Freelance Writing Opportunities — Call For Submissions and Pitches
Freelance Writing — 37 Writing Calls For Submissions (as of 03/07/22) — Paid Writing Opportunities For Nonfiction, Journalism, Art, Poetry, and Fiction
Find the right places to pitch your ideas and send your completed manuscripts.
Welcome to this week’s roundup of writing calls for pitches and submissions. This week I have 37 different publications and websites currently looking for writers. These could be magazines that recently opened their submissions up, deadlines that are fast approaching or 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 37 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.
Good luck finding the perfect writing market for your nonfiction, fiction, and poetry!
Agbowo
Looking For: Fiction, nonfiction, art, and Poetry
Payment: $25.00–60.00
Deadline: May 8
Agbowo has released a call for submissions on their upcoming themed issue on reincarnation. They are looking for poetry, fiction, essays, one-act plays, and artwork. They have a separate page than what is linked above in the details/website that lists more on overall submissions and compensation, and that page can be found here. They pay as follows;
- Poetry — You can send up to 5 poems for consideration. If they publish one, you will be paid $25.00. If they publish 2–4 poems, you will be paid $50.00.
- One-Act Plays — One-Act Plays should have a run time between 10–30 minutes, and payment is $50.00.
- Artwork — You can submit 5 pieces for consideration, and visual art pays $35.00.
- Essays — You can submit one essay of no more than 5,000 words, and payment is $60.00.
- Fiction — You can submit one story of no more than 6,000 words, and the payment is $60.00.
Arablit & Arablit Quarterly — Theme — The Joke
Looking For: Fiction, nonfiction, and Poetry
Payment: $20.00 / Page
Deadline: April 15
Arablit & Arablit Quarterly is taking submissions and pitches for an upcoming themes addition — the joke. The joke can be a joke, a meme, or even a person who is a joke. Payment is $20.00 a page. They are looking for the following:
- Poetry
- Short Stories with a Joke Element
- Translations
- Essays
- Interviews
- Food Features
- Short Comics
- Dictionary Features
Alternative Holidays
Looking For: Fiction, nonfiction, and Poetry
Payment: $0.03 a word up to $225.00
Deadline: March 30
B Cubed Press has announced a call for submissions for a book called Alternative Holidays. They are looking for holiday stories and poems seen through the lens of speculative fiction.
They are looking for fiction, poetry, and essays. The average length is 2,200 words, but the submissions can range from 100–7,500 words. However, they only publish one or two stories above 5,000 words. They will consider reprints, but they are held to a higher standard than new work.
Bioluminescent: A Lunarpunk Anthology
Looking For: Fiction and Poetry
Payment: $30.00–600.00
Deadline: April 1 (original) April 30 (deadline extended)
Android Press is looking for submissions for an anthology called Bioluminescent: A Lunarpunk Anthology. This is expected to be published in 2023. They are only looking for original and unpublished work in the lunarpunk genre (The guidelines include a discussion of what lunarpunk is and the difference between lunarpunk and solarpunk). Payment is as follows:
- Poetry: $30.00 per poem and a contributor copy. You can send 5 poems or 5 pages.
- Short Stories: At least $0.08 a word. Stories should be 500–7,500 words (payment would be ($40.00–600.00+).
Brigids Gate Press
Looking For: Fiction and Poetry
Payment: $0.08 a word (up to $120.00)
Deadline: March 15
You can submit up to 3 submissions, but only one work per writer will be published. Poetry is paid at $50.00 a poem, and fiction is paid at $0.08 a word. Fiction can be between 500–1,500 words.
Brink
Looking For: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry
Payment: $25.00–100.00
Deadline: April 15 — May 15
Brink is a literary magazine and their next reading period opens on April 15. It will remain open for one month until May 15. They pay $25.00 for poetry, $50.00 for work less than 1,500 words, and $100.00 for work over 1,500 words.
C Magazine
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $70.00–1,400.00
Deadline: April 1
C Magazine is a Canadian Magazine that discusses international art. They mainly focus on the activities of Canadian artists and Canadian artists living abroad.
Their current call for submissions is on the theme extraction. They are looking for thematic features, artist projects, and column pitches until April 1st. Check out the link under details/website for more info.
You can also check out their usual submission page for more info on the type of columns they write and payment for different types of work. Typically they pay $0.35–0.40 a word.
Cursed Dragon Ship
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $50.00
Deadline: March 31
Cursed Dragon Ship has an open submission for an anthology called Abandoned — An Anthology of Vacant Spaces. They are looking for short stories of 7,000 words and under which explore the phenomenon of full spaces gone empty.
The story must include some form of abandonment. The world you write in must be your own — no borrowing other authors’ preconceived worlds and settings.
December
Looking For: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry
Payment: $10.00 Per Page (minimum $40.00, Maximum $200.00)
Deadline: May 1
December Literary Magazine’s submissions are open through May 1. For poetry, you can send up to 5 poems for consideration. For prose, you may send short flash fiction or nonfiction (1,000 words or less each), and you can send up to 3 pieces.
Flash Fiction Online
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $80.00 for new stories, $0.02 a word for reprints
Deadline: March 21
Flash Fiction Online has a monthly reading period from the 1st to the 21st every month except December. They publish fiction stories 500–1,000 words: literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, or horror.
Forest Ave Press — Disabled Authors SFF Anthology
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $25.00 for reprints, $100.00 for new stories
Deadline: March 18
Forest Avenue is looking for stories from disabled writers for their upcoming anthology. They are looking for 5,000 words or less stories or flash fiction stories. They will consider reprints, but 80% of this anthology will be dedicated to new, unpublished stories.
They are looking for science fiction and fantasy by disabled authors who live in the United States. Although horror is not their focus, if you are a disabled writer with a story that borders on horror, feel free to submit that. This is only for disabled writers — if you do not identify as disabled, please do not submit to this anthology.
The Fountain Essay Contest
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $150.00–1,000.00
Deadline: April 1
The Fountain Essay Contest is open to all writers worldwide. This is a writing contest with a theme of revival, and this theme is based on the world reviving after the past almost 2 years of living with the threat of Covid-19.
The guidelines go into the details and many thought-provoking questions to provide inspiration. The word count of this essay should be between 1,500–2,500. The prizes available are as follows:
- 1st Place — $1,000.00
- 2nd Place — 500.00
- 3rd Place — 300.00
- Two Honorable Mentions — $150.00
Gawker
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $0.33–0.50 a word
Deadline: Ongoing
Jenny G. Zhang, editor, and writer for Gawker, recently tweeted that she is interested in stories about race, gender, culture, film/tv, media, the internet. She finished by saying — anything, really. You can pitch your ideas to her at [email protected].
Payment rates start at $0.33 a word for opinion, essays, and criticism and $0.50 a word for reported pieces.
Health
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $200.00–300.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Mia Taylor, the news editor at Health Magazine, tweeted that she is looking for experienced health writers interested in long-term freelance work. Send some of your best bylines to her at [email protected] for consideration. Payment ranges between $200.00–300.00 per article, depending on length.
Input Magazine
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $325.00+
Deadline: March 14
Ray Wong, deputy editor of reviews, guides, and gaming at Input Magazine, tweeted that he is looking for tech reviews, guides, and now gaming story pitches. Rates for all stories start at $325.00. You can email your pitches to [email protected].
Inuit Art Foundation
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $500.00–1,750.00
Deadline: March 14
The Inuit Art Foundation tweeted a reminder that they are still taking submissions through 03/14/22.
Authors are paid $1.00 a word for both print and online content. Here is the breakdown:
- $500.00 for artist profiles and other front of the book pieces
- $1,750.00 for features and interviews
Life & Thyme
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $200.00–500.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Rebecca from Life & Thyme tweeted that they are looking for potential freelancers to fill out their contributor form. They are not specifically looking for pitches right now but potential future contributors. Depending on the length and different factors, they usually pay $200.00–500.00 apiece.
If interested, fill out the contributor form.
Limp Wrist Glitter Bomb Award
Looking For: Poetry
Payment: $50.00–600.00
Deadline: March 24
This is a no-entry-fee poetry contest. This contest is open to LGBTQ and non-binary poets and their allies. There will be one winner and 3 honorable mentions.
The winner of this contest will receive $600.00. Each of the three honorable mentions will receive $50.00.
The Loadout
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: £ 150 for 1,000 words (average)
Deadline: Ongoing
Jessica Wells, the editor of The Loadout, recently tweeted that they are always looking for guide and feature pitches.
The Loadout is a website and community dedication to competitive gaming, streaming, and internet culture.
Meta Stellar
Looking For: Flash Fiction
Payment: $0.08 a word (up to $96.00)
Deadline: March 31
Meta Stellar is looking for stories of 1,200 words or less. They pay $0.08 per word, and they want science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories. This is a pretty quick turnaround, too, as the submission period ends March 31, and accepted authors will be notified by April 15.
Mudroom Magazine
Looking For: Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry
Payment: $15.00
Deadline: April 30
Mudroom Magazine tweeted a reminder that they take submissions for prose and poetry through April 30th. Payment is $15.00 per accepted piece.
National Geographic Travel
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $800.00–1,000.00
Deadline: April 2
Starlight Williams, the associate editor for National Geographic Travel, recently tweeted that she is looking for pitches for Spring travel stories. You can email pitches to [email protected].
She is especially looking for timely and relevant stories that provide a deeper look at travel trends, destinations, and experiences through the lens of National Geographic (science, history, culture, wildlife, conservation, wild spaces, and community).
The New Territory
Looking For: Fiction, Poetry, and Nonfiction
Payment: $25.00–600.00
Deadline: Ongoing
The New Territory is, in their words, “…an autobiography of the lower midwest, edited by and for midwesterners.”
Submissions are open, and they tweeted that they are ready to receive them. They pay $25.00 per poem, $75.00–150.00 for fiction and personal essays, and up to $600.00 for feature articles.
Oregon Humanities
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $500.00–1,000.00
Deadline: April 11
Oregon Humanities is looking for pitches and drafts of personal essays for the theme of memory. These features will be between 1,500–4,000 words, and the payment is $500.00–1,000.00.
They are looking for nonfiction stories about remembering and forgetting. These stories could either focus on individuals or communities. Besides essays, they also welcome journalism and book excerpts. They encourage submissions for writers of all experience levels.
Policy Genius
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $300.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Adam Morgan, Editorial Director at Policy Genius, tweeted that Policy Genius is looking for a freelance reporter and payment is $300.00 piece. The right candidate will be able to turn studies and breaking news stories into actionable personal finance stories.
If interested, email Myles Ma, the Editor of Policy Genius, at [email protected] with clips.
Refinery 29
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: $350.00–500.00
Deadline: Ongoing
Carli Whitwell, Director of Editorial Operations at Refinery 29, has recently tweeted that they are looking for pitches for their Single Files. These would be personal essays exploring the joys and challenges of being single at this moment in time.
You can email the pitches to [email protected]. Typically payment ranges between $350.00–500.00 depending upon length.
Shady Grove Literary Contest
Looking For: Short Fiction, 300 words max
Payment: $100.00
Deadline: March 31
Shady Grove Literary has a quarterly contest (deadline last day of every quarter). It is free to enter, and the winner receives $100.00. They are looking for one flash fiction story of 300 words or less. It can be any genre or style, but it must be previously unpublished. They accept simultaneous submissions as long as you alert them as soon as they are accepted elsewhere.
Solar Punk
Looking For: Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, Art
Payment: $40.00–600.00
Deadline: March 14
This is a new solarpunk magazine looking for artwork, nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Solarpunk is a genre focused on how the future might look if we solve issues such as climate change, pollution, and master sustainability.
For this issue, they need submissions by 03/14/22. Payment is as follows:
- Cover Art: $300.00 for original unpublished work; $100.00 for reprints
- Interior Art: $150.00 for original unpublished work: $50.00 for reprints
- Nonfiction: 75.00 (1,000–2,000 word essay or article)
- Poetry: $40.00 per poem (you can send up to 5 poems or 5 pages, whichever is shorter)
- Fiction: $0.08 a word, minimum $100.00 (500–7,500 words, up to $600.00)
Southword
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: €250 ( €250 is currently a little over 275.00 USD)
Deadline: March 30
Southword publishes poetry and fiction, and their fiction submissions are currently open through March 30. You can submit one story up to 5,000 words. Payment to contributors outside of Ireland can only be made through PayPal.
Stylist
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: €150
Deadline: Ongoing
Miranda Larbi, fitness editor at Stylist Magazine, tweeted that she is looking for pitches for fitness ideas and stories. If interested, email her at [email protected].
Translunar Travelers Lounge
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $0.03 a word — minimum of $20.00 and a maximum of $150.00
Deadline: March 15–21 is reserved for writers of color only, then March 22 — April 15th for all writers.
They are looking for short stories of 5,000 words or less that have either science fiction or fantasy elements. They especially like stories set in non-western cultures and have characters of all genders and sexualities or lack thereof. They also like neurodivergent characters, characters with disabilities, and stories that include happiness, friendship, and happy marriages.
Triangulation: Energy Anthology
Looking For: Fiction and Poetry
Payment: $0.03 a word for fiction and $0.25 per line for poetry — minimum $5.00. Maximum $150.00 for fiction, $25.00 poetry.
Deadline: March 31
They are looking for works in science fiction, fantasy, horror, or a blend of these three genres. There is a hard limit of 5,000 words for fiction. For poetry, there is no minimum or maximum line count. Still, it will be challenging to get a poem over 100 lines published in this anthology.
The theme of this anthology is energy and sustainable energy.
Uncanny
Looking For: Nonfiction, Fiction, Art, and Poetry
Payment: $40.00–4,000.00 (high end payments are for novellas)
Deadline: Opens March 14, Closes March 21
Uncanny is a science fiction and fantasy magazine, and their submission period opens on March 14 and lasts for one week. They are looking for short stories, novellas, poetry, essays, and reprint art submissions. Here is how much they pay for each type of piece:
- Reprint Artwork: $125.00
- Essays: $100.00
- Poetry: $40.00 — you may submit up to 5 at a time but in separate submissions
- Short Fiction: $0.10 per word, between 750–6,000 words (up to $600.00).
- Novellas: $0.10 per word, between 17,500–40,000 words (up to $4,000.00).
War and Whiskey Publishing — Strange Sunrises
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $30.00
Deadline: Ongoing
War & Whiskey has an open call for stories for an upcoming anthology called Strange Sunrises:” Tales from Distant Planets. They are looking for science fiction stories that take place on other planets. They prefer stories between 2.500–7.500 words but will consider stories up to 10,000 words for exception stories. The payment is $30.00.
Wargamer
Looking For: Nonfiction
Payment: £75–200
Deadline: Ongoing
Alexander Evans, editor or Wargamer, tweeted recently that he is always looking for feature and guide article pitches. He is especially looking for pitches on Warhammer, DND, MTG, or other tabletop games. You can email your pitches to him directly at [email protected].
In this tweet thread, the rates are listed, including features and guides starting at £75, and reviews starting at £100.
Westerly Magazine
Looking For: Fiction, Poetry, Articles, Reviews
Payment: $100.00–200.00
Deadline: March 18
Westerly Magazine is currently accepting submissions for issue 67.1 through March 18. They prefer submissions from subscribers but will accept and publish from nonsubscribers. If you do not subscribe and are published, they will offer a discounter years subscription as part of the payment for your work.
- Poetry — you can submit up to 5 poems with up to 50 lines each. They pay $120.00 for one poem and $150.00 for two or more poems for print or special online issues.
- For fiction and creative nonfiction, they want submissions of a maximum of 3,500 words, and payment is $200.00 for print or special online issues.
- Essays have a maximum of 5,000 words, and payment is $200.00 for print or special online issues.
- Reviews are 500–700 words, and payment is $100.00 for print or special online issues.
- Published pieces on the website are paid $120.00.
Writers of the Future Contest
Looking For: Fiction
Payment: $500.00–1,000.00
Deadline: March 31
This is a no-entry-fee contest. However, it is only open to people who have not published professionally (1 novel, 1 novella, more than 1 novelette, more than 3 short stories). They define professional publishing as being paid at least $0.08 per word and selling at least 5,000 copies or having at least 500 hits.
You can submit one work of prose (fiction in the science fiction or fantasy genre) of up to 17,000 words. The prizes are as follows:
- 1st Prize — $1,000.00
- 2nd Prize — $750.00
- 3rd Prize — $500.00
This contest is held quarterly. The contest year ends on October 1st. Then the four 1st place prize winners from the year will then be judged by a panel of judges. There is then a grand prize winner each year among the 4 1st prize winners. The Grand Prize is $5,000.00.
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