Switchback Travel is “an adventure travel and gear review site that focuses on outdoor activities such as backpacking and hiking, as well as travel content.” They’re accepting freelance pitches. Currently, these are the needs they have for their editorial calendar:

In-Depth Gear Reviews: Their in-depth gear reviews detail a product’s performance in the field. Rate is $400.

Informational Article: Their info guides cover “topics ranging from packing checklists and budget gear round-ups to brand round-ups and ‘how to choose’ advice for beginners.” Rate is $500.

General Testing Photos: Photography is an important element of their site, and they try to provide photos of all of the recommended gear in their buyer’s guides, especially superlative winners. They’re currently offering $50 for single images of gear. To learn more, refer to this page and their pitch form.

House Digest is “a leading destination for home and garden enthusiasts looking to transform their spaces, inside and out.” They’re looking for Freelance Home & Lifestyle Writers. They’re hiring for two freelance paths:

- News Writer:

The selected applicant will write short-form news and evergreen content ranging from 300 to 900 words. The applicant will work a consistent schedule of their choosing (10 to 40 hours per week). Compensation will start at $21 per hour.

- Feature Writer:

The selected candidate will focus on deep-dive, long-form features of 2,600+ words. There is no set schedule, but writers are expected to complete at least one feature per week. Rate will start at $0.08 per word.

The writers should have at least 1 year of experience. To learn more, click here.

Busted Halo is “a unique media resource that utilizes a relevant and accessible voice to help people understand the Catholic faith, put it into practice in their everyday lives, and share it with others.” They’re accepting pitches for Voices From the Back Pew, which “spotlights stories of people who have a complicated relationship with today’s Church.” They pay $100 per article. To learn more, refer to their post and this page.

Washingtonian is a general-interest magazine for the DC area. Their deputy editor is always seeking new feature story pitches. They’re currently assigning pieces for the coming months. Their rates generally start at $1/word for features. If interested, direct your pitches to phruby@washingtonian.com. To learn more, refer to their deputy editor’s post and their website.

Playboy is a men's lifestyle and entertainment magazine. They’re accepting pitches from freelance writers and creative contributors for both their website and print magazine. They’re seeking “sharp voices and original ideas that push against convention.” According to a post by their chief brand officer, rates range from around $250 to $1,000 on digital. To learn more, refer to this post and their contributor pitch form.

Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering is seeking a freelance writer to “help tell the stories behind their faculty and student research.” They’re looking for “someone who can take complex engineering and scientific research and turn it into clear, engaging coverage stories and short features for a broader audience.” The writer will contribute approximately 1 to 4 stories per month. Rate will be $150 per story. If interested, email odegraca@scu.edu. For more details, refer to this post.

Hunker is “the go-to destination for expert advice and insight on everything inside and outside the home.” They’re seeking Freelance Home & DIY News Writers who “love finding smarter, more creative ways to make the most of a living space.” The writers should have at least 1 year of experience. The role is remote and pays $21 to $25 per hour. To learn more, refer to this post and this job description.

The Global Disability News Network is “a fully accessible, multimedia platform sharing authentic stories about disability from around the world.” They’re looking for pitches from guest authors on timely disability-related topics. They’re open to pitches from “guest writers across the globe on a range of topics including art, culture & media, health & care, human rights & justice, lifestyle, politics & policy, science & tech, society & social justice, sport, travel & leisure, work & economy, and youth.” Rates are $300 for opinion pieces/reviews/Q&A-style interviews and $0.50/word with a maximum of $600 (1,200 words) for researched articles. For more information, refer to their post and website.

Business Insider covers business, personal finance, tech, lifestyle, politics, and more. Their lifestyle & entertainment editor is particularly eager to hear from writers 70+:

“I’m always looking to work with #freelancewriters of all ages, but right now, I’m especially eager to hear from writers 70+!

How are you staying active in retirement? Have you started a side hustle? Are you crossing exciting things off your bucket list? Moving in with friends or relatives to make life more cost-effective?

OR maybe you’re helping a grandparent do some of these things! Either way, I’d love to hear from you!”

Rates begin at about $240 for 600 words. To learn more, refer to their editor’s post and this form.

Mongabay’s Global team wants video pitches for environmental and climate stories: features (5–6 minutes) and short news (1–3 minutes). Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Play the Game commissions original sports-governance and sports-politics reporting. Pay is not posted publicly. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Kentucky Folklife Digital Magazine publishes folklife stories from Kentucky. They pay $200. Deadline is September 13, 2026. Pitch via the form on their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Bayt al Azif is a magazine for Cthulhu Mythos roleplaying games. They want a short query before a complete article. Pay is US$0.075 per word after publication. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Drafting the Past is Seeking History Book Reviews Drafting the Past wants newspaper and magazine style reviews of nonfiction history books. Single book reviews are up to 1,000 words at $200; review essays of two or more related books are up to 1,500 words and pay more. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

The Yale Review wants criticism and critical essays of 2,000–5,000 words. Prose pays $250–$1,000.  Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Adventure Cyclist wants bike-travel stories, how-tos, overnights, and photo essays for their online channel. Stated online rates are $150–$250 per article. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Uppercut publishes games criticism. They want Halloween, horror, and autumn-lens pitches. Pay is $100 per piece. Deadline is Friday, September 4, 2026, 5pm Pacific. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

The North-Eastern covers Tamil North-East Sri Lanka and diaspora life. Pay is $100 for op-eds, essays, features, investigative work, and interviews, and $50 for reviews and poetry. Next-issue consideration is September 15, 2026. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Off-Field wants ground-reported longreads on niche sport subcultures (2,500+ words) plus photo essays. Print longreads pay £500; photography from £500. Volume #2 pitches close October 23, 2026. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Disability Culture Currents wants opinion and personal essays (600–1,000 words) and comics by disabled creators. Pay is $75 per published submission, plus $25 for creators outside the US. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

St. Louis Public Radio is Seeking Freelancers St. Louis Public Radio is the NPR station for St. Louis. Stated pay for a reported Welcome Kit assignment is $300. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

The Honest Talk is a Canadian outlet for reported stories and essays. Reported work pays $300. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Wanderful is a travel community for women. They pay $250 for commissioned stories. Pitch via the form on their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Lottery Valley publishes lottery and gaming stories. They want pitches first for 1,000–2,500 word pieces. Pay is not posted publicly. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Micro Center News wants additional freelancers on 3D printing, home networking, and robotics. Rate is not stated. No public guidelines page. Source.

Afar is a travel magazine. They're open for Spring 2027 print pitches from September 1–30, 2026. Stated fees include Connect at $3,000 (1,500 words), Workshop/Good Trips/Feast at $2,000–$3,000, and shorter columns at $300–$400. Pitch via the form on their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Q Minnesota is a new statewide Minnesota LGBTQ+ magazine and website launching October. They're commissioning reported stories, profiles, service journalism, and essays/criticism, with interest in work outside the Twin Cities metro. Pay is described as competitive, but no public rate is posted. Pitch via the form on their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

MinneCulture is KFAI’s Minnesota arts-and-culture podcast. They're seeking Minnesota-based producers for season 11 stories about Minnesota art, culture, and history. Episode fee is $2,200 (12–20 minutes); In-Depth documentary fee is $3,700 (30–60 minutes). Deadline is September 11, 2026. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

MagNorth Magazine is Seeking Northern England Features MagNorth commissions reported features on environmental action and community change in Northern England. Pay is £150 per commissioned feature (usually 750–1,000 words). Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Dialogue Earth wants photo-first features on the human side of Africa’s solar boom. Pay is $1,800 for the package. Pitch deadline is September 13, 2026. Pitch via the form on their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Ujima Press WIRE wants reported profiles, features, interviews, and essays rooted in Black, Brown, and working-class Boston neighborhoods. Pay is $200–$300 per article. The publishing window is October–November 2026. Pitch via their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

MagNorth Magazine is seeking reported features on environmental action, social infrastructure, and community change across Northern England. Send intro emails with bio, expertise, 2–3 clips, and 1–2 North-rooted story ideas go to team@mag-north.com. Pay is £150 per commissioned feature (normally 750–1,000 words). To learn more, refer to this LinkedIn post.

Q Minnesota is a new statewide Minnesota LGBTQ+ magazine and website launching October. They're commissioning reported stories, profiles, service journalism, and essays/criticism, with interest in work outside the Twin Cities metro. Pay is described as competitive, but no public rate is posted. Pitch via the form on their website. To learn more, refer to their pitching guidelines.

Afar is a travel magazine and site that favors immersive, place-and-people storytelling over aspirational lifestyle fluff. They are open for Spring 2027 print pitches from September 1–September 30, 2026. Rubrics include Workshop, Connect, Good Trips, Feast, Senses of Place, One Great Block, Behind the Scenes, packages/roundups, and features. Stated print fees include Connect at $3,000 (1,500 words), Workshop/Good Trips/Feast at $2,000–$3,000, shorter front-of-book columns at $300–$400, and packages at $1,100–$3,000; print features typically start at $1/word, and digital work starts at $0.50/word. Submit print pitches via the form on their guidelines page; digital beat editors are listed there. To learn more, refer to their pitch guidelines.

The Long Knuckle is “a brain dumpster fire of niche insights, cultural musings, and prickly humor.” They focus on thinkpieces, essays, and interviews. They don’t publish works of fiction, poetry, or works in translation. Satirical essays are acceptable, provided they’re clearly labeled as such in the Submission. In order to be considered for publication, your Submissions must be complete (i.e., no pitches) and previously unpublished. Rate is $100 for each accepted Submission. To learn more, refer to this page.

MIT Technology Review is a media company that explains the commercial, political, and social impact of the newest technologies. They’re looking for pitches for an upcoming issue. The theme of the issue is Fringe. They’re seeking “feature-length stories along that theme—stories about disruption, taboos, what’s happening at the margins, and the people and ideas driving for change from the outside in.” They pay $1-$2 per word. To learn more, refer to their editor’s post and this page.                 

Business Insider covers business, personal finance, tech, lifestyle, politics, and more. Their deputy editor of lifestyle and entertainment freelance writers is seeking first-person pitches. Rates start at about $240 for 600 words. To learn more, refer to their deputy editor’s post and pitch form.

These can be for six months (paying $20,000) or 12 months (paying $40,000) for in-depth written reporting. “Reporting projects must be for print/online publication (i.e., written projects), and they must be U.S. focused. Fellows aren’t required to live in the U.S., but the reporting project must be focused on the U.S., for publication in U.S. outlets.
Reporting projects should be in-depth and investigative in nature, and can cover any topic of public interest.” They also say, “Freelancers are strongly encouraged to apply for the fellowship. Applicants who are on staff full-time at media outlets may apply, if they intend to take a leave from their job for the fellowship.”
Value: $20,000-40,000
Deadline: 1 October 2026
Open for: Journalists writing for US publications
Details here – see the relevant category
(They have other opportunities listed as well.