As a freelance writer, this can be difficult find a high-quality paid job. But it is possible, and we will present you 15 publications that you can present so that you can earn money by writing articles.
When looking for opportunities, you may feel like your only options are $5 per article scams and content mill work, which may seem like a good deal – until you check your bank account balance and realize it will be ages before your hard work translates into real earnings.
Making a living as a freelance writer means you need to master how to make money writing articles. Good news? There are some publications that will charge you a premium to write for them.
The following publications range in price from $500 and up, which may seem like a dream (especially if you’re new to the field).
Getting into these publications isn’t necessarily easy, and it may take time and experience to develop your writing to a level that will help you earn those rates. But you can find solace in the fact that writing jobs exist beyond content mills and low-paying gigs.
Although there are probably tens of thousands of them magazines that pay writersmuch smaller numbers of compensating writers Really All right. We’re here to make a living writing, not fall victim to the old adage starving artist.
Ready to get paid for writing articles?
Get paid to write articles from these 15 platforms
1. Early American life
History buffs, beware. Early American Life is a print magazine focusing on early American style, decoration and traditions, publishing seven times a year and welcoming fresh voices from new writers.
You can submit both shorter stories and columns of approximately 2,500 words. The editors estimate $500 for a “new author’s first article,” with the possibility of higher earnings as skills develop.
2. Diary of the Earth Island
Earth Island Journal wants “compelling and distinctive stories that anticipate environmental problems before they become pressing issues.” It covers a wide range of environmental issues, including wildlife and land conservation, public environmental policy, climate and energy, animal rights and environmental justice.
If you are an international traveler, this is a great opportunity. Island Earth is particularly hungry for “field reports from outside North America.” The magazine pays 25 cents per word for print articles, which works out to about $750 to $1,000 for in-depth articles (2,800 to 4,000 words).
You can also prepare a shorter report online, especially if you are just starting to write. Although they pay only $200 apiece for articles published online, the magazine publishes five days a week and is “always looking for fresh ideas.”
3. Video recorder
Video recorder is a literary and discussion journal focused on publishing the best writing they can find, from award-winning authors to emerging writers.
For poetry, you pay $200 per poem (up to four). If they accept a group of five or more poems, you will earn $1,000. Prose pays about 25 cents a word, and accepted short stories receive $1,000 or more. Book reviews earn $500 for 2,000-2,400 words. VQR has limited reading periods, so check the online schedule before submitting.
4. Sun Magazine
Sun Magazine looking for essays, interviews, fiction and poetry. They prefer personal writing, but also accept texts about political and cultural topics.
The Sun pays $300 to $2,000 for fiction, essays and interviews, and $100 to $250 for poetry. If your work is accepted, you will also receive a free one-year subscription.
5. Boys’ lives
Boys’ lives is a monthly general interest magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America since 1911. It pays its authors between $500 and $1,200 for nonfiction articles of up to 1,200 words. Writing for one of its departments is also an option, where you’ll earn anywhere from $100 to $600 for a 600-word article.
As far as what to write about, there are not many restrictions. “We cover everything from professional sports to American history to packing a kayak,” read the submission guidelines. First of all, it should bring pleasure to the scouts to whom it is addressed.
“Write for a friend who is 12 years old,” the editors suggest.
6. The American Gardener
American gardener is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society aimed at “experienced amateur gardeners.”
I am looking for authors with profiles of gardeners and articles on, among others, innovative approaches to garden design, plant protection, horticultural therapy and biodiversity.
Articles typically ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 words range from $300 to $600. The magazine sometimes offers reimbursement for travel and expenses.
7. One story
One story is a literary magazine containing one short story per issue and sent to subscribers every three to four weeks.
One Story searches for literary fiction between 3,000 and 8,000 words in length, and stories can be on any topic, “as long as they’re good.” It offers $500 and 25 copies of the magazine for each accepted contribution, but entries are not always open.
8. American scientist
Quarterly American scholar publishes everything from essays to fiction and poetry on public affairs, literature, science, history and culture.
It will pay up to $500 for accepted excerpts of no more than 6,000 words, and if you want to go the digital route, you’ll pay up to $250 for online-only excerpts. However, please note that The American Scholar does not accept offers submitted via email – only via the Submittable online submission management system.
9. Long read
You want to write a long article of 2,000 to 6,000 words for Long read? Before you think yes, know this: these stories may involve multiple reporting trips, sources and in-depth research. And while they don’t necessarily have to deal with current events, “they should have an excellent sense of history and purpose and be able to capture the reader’s attention with a compelling premise.”
Basic payment starts at $500, and they will even work with you to pay a solid fee and cover expenses.
10. National Geographic Traveler
You know it. You read it. And now you can write about it. As the world’s leading consumer travel brand, National Geographic Traveler states that their editorial goal is: “find new, present new travel opportunities, be an advocate for travelers.No hotel or product reviews here, folks.
Nat Geo Traveler pays, but their website doesn’t confirm how much. But according to Who pays writersthey offer 50 cents per word for 1,000-word features.
11. NationSwell
Based in New York, NationSwell seeks freelance writers to tell impactful solutions narratives and stories of 800 to 1,500 words about people or organizations solving America’s problems, such as “a woman who took up gun violence by confronting gangs and the local mayor at street rallies , or a group that helps families of murder victims fight a system that unfairly punishes them.”
Pay ranges from 50 to 65 cents per word, depending on experience and topic.
12. Alaska Beyond Magazine
Alaska Beyond Magazine is Alaska Airlines’ monthly in-flight magazine, which seeks out texts with vivid images, anecdotes and a strong narrative flow. If you can write with a sense of humor, cover business with insight and style, and bring an insider’s perspective to destination and travel columns, you’re as good as gold.
Rates start at $150 to $250 for short articles in the magazine section (200 to 600 words); $150 for business shorts (500 words); $500 for columns (1,600 words); and $700 for features (2,000 to 2,500 words). They are not interested in fiction, poetry or book reviews at this time.
13. Cropped
Limitedwe focus on home: architecture, design, real estate and urban planning. I’m looking for long-form, narrative story submissions from freelance writers, and these submissions should delve in-depth into their preferred topics, whether they’re analyzes of popular trends, feature pieces, personal essays, or a combination of all of the above.
Submission guidelines confirm (but do not specify) competitive rates for features between 3,000 and 6,000 words—Who pays writers quotes a rate of 20 and 54 cents per word, which means you will earn at least $600.
14. JSTOR Daily
JSTOR daily he is excited by stories that tease out details or look at the obvious in a non-obvious way; “Topics that are noteworthy, funny, quirky, surprising and informative are our way.” For summer and fall 2020 publications, they are interested in a reading list or bibliography annotated on structural racism or work highlighting BIPOC scholarship.
Feature stories typically run between 1,800 and 2,000 words. The submission guidelines confirm (but do not specify) that authors receive remuneration, the so-called Who pays writers states that the average wage is 31 cents per word.
15. Sierra
You’ve heard it before Sierra? It is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental group in the United States. It welcomes ideas from writing professionals who can “write smart, entertaining, insightful and well-researched stories for a diverse and politically informed readership across the country.” When you present an offer, make sure it reflects an understanding of the Sierra Club’s motto – “Discover, Enjoy and Protect the Planet” – as well as knowledge of current issues and topics.
Topical articles range from 2,000 words to (rarely) 4,000 words or more, and fees start at $1 per word and go up to $1.50 per word for better-known writers with “crackerjack endorsements.” In some cases the costs will be covered.
You can also write to one of their departments that they say is open to freelancers. Articles range in length from 250 to 1,000 words; payment ranges from $250 to $1,000 unless otherwise noted.
The original version of this story was written by Bamidele Onibalusi. We have updated the post to make it more useful for our readers.
Photo via Federico Rostagno/ Shutterstock