This is a directory of paying freelance writer's markets. You can browse the writer's markets by category below or search if you're looking for something specific. All markets included in this directory are paying markets. Payment details are included in summaries where possible.
What are you waiting for? Find new writers' markets to pitch, and start building new bylines.
The Open Notebook
The Open Notebook is a nonprofit organization providing tools and resources for science journalists. They accept freelance pitches for reported features and "story-behind-the-story" interviews. They also accept pitches for features intended for their Diverse Voices in Science Journalism series. Pay is $1800 for interviews and $2500 for reported features (both running 1500-2000 words).
The Scientist
The Scientist accepts freelance submissions for news stories covering new life science findings and studies (preferably still under embargo).
The Sportster
The Sportster is a digital publication that primarily covers professional wrestling. They also publish stories related to MMA and boxing. They do pay for freelance contributions.
The Sun Magazine
The Sun publishes essays, fiction, and poetry. Payment for all submission types are $200+.
The Threepenny Review
The Threepenny Review accepts critical articles dealing with books, film, theater, and art exhibits(1200-2500 words), Table Talk items (1000 words or less), stories and memoirs (4000 words or less), and poetry (100 lines or less). They pay $400 per story or article, and $200 per poem or Table Talk piece.
The Washingtonian
The Washingtonian is a general interest magazine for residents of the DC area. They're open to freelance submissions for profiles, personal essays, true-crime, and narrative journalism.
The Worcester Journal
Online quarterly magazine for new writers. Previously unpublished writers preferred, though each issue includes at least one featured writer who is already published and agrees to allow their contact information to be shared for new writers to connect with for advice. Fiction and poetry accepted though strong preference for creative nonfiction. Average word count 500-1500. Pay rate varies based on length and quality of piece between $15-$80.
This Magazine
This Magazine accepts pitches from Canadian freelance writers. Themes for its bi-monthly issues can be found in the linked guidelines. In addition to nonfiction pieces, This Magazine accepts poetry and fiction submissions. Features pay $150-300. Columns pay $60-100. Pay for short stories up to 2500 words is $125. Pay is $60 per flash fiction story under 1000 words, and $50 per accepted poem. Pay is in CAD.
Three-lobed Burning Eye
This online magazine focusing on horror and dark fantasy is published twice a year. Every other year they also release a print anthology. They accept short stories of 1500-7499 words and flash fiction of 500-1499 words. They pay $0.08 per word.
Touchstone
Touchstone, "A Journal of Mere Christianity," accepts features, "views," and communiqués that would appeal to a "broad audience of traditional Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox believers." For these contributions, they pay $.20 per published word.
More About the Writers' Markets
All freelance writers' markets listed here include a link to writer's guidelines offered on the publication's website. All Freelance Writing does not currently accept writers' markets without this information published. This is to protect the freelance writers using the directory, ensuring that they're accessing the latest publicly advertised rates and writer's guidelines released by the hiring publications.
If you run or are associated with a paying writers' market, and you'd like it to be considered for the directory, please use the market submission form.