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I came across this post from the Maltese Tiger via Don Massenzio’s blog. At first, I wanted to reblog the original post. However, there was no obvious way of doing so, and reblogging Don’s post would make you jump through hoops. After some head-scratching, I decided to post a lightly edited version here with links to the original post, also including my own links.
So, from the Smithsonian Magazine to Playboy, here are thirty websites that will pay you for your writing:
SelfPublishing
SelfPublishing.com is always looking for writers to guest post on their site. With a starting rate of $150 per article, this could well be your very first stop if you’re looking for ways to monetize your writing talent!
Get Abstract
Getabstract is looking for writers who can write summaries of popular non-fiction texts. If you’ve got a knack for distilling big chunks of information into bite-size pieces, then you might want to check them out. Follow the link below to submit an application to their editors. It’ll take about ten days for them to get back to you, but if you’re chosen you can start to accept open assignments as a member of their freelance writers’ pool.
Book Browse
Do you love to read? Were you the one child who also loved writing book reports in middle school? Then BookBrowse might be the place for you. Their writers review, on average, one book a month and receive a modest payment plus a byline. The best part is that you get to choose the books you’ll review.
Interested? Check them out:
Listverse
Listverse’s rules are simple. Write a list article that focuses on a novel or quirky subject. A title, currently, on their landing page is, “10 Terrifying Facts About Organ Trafficking.”
If you think you’ve got a winning idea, then send it to them. If they like it they’ll pay you $100!
New York Observer
What is the Observer looking for? In their own words,
“Observer offers a sophisticated readership of metropolitan professionals an original take on the latest in news, culture, politics, and luxury, bringing its irreverent sensibility to a national audience.”
Paste
Paste is a website that publishes on a wide variety of subjects like TV, Comedy, Music, Comic, Politics, Tech, Books, etc. That’s a plethora of opportunities for you to write about your passion, and show everyone what a true nerd you are. Their editors can be reached through the link below:
Playboy
Believe it or not, but some people actually do read Playboy for the articles. In fact, over the last sixty years, the magazine has published short stories and articles from famous authors like Ray Bradbury, Norman Mailer, and Stephen King! They’re always looking for articles on the subjects of sex (obviously), culture, politics, and entertainment. And they pay up to $350 for 1000 words. That will put some gifts in those stockings!
Got an idea you want to pitch them? Email Joe Donatelli, Sex and Culture Editor, at jdonatelli@playboy.com
Vice
You know Vice, it’s like CNN but run by hipsters. Actually, it’s a very serious news outlet, and they are open to unsolicited submissions. Do believe that deep down you were always meant to be a hard-hitting journalist? Do you have an idea for a story?
- Email their editors at editor@vice.com
- They also accept photo submissions at photoeditor@vice.com
- And, video submissions at videosubmissions@vice.com
Smithsonian Magazine
Here’s another established name in publishing that will accept unsolicited submissions from freelance writers, like you! They even have an easy to use a web form that makes the submission process a breeze. One caveat: they require three published clips, and they want links to your work.
Submit to Smithsonian Magazine
Ozy.com
Ozy is a news site that covers just about any subject you can hope to write about. From music to podcasts to the latest fashion trends, it shouldn’t take you long to come up with an idea to pitch. Hell, you may already have an article written for them.
The Establishment
What are they looking for? I’ll let their editors tell you:
“your articulate and well-researched musings on Mesopotamian dinosaurs, the politics of denim, the unexpected relationship between neo-conservatism and feminism, adolescent self-discovery, unlikely animal friendships, sploshing, the plight of restorative justice told through a graphic novel, the sordid history of the salt trade, racial disparity in the criminal justice system, the latest congressional health care death match . . . or anything in between?”
Got anything that fits that category? Submit to The Establishment
Narratively
A website devoted to telling original “human” stories, as they put it. The great thing about Narratively is they will publish all different formats such as, “writing to short documentary films, photo essays, audio stories, and comics journalism.”
Vox First Person
Vox.com is a very popular news blog that is looking for writers to help explain today’s top stories. If you have an expertise in a current news story they will pay you for an explainer article.
Earth Island Journal
This website is dedicated to the environment. They are looking for stories that tackle environmental concerns that are on the horizon. Sound interesting? Check them out.
Submit to Earth Island Journal
Matador
What kind of writer is Matador looking for? Fearless travelers and global citizens. You can join their Creators Community and start pitching articles to their editors, or you can use their marketplace to search for other paying gigs!
Write Naked
Write a guest post for Write Naked and make up to 75 dollars! Write Naked is a blog started by freelance writer Tara Lynn Groth. They’re looking for articles about all the different aspects of professional writing. Shouldn’t be too hard to come up with a query!
Cracked
A humor blog, Cracked focuses on articles with titles like “5 Celebrities who (insert click-bait here). If you’re into that sort of thing you can submit to them by signing up for the Cracked Writers Forum:
On Text
On Text is a blog focusing on resources for indie writers looking to get published They accept queries for guest posts but beware their website is difficult to navigate. Visit them here:
iWorkwell
Are you a teacher at heart? Do you have a gift for explaining things? Then you should check out iWorkwell. They’re looking for authors to write and edit instructional articles. You can make up to $195, and even get an author bio on their page.
Mental Floss
What do they want? Fun, shareable content. Do you write about pop culture, or financial advice, or interesting life hacks? Then it’s time to get paid for those articles!
The Progressive
Where my freelance journalists at? Because this is the site for you! The progressive publishes investigative reporting and pieces on current events. They’ll also accept poetry.
Upworthy
Surprising. Meaningful. Visual. Shareable. And above all short! Upworthy likes articles of about 500 words that will help them create a better world. Too vague? Then go to their website for more information.
Essig Magazine
This is not, I repeat not, a website for E-cig enthusiasts. What Essig is looking for are your personal stories of hardship. If you have an experience you’d like to share this might be a great place to start.
Dorkly
Dorkly wants dork stuff. Disney, Anime, Game of Thrones. Articles in the form of lists with a healthy dose of pop culture. You get the gist. Oh, and they take pictures too!
Refinery 29
R29 is currently looking for writers who fit into the following categories:
- A beauty obsessive living in South Korea
- Extreme bargain shoppers
- College students
If you’re one of those three you may want to contact them.
College Humor
Are you funny? Then it’s time to make that money. College Humor is one of the biggest comedy sites on the internet. Stop wasting your clever barbs on Twitter and pitch them an idea!
Mashable
Mashable is looking for news articles. They write about social and digital media, technology, and web culture. Started in 2005, they’ve become one of the most successful blogs on the internet. A great place to get your name out there!
ThoughtCo
Their mission is to help people on the journey of lifelong learning. They like in-depth articles about science, history, religion, and math. If you have a passion for one of these subjects, then they want to hear from you!
Cosmopolitan
Everyone has heard about Cosmo. If you’re not a subscriber you’ve at least thumbed through a copy in line at the grocery store. They’re a huge brand and a great place to be published. Why not send them your latest personal essay?
Author Magazine
Author Magazine wants to pay writers to write about writing! Can it get any easier? Imagine my shock when I learned there was a website that paid for how-to articles that focus on writing… Guess I’ll shut this website down. Just kidding! I love writing for free…
Many thanks to Don Massenzio for alerting me to this post. Be sure to visit the Maltese Tiger if you liked this article and check out some more great articles like, How to End a Story, or Creating an Anti-Hero.
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Thanks for this Nicholas 🙂
Thank you, Debby! I wish you best of luck if you decide to try your luck with any of these 🙂
Bookmarked. Thanks, Nicholas!
Yay! Thank you, Sue. I hope you find it useful 🙂
Thanks very much for this, Nicholas. I have bookmarked it, for later careful study. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I hope you find it useful, Pete! There are some unexpected ones there for sure 🙂