 per article, with longer stories paying significantly more.

Topic: International and national news, features about people making a difference, a Christian perspective on science, books, the new economy and energy voices.

Pitching lessons: Every section has different requirements. Get in touch with the right editor and never write articles before you have a contract.

Good to know: Work from new writers is accepted on spec only. This means that the editors want to see the full story before they accept it for publication. You’ll have to write and submit before you get paid.

4. A List Apart

Pay: A List Apart pays $200 for articles between 1,500-2,000 words, although this is not listed on their website.

Topic: They welcome thoughtful submissions from all kinds of web professionals – designers, developers, architects, strategists, writers and project managers.

Pitching lessons : Make sure your submission:

• Has a thesis and offers a clear argument – not just a list of tips and tricks.
• Has a voice. Be bold, interesting and human.
• Is supported with convincing arguments, not just opinions. Fact-check and cite sources where appropriate.

5. Barefoot Writer

Pay: Barefoot Writer pays $100 to $300 per article that gets published, depending on the assignment.

Topic: Building a writing career.

Pitching lessons: Get to know our style. Know and understand our audience. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself the following questions about any freelance writing articles you’d like us to consider:

• Does it offer new or unique tips on writing?
• Will it help other writers build their businesses?
• Can it provide assistance as somebody builds a freelance lifestyle?

6. Income Diary

Pay: Income Diary pays $200 for articles that are a minimum of 1,500 words, although their website states that their budget for well-written articles can be as high as $300. Their website will also sometimes list topic-specific articles they’re currently looking for (such as SEO, for example) at a higher rate of pay.

• Creating great content
• Interviews with experts
• Buying/Selling websites
• Driving traffic to websites
• Search engine optimization, SEO
• Creating awesome websites
• Blog design features and functionality
• Creating information & digital products
• Making money from websites, blogs & forums
• Affiliate marketing and selling things through websites as an affiliate
• Entrepreneurship and Success Mindset

Pitching lessons: Your post must be original (no spun content) and you should be prepared to say “why you’re good enough” to write for this publication when you submit your pitch through their website.

7. Earth Island Journal

Pay : Earth Island Journal pays $0.25 cents/word for print features up to 4,000 words, although the average is 2,800 words. They pay $200 for stories published online. 

Topic: Environmental issues, including wildlife and lands conservation, innovations in science and technology, public policy, climate and energy, animal rights, public health, environmental justice and cultural survival, related film, music and books.

Pitching lessons: We prefer that writers query us before submitting a story. Please describe why you believe the story is newsworthy, specific angles you will investigate, and whom you will interview. The more details you can provide, the better.

8. Great Escape Publishing

Pay: Great Escape Publishing  has historically paid  “$150 for interviews, personal stories, and any articles we request for the website with specific income advice readers can print and follow to earn more income.” As of 2024, their Write For Us page on the International Living website states that published pieces will receive a one-time rate based on word count.

Topic: The craft and business of getting paid to travel.

Pitching lessons: Familiarize yourself with their style before you pitch by signing up for their free newsletter.

9. Cosmopolitan

Pay: Cosmopolitan  has historically paid $250 per 1,000-word blog post, although this is not currently outlined on the website’s Write For US page.

Topic: You can pitch to write for Cosmopolitan’s website or print magazine on the following:

For print – “We love to feature first-person pieces from Cosmopolitan readers with a unique story to tell or reports that delve deep into the subjects our readers really care about.”

For their website – For features, “…any pitches related to health (mental or physical) and anything hooked on the news, or related to a social/political/women’s issue our audience cares about (or should care about).” 

Other online topics:

• Careers and student life
• Love, Sex and LGBTQ+ (online and print) 
• Beauty (online and print)

Pitching lessons: Our dream contributors are active members of the Cosmo community and follow Cosmo on multiple social media channels… When pitching, explain why your story is particularly relevant to Cosmopolitan readers.

Good to know: Cosmopolitan is open to new and inexperienced writers (although you still need to put your best writing foot forward!).

10. Listverse

Pay: Listverse pays $100 for list-based posts with a minimum of ten items on the list.

Topics: Almost anything you can think to make a list out of! 

Pitching lessons: Listverse  is looking for lists that are “offbeat and novel”  and that approach everyday topics from a unique and quirky perspective. They are NOT looking for lists related to sports, self-help, personal stories or gaming. They also don’t publish “opinion lists. “

Good to know: You must have a PayPal account to receive payment. Listverse is also open to new and inexperienced writers and is looking for people with a sense of humor, good command of the English language and  “a love for things unusual or interesting.”

11. Her View From Home

Pay: Her View From Home pays up to $100 per article in the 600-800 word range based on the number of views it receives.

Topics: Family, parenting, kids, relationships, faith and grief.

Pitching lessons:  Through the website’s writer’s page, submit the following:

• Name and e-mail address
• Have you been previously published on Her View From Home?
• Your blog/website and related social media accounts (please link; if you don’t have one or any of these, that’s OK)
• Let us know if this is content original to Her View (not published anywhere before, including your own blog or social media sites) OR a previously published piece. If it is timely, note that in the title.
• A brief biography (2-4 sentences is fine).
• Gravatar.com e-mail address or attached photo for author bio.
• Type article text in box below. (Found on the website’s writer’s submission page.)

Good to know: Her View From Home welcomes new writers.

12. Cracked

Pay: Cracked pays between $100 and $250 depending on the length and number of pieces you’ve written.

Topic: Humor, reviews and odd facts. 

Pitching lessons:  If you have no experience as a writer (but are still good at writing!), you can submit your ideas via email for feature articles.

If you have some experience, you can send links to your previous work and apply to be a columnist. 

And if you’re confused about the difference between the two, submit your ideas anyway and they’ll steer you in the right direction! 

Good to know: Cracked is a humor-focused website that’s been around since 2007 and has a good reputation for paying writers — even brand new ones. 

These 12 websites that will pay are just starting points to earn money. If there’s a site you read regularly and would love to get published on, be sure to check out their submission guidelines to see what type of guest posts they’re looking for so you can make money writing.

Looking to start your journey as a freelance writer or Virtual Assistant providing writing services? We’ve got you! Enroll in 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success  and let’s do it!

Laura Nicholls

COMMUNITY + BLOG MANAGER

Laura manages the VA Leads Community, the blog and does a ton of other things for Horkey HandBook behind the curtain! She’s also an alum of both 30 Days or Less courses (VA and freelance writing!). She started off as a writer and branched out into building her VA business focusing on executive management and content creation. Laura is in love with her life in Northern California taking care of horses and being full-time single mom to her daughter.

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