Here’s a list of editors seeking submissions and pitches directly from writers on a wide variety of topics.
Most of these publications pay at least $200 – several pay more than $1,000 for features.
In addition to finding these calls for submission, we’ve also researched payment rates for every publication.
Keep in mind that you may need to negotiate pay. You should also carefully study the publication before submitting a pitch. If you’re not sure how to send in a high quality pitch, then please read this first.
Sincerely,
Jacob Jans
PS: Thanks for Fatima Saif for researching this article.
Goodreads is the world’s largest website for readers and book recommendations. They are seeking freelance writers for their author Q&As. They will pay $400 per article. If interested, DM their senior editor on Twitter. Read their senior editor’s Tweet here and learn more about them here.
Wirecutter is a product review site owned by The New York Times Company. They are seeking “freelance writers who are highly familiar with camera technology — from point-and-shoot cameras to DSLRs, tripods, lenses, etc. — and have experience writing product reviews.” They are looking to assign pieces but are also open to pitches. According to one payment report, they paid $0.28 per word. For details, email erica@wirecutter.com. To learn more, refer to this Twitter thread. To contact them, refer to this page.
BuzzFeed is a digital media and tech company that delivers news and entertainment content to millions of people around the world. They will commission LGBTQ work all summer long. They are looking for pitches for features, essays, profiles, etc. Their rates start at $500. Contact zach.stafford@buzzfeed.com for details. To learn more, refer to this Tweet and this page.
Daye is a female health company. They are seeking pitches on female reproductive and sexual health—“specifically related to identity, culture or reproductive rights.” They will pay £200 for 800 to 1,000 words. Send your pitches to liv@yourdaye.com. To learn more, refer to this Twitter thread. To visit their website, click here.
Man Repeller is a fashion and lifestyle website that “explores the expansive constellation of things women care about from a place of openness and humor, with the conviction that an interest in fashion doesn’t minimize one’s intellect.” They are accepting pitches at write@manrepeller.com. Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.25 per word. You can read their Tweet here and contact them here.
Digital Trends is a website that covers all things tech. Their news editor is “looking for writers who can cover technology, digital culture, and our changing human experience.” Their rates are flexible. They will pay up to $3,000 for a great feature. Send pitches and resumes to psquire@digitaltrends.com. Read their editor’s Tweet here. Learn more about them here.
Discover Magazine is a print and online science magazine for general public. They cover topics ranging from “global warming and black holes to Neanderthals and robots.” They are looking for pitches from BIPOC freelance science writers. They pay $0.50 per word for web and $1-$2 per word for print. For details, refer to their editor’s Tweet and their pitch guidelines.
Rewire is a nonprofit publication that delivers thought-provoking content that inspires young adults to make their lives better. They cover love, relationships, work, money, culture, democracy, and more. They are looking for “reported features, personal essays, profiles, and Q&As addressing social justice and ongoing protests against police brutality, systemic racism and structural inequities in the U.S.” They especially welcome pitches from BIPOC writers. Their rates start at $250. For details, refer to their Twitter thread and call for pitches.
Garage is “a digital platform and biannual print publication where the worlds of art, fashion, and culture converge.” They are accepting pitches. Their base rate is $250. Send pitches to pitches@garagemag.com. Read their features director’s Tweet here and learn more about them here.
Unearth Women is a print and digital feminist travel magazine. They “severely condemn police brutality and the systematic oppression” plaguing the black and brown communities. They have tweeted, “If you have a story to share, pitch us. If you have a voice that wants to be heard, write for us. If you have someone you want us to feature, e-mail us. Our platform is here for you, in solidarity.” Their digital rate for articles of 800 to 1,200 words is $75 to $150. Their print story rate is $150 to $400. Send pitches to unearthwomen@gmail.com. For details, refer to their Twitter thread and writer’s guidelines.
CNTraveler.com is the website of Condé Nast Traveller magazine. They are “committed to telling reported and personal stories about traveling, with inclusive coverage that includes BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities.” Their guidelines say: “News pegs go a long way. Given the current travel restrictions around the coronavirus pandemic, we are prioritizing story pitches that reflect the world and our (in)ability to travel.” Their rates start at $300 for 500 to 600 words. Details here and here.
Mental Floss is a media brand that offers interesting facts, quizzes, trivia, and brain teasers to the audience. Their managing editor is always seeking great entertainment and pop culture pitches. She is accepting anything related to film, TV, music, or pop culture. She is also accepting little-known stories as well as “retro ideas and stories that break down the truth behind big- and small-screen accounts of real people and events in history.” For lists, their rates start at $150. For short features of 500 words, their rates start at $125 and for longer features, rates start at $200. Send pitches to jmwood@mentalfloss.com. For details, refer to this Twitter thread. To learn how to send them a pitch, refer to this page.
Craft Industry Alliance is a “trusted source of industry information, creative inspiration, and community for craft professionals.” They are seeking “writers who are avid crafters, knitters, quilters, Etsy sellers, etc.” They will pay $200 for 1,000-word pieces. Email abby@craftindustryalliance.org to receive their call for submissions at the end of this week. To learn more, refer to their president and co-founder’s Tweet and this page.
Tom’s Guide covers all things consumer tech including smartphones, cameras, wearables, video games, TVs, and drones. They offer news, product reviews, price comparisons, and more. Their managing editor is seeking freelance writers to review wearables (e.g. smartwatches and fitness trackers). They typically pay $450 and up per review. If interested, email their editor at mike.prospero@futurenet.com. Read their editor’s Tweet here. Learn more about them here and contact them here.
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 are accepting submissions for their November issue. “Submission formats can include, but are not limited to: critical essays, news, reviews, event previews, interviews, reflections, and photo or video essays. Submissions must address culturally relevant film and media art productions, events and ideas with preference being given to Western Canadian writers and topics.” They will pay an honorarium of $200 per piece. For details, refer to their editor-in-chief’s Tweet and their submissions page.
Deadline: July 1st, 2020
SFGate features news and entertainment from the Bay Area and beyond. Their culture editor is looking for Bay Area entertainment/culture pitches. He is looking for “unique subcultures, untold stories on niche-but-beloved local businesses, compelling angles on TV/movies, digital trends, profiles on unique jobs adjusting to Covid.” Pay is $100 to $300. Contact their culture editor at dan.gentile@sfgate.com. Read his Tweet here and find more contact information here.
In The Building LA is “the most comprehensive source of news and information on the people, projects, and policies reshaping South Los Angeles.” They are seeking freelance writers for articles (250-500 words) on LA-based black business, local government, and real estate in South LA/Inglewood. They pay about $0.25 per word. If interested, contact them at info@inthebuildingla.com. For details, refer to their Tweet.
The New Republic is a journal of opinion that is dedicated to solving today’s most critical issues. Their temporary editor (for environmental issues and also politics, inequality, etc.) is seeking pitches for relatively quick turnaround stories. Payment reports indicate that they pay an average of $0.26 per word. Send pitches to harrydcheadle@gmail.com. For details, refer to this Tweet. To contact them, refer to this page.
African Arguments is a pan-African platform that analyzes issues facing the continent, investigates the stories that matter, and amplifies a diversity of voices. They cover politics, economy, society, culture, the environment, gender, and more. They have tweeted: “Writing on film, music, theater, visual art, culture, identity? And / or its intersection with politics, business, the economy? Got a photo / illustration essay idea? Pitch us! Email: a.rotinwa@africanarguments.org.” They pay an average of $200 for 1,000 to 2,000 words. Read their Tweet here and learn more here.
