Reading time: Less than one minute
This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss a blog post about magazines that pay writers….
If you’re a freelance writer desperate to make a little more money, check out a recent post by blogger Elna Cain.
Under the headline, “The Giant List of Magazines That Pay Writers,” Cain lists 43 magazines that pay cash to writers. (Although I quibble with her claim they pay “big bucks.” In what strange alternative universe is $75 “big bucks” for 1,250 words, the rate offered by Transitions Abroad magazine? That’s only six cents a word, the kind of rate that might have been regarded as big bucks in 1963.)
That said, her list is quite useful, covering a broad range of categories, including popular magazines in the following subject areas
- Travel
- Outdoors
- Parenting
- Food & Drink
- History
- Religion
- Personal essay
- Health & Fitness
- Internet of Things
- News
Each blurb gives guidelines to the length of article accepted and to the expected rate of pay. She also notes where they might be looking for photographs, as well.
As Cain puts it: “Whether you’re a stay at home mom wanting to flex your writing muscles, or a workaholic that wants to try something creative or the college student that doesn’t want to be in debt for most of your twenty’s, why not try these magazines that pay?”
Writing for free — or for tearsheets — is fine when you’re anxious to build your portfolio. But once you have some experience under your belt, you deserve to make money for the real work that you’re doing.