I’m gonna be honest for a second…

One of the best parts about being a writer is the sense of accomplishment. You know, when you see your name in a publication for the first time? There’s no denying the “I made it” feeling, and the overwhelming joy that arises.

But how does someone go about landing a coveted byline?! Especially if they’re a newer writer, or don’t have a lot of contacts in the journalism/media industries? I found myself fretting over this question a TON when I first started freelancing. 

I put my two years of research and experience into one comprehensive list of 42 publications to pitch as a freelance writer (that pay!). They range from smaller, up-and-coming outlets, to well-established companies that are global names. 

Here’s to landing that first byline (or adding to your current portfolio)!

 

Travel

Who doesn’t like reading about travel? Even when we were in the middle of a pandemic, the average consumer was still yearning for travel-related content to inspire future trips, and to experience destinations vicariously as an armchair traveler. These eight travel publications are a great place for freelance writers to pitch. 

1. Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure inspires readers to maximize their time in well-trodden destinations, and venture into places less frequented. From luxury travel stories to destination inspiration, this magazine is known for its epic roundups of the best travel experiences — from hotels to cruises to can’t-miss cities. Travel+Leisure covers stories that span trip ideas, travel tips, travel-related news, and useful products to take on travels.

Rates: According to Freedom With Writing, Travel+Leisure pays writers up to $1 per word.

How to Pitch: For specifics on what to include in your pitch, and which editors to send your story idea to, check out Travel+Leisure‘s pitching guidelines.

2. Fodor’s Travel

Fodor’s Travel is all about quirky travel stories and intentional, off-the-beaten-path experiences that allow readers to immerse themselves in local cultures. From historical landmarks to must-eat delicacies, Fodor’s Travel never ceases to surprise readers with travel inspiration. Whether you’re looking for a place to stay or want insider tips on a specific city, Fodor’s Travel has plenty of recommendations!

Rates: According to a senior editor at Fodor’s, the publication pays between $250-$400 per article.

How to Pitch: For more specifics on what Fodor‘s is (and isn’t) looking for, and what to include in your pitch, read through its pitching guidelines. Send pitches to pitches@fodors.com. 

3. Atlas Obscura

With a tagline like “Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations,” Atlas Obscura invites readers to ask uncomfortable questions and dare to enter the realms that few travelers do. This publication publishes journalistic pieces on “hidden places, incredible history, scientific marvels, and gastronomical wonders.” For examples of what Atlas Obscura covers, check out this story on “The Dancing Snow God That Brings Blizzards to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula” or this fascinating piece titled “History’s First Named Author Was a Mesopotamian Princess.” One thing is for sure: Atlas Obscura‘s storytelling transcends the mundane and aims to explore the mysteries this world has to offer.

Rates: According to Atlas Obscura‘s pitching guidelines, rates start at $300, or around $0.50/word. The majority of commissioned stories range between 800 and 1,500 words.

How to Pitch: Take a peek at Atlas Obscura‘s pitching guidelines for more on what to include in your pitch.  Send your story ideas to pitches@atlasobscura.com. 

4. Gastro Obscura

Calling all foodies! Atlas Obscura‘s spinoff publication, Gastro Obscura, covers all of the food-centric and beverage-related stories. According to Gastro Obscura‘s guidelines, idea stories for the publication “have an element of the hidden or inspire a sense of awe and wonder.” The publication notes that stories don’t necessarily have to involve restaurants or bars, but can also cover food museums, notable street food stalls, food statues, monasteries, farms, and more. Examples of ideal Gastro Obscura stories include this piece on Oaxaca’s annual Night of the Radishes festival and this one about a 22-million-year-old cave used to age cheese. 

Rates: Similar to Atlas Obscura, Gastro Obscura‘s rates start at $300, with writers expected to receive $0.50/word. The majority of Gastro Obscura‘s stories are 800 to 1,500 words.

How to Pitch: Check out Gastro Obscura‘s pitching guidelines (which are the same as Atlas Obscura’s). Send your pitches to gastro-pitches@atlasobscura.com. 

5. AFAR

AFAR Magazine is an inclusive travel publication that prides itself on its mission to instill in readers a sense of optimism and empowerment. It runs a wide range of stories, from personal essays, reported features, photo essays, and even poetry and fiction. Notable on AFAR‘s site is its “Travel for Good” section, which encourages readers to be more intentional about travel and how it shows up in their lives, as well as its “Expat Life” section, which offers tips to those living (or aspiring to live) abroad. AFAR also covers travel guides, tips for LGBTQ-friendly travel, and trending travel news, among several other topics.

Rates: According to AFAR’s pitching guidelines, it offers $1/word for AFAR Magazine and $0.50/word for AFAR.com.

How to Pitch: You can read more about specific pitching expectations, as well as which editor to pitch, here.

6. Hemispheres

United Airlines’ inflight magazine, Hemispheres, reaches 11 million monthly readers according to its website. Hemispheres‘ target audience consists of leisure travelers and affluent business travelers, and its readers are based worldwide. The magazine is looking for stories that are narrative-driven, with a strong sense of place. Stories should also cover destinations that are serviced by United Airlines. Hemispheres accepts freelance pitches for its Features, Navigator (related to trending topics or the news), and Diversions (related to cultural events like gallery openings or profiles of up-and-coming designers and actors) sections.

Rates: According to The Freelancer’s Year, Hemispheres pays writers $1/word.

How to Pitch: You can send your pitches to the Editor-In-Chief, Deputy Editor, and/or Digital Editor, whose email addresses are listed in Hemispheres’ Writers Guidelines.

7. National Geographic

We’ve all seen the breathtaking photos of Yosemite, the Northern Lights, and the African savanna that have graced the covers of this magazine. So National Geographic hardly needs an introduction. For its travel section, National Geographic is seeking stories that cover sustainable travel, family travel, wildlife conservation, and world heritage, to name a few topics. The publication recommends that writers take a thorough look through the site to get an idea of stories published. (Side note: this applies to any publication!)

Rates: Specific rates aren’t listed in National Geographic‘s pitching guidelines, so writers should confirm these with editors when pitching. 

How to Pitch: Take a careful look at National Geographic’s pitching guidelines (scroll to the bottom of the page for the “Travel” section). Then, when you’re ready to pitch, send over your idea through this form. 

8. Condé Nast Traveler

Finally, we have Condé Nast Traveler — another highly-regard travel publication — which centers around lifestyle and luxury travel. Condé Nast Traveler is very inclusive in its mission, and wants stories that “inspire travel and inform readers about the world around us.” It has over a dozen sections, including “Women Who Travel,” “Ethical Traveler,” and “Travel Firsts.”

Rates: According to Condé Nast Traveler‘s pitching guidelines, rates start at $300 for 500 to 600 words.

How to Pitch: Be sure to read through Condé Nast Traveler‘s pitching guidelines, which include what to include in your email, points to keep in mind before pitching, and specific editors to contact (with the email format firstname_lastname@condenast.com).

 

Women’s Lifestyle

There’s something inherently comfortable about women’s lifestyle magazines. Maybe it’s the cozy feeling they invoke, or the sense that they encourage women to spoil themselves a little (sans guilt!). Whatever it is, women’s lifestyle magazines are quirky, bold, and fun. And they’re here to stay. These six women’s lifestyle magazines accept pitches from freelance writers in 2023.

9. SELF

SELF is a health and wellness magazine — that also covers beauty, love, and lifestyle — aimed at millennial women. According to its pitching guidelines, SELF is exclusively focused on reported, service journalism-type pieces (i.e., how-tos, in-depth explainers with actionable takeaways, useful advice). An example of this is the article “9 Therapist-Approved Tips for Reframing Your Existential Anxiety. SELF also accepts pitches for stories that offer tips to readers based on personal experience (i.e., “If You’re Bad at Meditating, Can I Suggest Knot Tying?”) or product roundups. It rarely accepts pitches for its opinion/cultural criticism and features sections.

Rates: Generally, SELF compensates writers more depending on the amount of reporting required, turnaround time, and niche or specialty expertise. According to SELF‘s pitching guidelines, it offers $300 for stories with minimal to no reporting, and bumps up compensation from there. Reported service stories begin at $400.

How to Pitch: Check out SELF‘s pitching guidelines for which editor to pitch for each section.

10. Bustle

Celebrity gossip? Beauty hacks? Relationship advice? Bustle has it all! This women’s lifestyle magazine, launched in 2013, keeps its audience of mostly 20-somethings in the know about what’s trending. Bustle also has a “Rule Breakers” section, in which it profiles powerful female changemakers, and an “Amplifying Our Voices” section, in which it covers influential BIPOC public figures. Bustle is pretty widespread in the types of stories it commissions, specifically seeking “timely first-person pieces and personal essays, experiments and trials, and interviews and profiles.” It also considers reported stories that spark conversation within the realms of entertainment/culture, lifestyle, and fashion and beauty.

Rates: Bustle doesn’t list specific rates, but it does ask that writers mention their own standard rates when they’re pitching. 

How to Pitch: Check out Bustle‘s pitching guidelines to see what to include in your pitch. You can send lifestyle and/or wellness pitches to lifestylepitches@bustle.com, style pitches to fashionbeautypitches@bustle.com, and entertainment pitches to entertainmentpitches@bustle.com.

11. Refinery29 Australia

Any Aussie writers here? Well, if you happen to be from Australia and also write in the lifestyle niche, then you’re in luck! Refinery29 Australia accepts pitches from freelance writers, and is looking for stories for its Relationships, Wellness, Beauty, Work and Money, and Social Justice and Politics categories. Refinery29 Australia is also keen on giving “context behind the headlines” and covering how current events impact women, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals.

Rates: According to Refinery29 Australia’s pitching guidelines in this Google doc, shorter reported articles and personal essays start at AUD $200. Stories that are thorough explainers — or that involve multiple interviews — start at AUD $350.

How to Pitch: Be sure to read through Refinery29 Australia‘s pitching guidelines, then submit your idea through this Google form.

12. Oprah Daily

Formerly known as O Magazine, Oprah Daily is all about encouraging middle-aged women to get the most out of life. Its sections include “Books,” “Wellness,” “Delights” (beauty, fashion, food, self-care), and “Intention” (inspiration and relationships). Stories on Oprah Daily don’t shy away from difficult conversations (i.e., “The Moment I Knew My Marriage Was Over”). And given Oprah’s well-known book club, you best believe the site share’s plenty of must-reads!

Rates: Rates aren’t specified on Oprah Daily‘s website, but according to one post on Talking Biz News, it pays up to $1/word (for pieces up to 800 words).

How to Pitch: Send your story ideas to OprahMagStoryIdeas@hearst.com.

13. Good Housekeeping

From in-home product reviews to mouth-watering recipe roundups, Good Housekeeping is the online destination for optimizing your day-to-day living. Why should you write for Good Housekeeping? Well, they explain it pretty well: “With a combined magazine and website audience of more than 51 million readers, mostly women between the ages of 30 and 60, Good Housekeeping reaches more people at every life stage than nearly any other media brand.” This is a prime audience, and several topics are fair game, including (but not limited to) personal essays based on topics in the news (i.e., “I Had 4 Boys — Until One of Them Told Me She Was Really a Girl”) and stories based at home (i.e., “My Dream Home Turned Into a Toxic Mold Nightmare”).

Rates: Good Housekeeping‘s pitching guidelines do not mention specific rates. Be sure to confirm these with editors when pitching, or if your idea is commissioned.

How to Pitch: Check out Good Housekeeping‘s pitching guidelines for more specifics on the types of stories covered, as well as information on what to include in your pitch. Send your story ideas to ghdigital@hearst.com.

14. Southwest Ohio Parent

Alright, things are getting really niche now. If you’re a parent who enjoys partaking in the family-friendly fun Southwest Ohio has to offer, then Southwest Ohio Parent would love to consider you as a freelance contributor. A lot of its content centers around the Cincinnati and Dayton areas, though it features travel stories around surrounding cities and states. Southwest Ohio Parent wants stories that can offer new perspectives, and that provide valuable information from sources.

Rates: Specific rates aren’t mentioned on Southwest Ohio Parent’s website. However, the publication does state this: “Writers are paid based on the assigned word count for articles.”

How to Pitch: Be sure to check out Southwest Ohio Parent‘s full pitching guidelines. If you’d like to be considered as a freelance writer, email Southwest Ohio Parent‘s editor, Nicole Sipe, at editor@ohparent.com. Writers should describe their interests and experience, and provide several samples of their work.

Beauty and Fashion

With the rise of the Internet, fashion and beauty magazines haven’t died out. They’ve only become more popular, as they can now target a variety of readers across the globe, and create inclusive content that will appeal to the modern fashionista (or aspiring fashionista!). These three beauty and fashion publications accept pitches from freelance writers.

15. Byrdie

Raise your hand if you love all the quirkiest beauty and fashion trends! Well, Byrdie is the ideal publication for you. This millennial- and Gen Z-targeted digital magazine is at the forefront of beauty trends. Its content aims to push the boundaries of readers’ comfort zones, and educate readers about the stories and founders behind their favorite clothing, makeup, skincare, and makeup brands. Byrdie is also big on spotlighting beauty and fashion entrepreneurs from BIPOC or other marginalized backgrounds, and reviewing the latest products.

Rates: I’ve made anywhere from $200-350 for articles between ~700-800 words. But rates will vary depending on word count, editor, and the publication’s budget.

How to Pitch: For beauty-related pitches, contact Olivia Hancock at ohancock@dotdashmdp.com. For fashion-related pieces, email Erika Harwood at eharwood@byrdie.com. You can also head to Byrdie’s “About Us” page, which has a list of its editors and the topics covered.

16. Elle

Elle is a global women’s magazine — of French origin — that publishes mostly beauty and fashion content, alongside culture and lifestyle topics. It’s big on covering under-the-radar beauty trends (i.e., “‘Baby Botox’ – Everything You Need To Know About The Injectable Treatment”) and impactful fashion stories (i.e., “What Is Circular Fashion? How To Transform Your Shopping Habits And Reduce Your Carbon Footprint”). Fun fact: Elle is regarded as the world’s largest fashion magazine, so being featured in this publication means plenty of eyeballs for your writing!

Rates: Elle doesn’t disclose its rates on its website, so writers should settle rates with editors once pitches are commissioned.

How to Pitch: Head to Elle‘s “Contact Us” page for a list of editors for each section, as well as their email addresses.

17. Cosmopolitan UK

Known for its racy headlines and steamy sex tips, Cosmopolitan is one of the oldest women’s magazines, with its first publication dating back to 1886. This publication is showing no signs of slowing down, as it continues to publish stories on the latest celeb gossip, in-depth skincare tips, and  fashion inspo. While the U.S. Cosmo desk isn’t as transparent about its pitching policies, Cosmo UK is very clear about the fact that it accepts pitches from freelancers (and also offers a detailed breakdown of what it’s looking for).

Rates: Cosmo UK doesn’t list its rates on its site. However, according to Talking Biz News, Cosmopolitan (U.S.-based) has been known to pay as much as $2/word for 2,000-3,000 words.

How to Pitch: Read through Cosmo UK‘s pitching guidelines to get an idea of what it’s looking for. Then, send your pitch to the specific editor you’d like to pitch.

 

Health and Wellness

Who isn’t talking about health and wellness these days? With people more committed than ever to finding ways to improve their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, readers are all about content that can help them thrive. And thankfully, there are several magazines that do just this. Here are six health and wellness publications — that pay and take on freelance contributors — to pitch.

18. Well+Good

If you’re a wellness writer — whether that spans clean beauty, relationships, or fitness — Well+Good is an ideal place to pitch. Its content targets millennial/younger Gen X women, and includes “I Tried It” product review-type stories, reported features, and personal essays. Browse through each of Well+Good‘s verticals to figure out where your ideas might resonate. Well+Good is all about covering several niche areas like “Size-Inclusive Brands,” “Cosmic Health,” and “Natural Acne Treatment.”

Rates: These will vary based on the number of sources interviewed and word count. But I’ve been paid $300 for a 600-word article.

How to Pitch: Check out Well+Good‘s complete pitching guidelines — which include specific rates and which editors to pitch — on its website.

19. Wondermind

Wondermind is a relative newbie, having launched in mid-2021. However, this “mental fitness” publication is already making a huge impact with its celebrity mental health interviews and oh-so-relatable tips for making life a little easier. Wondermind is looking for pitches with a mental health angle and commissions across a variety of story types — from personal essays, to reported features about specific mental health conditions. Wondermind publishes articles on its website and in its thrice-weekly newsletter. Oh, and Selena Gomez is one of the co-founders. How cool is that?!

Rates: I’ve been paid $300 for a 650-word piece and $400 for a ~1,200-word piece.

How to Pitch: Wondermind‘s editor has a helpful Twitter thread in which she provides thorough instructions on what writers should include in their pitches. Contact Shannon Barbour with your story idea at Shannon.Barbour@Wondermind.com.

20. The Paper Gown (Zocdoc)

Zocdoc‘s health blog, The Paper Gown is keen on commissioning stories with a patient care focus. According to its Editor of Content, here are a few topics The Paper Gown is interested in covering:

• Personal essays that discuss how you’ve used Zocdoc to receive help for health challenges, with a unique angle (i.e., “How to Talk About Your Transgender Status With Your Doctor”)
• Stories for the “Doctors Debate” series, in which medical professionals debunk myths around allergy medications, exercise, supplements, etc.
• Seasonal pieces (i.e., “What to Do About These Common Summer Ailments”)
• Stories on other trending topics with a patient care angle (i.e., “What is Art Therapy and is it Right For You?”)

Rates: The Paper Gown offers at least $0.50 per word for all contributors, with the possibility of making more based on experience.

How to Pitch: Be sure to include “PITCH from [Your Name]:” in the subject line of your pitch, along with a proposed headline in the email itself. The editor also advises writers to keep pitches under three paragraphs, mention potential interview sources, list any relevant research, estimate a target word count, and come up with a proposed deadline. Send your pitch to Amanda Svachula, Editor of Content, at amanda.svachula@zocdoc.com.

21. Women’s Health

Women’s Health, first launched in 2005, is a credible and award-winning publication that covers the latest fitness, nutrition, health, weight loss, and beauty news and trends. Readers are empowered with health and wellness tips that are backed by ob/gyns, endocrinologists, registered dietitians, mental health experts, dermatologists, and more. According to Women’s Health, its content is authoritative yet “… presented in a fun, engaging way that helps readers lead happier, healthier lives.”

Rates: Women’s Health doesn’t disclose its rates on its “About Us” page, so writers should set rates with editors once pitches are commissioned.

How to Pitch: Submit pitches to whsubmissions@hearst.com.

22. Men’s Health UK

There’s a Men’s Health, too! And Men’s Health UK is looking for pitches for both its print and digital sections. Topics covered are pretty fair game. According to Men’s Health UK‘s pitching guidelines, online features should “shine a light on areas where men aren’t doing so well” or center around “light-hearted stories that our readers will get a kick out of.” Print features should be profiles of inspiring individuals, humorous first-person pieces, or deep dives into budding trends. Finally, Men’s Health UK seeks pitches for its “Agenda” section in the print version, which centers around spotlighting the best gyms in the world and new health/fitness technology.

Rates: Men’s Health UK doesn’t disclose specific compensation amounts. However, it’s clear about its budget not being “limitless,” so the publication is particularly selective about the number of stories commissioned.

How to Pitch: Read through Men’s Health UK‘s pitching guidelines for specifics on what to include in your pitch. For online features, send your pitches to daniel.davies@menshealth.co.uk. For print features and stories for the “Agenda” section, email pitches to scarlett.wrench@menshealth.co.uk.

23. Verywell Mind

Verywell Mind has “reliable, compassionate, and up-to-date information on the mental health topics that matter most.” Its stories cover a range of mental health topics, from specific mental health conditions to mental health news and personal essays. Verywell Mind prides itself on approaching topics in a way that’s stigma-free and highly personal, and aims to give readers the tools to optimize their well-being.

Rates: When I contributed to Verywell Mind in 2022, I received $200 per article (~1,000 words). However, it offers more to writers who are licensed mental health or medical professionals.

How to Pitch: If you’re interested in writing for Verywell Mind, send an email to writeforus@verywellmind.com. Be sure to mention any relevant experience in the mental health/health journalism fields.

24. Verywell Health

For all topics related to the body — specific health conditions, disease prevention, pharmaceutical drugs — Verywell Health is the place to go. Like Verywell Mind, Verywell Health is all about patient empowerment through up-to-date and credible information that readers can use to make the best health choices for themselves and their loved ones.  It currently has an article library of over 22,000 stories, which center around common topics like diet and nutrition, as well as specific information on dozens of medical issues. If you have experience in the medical field, or are a health journalist, consider pitching Verywell Health!

Rates: Rates are not disclosed on Verywell Health‘s “About Us” tab, so writers should discuss these with editors.

How to Pitch: If you’re interested in being a writer for Verywell Health, send an email to writeforus@verywellhealth.com. Be sure to mention any relevant experience in the health/health journalism fields.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Budding and seasoned entrepreneurs alike can share their insights and strategies with an eager audience. Furthermore, if you’re a freelance writer covering business, these publications are great places to share your own advice and profile notable figures in the business space. Here are five business and entrepreneurship publications that accept pitches from freelance writers.

25. Business Insider

Did you know Business Insider reaches over 200 million readers? And that it publishes many of its stories from freelancers? Business Insider is considered one of the leading outlets in covering current events in the business, finance, and tech spaces.

Fear not — you don’t need to have your finger on the pulse of industry happenings to land a Business Insider byline. In fact, if you can share a useful career-related story (or can write a profile on somebody who does), your chances of landing a Business Insider gig are still quite well. Take a few moments to look through your contacts to consider who might be interesting to write a feature on, or think of a story you can share with a career angle. And be sure to share stories with actionable takeaways, as Business Insider is big on that!

Rates: These will vary based on editor and vertical. But I’ve been able to negotiate up to $400 for an ~800-900 word story.

How to Pitch: Business Insider‘s pitching guidelines include specifics on what it’s looking for, and which editor to pitch for each section.

26. The Robora

UK-based Annie Ridout is a former journalist (having contributed to Forbes, Telegraph, Guardian, etc.), coach, and author. She also founded The Robora, a magazine that encourages “women to believe it’s possible.” This publication encourages female creatives and entrepreneurs to believe in themselves, lift each other up, and say “yes” to rest. According to a Tweet by Ridout, The Robora publishes “first-person stories, new trends/innovations and frankly anything not being covered elsewhere in terms of business, freelancing and women.”

Rates: According to Ridout’s call for pitches last fall, writers are paid £200 for 800 words.

How to Pitch: Send your story ideas to annie@therobora.com.

27. The Muse

For all things related to career tips and job searching, The Muse is the place to go. The Muse offers expert-backed career advice, as well as articles based on personal experience, and “helps users win at work—from professional advancement and skills-building to finding a job.” This publication is particularly interested in covering work culture, mental health and work, and trends in the working world (i.e., the Great Resignation).

Rates: According to The Muse‘s Deputy Editor, writers can expect $300-$600 per piece.

How to Pitch: Emails should include a sample headline, a 1-3 paragraph pitch, a sentence or two describing yourself, and 2-3 writing samples (preferably similar to what you’re pitching). Be sure to read the submission guidelines beforehand, then send your story ideas to stav.ziv@themuse.com.

28. Black Enterprise Magazine

Since the 1970s, Black Enterprise Magazine has covered business and entrepreneurship within the African-American community. Its content spans career opportunities, business success stories, technology, and money for both first-time business owners and experienced professionals. Writers should browse through Black Enterprise Magazine‘s media/press kit for an editorial calendar, which can help inspire story ideas based on current events. Furthermore, trendy topics from the news and topics related to the print version of the magazine (from a different angle) are fair game.

Rates: According to Make a Living Writing, Black Enterprise Magazine‘s rates will vary based on assignment.

How to Pitch: Send your story ideas to Executive Managing Editor, Alisa Gumbs.

29. OZY

In its own words, “OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “’the New and the Next.’” OZY offers fresh takes on trends in business, tech, entertainment, culture, and trending topics. Its goal is to get people talking about emerging celebrities, companies, and cultural shifts before they make their big landing in society. OZY publishes a range of media — from newsletters to podcasts to videos — and accepts submissions for articles and video-based pieces.

Rates: OZY‘s rates aren’t listed, so be sure to discuss these with editors when pitching.

How to Pitch: Send your story ideas to freelancers@ozy.com.

 

Culture

There’s always something to comment on or criticize in today’s cultural landscape. If that’s your domain, then these nine culture publications are the place for you!

30. The Juggernaut

The Juggernaut is a publication that covers reported stories pertaining to the South Asian diaspora. The publication’s name derives from the Sanskrit word “Jagannath,” which means “a massive force, campaign, movement, or object.” The Juggernaut dives into the new and timeless traditions within South Asian culture in the stories it publishes each day, from “How Bhut Jolokia, the Ghost Pepper, Took Over the West”, to “The Bidet is Back. But for Many South Asians, It’s Been a Fixture.” Topics covered include film & TV, profiles, food, and culture.

Rates: The Juggernaut doesn’t specify its rates to writers. Be sure to confirm rates if your story idea is commissioned.

How to Pitch: Once you’ve mapped out your story idea, you can submit it via this form.

31. Rewire News Group

Rewire New Group is an online publication that publishes content daily, and wants writers to submit story ideas that will “empower our audience to own their relationship to sex, abortion, parenthood, and power” while being inclusive towards the “BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.” Its stories include cultural criticism and analysis, evidence-based news, and reported features.

Rates: According to Freedom With Writing, Rewire News Group pays up to $0.28 per word.

How to Pitch: Pitches should include the ideal audience for the story and how it relates to Rewire‘s four main pillars (abortion, sex, power, and parenthood). Writers should also include two potential headlines, a sample tweet, and samples of their work (if they’re pitching for the first time). Send submissions to submissions@rewirenewsgroup.com.

32. Vox

Do you like writing thought-provoking opinion pieces? Do you enjoy covering trending news topics from unexpected angles? Are you all about exploring the ways technology is changing our world? No matter your expertise, there’s probably a place for it in Vox, which wants readers to have a better grasp on the world around them. Vox covers a broad spectrum of topics, “from policy and politics to culture and tech to science and health — with clarity and depth, curiosity and generosity.”

Rates: Vox doesn’t list rates in its submission guidelines, so be sure to bring this up with the editorial team if your pitch is commissioned.

How to Pitch: Read the submission guidelines carefully, then send your story idea to the appropriate editor for the section you’re pitching.

33. Salon

Since 1995, Salon has covered politics and news from a “progressive, nonpartisan editorial lens.” It also covers culture and entertainment, food, and health and science. Salon’s editorial mission is “pro-democracy, pro-equality and justice and pro-truth.” This publication seeks personal essays, long-form interviews, and cultural criticism that addresses questions such as the state of democracy (in the U.S. and abroad), and influential cultural figures.

Rates: Rates are not specified on Salon‘s website, so confirm these with your specific editor if your pitch is commissioned.

How to Pitch: A list of Salon‘s editorial contacts can be found here.

34. LiisBeth

Liisbeth is still up-and-coming, but this Canadian publication is doing incredible things. According to its website, Liisbeth “reports on and celebrates work happening at the intersection of feminism + entrepreneurship + innovation.” This publication’s target audience is mainly made up of female-identifying readers between the ages of 25-55. Readers want to explore and dismantle gender-based, economic, racial, and environmental inequalities, and are passionate about social justice.

Rates: Compensation varies widely depending on the topic and type of story. However, Liisbeth‘s Guidelines state that writers are paid anywhere from $250-$2,000 CDN for stories ranging from 1,500-3,000 words.

How to Pitch: Be sure to go through Liisbeth‘s Guidelines prior to submitting your pitch. Once you’ve formulated your story idea, you can send it to publisher@Liisbeth.com.

35. Ms. Magazine

Ms. Magazine is a global media outlet that covers a wide array of topics “— from policy and politics to popular culture and the arts, from education to the environment, from violence to abortion.” It’s seeking social commentary, reported pieces, and features that approach storytelling from an intersectional feminist viewpoint. Ms. Magazine does not focus on trending topics in food, fashion, or fitness.

Rates: Ms. Magazine only pays editors for its print version. However, it doesn’t list rates on its site, so confirm these with the editor if your story is commissioned.

How to Pitch: According to Ms. Magazine‘s pitching guidelines, pitches should describe your expertise on an issue and why you are qualified to discuss it. They should also describe the completed story in detail, and mention an expectation of when it’ll be ready for review. Completed work can be submitted for consideration, but should start with a summary of the topic and approach through which it’s covered. Finally, Ms. Magazine asks contributors to attach two or three published writing samples, and an author bio of no longer than three sentences.

When pitching Ms. Magazine‘s print version, email chahn@msmagazine.com. If you’re looking to be featured in the digital version (though it doesn’t pay), email rszal@msmagazine.com.

36. The Atlantic

The Atlantic is almost synonymous with literary success — with established and budding writers and authors gracing its pages. Since its inception in 1857, The Atlantic has been the go-to for all things literature, lifestyle, foreign affairs, and politics. It also covers trending topics in the tech space, as seen in the story “Generative Art is Stupid.” Furthermore, readers can expect deep dives into popular cultural phenomena (i.e., “You Don’t Know How Bad the Pizza Box Is“). A byline in The Atlantic can offer major street cred, so if you have a story idea that could be a good fit, don’t hesitate to submit it!

Rates: The Atlantic doesn’t list rates on its website, but according to Make a Living Writing, writers can expect to make anywhere from $150-$1,600 depending on the assignment.

How to Pitch: You can submit story ideas for reported pieces or commentaries. The Atlantic also considers completed manuscripts of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Editors’ emails for each section are listed here.

37. VICE

The VICE Culture desk is looking for stories that cover entertainment, food, music, online cultures and subcultures, and anything that invokes nostalgia. It’s currently accepting pitches for a recurring series or one-time story ideas. VICE is interested in these specific topics: influencer culture, music trends, fandoms, niche aspects of internet culture, “thorough investigations of seemingly inconsequential things,” and more. If it’s niche, and no one’s talking about it, VICE wants to hear about it!

Rates: VICE doesn’t list its rates, so freelancers should discuss these with editors when pitching.

How to Pitch: VICE asks writers to include 1-2 potential headlines, a thesis statement, a one-paragraph summary of the story, interview sources, and other supporting details (i.e., drafting timeline) in their pitches. Click here for the full pitching guidelines. To reach the culture desk, send your ideas to culture.pitches@vice.com.

VICE’s other desks — including science and tech, politics and health, and photo essays — also accept pitches. You can find their email addresses here.

38. HuffPost

HuffPost — yes, formerly the Huffington Post — welcomes pitches from freelance writers for its culture, personal, national and politics, and life sections. HuffPost‘s mission is “‘to write for, and not just about, those left out of traditional power structures.'” Furthermore, the publication aims to amplify voices from marginalized communities, such as “those who are BIPOC, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and writers from other underrepresented communities.”

Rates: Huffpost doesn’t disclose its rates in the pitching guidelines, but it does say that all writers are compensated for their work.

How to Pitch: In your pitch, make sure to include a rough headline, 2-3 paragraphs outlining your story and its significance, a clear indication of how you plan to tell and report the story, and whether your pitch is timely. HuffPost also wants writers to mention who they are and why they’re the appropriate person to cover the story. Visit HuffPost‘s pitching guidelines for more on the types of stories covered, and who to pitch.

 

Miscellaneous

Finally for everything that doesn’t fit into a specific category, but should still be considered in your pitching strategy, here are four miscellaneous publications that accept pitches from freelance writers! 

39. Mental Floss

Mental Floss gives its readers something to truly ponder — whether that’s a list like “6 of History’s Biggest Dogs,” or investigations into quirky topics like “A Brief History of Spam.” Writers can pitch stories to Mental Floss‘ “Lists” section, which can focus on topics such as art and literature, useful life tips and hacks, and pop culture fads. Mental Floss is also seeking pitches for its “Features” section, which reports stories with a specific angle on topics that give perspective to historical events, cover little-known historical figures, and uncover a new research field.

Rates: According to Mental Floss‘ pitching guidelines, rates for lists start at $150 and go up, depending on length. Short features (around 500 words) start at $125, and longer features hover around $200. Rates will go up depending on the amount of research and reporting required, and the overall word count.

How to Pitch: For a comprehensive list of editorial contacts, as well as pointers on what to include in your pitch, visit Mental Floss‘ pitching guidelines.

40. The Sun

The Sun prides itself on being a nonprofit “ad-free sanctuary” that “has used words and photographs to evoke the splendor and heartache of being human” for over forty years. It publishes issues monthly, and each one celebrates life while also recognizing its complexities. Writers are encouraged to submit short stories, interviews, poetry, personal essays, and even photography. Topics covered in The Sun aim to “marry the personal and political; to challenge the status quo and reveal injustice; to honor courageous and honest writing; and to touch the mystery of our humanity.”

Rates: According to The Sun‘s essays, fiction, & poetry guidelines, rates for personal essays and fiction are $300 and up. Poetry rates are $150 and up.

How to Pitch: Take a look at The Sun‘s complete submission guidelines for essays, fiction, & poetry to read writing samples and submit your story.

41. Sactown Mag

Calling all my fellow Sacramento-based writers! If you live in Sacramento or the surrounding area, and have something to say about the food, art, or things to do in the city, Sactown Magazine is worth pitching. This award-winning magazine was founded in 2006 by journalists Rob Turner and Elyssa Lee, and has since gone on to reach 40,000 readers. Take a look at Sactown Magazine’s “Forever 530” piece featuring Sacramento native Hasan Minhaj, or “Planting Ideas,” which spotlights a local vegan burger spot, for story ideas.

Rates: Sactown Magazine doesn’t list rates on its website, so be sure to confirm these with the editors when pitching.

How to Pitch: Send your pitch to editors@sactownmag.com.

42. Sierra Magazine

Do you consider yourself an environmentalist? Are you passionate about appreciating and preserving the great outdoors? If so, you’ll definitely want to consider pitching Sierra, the Sierra Club’s magazine. According to Sierra‘s website, its mission is “that everyone, regardless of race or income, should enjoy the same basic rights to clean air, clean water, a stable climate, and safe and easy access to experience wild nature.” Sierra commissions pieces within various sections —Material World, Culture Desk, Do-Gooder, etc. — so read through the guidelines carefully to figure out where exactly your story idea might fit.

Rates: Sierra Magazine offers $1-$1.50 per word!

How to Pitch: You can submit your pitch directly through Sierra Magazine‘s website using this form.

Parting Thoughts

Sending pitches as a freelance writer can often be the most frustrating and time-consuming part of the job. After all, how does a writer figure out where to pitch? Especially if they don’t have any contacts in the industry.

These 42 outlets are an excellent place to start, and this list takes out the guesswork of knowing who to pitch. 

So, here’s to landing your first (or next) big byline… Happy pitching!

P.S. For more tips on pitching specifically, be sure to check out my blog post “Freelance Writing Pitches: 7 Tips to Make Your Story Idea Shine.”