Do you love to write but don’t know where to find work as a freelancer? Whether you’re a beginner, a college student wanting to earn a little extra spending money, a stay-at-home mom who needs a creative outlet, or someone who is looking for a career change, you could be writing for magazines.
There are publications in every niche all over the world that pay freelance writers for their work.
Check out this list of 15 online and print magazines, and start pitching today from the comfort of your home.
Popular Parenting Magazines That Pay Freelance Writers
1. Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family has an ongoing list of submission topics that they are currently accepting. At this time of writing, topics included topics like Back to School with a Twist and Adjusting to No Schedule Days. Check out this page for submission calls.
- Article length: 50-300 words, 400-500 words, and 800-1,200 words
- Pay: $50, $125, and $375 respectively upon acceptance
2. Her View From Home
Her View From Home is an online magazine that has over 1,000 contributors on its site but welcomes new writers. Articles are personal and written from the heart, with topics focusing on motherhood, marriage, kids, faith, grief, and living. Read their submission guidelines.
- Article length: 600-800 words or less
- Pay: Based on the number of unique page views your article receives within 30 days of publication
3. Mother.ly
Motherly stories are first-person insights into motherhood to inspire other moms, provide hope, and reassure them that many others share their experiences. It’s a non-judgemental, inclusive space. They are also looking for expert columnists if you are one of their listed experts. See their submission guidelines.
- Article length: 700-900 words
- Pay: Writers earn $50 per article after publishing two posts ‘to ensure the writer’s voice and style aligns with Motherly’s voice and style’
Top Business and Finance Magazines That Pay Freelance Writers
4. IncomeDiary
If you’re an expert at creating awesome websites, social media, driving traffic, or making money online, IncomeDiary would love to hear from you. Your article needs to be engaging and of the highest standard to be published. You can subscribe for paid writing jobs so that you’re notified when opportunities arise. Submit your article here.
- Article length: Minimum of 1,500 words
- Pay: Up to $200
5. BC Business Magazine
Focusing on business in British Columbia, BC Business Magazine is looking out for stories on the issues, trends, and people shaping BC companies. If you have an engaging writing style and would like to get an article in front of their 6 million readers, see their writer’s guidelines for more information.
- Article length: Features vary from 2,000-3,500 words
- Pay: Rates vary depending on standard and writer’s experience
6. Success Magazine
Offering advice on best business practices and helping people (in particular, entrepreneurs) gain more control over their personal and financial situation, this magazine is seeking pieces on admirable self-made business owners. For your first pitch, send them a 300-word article following their submission guidelines.
- Article length: 300 words initially
- Pay: $0.50 per word
Great Food and Drink Magazines That Pay Freelance Writers
7. Eating Well
For those of you who enjoy cooking delicious and nutritious food, why not write for a popular publication with over 1 million readers. If you can write about nutrition or recipes in a journalistic and authoritative voice, Eating Well would love to hear from you. Familiarize yourself with their writers’ guidelines.
- Article length: Unspecified
- Pay: Up to $1 per word
8. Extra Crispy
A site more than a magazine, Extra Crispy is big on breakfast and looking for “opinion pieces, reported stories, personal essays, works of humor, illustrated narratives, breakfast-y profiles of people, original recipes, how-tos, and unusual points of view on the beloved morning meal we all love.” Here’s how to pitch Extra Crispy.
- Article length: 800-1,000 words
- Pay: Approximately $0.47 per word
9. Saveur
Do you have some amazing stories about food and travel you’d like to share with the world? This loved and well-known magazine is the global guide to cooking, entertaining, and food travel. Follow its guidelines for submitting stories, with links to your past work if possible.
- Article length: Unspecified
- Pay: Up to $1 per word, varies whether published in print or on the website
Top Health and Fitness Magazines That Pay Freelance Writers
10. Healthy Living Magazine
Covering a full spectrum of health, wellness, beauty, and parenting content, this popular magazine usually has a quick turnaround time. You can expect to hear back from the editors within six days of submitting your full article. Check out their submission guidelines.
- Article length: Ranging from 450-3,000 words
- Pay: $150 per article
11. Vibrant Life
Vibrant Life is a bimonthly lifestyle publication that focuses on physical and mental wellbeing and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective. The tone should be informal, easy-to-read, and engaging with a person-centered approach. Submit your completed articles ready for publication, following their submission guidelines.
- Article length: Short articles of 450-650 words are always in demand
- Pay: Ranging between $100-$300 based on quality, accuracy, and relevance
12. Whole Life Times
This publication is always searching for writers and is open to stories on “holistic and integrative health, alternative healing, green living, sustainability and organic food, yoga, spirituality and personal growth, social responsibility, conscious business, and the environment.” The magazine is local to Southern California, but if your topic is broad, include local sources or angles. See their writer guidelines.
- Article length: 800-1,000 words
- Pay: Ranges from $75-$150
Best Magazines That Pay Personal Essay Freelance Writers
13. Buzzfeed
Buzzfeed READER is Buzzfeed News’ home for cultural criticism, personal essays, fiction, and poetry. Their editors welcome personal or critical essays with a strong voice on any topic that’s fresh and meaningful. See if you’re a good fit and find out how to pitch your piece.
- Article length: 1,500-2,500 words for personal essays
- Pay: Competitive rates
14. New York Times
New York Times accepts opinion essays on any topic for their daily print and online page, the Sunday Review, the International edition, and other themed series. All submissions must be original, well-written, with a fact-based viewpoint. Read how to submit an op-ed essay.
- Article length: 400-1,200 words
- Pay: Up to $300 per published article
15. Slice
This magazine is looking for submissions for short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from writers with a fresh voice and compelling story to share. The great thing about Slice is that they use the space to publish emerging and established writers side-by-side. Each issue has a theme, so they look for work that plays off that theme. Find out more from their submission guidelines.
- Article length: 5,000 words maximum
- Pay: $400 for stories and essays
Conclusion
There you have it – 15 magazines in five writing niches that pay freelance writers (and pay them well!), but there are so many more to be found globally. Any topic you can think of most likely publishes a print or digital magazine, so just keep searching.
Need help writing your pitch? Check out this blog post for some helpful tips.
