The following is a list of calls for pitches directly from editors and publishers.
We’ve included payment rates when available, as well as contact information. You’ll notice that payment rates vary widely, though many of these publisher pay $1 per word.
If you want full access to a database of almost 2,000 publishers, plus hundreds of listings like this every month, then I encourage you to join Writing Launch. However, they’re not currently open for enrollment. You can join the waiting list here.
Please only approach these publishers if you are confident in your ability to send a pitch.
– Jacob Jans
Thanks to Fatima Saif for her research on this article.
Fenix Journalism is looking for pitches. They are commissioning long-form, deeply reported stories. They are aiming to pay about $1 per word. For more details, DM their founder on Twitter. To read their founder’s Tweet, click here. To visit their website, click here.
The Hechinger Report is an independent, nonprofit news organization that focuses on inequality and innovation in education. They provide in-depth, fact-based, and unbiased reporting on education. Their western bureau chief has tweeted, “Looking for freelancers *living* in the West with education reporting experience. Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico are especially of interest. We believe diversity is crucial to our success.” According to payment reports, they pay $1.50 per word. For more information, email mongeau@hechingerreport.org. Read their western bureau chief’s Tweet here and contact them here.
Elemental is a health and wellness publication by Medium. They are always seeking smart, surprising health pitches and love giving repeat assignments to excellent writers. They want science-backed stories that educate people about their bodies and minds and help them live healthier lives. They typically pay $1 per word for commissioned pieces. Send your pitches to elemental@medium.com. Read their executive editor’s Tweet here. Learn how to write for them here.
Input is a tech publication that is committed to “offering a fresh perspective on the devices, creators, trends, and ideas that are changing our world.” Their senior reviews editor is looking for freelance writers who “love gadgets and can write about them in a succinct, opinionated, and creative way.” “Photos/light video skills are a must.” Pay is $0.50 to $1.00 per word. If interested, email your pitches to ray@inputmag.com. To learn more, refer to this Tweet. To contact them, refer to this page.
Truly*Adventurous is a digital magazine that publishes longform stories by established and powerful nonfiction writers. About the kind of stories that they publish, they say: “Unlike most magazines, we have no topical mandates and couldn’t care less about chasing the news cycle. We tell incredible true stories by amazing writers. That’s it. We’ve published a lot of true-crime and real-life horror—subjects we love—but we also publish stories about wild adventures, clashing cultures, devilish mysteries, and unsung heroes.” Their editor is accepting pitches for longform stories. Payment starts at $1,000 plus a revenue share model. Send your pitches to matthew@trulyadventure.us. Read their editor’s Tweet here. Learn more about them here and contact them here.
Alma is an online comunity for Jewish millennial women who are trying to figure the “whole adult thing out.” Their associate editor is looking for pitches for their How I Have Hope column. She has tweeted, “I’d love to hear from you if you’re a Jewish person feeling hopeful, & if there’s one thing you’re focusing on. Is it mutual aid funds? The fact Gen Z is dedicated to accessibility and closed captioning their TikToks?” Pay is $100. Send pitches to emily@heyalma.com. For details, refer to their associate editor’s Twitter thread. To learn how to write for them, refer to this page.
The Guardian is a British news and media website. Their reporter has tweeted, “I am temporary cover on the Guardian’s UK environment desk this week while others are away. I might be a little slower than usual with biodiversity-related emails/messages. Please send environment pitches to patrick.greenfield@guardian.co.uk.” They pay $0.50 per word. To learn more, refer to this Tweet and their freelance charter.
Monument is “a progressive media site with a focus on what’s next.” They have tweeted, “Are you a journalist with a background in politics & pop culture and looking for greener pastures? An up-and-coming writer who wants a shot at the big time? Drop us a line here – contact@monumentmag.com. We’re launching soon & we’d love to have you on board!” They are hiring for both full-time and freelance positions. Pay will be $0.20 to $0.60 per word. To learn more, refer to their Tweet.
The Texas Observer is a bimonthly magazine and website that offers sharp reporting on news, politics, and culture of Texas. Their editor is accepting pitches and is “especially interested in narrative, deeply reported Texas stories outside of major metro areas.” Payment reports indicate that they pay $0.50 per word. Email your pitches to novack@texasobserver.org. For details, refer to their editor’s Tweet and their freelance writer’s guide.
How-To Geek is a website and an online magazine about technology. They are looking for a freelance Cord Cutting Writer to “write about things to watch on Netflix, guides on how to use your streaming devices, and more.” They will pay $100 per post. For details, refer to their managing editor’s Tweet. To learn more about them, refer to this page.
ASEF culture360 is an online platform managed by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). They bring “Asia and Europe closer by providing information, facilitating dialogue, and stimulating reflection on the arts and culture of the two regions.” They are seeking writers to produce features and interviews for their magazine. They want articles on how coronavirus has impacted the arts and culture sectors. They will pay 200 Singapore Dollars per commissioned article. You can apply if you are a national of an Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) member country. You will work in virtual capacity and you do not need to be based in Singapore. To learn more, visit this page.
Deadline: November 5th, 2020
Fabulous Magazine by The Sun is a women’s magazine that covers fashion, beauty, health, fitness, diet, travel, real life stories, and more. They are looking for amazing real life features for their Life Story section. They want “must-read stories told in a female voice (about UK women!), with great pics.” Pay is £350 for 1,000 words. Email your pitches to rosie.gizauskas@fabulousmag.co.uk. To learn more, refer to their deputy features editor’s Twitter thread. To read their real life stories, refer to this page.
Religion News Service (RNS) is a source of news on religion, spirituality, culture, and ideas. Their managing editor has tweeted, “Hey, religion reporters! If your focus is Islam in America, we are looking for article pitches.” Pay is about $450 per piece. If interested, DM their editor on Twitter. Read their editor’s Tweet here and contact them here.
Popdust is a website about music, entertainment, and pop culture. They are “looking for op-eds, interviews, and reporting about the election, particularly pieces that intersect with pop culture and social issues.” Pay is $100-$150 for 600-1,500 words. Email your pitches to info@popdust.com. Read their Tweet here. Learn more about them and contact them here.
Bring Me The News delivers Minnesota news, life, and sports content. They pay at least $100 for freelance articles. Email your pitches to news@bringmethenews.com. To learn more, refer to their editor/owner’s Tweet. To contact them, refer to this page.
