Dreaming of journalism work, but lamenting the fact very few places hire in-house journalists anymore?
Time to go freelance and get paid for your writing.
Plenty of publications still value the contributions of journalists and pay well for their writing. Here are 12 places that pay (well) for news, politics, and generic writing.
Please note that rates of pay are in US Dollars unless otherwise indicated. Rates are accurate as of this writing.
1. Huck
Huck wants commentary on current news, travel diaries, and more. Reports indicate they pay $.13 to $.24 per word. Send ideas, not completed stories, and be sure to check the writer’s guidelines prior to pitching.
2. The Nation
The Nation is a weekly journal that shares leftist/liberal opinion. They want international news, national news, and articles on the arts. Reports indicate they pay on average $.19 per word. Be sure to read the writer’s guidelines prior to pitching.
3. Overland
Overland is an Australian publication (both print and digital) that seeks thoughtful, provocative and argumentative articles. They’re looking for pieces that will provoke discussion and debate, and there are various verticals as well as themed submissions, so be sure to check the writer’s guidelines for more info.
They pay AUD$120 for 600-800 words published in the online magazine. For their print magazine, they pay $500 for nonfiction and $150 for poetry.
4.Harper’s Magazine
Harper’s Magazine looks for “unique perspective on politics, society, the environment, and culture.” Submit queries and manuscript via mail only.
Nonfiction must be queries; fiction must be manuscripts. Don’t forget a SASE. Get all the details here. Reports suggest they pay $.25 to $1.00 per word.
5. Bless This List
* October 2020 Update: Bless This List’s website is 404’ing. A Facebook page is still up but has not been updated since 2016.
Love interesting listicles that look at “normal” things in an unusual way? Write your 1,500-word, 10-item list and submit to Bless This List. If they decide to publish it, you get $100. Read the very detailed guidelines before submitting.
6. Rooted in Rights
Are you a disabled person who wants to write about disability? Stop slaving for The Mighty and write for a publication that values your contributions enough to pay for them.
Rooted in Rights wants to see voices from the disabled writing about disability issues, and they pay a minimum of $100. Be sure to read the submission guidelines prior to pitching.
7. The Outline
The Outline wants articles that delve into how culture, power, and technology interact and affect our world. Reports indicate they pay up to $.50 per word. See writer’s guidelines here.
8. Ozy
Ozy is a news site dedicated to what they call the “change generation”—people living outside the status quo. Reports indicate they pay up to .48 per word. Check the guidelines here.
9. Hack the Union
Hack the Union wants interviews and narratives about people who are working to change the economy and make it more equal. They pay $75 for 2,000 words or fewer. Be sure to read the guidelines before submitting.
10. Vice
Vice is a news-oriented site with various verticals, including politics, drugs, entertainment, LGBTQ, Opinion, Photos, and Sports. Reports indicate they pay up to $.22 per word. Be sure to read the writer’s guidelines prior to pitching.
11. The Counter
The Counter is a digital publication interested in articles about how food affects society and the economy. Reports indicate they pay up to $500. Check out the guidelines here.
12. The Avery Review
The Avery Review focuses on architectural media, and wants reviews of books, buildings, or other related topics. They pay $400 for 2,000-4,000 words. Check out the writer’s guidelines before pitching.
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You are very correct, writers don’t need to niche before they can be successful,they only need to work hard with full reliance on God