Freelance Writing — Calls for Submissions and Calls For Pitches
Freelance Writing — 30 Writing Calls For Submissions (as of 03/28/22) — Paid Writing Opportunities For Nonfiction, Journalism, Art, Poetry, and Fiction
Here are the latest calls for submission, pitches, and expiring writing opportunities.
Welcome to this week’s roundup of writing calls for pitches and submissions. This week I have 30 different publications and websites currently looking for writers. These could be magazines that recently opened their submissions up, fast-approaching deadlines, shout out from editors looking for something specific right now, or just reminders that they are always open for pitches.
I cover all kinds of writing opportunities. These markets could be fiction, nonfiction, reported pieces, or poetry. Sometimes, these markets are also looking for artwork or photography.
All 30 markets in this article pay their contributors. A good portion of them either pay more than $100.00 minimum, or writers have the potential to make at least $100.00. Although, I do include some lower-paying opportunities as well.
Each of the freelance writing listings in this article will contain the following:
- The name of the publication, anthology, or contest.
- Some way to contact them (at least one of the following — a link to their published guidelines, Twitter handle, or email address).
- What type of writing they are looking for.
- How much they pay.
- Deadline, if any.
I am now including opportunities that I have mentioned before, and the deadline is within 7–13 days which I published the article.
When you scroll through these listings, you may notice this:
**UPCOMING DEADLINE**
That is how I am indicating that less than 2 weeks are left on that writing opportunity!
Good luck finding the perfect writing market for your nonfiction, fiction, and poetry!
The Blacklight
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $250.00 minimum, up to $2.00 per word
Deadline: Ongoing
The Blacklight recently tweeted that they are looking for freelance investigative journalists. They are especially interested in stories of the impact COVID19 has had on black and brown communities. However, he notes there is no deadline and is always open to pitches.
Email pitches to [email protected]. Here are the rates mentioned in the Twitter feed:
- Fact Checks (500–1,000 words) $250.00+
- Medium Length Articles (800–1,500 words) $1.00 a word.
- Long-Form Articles (1,500+ words) $2.00 a word.
- Data Visualizations ($250.00–500.00+).
Bob Vila
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $75.00–300.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Samantha Matt, the managing editor at Bob Vila, recently tweeted that she is looking for freelancers to write articles on the best deals and sales for their readers. The link under Details/Website is to the job application.
However, you can also send pitches to [email protected].
Business Insider
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $1.00 per word
Deadline: Ongoing
Edith Honan, an editor for Business Insider, has tweeted that she is looking for freelance journalists to send her pitches.
Here is another thread that talks more about what she is looking for. Pitches can be sent to [email protected].
Elite Daily
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $250.00+
Deadline: Ongoing
Lara Walsh, the Associate Experiences Editor for Elite Daily, recently tweeted that she is looking for pitches. She specifically wants pitches on hot takes on TikTok trends, unique travel experiences, food, and home décor. Rates start at $250.00 depending upon experience.
Every
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $500.00+
Deadline: Ongoing
Every recently tweeted that they are always accepting pitches. Every exists to help aspiring writers fulfill their dreams and goals. Typically they pay $500.00 per guest post, sometimes more.
You can DM pitches to Dan Shipper.
Fifth Season
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $500.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Ali Trachta, the editor at Fifth Season, recently tweeted that they are looking for food writers, comedy writers, and essayists. The tweet indicates that their base rate is $500.00.
There is no deadline; they accept pitches on a rolling basis. What you are pitching is a combination of a food story (a recipe for a food item with greens) and a humor piece. They are also really short — less than 600 words outside of the recipe. Honestly, this one seems like fun, and I think I am going to pitch too. (Embarrassing side note — I was so interested, I just wasted a good 30 minutes looking at their other recipes on their website instead of researching writing opportunities for you good people. Sorry!)
**UPCOMING DEADLINE**
Fusion Fragment
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $0.035 CAD a word up to $300.00 CAD
Deadline: April 8 — April 10
Super short window, so if you are interested, I would get your story ready and mark your calendar for these dates so you can submit it during the window. They are looking for science fiction short stories and novelettes from 2,000–15,000 words. They consider reprints but prefer original, unpublished works.
Their Ghoulish Reputation
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $25.00
Deadline: April 28
Dark Lake Publishing has announced that they are looking for folk horror fiction for Their Ghoulish Reputation Anthology. This genre blends horror and folklore to properly explore themes like terror, displacement, alienation, and a sense of others. They are looking for stories with a word count between 2,500–10,000. They accept simultaneous submissions but do not allow multiple submissions or reprints.
Halloween Ghost Anthology
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $0.06 a word ($120.00–240.00)
Deadline: May 31
Gaby Triana has announced a call for submissions for their upcoming Halloween Ghost Anthology. They are looking for stories of dark fiction 2,000–4,000 words in length. Stories should include a haunted element (ghosts, poltergeists, spirits, haunted objects, haunted places, or the paranormal).
They do not accept multiple submissions, simultaneous submissions, or reprints. The deadline is May 31, and the expected publishing date is October 1.
Hawaii Speculative Short Story Anthology
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $50.00
Deadline: May 15
Sam Fletcher has announced a call for submissions for an upcoming Hawaii Speculative Short Story Anthology. They are looking for writers who live in Hawaii or have some significant connection to the island. The word count is 2,000–5,000 words, and they even will consider reprints.
Khoreo
Looking For: Nonfiction, Fiction and Artwork
Payment: $40.00–500.00
Deadline: April 1 — April 30
Khoreo is looking for fiction, nonfiction, and artwork from artists who identify as immigrants or members of a diaspora. (diaspora is loosely defined as the dispersion of any people from their original homeland). The submission period is open for one month — between April 1 and April 30. Here is what they are looking for.
- Short Fiction: Under 5,000 words but prefer under 3,000 words. Stories must contain a speculative element. Payment is $0.10 per word (up to $500.00 for a 5,000-word story).
- Nonfiction: They are looking for nonfiction articles about speculative fiction, writing, storytelling, and reading. They prefer essays that intersect those topics with personal experiences of immigration and migration. Essays should be 1,000–3,000 words in length. They pay $40.00 for reprints and $200.00 for original essays.
- Artwork: They are looking for artwork with a unique style that shows characters inhabiting their environments. They especially want artwork that explores speculative elements in new or personal ways and how it relates to the diaspora experience. They pay $500.00 for original, commissioned cover art and $100.00 for art drawn from the artist’s existing portfolio.
Kingdoms of Wrath and Ice
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $25.00
Deadline: April 1–30
Horror Tree has announced that they will be taking submissions for their upcoming anthology Kingdoms of Wrath and Ice in April. They will be accepting unpublished stories of 5,000–7,500 words. Simultaneous and Multiple submissions are fine. These should be short fantasy stories in a unique setting with an enthralling conflict for your antagonist.
The Massachusetts Review
Looking For: Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, Hybrid, and Translations
Payment: $100.00
Deadline: April 30
The Massachusetts Review is open for submissions. They consider many different genres of writing, and they pay $100.00.
- Nonfiction: They take articles and essays, but a word count is not noted. They especially like discussions of leading artists (writers, artists, musicians, drama) or analysis pieces covering literature, philosophy, science, and public affairs trends.
- Fiction: Max 30 pages or 7,500 words.
- Poetry: Up to 6 poems, but prefer poetry with less than 100 lines.
- Hybrid: They consider hybrid submissions — submissions that cover more than one genre (art, fiction, nonfiction, or poetry). Maximum 30 pages.
- Translations: Translation of poetry, fiction, and essays are accepted.
Memorable Characters
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $25.00–100.00
Deadline: April 30
Jellyfish Review has a submission call for memorable characters. This is an interesting open submission. It is only for 1,000 words or less, and you can write just about anything — fiction, poetry, essays, or a hybrid. It just needs to be a memorable character.
You can only submit one entry in March (if you hurry) and one entry in April. The deadline is April 30. Accepted work will be paid $25.00, and their absolute favorite will be paid $100.00.
Midnight in the Dying Garden
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $10.00–150.00 CAD
Deadline: April 30
Kopfkino Media has announced a call for submissions for an upcoming anthology called Midnight in the Dying Garden. The subtitle is Fairy Tales For The End of the World. They are looking for stories 1,000–7,000 words in length. Reprints are accepted but paid less. New, unpublished work pays $25.00 — $150.00. Reprints pay $10.00–70.00. Both payments are based on length after edits, so doing the math would say that after edits, they pay $0.025 per word for unpublished stories and $0.01 per word for reprints.
Military Families Magazine
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $75.00–200.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Military Families Magazine has tweeted that they are looking for writers for their digital and print products. They want military writers, former military, have a military affiliation, or are experienced with covering the military.
Mint Studios
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $450.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Araminta recently tweeted that they are looking for business and finance writing. The tweet mentions that they will consider new writers and writers without experience.
This is for a long-term contract (6 months) for 2–3 articles a week. They pay same-day article invoiced. Articles are typically 1,500–2,500 words and pay $450.00 per article. On the guidelines page, there is a link to the application. If your application is successful, you will complete a paid written test.
The New Fatherhood
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $100.00 plus 1-year subscription
Deadline: Ongoing
Kevin Maguire, the owner of The New Fatherhood, tweeted that he is looking to start an open and honest conversation about fatherhood. He is especially interested in hearing from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ writers. You can send pitches to [email protected].
Northern Woodlands
Looking For: Nonfiction and Poetry
Payment: $50.00–450.00+
Deadline: April 15
Northern Woodlands is a quarterly magazine about the northeastern forests and the people who care for them. They publish book reviews, features, poetry, and columns. Pitches are due by April 15 in order to be assigned. Copy deadline will be due May 15, and publication will occur September 1. Here is their payment schedule:
- Column — A place in Mind — 800 words — $200.00
- Column — Knots and Bolts — 200–700 words. Payment varies, typically from $75.00–300.00.
- Book Reviews — 400–800 words — $100.00
- Poetry — $50.00
- Features — For new writers to the magazine, starts at $0.15 per word — 1,000–3,000 words — $150.00–450.00+
The Pigeon
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $75.00
Deadline: Ongoing
This is a publication only open to young Canadians. They are looking for young Canadian writers to pitch them stories about climate, health, identity, justice, and politics. They publish feature articles and essays on subjects that affect Canadian youth. Article length is typically 1,500 words or more.
Pit
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: £150-£200
Deadline: April 15
Pit Magazine recently tweeted that they are taking pitches for an upcoming issue: The Saucy Issue. The deadline is April 15. Pit magazine has its roots in live-fire cooking. They are looking for photo stories, historical pieces, memoir and first-person narratives, scientific deep dives, unexpected approaches to the theme of that issue, stories that are about a specific preparation, and cultural stories told through the lens of food.
Word counts are 1,000–2,500. Send your pitch to Helen at [email protected]. Pitches should be 2–3 paragraphs that outline your idea. Include links to other published works.
Ploughshares
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $25.00–55.00+
Deadline: Ongoing
Ploughshares recently tweeted that they are currently accepting pitches. They are looking for personal essays, book reviews, interviews, critical essays, and blended long-form essays. According to their pitch guide, here is payment info:
- Critical Essays (1,300+ words) starting at $35.00.
- Personal Essays (1,300+ words) starting at $35.00.
- Blended Longform Essays (3,000+ words) starting at $55.00.
- Interviews (1,300+ words) starting at $35.00.
- Book Reviews (800 words) $25.00.
The Public
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $250.00
Deadline: Ongoing
The Public is actually a magazine published on Medium. I know there was a time when Medium had a bunch of publications that paid authors; I thought that was in the past. Apparently not, but according to this pitch guide They pay writers $250.00 for articles 800–1,500 words in length.
This is a social justice magazine dedicated to exploring justice’s social and legal underpinnings. Or the lack of those things in American society. They are especially looking for journalists, historians, educators, activists, artists, and organizers to write for them. Check out their pitch guide for more information.
Rites of Passage: An Anthology of Queer Pagan Fiction
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $25.00–75.00
Deadline: June 30
Periculum Press has announced an upcoming anthology for queer pagan fiction. The theme of the anthology is coming of age as a queer pagan. They are also interested in exploring the tension between this generation and older generations. The story should be 2,500–7,5000 words in length.
Science, Humour and the Absurd
Looking For: Fiction, Poetry, Essays, and Memoir
Payment: $250.00–500.00
Deadline: April 29
Under details/website is the submission page for this period, but you should also check out their general submission page. They pay $0.30 a word up to $390.00 for original fiction and nonfiction. They pay $40.00 for reprinted fiction and nonfiction. They pay $70 for one poem, $180.00 for three poems, or $20.00 for a reprinted poem.
**UPCOMING DEADLINE**
Scum
Looking For: Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry
Payment: $60 AUD
Deadline: 1st through the 7th of the month
Scum is looking for feminist-friendly work — this could be nonfiction, fiction, or poetry. They want works of less than 2,000 words for fiction and nonfiction. They want poems under 50 lines, a max of 3 poems for poetry.
James Sowers
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $250.00–500.00
Deadline: Ongoing
James Sowers, Director of Marketing at The Good and Founder of Try Castaway, has tweeted, that he is looking for freelancers that can write two-three articles a month. These articles will be on web design, customer research, customer experience, CRO, and product design. If interested, DM him your portfolio and pitch.
**UPCOMING DEADLINE**
Struggle Magazine
Looking For: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry
Payment: $75.00
Deadline: April 4
Struggle Magazine accepts submissions from D.C. Area writers or anyone with a connection from D.C. They pay $75.00 for accepted fiction, poetry, essays, art criticism, and drama submissions. The deadline is April 4.
Reserve and National Guard Magazine
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $75.00–200.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Reserve and National Guard Magazine have tweeted that they are looking for pitches on deployment and education. They want a brief overview, a least of sources (at least two(, possible images, and expected word count. Sent pitches to the associate editor Kari Williams — [email protected].
**UPCOMING DEADLINE**
Terrain — Theme: Wildfire
Looking For: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Multimedia and Mixed-Genre
Payment: $200.00
Deadline: April 4
Terrain.org has an open call for submissions through April 4th for their wildfire-themed issue. They accept all forms of poetry, nonfiction up to 5,000 words, fiction up to 5,000 words, artwork up to 12 pieces, and multimedia or mixed genre submissions. Payment is $200.00 per accepted writer or artist, regardless of how many pieces they publish.
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