30 Sites that Pay Writers

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Finding work as a freelance writing can, sometimes, be the hardest part of the job. This list will make that arduous task a little bit easier. But, there are a whole lot of amazing resources for online writers who are looking for work.

Curated job boards are a terrific way to find employers looking for a writer with exactly your skill set. And, one of the best job boards I’ve found is SolidGigs.  

SolidGigs is a subscription-based job board that combs dozens of job boards and provide users with the top 1% of jobs they find on those boards. They also provide online courses on things like sales, pitching, and client acquisition.

If you want to check out all their awesome features, SolidGigs provides a 30-day trial for only $2. 

Here are thirty websites that will pay you for your writing.

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.
Submit to Get Abstract  


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:

Submit to Book Browse

Listverse

Listverse is a site that I’ve written for before. Their 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 type it up and send it to them. If they like it they’ll pay you $100!

Submit to Listverse

New York Observer

What is the Observer looking for? I’ll let them tell you:
“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.”
Needless to say, I’ve never written anything for this publication. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t. Send them a query!

Submit to New York Observer

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.

Submit to Paste Magazine

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 in Greenbacks, baby! 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.

Submit to Ozy

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? (I sure as hell don’t)
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.”

Submit to Narratively

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.

Submit to Vox

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!

Submit to Matador

Write Naked

Write a guest post for Write Naked and make upto 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!

Submit to Write Naked

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:

Submit to Cracked

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 to here:

Submit to On Text

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.

Submit to iWorkwell

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! Send them over to Mental Floss.

Submit to Mental Floss

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.

Submit to The Progressive  

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.

Submit to Upworthy

Essig Magazine

This is not, I repeat not, a website for E-cig enthusiasts. So take your reviews of vape juice elsewhere. 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.

Submit to Essig Magazine

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!

Submit to Dorkly

Refinery 29

R29 is currently looking for writers who fit into to 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.  

Submit to Refinery 29

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!

Submit to College Humor

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!

Submit to Mashable

ThoughtCo

Their mission is to help people on the journey of lifelong learning. They like in-depth articles about science, history, religion, and math. You if have a passion for one of these subjects then they want to hear from you!

Submit to ThoughtCo

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?

Submit to Cosmo

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…

Submit to Author Magazine

So, there are thirty websites that begging you to write for them! Go out there and take their money!

New Reach Agency 

An SEO agency looking to hire expert writers in a variety of industries and would love to be featured on your list to help them easily find out about our opportunity!

Submit to New Reach 

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11 comments on “30 Sites that Pay Writers”

  1. Hi there. Now following you. I am a writer living in the UK. Do you think that the folk you mention on this list will consider submissions outside the United States ? Chris.

    1. Thanks for the follow, Chris! I’m certain that most of these sites would accept submissions from outside of the US. I didn’t see that restriction during my research. Check the “writers guidelines” page of the site you’re interested to be sure. Thanks again!

    1. Hey Oriana,

      I’m glad you found it helpful! I’ve had success with Listverse. They pay pretty quick. $100 for an article. Also, if you have an expertise or background in a certain industry look for places that might want articles on that subject.

      A lot of freelancers write exclusively within an industry like healthcare, real estate, finance. Use your background and experience to get ideas on where to start pitching.

      Hell, I know bloggers that only write about knitting! Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but that just shows it can be as simple as writing about a hobby.

      Good luck, and let me know how your search goes!

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