Get Paid for Writing in 2026: Earn $50–$500+ Per Article

A tested, beginner-friendly guide to platforms, magazines, and markets that actually pay writers — with researched facts, pay rates, and honest pros & cons for every entry.

Published on Long Money · Last updated: 2026 · 119 paying markets covered

If you have ever stared at a blank document and wondered whether anyone would actually pay you to write, this guide is for you. Here at Long Money, we have spent the better part of a decade testing freelance writing platforms, pitching editors, and submitting to magazines — and we want to save you the years of trial and error that most beginners go through. The good news is that there are legitimate, paying markets for almost every kind of writer, whether you produce long-form essays, snappy listicles, technical tutorials, or short fiction.

This guide is split into two halves. The first half covers the major writing platforms where you can publish today and start earning based on readership, subscriptions, or direct client work — Medium, Vocal, Substack, Textbroker, Scripted, NewsBreak, Patreon, Ko-fi, Upwork, and Fiverr. Each gets the full treatment: how the platform actually pays, realistic earning ranges, and a frank pros-and-cons breakdown. The second half is a curated directory of more than ninety magazines and publications that pay freelance writers per article, organized by niche so you can quickly find the markets that match your interests.

A few things to keep in mind before you dive in. First, every site listed here has been vetted for legitimacy — no listing fees, no sketchy payment methods, no impossible guarantees. Second, pay rates are presented as ranges because what you actually earn depends on the length, complexity, and your negotiating skill. Third, the difficulty ratings (1/5 to 5/5) reflect how hard it is to break in, not how much you can earn — a beginner-friendly market may pay less per piece, but it is the fastest way to land your first clip and start building a portfolio. Let’s get into it.

Top Sites That Pay You to Write (to Start With)

If you are trying to earn your first dollar online, skip the lengthy magazine submission guidelines for now and focus on the platforms that pay based on readership, subscriptions, or direct client work. The barrier to entry is almost zero, you can publish instantly, and you build a direct relationship with an audience instead of waiting on a single editor. This section focuses on platforms where you own your work, set your prices, and have real scalable income potential — even as a complete beginner.

1. Medium: The Easiest Way to Get Paid to Write Online as a Beginner

Let’s talk about the absolute best place to start if you want online writing jobs with zero experience: Medium. Founded in 2012 by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, Medium has grown into one of the largest open publishing platforms on the internet, with more than 100 million monthly readers and a contributor base that spans everyone from first-time essayists to former U.S. presidents. The platform is a massive, clean, and friendly place that is essentially YouTube for articles and essays — you don’t need your own website, and it is extremely beginner-friendly.

Medium’s Partner Program, launched in 2017, is the engine that pays writers. More than 200,000 writers are now part of it, and the platform has paid out tens of millions of dollars to contributors since the program’s inception. The Medium mobile app has crossed 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store with a 4.4-star rating, which gives you a sense of how broad the readership truly is.

Official site: Medium Partner Program

Here’s the deal with how you make money writing here:

• Readers (Paying Members): They pay $5 a month (or $50 a year) to read everything on the site without paywalls or ads.
• Writers (That’s You!): You get a slice of that membership fee, calculated based on how long paying members spend reading your stories.
• Because you are paid for reading time rather than raw clicks, longer, high-quality posts (aim for 800+ words) are what actually pay off. A 3-minute read with engaged member attention will out-earn a clickbait headline every time.

Realistic earnings: Successful freelance writing veterans often report earning around $10 to $20 for every 1,000 internal member reads, with top-boosted stories occasionally crossing $50 per 1,000 reads. That is a seriously good rate for writing about topics you genuinely care about — and a single story that goes viral inside the network can produce hundreds of dollars in passive income over the following months.

The Bottom Line

Medium is a great place to start your freelance writing career and build an audience. But let’s be honest: to earn real cash (four figures a month or more), you need to be consistent and write a lot about popular, high-value topics like finance, self-improvement, technology, or career advice. Treat the first three months as your practice ground.

Pros:

• It is incredibly easy to start; you don’t need your own blog, domain, or website.
• You can write about almost anything, from poetry to deep-dive technical analysis.
• The Medium staff can “Boost” your stories, sending your article to thousands of readers even if you have zero followers.
• Payment is based on valuable reading time, not just clicks, which rewards depth over clickbait.
• Built-in distribution to 100M+ monthly readers means you don’t have to build your own traffic from scratch.

Cons:

• The Catch: To join the Partner Program and start earning, you must be a paying member yourself (about $5/month or $50/year).
• They pay through Stripe. If you don’t live in a Stripe-supported country, you cannot join the program and earn.
• While you can write about anything, topics like health, wealth, and relationships consistently outperform poetry or niche hobbies due to reader demand.
• Earnings can be unpredictable — a single story might earn $200 one month and $3 the next.

2. Vocal.media: Your Shot at Big Creative Writing Jobs and Cash Prizes

If Medium is YouTube for essays, Vocal.media is the talent show stage. Launched in 2016 by Jerrick Media (now Creatd, Inc.), Vocal is a long-form publishing platform built around themed communities — everything from Petlife and Feast to Geekism and Journal. The platform is much more forgiving of creative writing (think fiction, poetry, and personal essays), which makes it a great alternative for writers who don’t want to stick to finance and self-help.

Vocal has grown to host hundreds of thousands of creators and has paid out millions in contest prizes and reading-based earnings since launch. The platform is particularly attractive to new writers because it does not require a Stripe membership fee to start earning from reads — though, as you’ll see, the bigger money sits behind a paywall.

Official site: Vocal.media creator hub

The Hype: Vocal+ Challenges

• The number-one reason people join Vocal is for the Challenges — recurring themed writing contests with cash prizes that regularly hit $1,000, $5,000, and occasionally $20,000 for grand-prize winners.
• To enter any of the big-money Challenges, you must be a Vocal+ member. Vocal+ costs $9.99/month or $99.99/year and unlocks higher per-read rates, challenge eligibility, and a larger share of any tips you receive.
• Vocal uses a “Vocal Wallet” dashboard to track all your earnings — reads, tips, pledges, and challenge bonuses — in one place. Payments are processed through Stripe, and Vocal walks you through setting up an account if you don’t have one.

Realistic earnings: Standard (free) accounts earn roughly $3.80 per 1,000 reads, while Vocal+ members earn around $6.00 per 1,000 reads. Tips and pledges can add a meaningful supplement — some creators report that a single generous reader can fund an entire month of coffee. Realistically, treat per-read income as a slow trickle and the Challenges as your real payday.

The Bottom Line

Use Vocal.media for its high-prize writing contests, not for reliable passive monthly income. Winning a Challenge is your one shot at making serious money here. If you are a creative writer who loves a prompt and a deadline, this platform rewards both.

Pros:

• Excellent home for creative writing, fiction, poetry, and personal essays that don’t fit neatly on Medium.
• Themed communities (Geekism, Feast, Petlife, etc.) help your work find the right audience quickly.
• Challenges offer some of the largest single-article prizes in the industry — up to $20,000.
• No membership fee required to start publishing and earning basic per-read revenue.
• Vocal+ members get a meaningful boost on per-read rates plus tip-sharing benefits.

Cons:

• Per-read payouts are much lower than Medium unless you upgrade to Vocal+ ($9.99/month).
• Most of the big-money Challenges require a Vocal+ paid membership to enter.
• Like Medium, Vocal pays through Stripe, which excludes writers in unsupported countries.
• The reader base is smaller than Medium’s, so going viral here requires either a Challenge feature or active cross-promotion.

3. Textbroker: The Classic Content Mill for Entry-Level Writing Jobs

Textbroker is one of the most well-known content mills on the internet — a fancy term for a platform that has a large pool of short, low-paying freelance writing jobs ready to be claimed. Founded in 2005 in Germany and now headquartered in Las Vegas, Textbroker connects more than 100,000 freelance writers with clients across roughly 30 countries and has produced millions of content pieces for brands ranging from small e-commerce shops to Fortune 500 enterprises.

It is the ultimate starting point for a brand-new writer looking for instant work. The best thing about Textbroker is that you don’t pitch or apply — you simply log in, grab available jobs from the OpenOrder pool, write them, and get paid once they are approved. This workflow makes it perfect for getting high-volume practice, even though the per-word pay is painfully low at the entry level.

Official site: Textbroker for Authors

How Textbroker Works (The Star System)

• After you confirm your email, you take a grammar and punctuation quiz and submit a writing sample.
• Textbroker’s editors review your sample and quiz results and assign you a rating between 2 and 5 stars. This rating determines your pay rate on most orders.
• Three order types are available: OpenOrders (anyone at your star level can claim them), TeamOrders (better-paying work for specific client teams you are invited to), and DirectOrders (a client requests you by name, and you set your own higher rate).
• Pay starts at roughly 1.5 cents per word at the 2-star level and climbs to about 5 cents per word at 5 stars. A 500-word article at the entry level nets around $7.50, while the same article at 5 stars earns about $25.

Realistic earnings: Realistic part-time earnings for a 3-star writer are $200–$500 per month if you treat Textbroker like a side hustle and write 10–15 articles a week. The platform pays via PayPal twice a month once you hit the $10 minimum threshold, and payouts are reliable.

The Bottom Line

Textbroker is one of the best platforms to get your first paid writing experience. Use it to gain volume, practice following client instructions, and earn your first dollars — but don’t expect to make a living here. Once you have 20–30 approved articles under your belt, graduate to higher-paying platforms or direct client work.

Pros:

• Always-on job pool means you can write and earn on your own schedule with no pitching.
• Pay is guaranteed once the client approves the article — no chasing invoices.
• Twice-monthly PayPal payouts with a low $10 minimum are some of the fastest in the industry.
• Great training ground for learning SEO writing, formatting, and client communication.
• TeamOrders and DirectOrders let you climb to higher rates as your reputation grows.

Cons:

• Entry-level pay is genuinely low — 2-star writers earn around $3–$7 per 500-word article.
• Star rating is set by Textbroker editors and can feel opaque; raising it requires re-submitting a sample.
• Quality of briefs varies wildly — some clients provide detailed outlines, others give one-line instructions.
• You do not own the copyright to your work, so you cannot reuse articles for your portfolio without permission.

4. Scripted: The Platform for Vetted, High-Quality Copywriters

If you are ready to leave the cheap content mills behind, Scripted is where you want to go. Founded in 2011 in San Francisco, Scripted positions itself as the “velvet rope” club of content creation — a managed marketplace that connects serious corporate clients (including venture-backed startups and recognizable consumer brands) with carefully vetted freelance writers. The entire reason the company exists is to deliver quality, so they are famously picky about who they let in.

Scripted has paid out more than $10 million to its writer pool since launch and currently maintains an active roster of several thousand accepted writers across categories like SaaS, healthcare, finance, real estate, and lifestyle. Acceptance rate is estimated at under 10 percent of applicants, which means a Scripted badge on your resume signals real credibility to future clients.

Official site: Become a Scripted Writer

The Scripted Scorecard: Money and Content

• Writers apply with a writing sample and resume; if accepted, you gain access to the client marketplace where you can pitch on posted projects.
• Scripted handles the client relationship, briefs, revisions, and payments — you focus purely on the writing.
• Per-word rates typically range from $0.10 to $0.20+ depending on the niche, with specialized topics like finance or legal paying on the higher end.
• Payments are processed twice a month via PayPal, with no chasing invoices or fighting late payers.

Realistic earnings: Active Scripted writers report monthly earnings anywhere from $500 to $3,000+, with the upper range going to writers who specialize in high-value verticals (B2B SaaS, fintech, healthcare) and consistently deliver clean first drafts. A single 1,500-word thought-leadership piece at the top of the rate card can pay $300 or more.

The Bottom Line

Scripted is the perfect intermediate step if you have a strong portfolio and a year or two of experience. Use it to skip the nightmare of cold-pitching high-paying clients and instead focus on writing quality copy that the platform’s account managers route to you.

Pros:

• Pre-vetted clients mean no haggling over rates and no sketchy buyers.
• Per-word pay is significantly higher than content mills — typically 2x to 4x Textbroker’s entry rate.
• Twice-monthly PayPal payouts are reliable and don’t require invoicing.
• A Scripted acceptance is a resume-builder that signals quality to other clients.
• Specialized writers in SaaS, fintech, and healthcare can earn premium rates.

Cons:

• Application process is selective — under 10% of applicants are accepted.
• The platform takes a meaningful cut of the client fee, so your rate is lower than going direct.
• You are still competing with other Scripted writers for posted projects.
• Less control over which clients you work with — you can build relationships, but the platform owns the relationship.

5. Substack: The Highest Long-Term Earning Potential

Forget content mills. Forget chasing clients. Substack is where you are the boss. Founded in 2017 by Chris Best, Jairaj Sethi, and Hamish McKenzie, Substack has become the dominant paid-newsletter platform on the internet. As of 2025, the platform hosts more than 5 million paid subscriptions and over 50 million monthly active readers, with top creators like Heather Cox Richardson, Lenny Rachitsky, and Casey Newton reportedly earning seven figures a year.

Substack is essentially an email newsletter platform with built-in subscription billing. You write whatever you want, send it directly to subscribers’ inboxes, and charge whatever you want for access. There is no algorithm deciding who sees your work, no advertiser pressure, and no editor telling you to soften your take. If you have a little entrepreneur in you, this is your playground.

Official site: Get started on Substack

How Substack Works & What to Write About

• Anyone can read your free posts. Paid posts are gated behind a subscription price you set (most creators charge $5–$10/month or $50–$100/year).
• Substack takes a flat 10% cut of paid subscription revenue. Stripe handles payment processing for an additional ~3%.
• You can offer free, paid, and “founding member” tiers, plus free trials and discount codes to convert readers.
• Substack also operates Substack Pro — advance deals where the platform pays creators guaranteed money to launch or move their newsletter, plus the Substack Discover network that recommends newsletters to readers.

Realistic earnings: There is genuinely no cap. A newsletter with 1,000 paid subscribers at $5/month grosses $50,000 a year. Multiply that by 10,000 subscribers and you are looking at a half-million-dollar annual publication. The realistic curve for a beginner: expect 6–12 months of free posts and audience-building before paid subscribers begin to show up in meaningful numbers.

The Bottom Line

If you want out of the freelance hustle and want something you can build into a valuable, sellable asset, Substack is solid. But heads up: you have to be consistent, dedicated, and actually have something worth reading. This is a long game — treat year one as audience-building, not income.

Pros:

• Uncapped earning potential — your income is directly tied to audience size and price.
• You own the audience (email list) and can export it any time, unlike social platforms.
• No algorithm or advertiser pressure — you decide what to publish and when.
• Substack takes only 10% — far lower than most creator-economy platforms.
• Network features like Recommendations and Notes help cross-promote to other newsletters’ readers.

Cons:

• You have to build your own audience — Substack does not send traffic the way Medium does.
• Stripe-based payouts exclude writers in unsupported countries.
• Year one is mostly unpaid audience-building; expect little to no income for the first 6–12 months.
• Success requires a clear niche and a consistent publishing cadence (weekly is the de facto minimum).

6. NewsBreak: The Fastest Way to Viral Local Traffic

If you want to go viral without fighting social media algorithms, check out NewsBreak. Founded in 2015 by Jeff Zheng and headquartered in Mountain View, California, NewsBreak is the largest local news app in the United States, with more than 50 million monthly active users and a #1 ranking in the News category on both iOS and Android app stores. The platform focuses on hyperlocal, community-driven news — if something is happening in your zip code, NewsBreak wants it, yesterday.

NewsBreak’s Creator Program, which pays independent writers for local coverage, has grown rapidly since 2020 and now supports thousands of local contributors across all 50 states. For writers who can be fast and consistent on local stories, it is one of the few platforms left where a sharp headline and a timely scoop can still produce tens of thousands of views in a single day.

Official site: NewsBreak Creators

NewsBreak: Pay Structure & Content Focus

• Creators earn through a metered pay model based on engagement — reads, comments, and shares — calculated per article.
• Local content (stories tied to specific cities, neighborhoods, or counties) earns a meaningful multiplier compared to general-interest content.
• NewsBreak also runs a Creator Bonus pool distributed monthly to top-performing creators based on consistency and engagement metrics.
• Payment is via PayPal once you cross the $50 threshold, with payouts typically processed around the 15th of each month.

Realistic earnings: Realistic part-time earnings range from $200 to $1,500+ per month depending on how often you publish and how local your coverage is. Contributors who post daily during breaking-news cycles regularly report four-figure months. The biggest variable is timing — being first on a local story can produce 10x the engagement of being third.

The Bottom Line

NewsBreak is your best bet if you can be a fast, reliable source for local information. Treat it like a side-hustle local newspaper gig: the more timely and consistent your content, the better your earnings. If you live in a mid-sized city underserved by traditional local news, this is a genuine opportunity.

Pros:

• Massive U.S. app distribution — 50M+ monthly users and a top-ranked News app.
• Local content gets a built-in algorithmic boost, which levels the playing field for new creators.
• Fast, reliable PayPal payouts once you hit the $50 minimum.
• Creator Bonus pool rewards consistency, not just virality.
• Low barrier to entry — you can apply and start publishing within days.

Cons:

• Only available to U.S.-based creators (you must have a U.S. tax ID and bank account).
• Non-local or opinion content earns a fraction of what local news does.
• Earnings are highly dependent on speed and the news cycle — slow weeks mean thin paychecks.
• The platform’s editorial guidelines around what counts as “local” can be inconsistent.

7. Ko-fi & Patreon: The Essential Direct Support Tools

Let’s talk about a no-brainer: direct support. These aren’t platforms where you publish content — they’re the easiest way to capture cash directly from your readers. Patreon, founded in 2013 by musician Jack Conte and developer Sam Yam, has paid out more than $3.5 billion to creators since launch and supports over 250,000 active creators. Ko-fi, founded in 2017 by a small indie team, has processed hundreds of millions in tips and memberships and is famously the platform that lets creators keep 100% of tips if they use the free tier.

Every writer, beginner or pro, should have at least one of these links set up. It’s the lowest-friction way to capture income from the people who already love your work, regardless of where that work is posted. Think of them as the digital tip jar meets membership platform for your writing.

Official site: Get started on Patreon

Also: Get started on Ko-fi

Ko-fi vs. Patreon: Fees & Benefits

• Patreon takes a 5–12% cut of monthly membership revenue depending on your plan (Lite: 5%, Pro: 8%, Premium: 12%). Patreon also handles VAT and sales tax globally, which is a real value for international creators.
• Ko-fi charges 0% on tips and memberships on the free plan — they make money from an optional Ko-fi Gold subscription ($6–$8/month) that unlocks advanced features like monthly memberships, scheduling posts, and a custom storefront.
• Patreon is built for recurring monthly memberships with tiered benefits; Ko-fi shines for one-off tips and digital product sales (e-books, commissions, merch).
• Both platforms pay out via direct deposit, PayPal, or Payoneer, with payout schedules ranging from instant (Ko-fi) to monthly (Patreon default).

Realistic earnings: Patreon’s median creator earns around $100–$300 per month, but the long tail includes creators earning five and six figures annually. Ko-fi payouts are smaller on average but more transactional — a single viral Twitter thread with a Ko-fi link can produce $200–$500 in tips in a weekend. Treat both as additive income streams rather than your primary engine.

The Bottom Line

Everywhere you post your work — email signature, blog sidebar, Twitter bio, Medium author page — drop one of these links. For simple tips, fast payouts, and low friction, Ko-fi is great. For building recurring monthly membership revenue with tiered perks, Patreon is the more mature platform. Most serious creators eventually run both.

Pros:

• Lowest-friction way to monetize an existing audience, even a small one.
• Ko-fi’s 0% tip fee on the free tier is unmatched in the creator economy.
• Patreon’s tiered memberships let you build predictable monthly recurring revenue.
• Both integrate with Discord, email tools, and other creator platforms.
• You can use them alongside any other platform on this list — no exclusivity required.

Cons:

• You still have to drive your own audience — neither platform distributes your work.
• Patreon’s higher-tier plans take a meaningful cut (up to 12%).
• Without an existing audience, both can sit empty for months before the first tip arrives.
• Tax handling varies by platform and country — Ko-fi leaves most tax compliance to the creator.

Quick Match: Writing Platform Comparison Table

Use this quick-reference table to match yourself to the right starting point. The “Best For” column is the fastest way to short-list platforms that fit your situation, and the difficulty rating (1–5) reflects how hard it is to break in — not how much you can earn.

Platform	Best For	Difficulty	Typical Pay	Payment Method
Medium	Beginners who want instant distribution	1/5	$10–$20 per 1K reads	Stripe
Vocal.media	Creative writers and contest lovers	2/5	$3.80–$6 per 1K reads + prizes	Stripe
Textbroker	First paid gigs, no pitching	1/5	$0.015–$0.05/word	PayPal
Scripted	Vetted writers, B2B clients	4/5	$0.10–$0.20/word	PayPal
Substack	Newsletter builders, long-term income	3/5	Uncapped (you set price)	Stripe
NewsBreak	Local U.S. news, viral potential	2/5	$200–$1,500+/month	PayPal
Ko-fi / Patreon	Direct audience support	1/5	Tips & memberships	PayPal / Direct
Upwork	Freelance project pitching	2/5	$25–$150+/hour	Direct / PayPal
Fiverr	Packaged writing services	2/5	$5–$500+ per gig	PayPal / Bank

How Long Money Rated These Sites

Every site on this list has a Difficulty Score from 1/5 (easiest) to 5/5 (hardest). The score reflects three things: the platform’s barrier to entry (do you need a portfolio, an application, or just an email address?), the required experience level (beginner, intermediate, or pro), and the pitch competitiveness (how many other writers are competing for the same slot). A 1/5 site is something you can start contributing to today; a 5/5 site may take a year of pitching before your first acceptance. Difficulty is independent of pay — some beginner-friendly markets pay modestly, while a few hard-to-crack markets pay life-changing rates per piece.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Writing Scam Immediately

The biggest threat to a beginner writer is not a rejection email — it’s wasting time or money on a fake job. The freelance writing space attracts scammers because beginners are eager, vulnerable, and often unfamiliar with industry norms. Watch for these three red flags and close the tab immediately if you see them.

The “Processing Fee” or “Listing Fee”

No legitimate paying magazine, blog, or website will ever charge you a fee for submitting your article. That is nonsense. Scammers usually ask for anywhere from $10 to $50 to “process your application,” “guarantee a listing,” or “register your profile.” Sometimes the fee is buried in fine print; sometimes it’s framed as a “background check.” If a job asks you to pay, it is not real. A paying job should never cost you money — full stop.

The “Guaranteed Traffic” Pitch for Revenue Share

Sites that pay per click only work if they actually have traffic. Scammers lure writers with promises of “thousands of guaranteed views” so you create content for free, only to discover your articles sit on a domain nobody visits. Before writing for any revenue-share site, check its traffic on SimilarWeb or SEMrush. If the site lacks a verifiable track record, strong domain authority, or a real social media presence, your traffic will probably be zero — and so will your earnings.

The Payment Method is Cryptocurrency or Vague

Legitimate sites pay through established business methods: PayPal, direct bank transfer (ACH), Payoneer, Wise, or an invoice via a major freelancing platform. If a company insists on paying only in untraceable cryptocurrency, asks for gift cards, or gives vague answers about payment (“we’ll figure it out after the first article”), they are probably not serious — or they are deliberately avoiding taxes and audit trails. You do not want to deal with sketchy companies like that. A good rule: if it sounds too good to be true, or if they ask for any money at all, it’s a scam. Stick to verified lists like the one below.

Realistic Earnings Breakdown: The Reality of Pay Rates

Before we get to the main list, let’s talk about money — specifically, how much you can realistically earn as a freelance writer online, especially as a beginner. Generally speaking, when it comes to making money as a writer online, there are three tiers of pay. Knowing these benchmarks will tell you exactly what kind of gig you’re accepting and help you negotiate for better rates as you gain experience.

• Entry-Level ($0.03–$0.05 per word): Content mills, low-end freelance marketplaces, and beginner-friendly blogs. You will write a lot of generic SEO content. Aim to graduate out of this tier within 3–6 months.
• Intermediate ($0.10–$0.25 per word): Specialty blogs, B2B SaaS clients, niche industry publications, and managed marketplaces like Scripted. You will write fewer articles but earn more per piece.
• Professional ($0.50–$2.00+ per word): Top-tier magazines (Wired, The New Yorker, AARP), thought-leadership content for executives, and direct retainers with brand clients. You will pitch for months to land one piece, but a single feature can pay $1,000–$5,000.

Takeaway: Don’t spend time on $0.03/word work unless you are desperate for your first client review. Aim to move from $0.05/word (Entry) to $0.10/word (Intermediate) as fast as possible. The fastest way to climb tiers is to develop a niche specialty — “I write about fintech for SaaS startups” is worth 3x what “I write about anything” is worth.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Vacation & Travel

Love to travel? You can actually get paid to write about your adventures. Whether it’s a story about a life-changing trip or a practical guide to your favorite city, dozens of online magazines and travel blogs will pay for your content. This is a competitive niche, but one with a ton of great opportunities — and travel publications tend to be more open to first-person narrative than other categories.

International Living (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1979, International Living is one of the longest-running publications covering living, retiring, and investing abroad, with a paid subscriber base across more than 190 countries. They are always looking for personal stories and practical, how-to articles from people with real-world international experience. You don’t have to be a professional travel writer, but you do need a great story or genuinely useful advice grounded in first-hand experience. The editors prefer pitches that include specific numbers (cost of living, visa costs, healthcare prices) and high-quality original photography.

Pay: $65–$400 per article, with longer feature pieces reaching the upper end.

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to non-professional writers with real on-the-ground experience.
• Pays on acceptance, with reliable PayPal/check payments.
• Strong evergreen archive means your article can keep generating traffic for years.

Cons:

• Competitive — they receive hundreds of pitches per month.
• Requires first-hand international experience, not research-only writing.
• Photography is often expected alongside the article.

Travel + Leisure Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Owned by Dotdash Meredith and founded in 1937, Travel + Leisure is one of the most recognized travel media brands in the world, reaching more than 25 million readers per month across print and digital. Pitching a giant like Travel + Leisure is the big leagues — they look for professional journalists with a strong portfolio and a truly unique angle. The editorial team prefers pitches with a timely news hook (new route launches, hotel openings, policy changes) backed by expert sources.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50+ per word; features regularly pay $1,000–$3,000.

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier rates and a marquee clip for your portfolio.
• Print and digital editions both accept freelance pitches.
• Strong editorial support and clear pitch guidelines.

Cons:

• Essentially closed to beginners — needs existing clips and a unique angle.
• Long lead times (3–6 months) and slow response on pitches.
• Heavy competition from staff writers and established contributors.

ROVA Magazine (Intermediate – 3/5)

ROVA is a digital-first magazine focused on road trips and RV life, published by ROVA Media and aimed at the rapidly growing community of van-lifers and adventure drivers across the U.S. and abroad. They cover stories about life on the road, told from a first-person perspective, and they are known for their high-quality photography and personal essays. The ROVA audience skews younger and more adventure-focused than traditional RV publications, so they actively welcome new voices.

Pay: $50–$200 per article, with photo-essay packages paying more.

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Welcomes first-person narrative and emerging writers.
• Strong visual focus makes it ideal for writer-photographers.
• Active social community amplifies published pieces.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier magazines.
• Photography is expected, not optional.
• Niche focus limits the range of usable topics.

Outpost Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1996 and based in Toronto, Outpost is a Canadian publication focused on immersive adventure travel — long-term backpacking, remote destinations, and cultural deep dives. They accept both online and print submissions, with print articles paying significantly more and requiring longer, more polished features. Outpost has built a loyal subscriber base by investing in long-form narrative journalism rather than listicles.

Pay: $100–$500+ per article (print); $50–$150 (online)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Higher print rates reward deeper, more polished work.
• Open to international writers, not just Canadians.
• Strong editorial reputation in the adventure travel space.

Cons:

• Long lead times on print pieces.
• Pitches need a clear narrative angle, not just a destination.
• Less frequent publication schedule means fewer slots per year.

Wanderlust Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1993 in the UK, Wanderlust is one of the most respected travel magazines in the world, with subscribers in over 100 countries. They look for inspiring, well-written stories grounded in a real sense of place — not generic destination roundups. This is a publication for experienced writers with a unique story to tell and the clips to back it up. Wanderlust has won multiple industry awards and is known for paying professional rates for professional work.

Pay: £0.50–£1.00+ per word; features typically pay £300–£800

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier rates in pounds — a meaningful premium for non-UK writers.
• Global subscriber base gives your work wide exposure.
• Editorial team is known for working closely with writers on revisions.

Cons:

• Requires existing portfolio and a unique angle.
• Pitches can take 6–8 weeks to receive a response.
• Strong preference for first-person experience over research-only pieces.

Matador Network (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Brooklyn, Matador Network is one of the largest online travel publications in the world, reaching over 40 million monthly readers across its website and social channels. While they have a large team of in-house editors, they run an active Creator’s Community and are often open to pitches from freelance writers with a unique story or list-based idea that fits their adventurous, modern style. Matador is one of the easier top-tier publications to break into if you have a strong first-person voice and a viral-friendly angle.

Pay: $30–$150 per article, with performance bonuses for high-traffic pieces

Find them here: Creator’s Community

Pros:

• Large built-in audience — pieces can hit 100K+ views.
• Open to new voices with strong angles.
• Fast pitch turnaround and digital-first publication.

Cons:

• Lower per-piece base pay than traditional magazines.
• Heavy emphasis on shareability and SEO.
• High editorial volume means your piece can get lost in the feed.

Practical Wanderlust (Intermediate – 3/5)

Practical Wanderlust is an award-winning travel blog founded in 2015 with a very engaged audience of budget-conscious, experience-driven travelers. They look for long-form, incredibly detailed, and personal travel stories — the kind of writing that doesn’t shy away from the bad parts of a trip. If you have an interesting story from a trip (the good, the bad, and the ugly), this is a fantastic place to pitch it. The editors have a real appreciation for honest, first-person narrative.

Pay: $75–$200 per article (long-form preferred)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Values honest, warts-and-all storytelling.
• Strong repeat contributor relationships.
• Engaged community amplifies well-written pieces.

Cons:

• Demands long-form (1,500+ words) — not for listicle writers.
• Slow response times on pitches.
• Lower pay than top-tier magazines.

Alaska Airlines Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Published by Paradies Media and circulated on every Alaska Airlines flight, this in-flight magazine reaches roughly 6 million passengers per quarter. They cover stories about destinations the airline flies to, with a focus on the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii. Like most in-flight magazines, they work with established freelance writers who have a proven track record. A single feature here is a strong portfolio clip that opens doors to other travel publications.

Pay: $0.50–$1.00 per word; features typically pay $400–$1,000

Find them here: magazine’s contact page

Pros:

• Captive audience of millions of affluent travelers.
• Professional rates and reliable payment.
• Print and digital both accept freelance pitches.

Cons:

• Closed to beginners — needs existing clips.
• Must align content with airline’s route map.
• Long lead times (4–6 months).

TravelAge West (Pro – 4/5)

TravelAge West is a professional travel-industry publication owned by Northstar Travel Group, the largest B2B travel media company in the world. Their primary audience isn’t tourists — it’s travel agents. This means they look for well-researched, journalistic pieces about travel trends, destinations, and the business of travel. Breaking into this market is a great way to establish yourself as a true professional travel writer, and the trade-publication world is less crowded than consumer travel.

Pay: $0.50–$1.00 per word; features typically pay $400–$800

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Less competition than consumer travel magazines.
• Professional rates and reliable B2B payment terms.
• Builds credibility in the trade-publication niche.

Cons:

• Requires familiarity with the travel industry.
• Stories must serve travel-agent readership.
• Slower pitch turnaround than digital publications.

Go World Travel (Intermediate – 2/5)

Go World Travel is a digital travel magazine founded in 2003 that covers travel in over 90 countries and is very open to stories from new writers. They accept a wide variety of articles — personal travel stories, Top 10 lists, and practical how-to guides. The editorial team is responsive to pitches and known for working with first-time contributors to polish their pieces. It’s a great entry-level clip for writers building a travel portfolio.

Pay: $25–$100 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• One of the most beginner-friendly travel markets.
• Fast pitch response and editorial support.
• Accepts a wide range of formats — lists, how-tos, narratives.

Cons:

• Lower per-piece pay than top-tier magazines.
• Limited social reach compared to Matador or Travel + Leisure.
• Requires first-hand travel experience.

Condé Nast Traveler (Pro – 5/5)

Along with Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler sits at the absolute top tier of the travel writing world. Owned by Condé Nast and founded in 1987, the magazine reaches over 10 million readers per month and pays some of the highest rates in the industry. They work with established, professional journalists with a deep portfolio of work. If you have a truly groundbreaking and unique story, their submission process is well-defined and they pay professional rates — but expect to pitch dozens of times before landing a single assignment.

Pay: $1.00–$2.50+ per word; features regularly pay $2,000–$5,000

Find them here: How to Pitch Condé Nast Traveler

Pros:

• Among the highest pay rates in travel writing.
• Marquee clip that instantly upgrades your portfolio.
• Strong editorial team that invests in feature development.

Cons:

• Essentially closed to beginners.
• Long pitch response times (6–8 weeks).
• Heavy competition from staff and established freelancers.

Indie Traveller (Intermediate – 2/5)

Indie Traveller is a popular travel blog founded in 2014 focused on budget backpacking and meaningful travel. They accept guest posts from writers with real, first-hand experience who can provide in-depth, practical advice and unique stories. The site has built a loyal reader base through honest, experience-driven content rather than SEO-stuffed listicles, and the editor values voice and personality over generic guidebook prose.

Pay: $40–$100 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to emerging writers with real experience.
• Fast pitch turnaround.
• Strong community engagement on published pieces.

Cons:

• Modest pay compared to top-tier magazines.
• Requires first-hand backpacking experience.
• Limited to budget/indie travel niche.

Hidden Compass (Pro – 4/5)

Hidden Compass is a unique, award-winning digital magazine founded in 2017 that looks for incredible, narrative-driven stories going beyond typical travel guides. They have a unique “patronage” model where writers share in revenue generated by their stories. The magazine has won multiple awards from the North American Travel Journalists Association and is known for publishing long-form, character-driven travel narratives that read like literary journalism.

Pay: $200–$500 per article + revenue share

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Revenue-share model rewards evergreen, high-traffic pieces.
• Strong editorial reputation and award-winning platform.
• Welcomes long-form literary journalism.

Cons:

• High bar for narrative quality — generic travel pieces won’t make it.
• Long lead times on accepted pieces.
• Lower guaranteed pay than top-tier print magazines.

Perceptive Travel (Intermediate – 3/5)

Perceptive Travel is an award-winning online magazine founded in 2006 known for publishing authentic, personal travel narratives from well-traveled authors. The site has won multiple awards from the North American Travel Journalists Association and has built a reputation for high-quality first-person storytelling. They prefer narrative essays over destination guides and value literary quality over SEO.

Pay: $100–$300 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Strong editorial standards and award-winning reputation.
• Open to first-person narrative essays.
• Reliable payment on publication.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier magazines.
• Pitch response can be slow.
• Narrative quality bar is high — first drafts rarely accepted.

Yankee Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Yankee Magazine, founded in 1935 and published by Yankee Publishing Inc., is a long-running and well-respected magazine dedicated to celebrating life in New England. They look for articles on the region’s travel, food, culture, and artisans. The magazine reaches roughly 1.5 million readers per issue and has a loyal subscriber base that values authentic New England voices. Yankee is more open to first-time contributors than most magazines of its stature.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $400–$1,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Established regional brand with loyal readership.
• Open to first-time contributors with strong New England ties.
• Professional rates and editorial support.

Cons:

• Limited to New England-focused content.
• Long lead times on print pieces.
• Heavy competition from staff writers.

Sites That Pay You to Write Short Stories

If you are a creative writer with a story to tell, you are in the right place. Getting your fiction published can seem impossible, but there are dozens of respected magazines — both online and in print — that will pay you for your stories, even if you’re a new writer. And yes, they pay well for them. This is a competitive field, but if you have a great story that fits what they’re looking for, you can absolutely get paid for your art. I’ve broken the list into two main categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy and Literary Fiction.

Science Fiction & Fantasy Markets

This is one of the most vibrant and welcoming genres for new writers. These magazines are legendary in the speculative fiction community and have launched the careers of many famous authors, including Ken Liu, N.K. Jemisin, and Neil Gaiman. They pay professional rates (defined by SFWA as 8 cents per word or higher) and treat writers with respect.

Clarkesworld Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2006 by Neil Clarke, Clarkesworld is a multiple-award-winning (including Hugo, Locus, and World Fantasy awards) science fiction and fantasy magazine published online monthly. They are one of the most respected and professional markets in speculative fiction, paying professional SFWA rates and known for fast response times — usually within a week. Getting published in Clarkesworld is a major career milestone, and many stories published here go on to be anthologized in Year’s Best collections.

Pay: $0.12 per word (SFWA pro rate); ~$540 for a 4,500-word story

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional SFWA rates with reliable payment.
• Fast response time (typically 1–7 days).
• Strong reputation that immediately elevates your writing resume.

Cons:

• Highly competitive — acceptance rate under 1%.
• Strict submission window limits and content guidelines.
• No reprints or simultaneous submissions accepted.

Asimov’s Science Fiction (Pro – 4/5)

Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, founded in 1977 and named after Isaac Asimov, has been publishing some of the most influential short science fiction for nearly 50 years. Now owned by Dell Magazines (Penny Publications), the magazine has launched the careers of countless authors and won dozens of Hugo and Nebula awards. They look for character-oriented stories with a genuine human impact — not just hard-SF concept pieces. Print circulation is around 15,000 subscribers per issue.

Pay: $0.10 per word (SFWA pro rate); short stories typically pay $400–$1,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Among the most prestigious SF markets in the world.
• Editorial team is known for working with new voices.
• Print and digital publication both available.

Cons:

• Long response times (1–3 months).
• Highly competitive — only ~30 stories accepted per year from open submissions.
• Strict word count limits (typically 1,000–20,000 words).

Analog Science Fiction and Fact (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1930 (originally as Astounding Stories), Analog is one of the longest-running science fiction magazines in the world and the other legendary giant of the SF magazine world. For decades, Analog has been the go-to publication for “hard” science fiction — stories with a strong focus on scientific accuracy and technical problem-solving. Editor Stanley Schmidt held the position for over 30 years; the current editor continues the tradition of demanding scientific rigor. If your stories are grounded in real science, this is the best market for you.

Pay: $0.10 per word (SFWA pro rate); features typically pay $400–$1,500

Find them here: Find their detailed guidelines here

Pros:

• The premier market for hard science fiction.
• Strong editorial team with deep genre expertise.
• Print and digital publication both available.

Cons:

• Long response times (1–3 months).
• Demands scientific accuracy — soft SF rarely accepted.
• Competitive — only ~50 stories accepted per year.

Reactor (formerly Tor.com) (Pro – 4/5)

Reactor (rebranded from Tor.com in 2024) is the online magazine for Tor Books, the largest science fiction and fantasy publisher in the world. The site has been publishing original novellas and short fiction since 2008 and has won multiple Hugo and Locus awards. They are known for publishing some of the best novella-length fiction in the genre and have a reputation for paying premium rates. Note that their submission windows for short stories can be infrequent — they often open for brief periods rather than year-round.

Pay: $0.25 per word for original fiction (well above SFWA pro rate); novellas can pay $2,000–$5,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Highest per-word rate in the genre.
• Premium publication that immediately elevates your career.
• Strong editorial and marketing support.

Cons:

• Submission windows open infrequently.
• Highly competitive — acceptance rate well under 1%.
• Strong preference for novellas (7,500–40,000 words).

Apex Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Apex Magazine is a multiple-award-nominated online magazine founded in 2009 that publishes dark speculative fiction at the intersection of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. They are known for championing diverse voices and experimental storytelling, and they have been a finalist for the Hugo Award multiple times. If you like your sci-fi and fantasy with a darker, weirder edge, this is a fantastic market to pitch.

Pay: $0.08 per word (SFWA pro rate); short stories typically pay $300–$600

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Welcomes dark, weird, and experimental fiction.
• Strong reputation and award nominations.
• Champions diverse and underrepresented voices.

Cons:

• Competitive — acceptance rate under 1%.
• Strict submission windows (often quarterly).
• Lower per-word rate than Clarkesworld or Reactor.

Literary & Mainstream Magazines

These are the publications that every literary fiction writer dreams of cracking. They pay professional rates and offer some of the most prestigious bylines in the publishing world. The bar for craft is exceptionally high, but if you have a story that’s ready, these are the markets that can launch a literary career.

The New Yorker (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1925 by Harold Ross, The New Yorker is arguably the most prestigious literary magazine in the English-speaking world, with a paid circulation of over 1.2 million subscribers per issue. Getting a short story published in The New Yorker is a career-making event — writers like J.D. Salinger, John Updike, and Alice Munro built their careers in part through New Yorker publications. They publish one or two short stories per week and accept unsolicited submissions through their online portal.

Pay: Reported $1,000–$10,000+ per story (varies widely)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Among the most prestigious bylines in publishing.
• Top-tier pay rates and immediate career elevation.
• Strong editorial support and engagement with contributors.

Cons:

• Acceptance rate is vanishingly small.
• Long response times (3–6 months).
• Stories must meet exceptionally high literary standards.

Harper’s Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1850, Harper’s Magazine is the oldest general-interest monthly magazine in the United States and has published writers including Mark Twain, Norman Mailer, and Annie Dillard. They publish a small number of short stories and essays per year, with a focus on literary quality and cultural significance. A Harper’s byline carries enormous weight in the literary world and almost guarantees agent interest for your longer work.

Pay: Reported $1,000–$5,000 per story

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Historic byline with enormous literary prestige.
• Strong editorial engagement with accepted writers.
• Print and digital publication both available.

Cons:

• Essentially closed to unknown writers without agent representation.
• Long response times (3–6 months).
• Very few fiction slots per year.

The Sun Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1974 and based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, The Sun is an independent, ad-free literary magazine with a paid circulation of around 50,000 subscribers. They publish personal essays, interviews, fiction, and poetry, with a focus on honest, deeply personal writing. The Sun is one of the few literary magazines that pays professional rates for personal essays and is known for working closely with contributors on revisions.

Pay: $300–$2,000 per essay or story; $100–$300 per poem

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Ad-free, reader-supported model — high editorial integrity.
• Pays professional rates for personal essays.
• Strong, loyal subscriber base.

Cons:

• Highly competitive — acceptance rate under 1%.
• Long response times (3–6 months).
• Focuses on deeply personal, often confessional writing.

The Threepenny Review (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1980 by Wendy Lesser and based in Berkeley, The Threepenny Review is a respected literary and cultural quarterly that has published writers including Gore Vidal, Isabel Allende, and Anne Carson. They publish essays, reviews, fiction, and poetry, with a focus on thoughtful, well-crafted prose. The magazine is known for paying professional rates and treating writers well, with a relatively quick response time compared to other top-tier literary magazines.

Pay: $400 per essay or story; $100 per poem

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and reliable payment.
• Faster response time than most top-tier literary magazines.
• Strong editorial reputation in literary circles.

Cons:

• Competitive — only ~20 stories accepted per year.
• Limited circulation (~10,000 subscribers).
• Demands high literary craft.

One Story (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 2002 and based in Brooklyn, One Story is a unique literary magazine that publishes one short story per issue, mailed to subscribers in a beautifully designed chapbook format. They have published writers including Jonathan Lethem, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Lauren Groff, and have won multiple awards including the PEN/O. Henry Prize. They are known for working closely with authors on revisions and for paying well per story.

Pay: $500 per story + 25 contributor copies

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• High per-story payment and contributor copies.
• Beautifully designed chapbook format.
• Strong editorial support and revision process.

Cons:

• Highly competitive — only ~18 stories published per year.
• Long response times (3–6 months).
• Stories must be between 3,000 and 8,000 words.

SmokeLong Quarterly (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 2003, SmokeLong Quarterly is one of the most respected flash fiction magazines in the world, publishing stories of 1,000 words or fewer. They have been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes and have won the Flash Fiction Award from the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses. SmokeLong is more accessible than the top-tier literary magazines and is a great entry point for writers focused on flash fiction.

Pay: $100 per story (regardless of length)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Welcomes flash fiction — perfect for shorter work.
• Strong reputation in the flash fiction community.
• Faster response time than top-tier literary magazines.

Cons:

• Lower pay than longer-form literary magazines.
• Strict 1,000-word limit.
• Still highly competitive — many submissions per slot.

Sites That Pay You to Write About General Interest

General-interest publications cover a little bit of everything — health, lifestyle, food, tech, money, and culture. These markets are some of the most competitive in the industry, but they also pay some of the highest rates per piece. A single feature in Wired or AARP can fund your writing habit for months.

Vibrant Life (Intermediate – 2/5)

Published by the Review and Herald Publishing Association (a Seventh-day Adventist publisher), Vibrant Life is a bimonthly health and lifestyle magazine founded over 100 years ago. They focus on practical, faith-friendly content about physical health, mental wellness, and family life. The magazine reaches roughly 100,000 subscribers and is open to new contributors with a clean, encouraging writing style. They prefer how-to articles and personal experience pieces over opinion.

Pay: $100–$300 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with a clean writing voice.
• Clear editorial guidelines.
• Reliable payment on publication.

Cons:

• Faith-based publisher — content must align with Adventist values.
• Modest pay compared to secular general-interest magazines.
• Limited to health, family, and lifestyle topics.

The War Cry (Intermediate – 3/5)

Published by The Salvation Army since 1880, The War Cry is one of the oldest continuously published religious magazines in the United States. They accept freelance submissions of personal experience stories, devotionals, and feature articles that align with the Salvation Army’s mission of serving people in need. The magazine has a circulation of around 200,000 and reaches both Salvation Army members and a broader Christian audience.

Pay: $100–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Long-established publication with reliable payment.
• Open to personal experience and devotional pieces.
• Strong editorial support for new writers.

Cons:

• Faith-based content requirements.
• Limited to Christian audience.
• Lower pay than secular magazines of similar reach.

Guideposts (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1945 by Norman Vincent Peale, Guideposts is one of the largest inspirational magazines in the world, with a paid circulation of around 2 million subscribers per issue. They publish first-person true stories of hope, faith, and inspiration. The magazine is known for working with writers to develop their stories and pays competitive rates for accepted pieces. Guideposts is more open to first-time contributors than many magazines of its size.

Pay: $250–$750 per story

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Large circulation and broad reach.
• Open to first-person inspirational stories.
• Editorial team invests in developing accepted pieces.

Cons:

• Stories must be inspirational and faith-friendly.
• Heavy competition from established contributors.
• Strict first-person narrative format.

Chicken Soup for the Soul (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 1993, Chicken Soup for the Soul has sold over 500 million books worldwide and continues to publish anthologies of true, inspirational stories from contributors around the world. Each book has a theme (e.g., “The Joy of Less,” “Listen to Your Dreams”), and they accept submissions year-round through their website. They are one of the most beginner-friendly paying markets in publishing — no writing experience required, just a great true story that fits the theme.

Pay: $250 per story + 10 contributor copies

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — no writing experience required.
• Reliable payment and contributor copies.
• Massive distribution; your story may reach millions of readers.

Cons:

• Flat pay — no negotiating higher rates.
• Long response times (6–12 months).
• Strict 1,200-word limit and themed submissions only.

AARP The Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Published by AARP and distributed to all 38 million AARP members, AARP The Magazine has the largest circulation of any magazine in the United States. They cover topics relevant to Americans aged 50 and older — health, finance, travel, lifestyle, and culture. Despite its massive reach, the magazine accepts freelance pitches through their submission portal and pays top-tier rates for features. A single AARP feature can pay several thousand dollars and instantly upgrade your portfolio.

Pay: $1.00–$3.00+ per word; features regularly pay $3,000–$10,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Largest magazine circulation in the US — massive exposure.
• Top-tier pay rates.
• Professional editorial team.

Cons:

• Highly competitive — requires strong clips and a unique angle.
• Long pitch response times (8–12 weeks).
• Stories must be relevant to the 50+ audience.

Wired (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1993 by Louis Rossetto and Jane Metcalfe and now owned by Condé Nast, Wired is the most influential technology and culture magazine in the world, reaching over 20 million readers per month across print and digital. They cover technology, science, culture, business, and politics. The magazine accepts freelance pitches through their online portal and pays some of the highest rates in tech journalism. A single Wired feature can launch a freelance tech writing career.

Pay: $1.00–$3.00+ per word; features regularly pay $2,000–$10,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Among the highest pay rates in tech journalism.
• Marquee clip that immediately elevates your portfolio.
• Strong editorial support and engagement.

Cons:

• Essentially closed to beginners — needs existing clips.
• Long pitch response times (6–8 weeks).
• Heavy competition from staff writers.

Bon Appétit (Pro – 4/5)

Owned by Condé Nast and founded in 1956, Bon Appétit is one of the most influential food magazines in the world, reaching over 10 million readers per month across print and digital. They cover recipes, restaurants, food culture, and the people who shape what we eat. The magazine accepts freelance pitches through their online portal and pays professional rates for features. Bon Appétit is known for championing new voices in food writing, particularly writers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Pay: $0.50–$2.00+ per word; features typically pay $500–$3,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier food publication with broad reach.
• Known for championing new and diverse voices.
• Professional rates and editorial support.

Cons:

• Competitive — requires strong clips and a unique angle.
• Long pitch response times (6–8 weeks).
• Heavy focus on food culture, not just recipes.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Politics & News

Political and news publications are some of the most active markets for freelance writers, but they also demand sharp writing, original reporting, and the ability to turn around pieces quickly. These publications range from opinion magazines to investigative journalism outlets — most welcome freelance pitches and many pay professional rates for original reporting.

The Christian Science Monitor (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1908 by Mary Baker Eddy, The Christian Science Monitor is an international daily newspaper known for in-depth, balanced reporting despite its religious ownership. The Monitor has won seven Pulitzer Prizes and reaches readers in over 100 countries. They accept freelance pitches across news, features, and commentary, and are known for being more open to new contributors than many newspapers of similar stature. The Monitor’s emphasis on solution-oriented journalism sets it apart from typical news outlets.

Pay: $200–$1,000 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Prestigious byline with a long journalistic tradition.
• More open to new contributors than most papers of similar stature.
• Strong editorial support and clear pitch guidelines.

Cons:

• Requires original reporting, not opinion-only pieces.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Pay is mid-tier compared to top-rate outlets.

High Country News (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1970 and based in Paonia, Colorado, High Country News is a nonprofit magazine covering the American West, with a focus on environmental issues, public lands, and indigenous communities. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 30,000 and has won multiple awards including the Utne Independent Press Award. They accept freelance pitches for features, news, and commentary, and are known for working with new voices on underreported Western stories.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $500–$2,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Strong editorial reputation and award-winning journalism.
• Welcomes new voices on underreported Western issues.
• Nonprofit ownership means mission-driven journalism.

Cons:

• Requires original reporting and Western expertise.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Limited to Western US topics.

The Nation (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1865 by abolitionists, The Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. It covers politics, culture, and progressive commentary, with a paid circulation of around 150,000. The magazine has published writers including Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and James Baldwin, and continues to be a leading voice in progressive journalism. They accept freelance pitches for features, news, and commentary.

Pay: $150–$1,500 per article; features typically pay $500–$1,200

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Prestigious byline with a 150+ year history.
• Strong editorial reputation in progressive journalism.
• Open to emerging writers with strong political analysis.

Cons:

• Requires strong political analysis and original reporting.
• Long pitch response times (6–8 weeks).
• Pay is mid-tier compared to top commercial magazines.

Politico Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2007 and based in Arlington, Virginia, Politico is one of the most influential political journalism outlets in the United States, reaching over 30 million readers per month. Politico Magazine publishes long-form political features, analysis, and commentary. They accept freelance pitches through their online portal and pay top-tier rates for original political reporting. A single Politico feature can establish you as a serious political journalist.

Pay: $0.50–$2.00+ per word; features typically pay $1,000–$5,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier political journalism outlet.
• Among the highest pay rates in political writing.
• Strong editorial engagement with contributors.

Cons:

• Requires existing political reporting clips.
• Long pitch response times (4–8 weeks).
• Heavy competition from staff writers.

The American Conservative (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 2002 by Pat Buchanan, Taki Theodoracopulos, and Scott McConnell, The American Conservative is a bimonthly magazine covering politics, foreign policy, and culture from a conservative perspective. They accept freelance pitches for features, commentary, and book reviews, and are known for being open to new voices on the right. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 20,000 and reaches a broader online audience.

Pay: $200–$1,000 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new voices on the right.
• Clear editorial focus and pitch guidelines.
• Reliable payment on publication.

Cons:

• Content must align with conservative editorial focus.
• Lower pay than top-tier political outlets.
• Smaller circulation than Politico or The Nation.

The Progressive (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1909 by Senator Robert La Follette, The Progressive is one of the oldest progressive political magazines in the United States. They publish commentary, reporting, and analysis on politics, peace, and social justice. The magazine has a circulation of around 30,000 and accepts freelance pitches for features and commentary. The Progressive is known for being open to new voices and emerging writers.

Pay: $150–$1,000 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Long history of progressive journalism.
• Open to new and emerging writers.
• Strong editorial engagement.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier political outlets.
• Limited circulation.
• Requires strong political analysis.

Dissent Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1954 by Irving Howe and Lewis Coser, Dissent is a quarterly left-wing political magazine covering politics, culture, and ideas. The magazine has published writers including Hannah Arendt, Michael Walzer, and Barbara Ehrenreich, and remains a leading voice in democratic socialist thought. They accept freelance pitches for features, essays, and book reviews, and are known for being more open to new intellectual voices than other top-tier political magazines.

Pay: $200–$1,000 per article; essays typically pay $300–$700

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Prestigious intellectual byline.
• Open to new voices on the left.
• Strong editorial engagement with contributors.

Cons:

• Requires strong intellectual analysis.
• Limited circulation (~15,000).
• Lower pay than top commercial magazines.

The Drift (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2020 by editor-in-chief Cynthia Young, The Drift is a quarterly cultural and political magazine that has quickly become one of the most influential emerging publications on the left. They publish essays, criticism, and reporting on politics, culture, and ideas, with a focus on original thinking and fresh voices. Despite being a newer publication, they pay professional rates and have built a strong reputation for editorial quality.

Pay: $300–$1,500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Strong editorial reputation despite being a newer publication.
• Welcomes emerging writers with original ideas.
• Professional rates and editorial support.

Cons:

• Competitive — many pitches per slot.
• Limited circulation.
• Demands original thinking, not just opinion.

Waging Nonviolence (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2009, Waging Nonviolence is a nonprofit magazine covering social movements, activism, and nonviolent resistance around the world. They publish original reporting, analysis, and commentary, and are known for their commitment to on-the-ground movement journalism. The magazine accepts freelance pitches for features and commentary, and is open to writers with deep knowledge of social movements.

Pay: $150–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to writers with movement expertise.
• Mission-driven nonprofit journalism.
• Strong editorial engagement.

Cons:

• Niche focus on social movements and activism.
• Lower pay than top-tier political outlets.
• Limited circulation.

Business Insider (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 2007 and now owned by Axel Springer, Business Insider is one of the largest business news publications in the world, reaching over 100 million readers per month. They cover business, technology, finance, and culture, and accept freelance pitches for features, news, and personal essays. The publication is more open to new contributors than many other top business outlets, particularly for first-person essays and reported features.

Pay: $200–$1,500 per article; features typically pay $500–$1,200

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Massive audience reach.
• More open to new contributors than other top business outlets.
• Fast pitch response and digital-first publication.

Cons:

• Heavy emphasis on SEO and traffic.
• Pay is mid-tier compared to top business outlets.
• Requires strong sourcing and original reporting.

The New Republic (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1914, The New Republic is one of the oldest and most influential political and cultural magazines in the United States. They cover politics, culture, and ideas, with a focus on long-form journalism and thoughtful commentary. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 50,000 and accepts freelance pitches for features, essays, and reviews. They are known for working with both established and emerging writers.

Pay: $300–$2,000 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Prestigious byline with a 100+ year history.
• Open to emerging writers with strong ideas.
• Strong editorial engagement.

Cons:

• Competitive — many pitches per slot.
• Long pitch response times (6–8 weeks).
• Pay is mid-tier compared to top commercial outlets.

DAME Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 2015, DAME is a nonprofit feminist magazine covering politics, culture, and identity from a feminist perspective. They publish essays, reported features, and commentary, with a focus on voices often underrepresented in mainstream media. The magazine accepts freelance pitches and is known for being open to new writers, particularly those with lived experience relevant to their stories.

Pay: $300–$1,000 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new voices, particularly from underrepresented communities.
• Strong editorial engagement.
• Mission-driven feminist journalism.

Cons:

• Niche focus on feminist perspectives.
• Lower pay than top commercial outlets.
• Limited circulation.

Rest of World (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2020 by journalist Sophie Schmidt and backed by the Schmidt Family Foundation, Rest of World is a nonprofit magazine covering technology and culture outside the Western world. They publish original reporting from over 60 countries, with a focus on underreported stories from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The magazine pays professional rates and is open to pitches from international journalists.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $1,000–$3,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates for international reporting.
• Open to pitches from journalists around the world.
• Strong editorial support and rigorous fact-checking.

Cons:

• Requires original on-the-ground reporting.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.
• Limited to non-Western tech and culture topics.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Entertainment & Culture

Entertainment and culture publications cover film, TV, music, books, comics, and internet culture. These markets are competitive but more accessible than top-tier news outlets, and many are open to pitches from writers with strong critical voices. If you can write thoughtfully about popular culture, these are the markets that will pay you for it.

Salon (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1995, Salon is one of the original online-only magazines, covering politics, culture, and entertainment. The site reaches over 10 million readers per month and accepts freelance pitches for features, essays, and reviews. Salon is more open to new contributors than many legacy publications and has been a launching pad for numerous cultural critics and political writers.

Pay: $150–$1,000 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Long-established online magazine with broad reach.
• Open to new contributors with strong voices.
• Fast pitch response and digital-first publication.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier magazines.
• Heavy emphasis on traffic and engagement.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

CBR (Comic Book Resources) (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1995, CBR is one of the oldest and largest websites covering comic books, superhero media, and pop culture. The site reaches over 20 million readers per month and accepts freelance pitches for listicles, features, and opinion pieces. CBR is more open to new writers than most top-tier culture sites and is a common entry point for writers looking to break into pop culture criticism.

Pay: $30–$100 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new writers with strong pop culture knowledge.
• Fast pitch turnaround and digital-first publication.
• Large built-in audience.

Cons:

• Lower per-piece pay than top-tier culture sites.
• Heavy emphasis on listicles and SEO-friendly content.
• Limited creative freedom on topic selection.

Cineaste Magazine (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1967, Cineaste is one of the longest-running film criticism magazines in the United States, covering both mainstream and art-house cinema with a focus on political and social analysis. The magazine is published quarterly and accepts freelance pitches for reviews, features, and interviews. Cineaste is more open to new contributors than many top-tier film magazines and is a great entry point for serious film critics.

Pay: $18–$200 per article (varies by length and type)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Long-established film criticism magazine.
• Open to new contributors with strong critical voices.
• Focus on political and social analysis — niche audience.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier film magazines.
• Limited circulation (~10,000).
• Requires deep knowledge of film history and criticism.

Anime Feminist (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2016, Anime Feminist is a niche site covering anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture from a feminist perspective. The site has built a loyal audience of readers interested in thoughtful criticism of media often dismissed by mainstream outlets. They accept freelance pitches for reviews, features, and essays, and are known for being welcoming to new contributors with relevant expertise.

Pay: $30–$80 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Welcoming to new contributors with relevant expertise.
• Strong community engagement.
• Clear editorial focus and pitch guidelines.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier culture sites.
• Niche focus on anime and feminist criticism.
• Limited audience reach.

BuzzFeed (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2006 and now a publicly traded company, BuzzFeed reaches over 200 million readers per month across its website and social channels. They cover everything from viral listicles to long-form personal essays and investigative reporting. BuzzFeed’s Reader section accepts freelance pitches for personal essays and cultural criticism, and the site is known for being more open to new voices than many legacy outlets.

Pay: $100–$1,000 per article; personal essays typically pay $200–$400

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Massive audience reach.
• Open to new voices, particularly for personal essays.
• Strong editorial support for accepted pieces.

Cons:

• Heavy emphasis on virality and engagement.
• Long pitch response times.
• Pay is mid-tier compared to top outlets.

Sites That Pay You for “Top 10” Lists & Listicles

If you love research and have a knack for putting together fascinating lists, this is the market for you. List-based content is one of the most accessible formats for new writers — no narrative arc required, just well-researched facts presented in an engaging way.

Listverse (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 2007 by Jamie Frater, Listverse is one of the original listicle sites on the internet, publishing “Top 10” lists on topics ranging from history and science to true crime and bizarre facts. The site reaches over 15 million readers per month and is famously open to new writers — anyone can submit a list, and if it’s accepted, you get paid. Listverse is one of the most beginner-friendly paying markets on this list.

Pay: $100 per accepted list (1,500+ words)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — no writing experience required.
• Flat per-list payment with no negotiating.
• Fast response on submissions (typically 1–2 weeks).

Cons:

• Flat pay — no negotiating higher rates.
• Strict 1,500-word minimum and “Top 10” format only.
• High rejection rate; topics must be original and well-researched.

Sites That Pay You to Write Jokes & Humor

Writing humor for money is one of the most rewarding — and most difficult — niches in freelance writing. These markets pay for jokes, one-liners, cartoons, and humorous essays, and most are open to submissions from anyone with a sense of humor and a willingness to be edited. Comedy is subjective, so expect rejection rates to be high.

Reader’s Digest (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 1922, Reader’s Digest is one of the most widely read magazines in the world, with a global circulation of over 10 million. They have a long-running humor section that pays for submitted jokes, funny stories, and quotes. The magazine is famously beginner-friendly — anyone can submit a joke through their online portal, and payment is made if the joke is published. Reader’s Digest also accepts longer humor essays and personal stories.

Pay: $100–$300 per joke or funny story; $100+ per published quote

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — anyone can submit.
• Fast payment on publication.
• Massive global circulation.

Cons:

• Highly competitive — many submissions per slot.
• Pay is flat per joke, no negotiating.
• Subjective editorial decisions on humor.

McSweeney’s Internet Tendency (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1998 by Dave Eggers as part of the McSweeney’s publishing house, Internet Tendency is one of the most respected literary humor sites on the internet. They publish satirical essays, listicles, and short humor pieces, and have launched the careers of numerous humor writers. The site is open to unsolicited submissions and is known for paying professional rates for accepted pieces. McSweeney’s humor has a distinctive voice — literary, absurdist, and clever.

Pay: $150–$300 per accepted piece

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Prestigious byline in literary humor.
• Open to unsolicited submissions.
• Strong editorial engagement and revision support.

Cons:

• Competitive — acceptance rate under 5%.
• Demands a specific literary humor voice.
• Long response times (2–4 months).

Weekly Humorist (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2016, Weekly Humorist is an online humor magazine publishing satirical news, essays, and listicles. They accept unsolicited submissions and are known for being more open to new writers than top-tier humor outlets. The site has built a loyal readership through social media and is a great entry point for writers looking to break into paid humor writing.

Pay: $30–$80 per accepted piece

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new writers with strong humor voices.
• Fast pitch response and digital-first publication.
• Strong social media amplification.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier humor outlets.
• Competitive — many submissions per slot.
• Limited audience reach compared to McSweeney’s.

Points in Case (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 2000, Points in Case is one of the longest-running humor sites on the internet, publishing short-form comedy, satire, and observational humor. They accept unsolicited submissions and are famously open to new writers — the site has launched the careers of numerous comedy writers. Points in Case is one of the most beginner-friendly paying markets for short humor.

Pay: $25–$60 per accepted piece

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — anyone can submit.
• Fast pitch response.
• Strong community of contributors.

Cons:

• Lower pay than other humor markets.
• Short-form focus (typically 300–800 words).
• Competitive — many submissions per slot.

The Funny Times (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 1985, The Funny Times is a monthly print humor magazine published in Cleveland, Ohio. They publish cartoons, essays, and one-liners, with a focus on political and social satire. The magazine accepts submissions from anyone and pays for accepted pieces, making it one of the more accessible print humor markets. The Funny Times has a paid circulation of around 50,000.

Pay: $25–$60 per essay; $10–$25 per cartoon

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Print publication with paid circulation.
• Open to submissions from anyone.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier humor outlets.
• Print-only publication limits audience reach.
• Demands sharp political and social satire.

Defenestration Magazine (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2001, Defenestration is a literary humor magazine publishing humorous fiction, essays, and poetry. They accept unsolicited submissions and are known for being open to new writers with distinctive comedic voices. The magazine has a small but loyal readership and is a great entry point for writers looking to break into literary humor.

Pay: $20–$50 per accepted piece

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new writers with distinctive voices.
• Welcomes humorous fiction and essays.
• Clear editorial guidelines.

Cons:

• Lower pay than other humor markets.
• Limited audience reach.
• Competitive — many submissions per slot.

Chortle (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2000 and based in the UK, Chortle is one of the most influential comedy news and review sites in the world, covering stand-up, comedy clubs, and the comedy industry. They accept freelance pitches for reviews, features, and interviews, and are known for being more open to new contributors than many top-tier comedy outlets. Chortle reaches over 1 million readers per month.

Pay: £30–£100 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Established comedy publication with industry influence.
• Open to new contributors with comedy expertise.
• Fast pitch response for reviews.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier outlets.
• UK-focused content.
• Requires deep knowledge of stand-up comedy.

Oatmeal Studios (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 1978 and based in Vermont, Oatmeal Studios is a humor card and gift company that publishes greeting cards, magnets, and other novelty items. They accept submissions from freelance writers and artists and pay for accepted card ideas. Oatmeal Studios is one of the most accessible paying markets for short humor — anyone with a clever one-liner can submit and earn.

Pay: $50 per accepted card idea

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — anyone can submit.
• Fast payment on acceptance.
• Creative, low-pressure format.

Cons:

• Lower pay than other humor markets.
• Subjective editorial decisions on humor.
• Limited to greeting card format.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Education

Education publications cover teaching, learning, higher education, education policy, and parenting for school-age children. These markets are typically mission-driven and look for writers with first-hand experience in education — teachers, parents, and education researchers tend to do particularly well here.

The Hechinger Report (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2009 and based at Teachers College, Columbia University, The Hechinger Report is a nonprofit education journalism outlet covering inequality, innovation, and policy in American education. They publish original reporting and analysis, and are known for paying professional rates and providing strong editorial support. The Hechinger Report is open to pitches from both experienced education journalists and emerging writers with deep subject expertise.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $500–$2,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates for education journalism.
• Strong editorial support and fact-checking.
• Open to pitches from experienced and emerging writers.

Cons:

• Requires original reporting, not opinion.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Limited to education topics.

We Are Teachers (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2010, We Are Teachers is a community-driven site that publishes practical advice, lesson plans, and personal essays for K-12 teachers. The site reaches over 5 million educators per month and accepts freelance pitches for features, listicles, and personal stories. We Are Teachers is more open to new writers than many top-tier education outlets and is a great entry point for teachers looking to break into paid education writing.

Pay: $100–$300 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new writers, particularly practicing teachers.
• Large built-in audience of educators.
• Fast pitch response.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier education outlets.
• Heavy emphasis on listicles and practical advice.
• Limited to K-12 education topics.

The Chronicle of Higher Education (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1966 and based in Washington, D.C., The Chronicle of Higher Education is the leading trade publication covering colleges and universities in the United States. With a paid circulation of around 100,000 and a much larger online readership, The Chronicle is the most influential publication in higher education. They accept freelance pitches for features, news, and commentary, and pay top-tier rates for original reporting.

Pay: $0.50–$2.00+ per word; features typically pay $1,000–$3,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates in education journalism.
• Prestigious byline in higher education.
• Strong editorial engagement.

Cons:

• Requires existing clips and higher-education expertise.
• Long pitch response times (6–8 weeks).
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Back2College (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 1997, Back2College is a resource site for adult learners returning to school. They publish practical advice on admissions, financial aid, transfer credits, and balancing school with work and family. The site accepts freelance pitches for features and how-to articles, and is open to new contributors with relevant experience. Back2College is more accessible than top-tier education outlets.

Pay: $50–$200 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new writers with adult-learner expertise.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Fast pitch response.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier education outlets.
• Limited audience reach.
• Niche focus on adult learners.

Early Impact Learning (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 2018, Early Impact Learning is a niche site covering early childhood education, with practical advice for parents and educators of children aged 0–8. They accept freelance pitches for listicles, how-to articles, and personal experience pieces, and are extremely open to new writers. Early Impact Learning is one of the most beginner-friendly paying markets in education writing.

Pay: $30–$80 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — anyone can submit.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Fast pitch response.

Cons:

• Lower pay than other education markets.
• Limited to early childhood education topics.
• Heavy emphasis on listicles and SEO-friendly content.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Faith & Religion

Faith and religion publications cover spirituality, religious practice, and the intersection of faith with public life. These markets tend to be mission-driven and look for writers who can write thoughtfully about spiritual topics, often from a personal perspective.

The Quiet Hour (David C Cook) (Intermediate – 2/5)

Published by David C Cook, a Colorado-based Christian publisher founded in 1875, The Quiet Hour is a quarterly devotional magazine with a circulation of around 100,000. They publish short devotionals, personal experience stories, and inspirational pieces. The magazine accepts freelance submissions and is open to new contributors with a clear, encouraging writing voice. Content must align with the publisher’s evangelical Christian perspective.

Pay: $25–$100 per devotional or story

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with a clear writing voice.
• Clear editorial guidelines.
• Reliable payment on publication.

Cons:

• Faith-based content requirements.
• Lower pay than secular publications.
• Limited to short devotional and personal experience formats.

Guideposts (Faith Section) (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1945 by Norman Vincent Peale, Guideposts has a paid circulation of around 2 million and publishes both inspirational stories and explicit faith content. The magazine accepts freelance submissions for personal experience stories, devotionals, and feature articles. Guideposts is more open to first-time contributors than many magazines of its size, and pays competitive rates for accepted pieces.

Pay: $250–$750 per story

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Large circulation and broad reach.
• Open to first-person inspirational stories.
• Editorial team invests in developing accepted pieces.

Cons:

• Stories must be inspirational and faith-friendly.
• Heavy competition from established contributors.
• Strict first-person narrative format.

The Christian Citizen (Intermediate – 3/5)

Published by the American Baptist Churches USA, The Christian Citizen is a digital magazine covering faith, politics, and public life. They publish commentary, features, and personal essays, with a focus on social justice and progressive Christian perspectives. The magazine accepts freelance pitches and is open to new contributors with strong theological and political analysis.

Pay: $100–$300 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with strong analysis.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Mission-driven nonprofit journalism.

Cons:

• Niche focus on progressive Christian perspectives.
• Lower pay than top-tier religious outlets.
• Limited audience reach.

Faith & Leadership (Pro – 5/5)

Published by Duke Divinity School’s Leadership Education program, Faith & Leadership is a digital magazine covering Christian leadership, ministry, and congregational life. They publish features, interviews, and practical resources for Christian leaders, and are known for paying professional rates and providing strong editorial support. The magazine accepts freelance pitches from experienced religion writers.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $500–$1,500

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates for religion writing.
• Strong editorial support and fact-checking.
• Prestigious academic-backed publication.

Cons:

• Requires existing clips and theological expertise.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Limited to Christian leadership topics.

Busted Halo (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 2000 and run by the Paulist Fathers, Busted Halo is a digital magazine covering Catholic faith, spirituality, and culture for young adults. They publish features, personal essays, and explanatory pieces on Catholic teaching, and accept freelance pitches from writers with relevant experience. Busted Halo is more open to new voices than many Catholic publications.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new voices with relevant experience.
• Strong editorial engagement.
• Clear focus on Catholic young adult audience.

Cons:

• Niche focus on Catholic topics.
• Lower pay than top-tier religious outlets.
• Limited audience reach.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Business & Money

Business and finance publications are some of the highest-paying markets in freelance writing. They look for writers with subject-matter expertise and the ability to explain complex topics clearly. A single feature in a top-tier business publication can pay several thousand dollars and establish you as a serious business journalist.

The Motley Fool (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1993 by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is one of the largest investing and personal finance sites in the world, reaching over 30 million readers per month. They accept freelance pitches for features, analysis, and personal finance advice, and are known for being more open to new contributors than many top-tier finance outlets. The Motley Fool also runs a contract writer program for contributors who produce regular content.

Pay: $100–$500 per article; contract work pays $50–$200/hour

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Large built-in audience of investors.
• Open to new contributors with finance expertise.
• Multiple publishing formats — features, analysis, contract work.

Cons:

• Requires strong finance and investing knowledge.
• Heavy emphasis on SEO and traffic.
• Contract work can be highly competitive.

Budget101 (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 2003, Budget101 is a community-driven site covering frugal living, budgeting, and money-saving tips. They accept freelance pitches for listicles, how-to articles, and personal experience pieces, and are extremely open to new writers. Budget101 is one of the most beginner-friendly paying markets in the personal finance space.

Pay: $30–$100 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — anyone can submit.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Fast pitch response.

Cons:

• Lower pay than other finance markets.
• Limited audience reach.
• Heavy emphasis on listicles and SEO-friendly content.

Unemploymentville (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 2014, Unemploymentville is a niche site covering career transitions, unemployment, and job searching. They publish practical advice, personal stories, and resources for people navigating unemployment. The site accepts freelance pitches for features and how-to articles, and is open to new contributors with relevant personal or professional experience.

Pay: $50–$150 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new writers with relevant experience.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Fast pitch response.

Cons:

• Lower pay than other career markets.
• Limited audience reach.
• Niche focus on unemployment topics.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Parenting

Parenting publications cover everything from pregnancy and baby care to raising teens and family life. These markets look for writers with first-hand parenting experience and the ability to write honestly and practically about the challenges of raising kids.

Today’s Parent (Pro – 5/5)

Published by St. Joseph Communications and founded in 1984, Today’s Parent is the leading Canadian parenting magazine, reaching over 2 million readers per month across print and digital. They cover pregnancy, baby care, child development, family life, and education. The magazine accepts freelance pitches for features, personal essays, and how-to articles, and pays professional rates for accepted pieces.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $500–$1,500

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates in parenting writing.
• Strong editorial engagement.
• Large built-in audience of Canadian parents.

Cons:

• Requires existing clips and parenting expertise.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Heavy competition from staff writers.

Her View From Home (Beginner – 1/5)

Founded in 2012 by Leslie Means and based in Nebraska, Her View From Home is a digital magazine publishing personal essays and advice for mothers and families. The site reaches over 1 million readers per month and accepts freelance submissions from anyone — they are famously open to new writers. Her View From Home is one of the most beginner-friendly paying markets for personal essays about motherhood.

Pay: $50–$200 per essay

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly — anyone can submit.
• Strong community of readers and contributors.
• Fast response on submissions.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier parenting outlets.
• Limited to motherhood and family topics.
• Competitive — many submissions per slot.

Raising Arizona Kids (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1990 and based in Phoenix, Raising Arizona Kids is a regional parenting magazine covering child development, family life, and local resources for Arizona parents. They accept freelance pitches for features, personal essays, and local resource guides. The magazine is open to new contributors with Arizona ties and is a great entry point for regional parenting writers.

Pay: $75–$250 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with Arizona ties.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Strong community engagement.

Cons:

• Lower pay than national parenting outlets.
• Limited to Arizona-focused content.
• Limited audience reach.

Practical Homeschooling Magazine (Intermediate – 2/5)

Founded in 1993 by Mary Pride, Practical Homeschooling is a bimonthly magazine covering homeschooling methods, curriculum reviews, and family life. They accept freelance submissions for features, how-to articles, and personal experience pieces, and are open to new contributors with homeschooling experience. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 50,000.

Pay: $50–$200 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with homeschooling experience.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.

Cons:

• Niche focus on homeschooling topics.
• Lower pay than top-tier parenting outlets.
• Print-only publication limits audience reach.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Lifestyle & Relationships

Lifestyle and relationship publications are some of the most sought-after markets in personal essay writing. They look for first-person stories with emotional honesty and broad appeal — a single essay in the right publication can launch a writing career.

The New York Times: Modern Love (Pro – 5/5)

Published in The New York Times Style section since 2004 and edited by Daniel Jones, Modern Love is one of the most prestigious personal essay columns in the world. The column publishes weekly essays about love, relationships, and modern romance, and has launched numerous writing careers. Submission is open to anyone through the Times’ online portal, but the acceptance rate is vanishingly small — typically fewer than 1 percent of submitted essays are published.

Pay: $300–$1,000 per essay (reported)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Among the most prestigious personal essay bylines in the world.
• Open to anyone — no agent or existing clips required.
• Strong editorial engagement with accepted writers.

Cons:

• Acceptance rate well under 1%.
• Long response times (3–6 months).
• Strict 1,500–1,700-word limit and specific thematic focus.

The L.A. Times: L.A. Affairs (Pro – 4/5)

Published in the Los Angeles Times, L.A. Affairs is a weekly personal essay column covering dating, relationships, and life in Southern California. The column accepts submissions from anyone, with a focus on first-person stories that capture the unique character of L.A. life. L.A. Affairs is more accessible than Modern Love and is a strong portfolio clip for personal essayists.

Pay: $300–$500 per essay (reported)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Prestigious byline in a major daily newspaper.
• Open to anyone — no agent required.
• Strong editorial engagement.

Cons:

• Highly competitive — many submissions per slot.
• Limited to L.A.-focused content.
• Long response times (2–4 months).

Italian America Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Published by the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) and founded in 1988, Italian America Magazine covers Italian-American culture, heritage, and community. They publish features, personal essays, and news about Italian-American life, and accept freelance pitches from writers with relevant experience. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 60,000 and is more open to new contributors than many cultural publications.

Pay: $200–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with Italian-American experience.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.

Cons:

• Niche focus on Italian-American topics.
• Lower pay than top-tier lifestyle outlets.
• Limited audience reach.

Girls’ Life Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1994 and based in Baltimore, Girls’ Life Magazine is a bimonthly publication aimed at tween and teen girls aged 10–15. They cover friendship, school, family, body image, and pop culture, with a focus on empowering young women. The magazine accepts freelance pitches for features and personal essays, and is open to contributors who can write thoughtfully for a young audience.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to contributors who can write for young audiences.
• Strong editorial engagement.
• Established publication with loyal readership.

Cons:

• Requires specific writing voice appropriate for tweens/teens.
• Lower pay than top-tier lifestyle outlets.
• Heavy competition from staff writers.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Health & Wellness

Health and wellness publications cover physical health, mental wellness, fitness, nutrition, and holistic living. These markets look for writers who can translate complex health information into accessible, practical advice — and increasingly, they want writers with relevant professional credentials or first-hand experience.

Well+Good (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2010 and now reaching over 10 million readers per month, Well+Good is one of the most influential wellness lifestyle sites on the internet. They cover fitness, nutrition, mental health, and wellness culture, with a focus on accessible, science-backed content. The magazine accepts freelance pitches for features, personal essays, and reported pieces, and pays professional rates for accepted work.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $400–$1,200

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates in wellness writing.
• Strong editorial engagement and fact-checking.
• Large built-in audience.

Cons:

• Requires strong sourcing and evidence-based reporting.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Organic Lifestyle Magazine (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 2008, Organic Lifestyle Magazine covers organic food, sustainable living, natural health, and eco-friendly products. They publish features, how-to articles, and personal experience pieces, and accept freelance pitches from writers with relevant experience. The magazine is more open to new contributors than top-tier wellness outlets.

Pay: $75–$200 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with relevant experience.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Fast pitch response.

Cons:

• Lower pay than top-tier wellness outlets.
• Limited audience reach.
• Niche focus on organic and sustainable living.

Sites That Pay You to Write for Kids & Teens

Writing for children and teens requires a specific skill — the ability to engage young readers at their level without talking down to them. These markets pay for fiction, non-fiction, and activities aimed at kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens.

U.S. Kids Magazines (Jack and Jill & Humpty Dumpty) (Beginner – 1/5)

Published by the U.S. Kids Corporation (a division of the Saturday Evening Post Society), Jack and Jill (founded in 1934) and Humpty Dumpty (founded in 1952) are long-running children’s magazines covering health, fitness, science, and entertainment for kids aged 5–12. They accept freelance submissions for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and activities, and are open to new contributors. These are some of the most beginner-friendly paying markets for children’s writing.

Pay: $30–$250 per piece (varies by type and length)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with a kid-friendly writing voice.
• Multiple formats accepted — fiction, non-fiction, poetry, activities.
• Long-running publications with loyal readership.

Cons:

• Lower pay than adult markets.
• Requires specific writing voice appropriate for children.
• Strict word count limits and age-appropriate content requirements.

Boys’ Quest Magazine (Intermediate – 2/5)

Published by the U.S. Kids Corporation, Boys’ Quest is a bimonthly magazine aimed at boys aged 6–12, covering adventure, science, history, and hobbies. They accept freelance submissions for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and activities, and are open to new contributors with a sense of adventure. Boys’ Quest is more accessible than top-tier children’s publications and is a good entry point for writers focused on boy-friendly content.

Pay: $30–$100 per piece (varies by type and length)

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with an adventurous writing voice.
• Multiple formats accepted.
• Clear editorial guidelines.

Cons:

• Lower pay than other markets.
• Limited audience reach.
• Requires specific writing voice appropriate for boys aged 6–12.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Web & Technology

Web and technology publications are some of the highest-paying markets in freelance writing. They look for writers with technical expertise and the ability to explain complex topics clearly. Developer-focused sites tend to pay particularly well because they need writers who can both code and write.

A List Apart (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1997 by Jeffrey Zeldman, A List Apart is one of the most respected online magazines covering web design, development, and content strategy. They publish long-form articles on best practices, new techniques, and industry trends, and are known for paying professional rates and providing strong editorial support. A List Apart is open to pitches from experienced practitioners with the ability to write thoughtfully about their craft.

Pay: $200–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Prestigious byline in web design and development.
• Strong editorial engagement and revision support.
• Long-form format allows for in-depth exploration.

Cons:

• Requires deep expertise in web design or development.
• Long pitch response times (4–8 weeks).
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Smashing Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2006 by Vitaly Friedman and based in Germany, Smashing Magazine is one of the most influential online magazines covering web design, development, and UX, reaching over 5 million readers per month. They publish in-depth tutorials, case studies, and design critiques, and are known for paying top-tier rates and providing rigorous editorial support. Smashing Magazine accepts pitches from experienced practitioners.

Pay: $200–$500 per article; tutorials can pay more

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates in web design writing.
• Large built-in audience of designers and developers.
• Strong editorial support and fact-checking.

Cons:

• Requires deep technical expertise and writing ability.
• Long pitch response times (4–8 weeks).
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

DigitalOcean (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 2011 and now one of the largest cloud infrastructure providers in the world, DigitalOcean runs an extensive community tutorial site that publishes in-depth technical tutorials for developers. They accept pitches from experienced developers with the ability to write clear, step-by-step guides. DigitalOcean is known for paying some of the highest rates in technical writing — a single accepted tutorial can pay several hundred dollars.

Pay: $300–$400 per tutorial; series can pay $1,000+

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Among the highest pay rates in technical writing.
• Strong editorial support and technical review.
• Large built-in audience of developers.

Cons:

• Requires deep technical expertise and writing ability.
• Strict format requirements for tutorials.
• Long editorial review process (6–12 weeks).

SitePoint (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1999 and based in Australia, SitePoint is one of the longest-running online publishers covering web development, design, and entrepreneurship. They publish tutorials, opinion pieces, and case studies, and accept freelance pitches from experienced developers and designers. SitePoint is known for paying professional rates and providing strong editorial support.

Pay: $150–$500 per article; tutorials can pay more

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.
• Multiple formats accepted — tutorials, opinion, case studies.

Cons:

• Requires deep technical expertise.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Art, Crafts & Design

Art, crafts, and design publications cover visual arts, theater, architecture, woodworking, and other hands-on creative pursuits. These markets look for writers with subject-matter expertise and the ability to write thoughtfully about creative practice.

Arts & Design

Howlround (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 2011 and based at Emerson College in Boston, HowlRound is a nonprofit online magazine covering theater, performance, and the performing arts. They publish essays, interviews, and critical pieces, with a focus on equity, diversity, and the future of the performing arts. HowlRound accepts freelance pitches and is known for being open to new voices in theater criticism and commentary.

Pay: $75–$200 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new voices in theater criticism.
• Mission-driven nonprofit journalism.
• Strong editorial engagement.

Cons:

• Niche focus on theater and performing arts.
• Lower pay than top-tier arts outlets.
• Limited audience reach.

Western Art & Architecture (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 2006 and based in Montana, Western Art & Architecture is a bimonthly print magazine covering visual arts, architecture, and design in the American West. They publish features, artist profiles, and architectural tours, and accept freelance pitches from writers with relevant expertise. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 40,000 and pays professional rates.

Pay: $200–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Beautiful print publication with high production values.
• Open to new contributors with Western art expertise.

Cons:

• Niche focus on Western art and architecture.
• Limited audience reach.
• Requires strong visual storytelling ability.

Crafting & Hobbies

Popular Woodworking (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1984 and now published by Penguin Random House, Popular Woodworking is one of the leading woodworking magazines in the United States, with a paid circulation of around 100,000. They publish project plans, technique articles, and tool reviews, and accept freelance pitches from experienced woodworkers with the ability to write clear, step-by-step instructions.

Pay: $200–$600 per article; project plans can pay more

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Large built-in audience of woodworkers.
• Clear editorial focus and pitch guidelines.

Cons:

• Requires deep woodworking expertise.
• Strict format requirements for project plans.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Ceramics Monthly (Intermediate – 3/5)

Published by the American Ceramic Society and founded in 1957, Ceramics Monthly is one of the most respected ceramics and pottery magazines in the world, with a paid circulation of around 30,000. They publish technique articles, artist profiles, and exhibition reviews, and accept freelance pitches from writers with ceramics expertise. The magazine is open to new contributors with strong subject knowledge.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with ceramics expertise.
• Strong editorial engagement.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.

Cons:

• Niche focus on ceramics and pottery.
• Lower pay than top-tier craft magazines.
• Requires deep technical knowledge.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Farm & Gardening

Farm and gardening publications cover sustainable agriculture, horticulture, and rural life. These markets look for writers with first-hand experience and the ability to write practically about working with plants and animals.

The American Gardener (Pro – 4/5)

Published by the American Horticultural Society and founded in 1922, The American Gardener is a bimonthly magazine covering gardening, horticulture, and plant conservation. They publish features, how-to articles, and plant profiles, and accept freelance pitches from writers with gardening expertise. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 80,000 and pays professional rates.

Pay: $150–$600 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.
• Open to new contributors with gardening expertise.

Cons:

• Niche focus on gardening and horticulture.
• Requires deep gardening knowledge.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Niche Topics

Some of the most interesting paying markets are highly specialized publications covering topics too narrow for general-interest magazines. These niche publications often pay well because they need writers with genuine subject-matter expertise.

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1987 and based in Rockport, Maine, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors is a bimonthly magazine covering boats, coastal homes, and harbor life in Maine. They publish features, profiles, and how-to articles, and accept freelance pitches from writers with first-hand experience of coastal Maine life. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 30,000 and pays professional rates.

Pay: $150–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Beautiful print publication with high production values.
• Open to new contributors with Maine expertise.

Cons:

• Niche focus on Maine coastal life.
• Limited audience reach.
• Requires first-hand experience of the region.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Sports & The Outdoors

Sports and outdoors publications cover everything from hiking and backpacking to hunting, fishing, and equestrian pursuits. These markets look for writers with first-hand outdoor experience and the ability to write practically about gear, technique, and adventure.

Outdoor Adventure (Hiking, Boating & Paddling)

Backpacker Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1973 and now owned by Pocket Outdoor Media, Backpacker is the leading hiking and backpacking magazine in the United States, with a paid circulation of around 200,000 and a much larger digital audience. They publish features, trip reports, gear reviews, and technique articles, and accept freelance pitches from experienced backpackers. Backpacker is known for paying top-tier rates and providing strong editorial support.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $500–$2,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates in outdoor writing.
• Large built-in audience of backpackers.
• Strong editorial engagement.

Cons:

• Requires deep first-hand backpacking experience.
• Long pitch response times (4–8 weeks).
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

WoodenBoat Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1974 and based in Brooklin, Maine, WoodenBoat is a bimonthly magazine covering wooden boat building, restoration, and sailing. They publish features, technique articles, and boat profiles, and accept freelance pitches from writers with wooden boat expertise. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 60,000 and pays professional rates.

Pay: $200–$600 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Beautiful print publication with high production values.
• Open to new contributors with wooden boat expertise.

Cons:

• Niche focus on wooden boats.
• Requires deep subject-matter expertise.
• Limited audience reach.

Paddling Magazine (formerly Canoe & Kayak) (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1977 (as Canoe & Kayak) and now published by Pocket Outdoor Media, Paddling Magazine covers canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. They publish features, technique articles, gear reviews, and trip reports, and accept freelance pitches from experienced paddlers. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 50,000 and is open to new contributors.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with paddling expertise.
• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Clear editorial focus.

Cons:

• Niche focus on paddlesports.
• Requires first-hand paddling experience.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Hunting & Fishing

Gray’s Sporting Journal (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1976 and based in Augusta, Maine, Gray’s Sporting Journal is a literary hunting and fishing magazine known for its exceptional writing and art. They publish long-form narratives, essays, and short fiction about hunting, fishing, and the outdoor life, with a focus on literary quality over practical advice. Gray’s has a paid circulation of around 40,000 and pays top-tier rates for accepted work.

Pay: $0.50–$2.00+ per word; features typically pay $500–$2,000

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Among the highest pay rates in outdoor writing.
• Prestigious byline for literary outdoor writing.
• Beautiful print publication with high production values.

Cons:

• Demands literary quality, not just outdoor expertise.
• Long pitch response times (4–6 weeks).
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Sport Fishing Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1969 and now published by Bonnier Corporation, Sport Fishing Magazine covers saltwater and freshwater sport fishing, with features on technique, gear, destinations, and conservation. They accept freelance pitches from experienced anglers, with a paid circulation of around 100,000. The magazine pays professional rates and is known for working with both established and emerging outdoor writers.

Pay: $200–$600 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Large built-in audience of anglers.
• Open to new contributors with fishing expertise.

Cons:

• Requires deep fishing expertise.
• Niche focus on sport fishing.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Blade Magazine (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1973 and published by Krause Publications (now part of Active Interest Media), Blade Magazine is the leading publication covering knives and edged tools, with a paid circulation of around 50,000. They publish features, technique articles, knife reviews, and collector pieces, and accept freelance pitches from writers with knife expertise. The magazine is more open to new contributors than top-tier outdoor outlets.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with knife expertise.
• Clear editorial focus.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.

Cons:

• Niche focus on knives and edged tools.
• Requires deep subject-matter expertise.
• Limited audience reach.

Equestrian & Horse Life

The Chronicle of the Horse (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1937 and published by the Chronicle of the Horse, this bimonthly magazine covers equestrian sport, horse care, and horse culture. They publish features, technique articles, and competition coverage, and accept freelance pitches from experienced equestrians. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 30,000 and is open to new contributors with horse expertise.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with equestrian expertise.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.
• Professional rates and editorial support.

Cons:

• Niche focus on equestrian topics.
• Requires first-hand horse experience.
• Limited audience reach.

Hoof Beats Magazine (Intermediate – 3/5)

Published by the U.S. Trotting Association and founded in 1934, Hoof Beats is a monthly magazine covering harness racing, horse breeding, and the standardbred industry. They publish features, profiles, and industry news, and accept freelance pitches from writers with harness racing expertise. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 30,000.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with harness racing expertise.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.
• Clear editorial focus.

Cons:

• Niche focus on harness racing.
• Requires deep subject-matter expertise.
• Limited audience reach.

BirdWatching Daily Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1988 (as Birders World) and now published by Madavor Media, BirdWatching Daily covers bird identification, birding destinations, gear, and conservation. They publish features, technique articles, and photo essays, and accept freelance pitches from experienced birders. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 50,000 and pays professional rates.

Pay: $200–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Open to new contributors with birding expertise.
• Beautiful photo essays and features.

Cons:

• Niche focus on birdwatching.
• Requires first-hand birding experience.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Martial Arts

Kung Fu Magazine (Intermediate – 3/5)

Founded in 1992 and based in California, Kung Fu Magazine is one of the longest-running online magazines covering Chinese martial arts, with a focus on technique, history, and culture. They publish features, technique articles, and interviews, and accept freelance pitches from experienced martial artists. The magazine is open to new contributors with deep kung fu expertise.

Pay: $75–$200 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Open to new contributors with martial arts expertise.
• Long-running publication with loyal readership.
• Clear editorial focus.

Cons:

• Niche focus on Chinese martial arts.
• Requires deep subject-matter expertise.
• Limited audience reach.

Sites That Pay You to Write About Local & Regional Topics

Local and regional publications cover specific states, cities, or regions, with a focus on local culture, history, food, and people. These markets are some of the most accessible entry points for new writers — they often want first-hand local knowledge and are more open to pitches from writers without major clips.

1859 Oregon’s Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 2009 and named after the year Oregon became a state, 1859 Oregon’s Magazine is a bimonthly publication covering Oregon culture, history, food, and people. They publish features, profiles, and photo essays, and accept freelance pitches from writers with first-hand Oregon experience. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 30,000 and pays professional rates for accepted work.

Pay: $200–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Beautiful print publication with high production values.
• Open to new contributors with Oregon expertise.

Cons:

• Limited to Oregon-focused content.
• Requires first-hand regional experience.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Colorado Life Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 2010 and based in Fort Collins, Colorado Life Magazine is a bimonthly publication covering Colorado culture, history, outdoor adventure, and people. They publish features, profiles, and photo essays, and accept freelance pitches from writers with first-hand Colorado experience. The magazine has a paid circulation of around 40,000 and pays professional rates.

Pay: $200–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Beautiful print publication with high production values.
• Open to new contributors with Colorado expertise.

Cons:

• Limited to Colorado-focused content.
• Requires first-hand regional experience.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

South Carolina Living (Intermediate – 3/5)

Published by the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina and distributed to over 600,000 households, South Carolina Living is the largest-circulation magazine in the state. They publish features, profiles, and travel pieces about South Carolina life, and accept freelance pitches from writers with regional expertise. The magazine is open to new contributors and pays competitive rates.

Pay: $150–$400 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Large built-in audience (600K+ circulation).
• Open to new contributors with regional expertise.
• Reliable payment on publication.

Cons:

• Limited to South Carolina-focused content.
• Requires first-hand regional experience.
• Editorial focus on cooperative values.

New Mexico Magazine (Pro – 4/5)

Founded in 1923 and published by the New Mexico Tourism Department, New Mexico Magazine is one of the oldest state magazines in the United States, with a paid circulation of around 100,000. They publish features, profiles, and travel pieces about New Mexico culture, history, and destinations. The magazine accepts freelance pitches from writers with New Mexico expertise and pays professional rates.

Pay: $200–$500 per article

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Long-running publication with loyal readership.
• Professional rates and editorial support.
• Open to new contributors with New Mexico expertise.

Cons:

• Limited to New Mexico-focused content.
• Requires first-hand regional experience.
• Editorial focus on tourism promotion.

Alaska Magazine (Pro – 5/5)

Founded in 1935 and now published by Morris Communications, Alaska Magazine is the leading publication covering life, travel, and culture in Alaska, with a paid circulation of around 100,000. They publish features, profiles, and adventure pieces, and accept freelance pitches from writers with first-hand Alaska experience. The magazine pays top-tier rates for regional writing.

Pay: $0.50–$1.50 per word; features typically pay $400–$1,500

Find them here: Find them here

Pros:

• Top-tier pay rates in regional writing.
• Prestigious byline in Alaska-focused writing.
• Beautiful print publication with high production values.

Cons:

• Limited to Alaska-focused content.
• Requires first-hand regional experience.
• Competitive — many pitches per slot.

Beginner-Friendly Freelance Writing Platforms

If the platforms above feel too dependent on building an audience or winning a contest, freelance marketplaces are the alternative: you pitch on individual client projects and get paid per job. These platforms are where most professional freelancers cut their teeth, and while the rates can be low at the entry level, the experience and client relationships you build here can launch a real career.

Upwork: The Largest Freelance Marketplace in the World

Formed in 2015 from the merger of oDesk and Elance, Upwork is the largest freelance marketplace in the world, connecting over 18 million freelancers with roughly 850,000 clients across 180+ countries. The platform handles everything from short content writing gigs to long-term retainer relationships with enterprise clients. Upwork’s sheer scale means there is almost always work available — the question is whether you can stand out from the global competition and climb the platform’s reputation ladder.

Upwork is beginner-friendly in the sense that anyone can create a profile and start bidding on jobs immediately, but it is also where many new freelancers burn out from competing on price with writers in lower-cost-of-living countries. The trick is to use Upwork’s reputation system to your advantage: a few 5-star reviews dramatically increase your visibility and let you charge premium rates within months.

Official site: Upwork

How Upwork Works

• Clients post jobs (fixed-price or hourly). You submit proposals with a cover letter, rate, and portfolio.
• Upwork charges a sliding service fee: 10% on the first $500 with a client, then 5% from $500.01–$10,000, then 3% above $10,000. Long-term clients cost you less in fees.
• Hourly contracts are protected by Upwork’s Work Diary (which tracks your screen activity). Fixed-price contracts use escrow, so funds are released when milestones are approved.
• Payment arrives via direct deposit, PayPal, Payoneer, or wire transfer. First payments are held for 5 days; subsequent payments arrive more quickly.

Realistic earnings: Realistic beginner earnings are $15–$30 per hour or $50–$150 per article. After 10–20 successful contracts and 4+ star reviews, rates typically climb to $40–$80 per hour or $200–$500 per article. Top-rated freelancers with niche specialties regularly bill $100+ per hour.

The Bottom Line

Upwork is the best all-around marketplace for freelancers who want predictable project-based work. The competition is fierce at the entry level, but the platform’s reputation system rewards consistency. Treat your first 10 contracts as reputation-building, not income-building, and you will set yourself up for higher rates later.

Pros:

• Largest client pool of any freelance marketplace — 850K+ active clients.
• Escrow protection on fixed-price jobs means you get paid for completed work.
• Reputation system (Job Success Score, Top Rated badge) rewards quality work.
• Multiple payment methods including direct deposit and PayPal.
• Sliding fee scale rewards long-term client relationships.

Cons:

• 10% service fee on the first $500 with each new client is steep.
• Global competition drives down entry-level rates.
• You have to spend Connects (paid credits) to submit proposals.
• Profile approval can take days for new freelancers, and the platform periodically pauses accounts for inactivity.

Fiverr: The Gig Economy Marketplace for Writers

Founded in 2010 in Tel Aviv by Micha Kaufman and Shai Wininger, Fiverr pioneered the “gig economy” model for freelance services — instead of bidding on client jobs, you create packaged service offerings (“gigs”) and clients come to you. Fiverr went public on the NYSE in 2019 and now hosts millions of gigs across 500+ categories, with over 4 million active buyers. The platform is particularly popular for short-form writing services like blog posts, product descriptions, and email copy.

Fiverr is beginner-friendly in a different way than Upwork: instead of writing dozens of proposals, you create a polished gig listing once and let the platform’s search algorithm bring clients to you. The flip side is that Fiverr’s algorithm rewards sellers with reviews and order history, which means new sellers often have to price aggressively low to land their first few orders.

Official site: Fiverr

How Fiverr Works

• You create gig listings (e.g., “I will write a 500-word SEO blog post for $25”) with pricing tiers, samples, and FAQs.
• Clients search, find your gig, place an order, and Fiverr holds the payment in escrow until you deliver the work.
• Fiverr takes a 20% cut of every order — both from the buyer’s fee and your earnings.
• Payment arrives via PayPal, bank transfer, Fiverr Revenue Card, or direct deposit, with a 14-day clearing period for most orders.

Realistic earnings: Beginner sellers typically charge $5–$25 per gig to land first orders. Once you reach Level 1 (after 60 days and 10+ orders), rates can climb to $50–$200 per gig. Top-rated sellers in specialized niches (technical writing, sales copy) regularly charge $500–$2,000+ per gig.

The Bottom Line

Fiverr is the best marketplace for writers who want clients to come to them rather than chasing proposals. The platform’s algorithm favors sellers with reviews, so plan to invest 2–3 months of low-priced gigs to build momentum. Once you reach Level 1 or Level 2, Fiverr becomes a genuinely lucrative channel.

Pros:

• No proposals to write — clients find you through search.
• Escrow protection means payment is guaranteed on delivery.
• Gig packages let you upsell add-ons (faster delivery, extra revisions, longer content).
• Fiverr’s algorithm rewards sellers with strong reviews and order history.
• Multiple payment methods including PayPal and direct deposit.

Cons:

• 20% fee on every order is higher than Upwork’s sliding scale.
• 14-day clearing period for funds is slow.
• Algorithm rewards volume and reviews, making the first 10 orders difficult to land.
• Canceling orders hurts your seller metrics, even when the client is unreasonable.

Saeed’s Tip

Run all three marketplaces — Upwork, Fiverr, and Textbroker — in parallel for the first six months. Textbroker gives you guaranteed practice income, Upwork lets you build direct client relationships, and Fiverr lets you test packaged services at different price points. By month six, you will know which platform fits your style and where to focus your energy going forward.

How to Start: Get Your First Paid Writing Gig as a Beginner

Reading lists of paying markets is easy. Actually landing your first paid gig is the hard part. Here is a three-step process that has worked for hundreds of beginner writers I have mentored — it skips the useless “build a portfolio first” advice and gets you to your first dollar as fast as possible.

Step 1: Create Your “Instant” Portfolio

You do not need to wait for clients to publish you to have a portfolio. Write three sample articles right now on topics you actually care about — one long-form piece (1,500+ words), one listicle (“Top 10” format), and one personal essay. Publish them on Medium so they live at a real URL you can share. This is your “instant” portfolio. Clients and editors care about whether you can write, not whether someone has paid you to write. Three published Medium pieces give you something concrete to point to in every pitch.

Step 2: Start with the “Easiest Yes”

Begin with platforms that have the lowest barrier to entry — Medium (publish anything), Textbroker (claim jobs instantly), Listverse (submit a list), and Chicken Soup for the Soul (submit a story). Your goal in week one is not to earn big money. It is to earn your first dollar, see your name on a published piece, and prove to yourself that the system works. Once you have your first clip, every subsequent pitch becomes dramatically easier because you have a real byline to point to.

Step 3: Write a Simple, Professional Pitch (Use This Template)

Most beginner pitches fail because they are either too long (rambling life stories) or too short (“Hey, can I write for you?”). Use this template for magazine pitches:

• Subject line: “Pitch: [Working Headline] for [Publication Name]”
• Paragraph 1 — Hook: One sentence explaining why this story matters right now.
• Paragraph 2 — The Story: 2–3 sentences describing the angle, sources you will interview, and the rough word count.
• Paragraph 3 — Why You: One sentence on your relevant experience or expertise. Link to 1–2 relevant clips (your Medium pieces count).
• Paragraph 4 — Close: “Happy to send a draft on spec if you would like to see a sample. Thanks for considering.”

Keep the whole pitch under 200 words. Editors scan pitches in 10 seconds — if they cannot figure out what you are proposing in the first sentence, they delete. Your goal is to make their decision easy.

Please Don’t Submit AI-Written Content

With the rise of ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI writing tools, many beginners are tempted to generate articles and submit them to paying publications. Do not do this. Every publication on this list is actively screening for AI-generated content, and getting caught will get you permanently banned from the publication and often from the broader freelance writing community.

Beyond the ethical and policy issues, AI-generated content is genuinely bad for your career. The whole point of writing for these publications is to build a portfolio that demonstrates your unique voice and thinking. If you outsource that to an AI, you are not building anything — you are just renting a byline until you get caught.

The legitimate use of AI in freelance writing is for research and brainstorming: generating interview questions, summarizing source material, or outlining a structure. The actual writing should be yours. Editors can tell the difference, and the ones who cannot will figure it out when your submitted piece reads like every other AI-generated article they rejected this week.

How Much Should I Charge? A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Rates

Pricing is one of the hardest parts of freelance writing, especially in your first year. Charge too little and you will burn out working for peanuts. Charge too much and you will lose every pitch to more experienced writers. Here is a practical framework for setting your rates as a beginner.

For your first 5–10 paid gigs, do not worry about rates — take whatever reasonable offer comes in. Your goal is to build clips and confidence, not income. Once you have 5–10 published pieces, you can start pricing strategically.

A simple rule of thumb: take your target hourly income and divide by 4 to get your per-word rate. If you want to earn $40/hour, charge $0.10/word (a 1,000-word article takes roughly 4 hours to research, write, and revise). If you want $80/hour, charge $0.20/word. This formula keeps you honest about how long writing actually takes.

When a client asks your rate, never say “whatever you think is fair.” Always quote a specific number — even if it is a number you just made up. Clients respect writers who know their value, and a specific number anchors the negotiation. You can always negotiate down, but you can almost never negotiate up from “I’m flexible.”

• Beginner (0–10 clips): $0.05–$0.10/word or $25–$75/hour
• Intermediate (10–50 clips): $0.10–$0.25/word or $50–$125/hour
• Experienced (50+ clips, niche expertise): $0.25–$1.00/word or $100–$300/hour
• Top-tier (regular bylines in major outlets): $1.00–$3.00+/word or $250–$500+/hour

The Long Money Toolkit: 5 Must-Have Free Resources

You do not need expensive software to start freelance writing. These five free tools cover 90 percent of what a working freelancer needs. Add them to your workflow in your first week and you will save yourself hundreds of hours over the course of your career.

• Grammarly (https://www.grammarly.com/free) — Free spelling, grammar, and tone checker that integrates with browsers, Google Docs, and most web editors. The free version catches the errors that slip past Word’s spellcheck.
• Google Docs — Free word processor with commenting, version history, and real-time collaboration. Most editors expect drafts in Google Docs, not Word or PDF.
• Trello (https://trello.com/) — Free Kanban board for tracking pitches, drafts, and published pieces. A simple Trello board with columns for “Pitching,” “Drafting,” “In Review,” and “Published” will keep your freelance pipeline visible.
• PayPal Invoicing (https://www.paypal.com/us/business/accept-payments/invoice) — Free invoicing for clients who pay via PayPal. Most international clients prefer PayPal, and the invoicing tool tracks unpaid invoices automatically.
• Notion or Obsidian — Free note-taking and knowledge management tools. Use one of them to store pitch ideas, research notes, and a swipe file of headlines and structures that work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get paid to write with no experience?

Yes — every platform on the “Top Sites” list (Medium, Vocal, Textbroker, Substack, NewsBreak, Ko-fi, Patreon, Upwork, Fiverr) accepts writers with zero prior experience. The barrier to entry is essentially zero. The catch is that your first few pieces will earn very little, and you should expect 3–6 months of low earnings while you build an audience, a portfolio, or a client base. The writers who succeed long-term are the ones who treat the first six months as an investment, not as a measure of their earning ceiling.

How much can I realistically earn in my first year?

Realistically, a part-time beginner (10–15 hours per week) can earn $200–$1,000 per month within the first six months, scaling to $1,000–$3,000 per month by month 12. Full-time beginners who treat this as a real business can earn $2,000–$5,000 per month by the end of year one. These numbers assume you publish consistently, pitch actively, and gradually raise your rates as your portfolio grows. Writers who try to skip the audience-building or portfolio-building phase typically plateau at $200–$500 per month indefinitely.

Do I need a niche to succeed?

Not immediately, but yes within your first year. Generalist writers compete on price, which drives rates down. Niche writers compete on expertise, which drives rates up. The fastest path to higher earnings is to develop a specialty — “I write about fintech for SaaS startups,” “I write about parenting for millennial moms,” or “I write about outdoor adventure for backpackers.” A clear niche also makes pitching easier, because you can build relationships with a small set of editors who cover your topic.

Should I write for free to build my portfolio?

Generally, no — writing for free devalues your work and trains you to accept low pay. The exception is publishing on Medium or your own blog, which costs you nothing and gives you a real URL to share with editors. Beyond that, every publication on this list pays something, even if it is only $25. If a publication asks you to write for “exposure” or “to build your portfolio,” politely decline and pitch one of the hundreds of publications that pay real money. The exposure myth is how beginners get exploited.

What if I live outside the U.S.?

Most of the platforms on this list pay through Stripe or PayPal. Stripe is available in 46 countries as of 2025 — if you live in a Stripe-supported country, you can use Medium, Substack, and Vocal. PayPal is available in over 200 countries and supports most of the other platforms. The main platforms with geographic restrictions are NewsBreak (U.S. only) and Textbroker (limited countries for the U.S. version, though Textbroker has separate EU and UK versions). For pitching U.S. magazines directly, your location matters less than your ability to write in fluent American English.

Final Thoughts: Your Writing Career Starts Today

If you have read this far, you have everything you need to land your first paid writing gig this week. The platforms are listed, the rates are documented, the pros and cons are honest, and the pitch template is ready to copy. The only thing standing between you and your first dollar is the act of actually writing something and submitting it.

The writers who succeed are not the most talented ones. They are the ones who publish consistently, pitch regularly, and treat rejection as data rather than as a verdict. Every “no” from an editor teaches you something about what that editor wants. Every published piece — even a $25 Listverse list — adds to a portfolio that makes the next pitch easier.

Pick one platform from the “Top Sites” list today. Medium is the easiest starting point. Publish your first piece this week. Pitch one magazine from the directory next week. Land your first paying client on Upwork or Fiverr the week after. By the end of month one, you will have a published piece, a real byline, and a much clearer sense of which kind of writing fits you best. That is how every successful freelance writing career begins — including mine.

Good luck. The world needs more good writers, and the internet finally has the infrastructure to pay you for being one.

All Sites at a Glance

Every platform and publication covered in this Long Money guide, in one quick-reference table. Click “Visit Website” to jump straight to each site’s submission or signup page.

#	Site Name	Visit Website
1	Medium The Easiest Way to Get Paid to Write Online as a Beginner	Visit Website →
2	Vocal.media Your Shot at Big Creative Writing Jobs and Cash Prizes	Visit Website →
3	Textbroker The Classic Content Mill for Entry-Level Writing Jobs	Visit Website →
4	Scripted The Platform for Vetted, High-Quality Copywriters	Visit Website →
5	Substack The Highest Long-Term Earning Potential	Visit Website →
6	NewsBreak The Fastest Way to Viral Local Traffic	Visit Website →
7	Ko-fi & Patreon The Essential Direct Support Tools	Visit Website →
8	International Living Living, retiring & investing abroad	Visit Website →
9	Travel + Leisure Magazine Top-tier consumer travel magazine	Visit Website →
10	ROVA Magazine Road trips & RV life	Visit Website →
11	Outpost Magazine Adventure travel from Canada	Visit Website →
12	Wanderlust Magazine UK-based global travel magazine	Visit Website →
13	Matador Network Massive online travel publication	Visit Website →
14	Practical Wanderlust Award-winning travel blog	Visit Website →
15	Alaska Airlines Magazine In-flight magazine for Alaska Airlines	Visit Website →
16	TravelAge West Travel industry trade publication	Visit Website →
17	Go World Travel Digital magazine covering 90+ countries	Visit Website →
18	Condé Nast Traveler Top-tier luxury travel magazine	Visit Website →
19	Indie Traveller Budget backpacking blog	Visit Website →
20	Hidden Compass Award-winning narrative travel magazine	Visit Website →
21	Perceptive Travel Award-winning online travel narrative magazine	Visit Website →
22	Yankee Magazine New England regional magazine	Visit Website →
23	Clarkesworld Magazine Hugo-winning sci-fi & fantasy magazine	Visit Website →
24	Asimov’s Science Fiction Legendary sci-fi magazine	Visit Website →
25	Analog Science Fiction and Fact Hard science fiction magazine	Visit Website →
26	Reactor (formerly Tor.com) Online magazine from Tor Books	Visit Website →
27	Apex Magazine Award-winning dark speculative fiction	Visit Website →
28	The New Yorker Prestigious literary magazine	Visit Website →
29	Harper’s Magazine Oldest general-interest monthly in the US	Visit Website →
30	The Sun Magazine Independent literary magazine	Visit Website →
31	The Threepenny Review Literary and cultural quarterly	Visit Website →
32	One Story Single-story literary magazine	Visit Website →
33	SmokeLong Quarterly Flash fiction magazine	Visit Website →
34	Vibrant Life Adventist health & lifestyle magazine	Visit Website →
35	The War Cry Salvation Army magazine	Visit Website →
36	Guideposts Inspirational Christian magazine	Visit Website →
37	Chicken Soup for the Soul Inspirational story anthology	Visit Website →
38	AARP The Magazine Largest-circulation magazine in the US	Visit Website →
39	Wired Technology & culture magazine	Visit Website →
40	Bon Appétit Food & cooking magazine	Visit Website →
41	The Christian Science Monitor International news daily	Visit Website →
42	High Country News Western US environmental magazine	Visit Website →
43	The Nation Progressive political magazine	Visit Website →
44	Politico Magazine Political journalism magazine	Visit Website →
45	The American Conservative Conservative magazine	Visit Website →
46	The Progressive Progressive political magazine	Visit Website →
47	Dissent Magazine Left-wing political magazine	Visit Website →
48	The Drift Emerging cultural & political magazine	Visit Website →
49	Waging Nonviolence Social movement magazine	Visit Website →
50	Business Insider Business news publication	Visit Website →
51	The New Republic Political & cultural magazine	Visit Website →
52	DAME Magazine Feminist magazine	Visit Website →
53	Rest of World Global tech & culture magazine	Visit Website →
54	Salon Online culture & politics magazine	Visit Website →
55	CBR (Comic Book Resources) Comics & pop culture site	Visit Website →
56	Cineaste Magazine Film criticism magazine	Visit Website →
57	Anime Feminist Anime & feminist criticism site	Visit Website →
58	BuzzFeed Viral content & culture site	Visit Website →
59	Listverse List-based content site	Visit Website →
60	Reader’s Digest General interest magazine with humor section	Visit Website →
61	McSweeney’s Internet Tendency Literary humor site	Visit Website →
62	Weekly Humorist Online humor magazine	Visit Website →
63	Points in Case Humor & satire site	Visit Website →
64	The Funny Times Print humor magazine	Visit Website →
65	Defenestration Magazine Literary humor magazine	Visit Website →
66	Chortle UK comedy news & reviews site	Visit Website →
67	Oatmeal Studios Humor card & gift company	Visit Website →
68	The Hechinger Report Education journalism nonprofit	Visit Website →
69	We Are Teachers Teacher community & advice site	Visit Website →
70	The Chronicle of Higher Education Higher education trade publication	Visit Website →
71	Back2College Adult education resource site	Visit Website →
72	Early Impact Learning Early childhood education site	Visit Website →
73	The Quiet Hour (David C Cook) Devotional magazine	Visit Website →
74	Guideposts (Faith Section) Inspirational Christian magazine	Visit Website →
75	The Christian Citizen Faith & public life magazine	Visit Website →
76	Faith & Leadership Christian leadership magazine	Visit Website →
77	Busted Halo Catholic young adult magazine	Visit Website →
78	The Motley Fool Investing & personal finance site	Visit Website →
79	Budget101 Frugal living community site	Visit Website →
80	Unemploymentville Career & unemployment site	Visit Website →
81	Today’s Parent Canadian parenting magazine	Visit Website →
82	Her View From Home Motherhood & family site	Visit Website →
83	Raising Arizona Kids Arizona regional parenting magazine	Visit Website →
84	Practical Homeschooling Magazine Homeschooling magazine	Visit Website →
85	The New York Times: Modern Love Personal essay column	Visit Website →
86	The L.A. Times: L.A. Affairs Personal essay column	Visit Website →
87	Italian America Magazine Italian-American cultural magazine	Visit Website →
88	Girls’ Life Magazine Tween & teen girl magazine	Visit Website →
89	Well+Good Wellness lifestyle site	Visit Website →
90	Organic Lifestyle Magazine Sustainable living magazine	Visit Website →
91	U.S. Kids Magazines (Jack and Jill & Humpty Dumpty) Children’s magazines	Visit Website →
92	Boys’ Quest Magazine Boys’ adventure magazine	Visit Website →
93	A List Apart Web design & development magazine	Visit Website →
94	Smashing Magazine Web design & development magazine	Visit Website →
95	DigitalOcean Developer tutorial site	Visit Website →
96	SitePoint Web development tutorial site	Visit Website →
97	Howlround Theater & performance magazine	Visit Website →
98	Western Art & Architecture Western art & architecture magazine	Visit Website →
99	Popular Woodworking Woodworking magazine	Visit Website →
100	Ceramics Monthly Ceramics & pottery magazine	Visit Website →
101	The American Gardener American Horticultural Society magazine	Visit Website →
102	Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Maine coastal magazine	Visit Website →
103	Backpacker Magazine Hiking & backpacking magazine	Visit Website →
104	WoodenBoat Magazine Wooden boat building & sailing	Visit Website →
105	Paddling Magazine (formerly Canoe & Kayak) Paddlesports magazine	Visit Website →
106	Gray’s Sporting Journal Literary hunting & fishing magazine	Visit Website →
107	Sport Fishing Magazine Sport fishing magazine	Visit Website →
108	Blade Magazine Knives & edged tools magazine	Visit Website →
109	The Chronicle of the Horse Equestrian magazine	Visit Website →
110	Hoof Beats Magazine Harness racing magazine	Visit Website →
111	BirdWatching Daily Magazine Birdwatching magazine	Visit Website →
112	Kung Fu Magazine Martial arts magazine	Visit Website →
113	1859 Oregon’s Magazine Oregon regional magazine	Visit Website →
114	Colorado Life Magazine Colorado regional magazine	Visit Website →
115	South Carolina Living South Carolina regional magazine	Visit Website →
116	New Mexico Magazine New Mexico regional magazine	Visit Website →
117	Alaska Magazine Alaska regional magazine	Visit Website →
118	Upwork The Largest Freelance Marketplace in the World	Visit Website →
119	Fiverr The Gig Economy Marketplace for Writers	Visit Website →

Total sites covered: 119 · Curated by Long Money