Call For Submissions — Freelance Writing
Freelance Writing — 31 Writing Call For Submissions (as of 02/28/22) — Make Money By Writing Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry
Find the perfect place to send your manuscripts and pitch your ideas. These markets are actively looking for pitches and submissions right now!
Are you looking for markets that are looking for writers today? This article has 31 different markets, and they either have deadlines coming up, have recently opened up a submission period, or recently issued a call for submissions or call for pitches.
I cover all kinds of writing, including nonfiction, reported pieces, fiction and poetry. So it is likely you will find a market or two in this article that you are interested in.
All of the markets in this article are paying markets, and the majority of them pay at least $100.00 per piece. I do include some that pay less — because money is not everyone’s most important qualification on a market to submit to.
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.
Good luck finding the perfect writing market for your nonfiction, fiction, and poetry!
**New Startup**
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $400.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Jamie Ditaranto tweeted that she is looking for writers for a new startup. She is specifically looking for local experts to write 2,000-word destination guides for Costa Rica, Dubai, and Bali. If interested, email her along with previous clips at [email protected].
Anime Herald
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $50.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Anime Herald recently tweeted that they are looking for articles and pay $50.00 per article. Check out their guideline page (linked to details/website above), and if interested, fill out this article pitch form.
Android Central
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $20.00–500.00+
Deadline: Ongoing
Android Central is looking for applicants from North America who want to write about Google and Android. Per a recent tweet from Jeramy Johnson, editor-in-chief, to apply, you need to fill out the application as linked under details/websites. They also have an extensive payment guide on just how much you will get paid depending on the type of assignment.
It is always wonderful when a publication or website is so forthcoming about rates. Many are not — this will allow you to decide whether or not the potential compensation is worth applying or not!
Blurred Genres Flash Contest 2022
Looking For: Flash Fiction
Payment: $100.00–500.00
Deadline: 03/01–03/31
Invisible City Lit is having a Flash Fiction Contest, and the great news is that there is NO ENTRY FEE!
They are looking for flash fiction and prose poems (or a combo of the two) of 750 words or less. There are no genre rules or regulations, but you can only submit once. The Prizes are as follow:
- 1st Place — $500.00
- 2nd Place — $200.00
- 3rd Place — $100.00
- The top 5 entries will also be published.
Chatelaine
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: Starts between $300.00–2,000.00 Canadian
Deadline: Ongoing
Chatelaine is a Canadian women’s magazine. The deputy and feature editor, Erica Lenti, tweeted that they are looking for pitches (especially features) on health, politics, justice, culture, and environment written for Canadian women 30+. Pitches can be sent to [email protected].
In a previous tweet Chantal Braganza, a writer, and editor at Chatelaine, stated that payment is $1.00 a word for print and between $300.00–800.00 for online stories.
Fabulous Magazine
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: £350 for 1,000 words
Deadline: Ongoing
Fabulous Magazine is part of the UK’s The Sun, and they are looking for UK real-life stories with photos. The stories must be from within the last 5 years. This was recently tweeted out by Rosie, Guzauskas, deputy feature editor of the magazine. You can send pitches to [email protected].
Fansided
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: Starts between $100.00–150.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Fansided recently tweeted that they are looking for ideas for their upcoming features on Fan Voices Series. They invite you to check out their pitch guidelines and send an email to [email protected] or DM Ian Levy, the Creative Editorial Director.
The Fuller Project
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: Up to $1,200 ($1.00 a word for up to 1,200 words)
Deadline: Ongoing
The Fuller Project is a website interested in enterprising stories on issues affecting women in the US and globally. Although their pitch page goes into general ideas of what stories they are looking to tell, there are a few ideas for pitches that they are looking for right now.
They want stories that are central to women in California. These stories should show the intersection of gender and economic mobility.
They are also looking for stories on climate and the environment through a gender lens. Although they will consider any story on this topic for America, they are especially interested in California and the Southeastern United States.
Payment is not specifically listed on their website, but it has been reported that they pay $1.00 a word for up to 1,200 words.
Gavi
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $500.00
Deadline: Ongoing
The new consulting editor for Gavi, Kabir Agarwal, has tweeted that he is looking for short features from India on the theme of “vaccines work.” The payment is USD 500.00. You can pitch to [email protected].
The Ghost Story Awards
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $300.00–1,500.00
Deadline: April 30
This is a contest with a $20.00 entry fee. This contest is held twice a year, and the winning story receives $1,500.00 and publication. Two honorable mentions will receive $300.00 each, as well as publication.
Their webpage says that this contest typically receives about 300 entries. This contest is not limited to traditional ghost stories — they are open to any stories with a supernatural element or theme. The story length should be between 1,500–10,000 words.
The Guardian
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $1,200.00–2,000.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Jessica Reed, the Head of Narrative for The guardian, recently published pitching guidelines right here on Medium. She is looking for deeply reported stories of 2,000–4,000 words (sometimes longer).
Payment is usually between $0.60–1.00 a word. The Medium article links to many examples of the type of work she is looking for.
Healthline
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $375.00+
Deadline: Ongoing
Melissa, an editor at Healthline, has requested pitches per this Twitter thread. She is specifically looking for writers who have social anxiety, borderline personality disorder, or PTSD. If interested, you can email her at [email protected].
Hopepunk Issue of Mithila Review
Looking For: Fiction and Poetry
Payment: $10.00 for poetry, up to $500.00 for fiction
Deadline: May 20
The Mithila Review is having a Plant Democracy Hopepunk Issue, and they are looking for fiction and poetry submissions. Mithila Review is a journal of science fiction and fantasy.
For this issue, they are looking for hopeful and memorable stories. They want the characters and stories to make the readers true believers in a democratic future. The guidelines go into many different aspects and ideas, along with thought-provoking questions that could aid in your creative process.
How Stuff Works
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $85.00–200.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Sarah Gleim, editor of How Stuff Works, recently tweeted that they are looking for a few good freelance writers. They are especially interested in writers who can be a dedicated update writer or write about tech.
More information is on the guidelines page. Payment is not mentioned, but it has been reported as between $85.00–200.00 an article.
ICFJ — International Center For Journalists
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $200.00
Deadline: Ongoing
ICFJ is looking for pitches for journalism apps, tools, and resources they have not covered before. They are looking for case studies, tips, or tools in a list-driven article or a deep dive. Learn more on the pitch page.
If There’s Anyone Left Micro-Fiction Contest
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $50.00 — 250.00
Deadline: April 1
If There’s Anyone Left is having a contest for micro fiction. This contest is only open to marginalized writers; this means members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, disabled writers, members of marginalized genders, and neurodiverse people.
They are looking for stories with a firm limit of 500 words, and they want speculative fiction only. The prizes are as follow:
- 1st Place — $250.00
- 2nd Place — $100.00
- 3rd Place — $50.00
In These Times
Looking For: Nonfiction, Fiction
Payment: $250.00–800.00
Deadline: Ongoing
In These Times has been published since 1976. Since its inception, it has been committed to covering controversial issues of the time. Its mission is to advance democracy and economic justice, informing movements for a more humane world, and provide an accessible forum for debate about the policies that shape our collective future.
Although there is no payment listed in the guidelines, typically, their range is $250.00–800.00 for articles 750–2,000 words. There are multiple things they are looking for (see guidelines page). However, they are specifically looking for cultural items right now. This would include essays, photo essays, and short stories that explore the ways gender, sexuality, race, and disabilities intersect with politics and class.
Another topic you might want to consider for a pitch is how capitalism affects your personal life or how specific government legislation has personally affected you.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $120.00
Deadline: May 15
James Aquilone has put out a call for submissions for the Kolchak 50th Anniversary Prose Stories Anthology. They are looking for prose short stories between 1,500–5,000 words, and accepted stories are paid $120.00.
They heavily prefer stories told in the first person. The stories will be set throughout Kolchak’s life from the late 1930s to the late 1990s. They are looking for stories to keep the focus on investigation, just like in the TV Shows.
The Mujerista
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $150.00
Deadline: Ongoing
The Mujerista is a publication dedicated to empowering the next generation of Latinas. Recently they tweeted that they are looking for Latina writers for food, wellness, music, fashion, and beauty. Payment is $150.00 for 500 words.
Send pitches to [email protected].
Narratively
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $500.00+
Deadline: March 15
Narratively recently tweeted a call for submissions on family-run businesses. These stories can either be from personal experience or a reported piece.
They are especially interested in stories about families making a living in an interesting or unique way. They also want stories about women-run businesses, black businesses, or businesses run by other underrepresented groups.
Pay for these stories starts at $500.00. Although they do not have a specific word count in mind, the average story they publish is 2,500 words in length.
PDX
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $250.00+
Deadline: Ongoing
PDX is looking for writers to cover topics related to the 2022 elections and how they impact the Portland, Washington area (especially on a local and state level). This is a website that leans left, so understand that when pitching.
They are looking for issues affected by the upcoming election, such as Covid-19 and covid responses, police violence, and housing access.
They are looking for pitches, not completed manuscripts. The articles will be between 750 to 3,000 words, and payment starts at $250.00 per article depending on length and research needed.
Planet Scumm — Issue 15
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $0.05 a word (up to $250.00)
Deadline: May 2
You can send in one short story or a collection of flash fiction stories, but they have a hard word count of 5,000. It must be previously unpublished, and they do allow simultaneous submissions.
Planet Scumm is looking for speculative fiction, science fiction, weird fiction, and slipstream.
Psych Central
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $200.00–300.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Rena Goldman, the managing editor of Psych Central, recently tweeted that they are looking to get more pitches from men, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ writers.
Payment is $200.00–300.00 per article. If interested, you can email [email protected] and have “Freelance Opportunity” in the subject line. Include subject/interest expertise, published clips, and how often you will be available for assignments during the month.
Reader’s Digest
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $100.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Bill Hangley Jr of Fun and Features at Reader’s Digest recently put out a reminder tweet that they are always looking for funny true stories. These stories are 200 words or less but pay $100.00.
If you have a funny short story, this is a great opportunity — anything weird or goofy works. They are especially looking for work-related stories (especially military). He promises he reads all submissions he receives.
Rites of Passage: An Anthology of Queer Pagan Fiction
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $25.00–75.00
Deadline: Ongoing — it is unlisted, but since it is for an anthology, I would treat this as sooner rather than later if you plan to submit.
Periculum Press is looking for short stories between 2,500–7,500 words that marries together a coming of age story for LGBTQ+ and pagans. Both groups may experience their coming of age moments in their life differently than the people who society considers “normal.”
This anthology aims to explore coming of age as a queer pagan. Payment will range from $25.00 to — 75.00. If interested, send submissions to [email protected]. Put the time of the anthology in your subject line.
Science of People
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $200.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Science of People is looking for freelance writers, and they pay $200.00 per article. They are looking for long-form blogs on self-improvement, productivity, relationships, people & Social Skills, body language, psychology, leadership & business, and communication. If interested, you will need to fill out a form and attach a few samples.
Disclaimer — I liked the website and the position so much, but I immediately applied for this job as well!
Scuba Diving
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $0.25 a word
Deadline: Ongoing
Alexandra Gillespie of Scuba Diving Magazine tweeted that they are looking to assign digital content, and their rates start at $0.25 a word. Their guidelines state that they are always looking for pitches.
Their guidelines go over the different content they publish on their digital magazine and their print magazine, word counts, and samples of related articles they have previously published.
The Texas Faculty Association
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $200.00
Deadline: March 15
The Texas Faculty Association has tweeted that they are looking for freelance writers. They are especially interested in work from colleagues in higher education. The articles they are looking for are only 400–600 words, and they pay $200.00.
The topics they are interested in include the great disengagement of higher ed, issues facing contingent faculty, administrative bloat at Texas Universities and Colleges over the past 5–10 years, and higher education faculty organizing efforts in states with no collective bargaining.
These articles can be op-ed narrative, expository or research-based articles. Submit to [email protected].
Texas Monthly
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $1.00 a word
Deadline: Ongoing
Dan Solomon, one of the editors of Texas Monthly, recently tweeted a call for pitches. The point of the tweet was to direct interested writers to the new pitch guide.
The pitch guide states that their standard print rate is $1.00 per word; digital rates vary based on the story. If you check out the guide, you will see it is very detailed in what they are looking for in a pitch and which editor to pitch based on the department or type of story you want to write about.
Texas Monthly covers Arts & Entertainment, Sports, News & Politics, Being Texan, Travel & Outdoors, Style & Design, Food & Drink, and Features.
Very Well Health
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $250.00 for 800 words
Deadline: Ongoing
Jordan Davidson tweeted that he is looking for a trans or queer writer to write about Florida’s “don’t say gay” and Texas investigating parents tho seek gender-affirming care for their kids.
Writers must be from the US, ideally those two states. The article should explain how these types of policies hurt kids. The rate is $250.00 for 800 words. Email [email protected].
Wide Open Eats
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $0.15 a word
Deadline: ASAP — looking to assign articles in March
Lyndsay Cordell, the managing editor of Wide Open Eats, recently tweeted that she is looking for a gardening or environmental writer for a few articles in March. Rates start at $0.15 a word. She is only looking for US-based writers. Send tips to [email protected] if interested.
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