With more online clients moving to AI-written content, it can be tough to find work these days. Fortunately, there are still many publications that favor work written by humans over bots. If you’re searching for freelance writing jobs online, why not try magazine writing?
Today, you’ll find magazines in the form of both print and online editions. While securing work through magazine companies can be a bit tougher than your average client, these publications often pay better (often $500 per article or more!), and you can get the satisfaction of having your name printed in some of the biggest magazines in the world.
Ready to get started? Check out some leading magazines that pay freelance writers for content.
1. AARP
Most people are familiar with the non-profit organization AARP which caters to readers aged 50 and older. From content that reveals the latest Alzheimer’s drugs to guides that teach aging adults how to escape the cycle of debt, AARP delivers readers with interesting and comprehensive information on a wide range of topics, such as health, money, work, Social Security, Medicare, caregiving, travel, and more.
Do you have something to contribute? AARP provides clear guidelines for article writers here. You can also submit a pitch by email to pubspitches@aarp.org or mail it to the following address:
AARP The Magazine
c/o Editorial Submissions
601 E St. NW
Washington, DC 20049
2. Good Housekeeping
Just about everyone has heard of Good Housekeeping. This highly popular magazine has been around forever and has a total circulation of 3.3 million, including a combination of both newsstand sales and subscribers. This American women’s magazine publishes everything from product reviews and recipes to beauty tips and relationship advice. You can even find movie and TV coverage pieces.
If you love freelance writing jobs that pertain to all things lifestyle, consider sending a pitch to Good Housekeeping. The magazine provides a detailed article on how to pitch a story and how to send your pitch. For both digital and print, email ghdigital@hearst.com.
3. Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure magazine has been around for more than five decades. The popular print and digital magazine, which covers food, fashion, wine, cruises, hotels, cities, skiing, hiking, hotels, and more, reaches more than 16 million travelers each month. The brand has a mission to inspire and inform passionate travelers by covering amazing travel destinations, ranging from tiny towns to major cities across the globe.
How you pitch for Travel + Leisure will depend on what section of the magazine you’d like to contribute to. You can find a breakdown of these sections, as well as the contact information of each editor, on this page.
4. Brides
Planning your own wedding or know of a wedding that would be a great fit for Brides magazine? You’re in luck! This popular bridal publication is always on the lookout for new submissions. The magazine highlights diverse weddings of couples of all cultures and genders, ensuring that real love stories are shared and celebrated.
You can check out Brides wedding submission guidelines on their website. To submit a wedding for consideration, just fill out and submit this Google form.
5. The Atlantic
The Atlantic is known for its in-depth coverage of news and analysis of business, politics, and technology, as well as national, international, and political life. Depending on the assignment, this publication pays anywhere from $150 to $1,600 or more. However, you don’t want to send in a quick pitch in hopes of getting selected. The Atlantic encourages a strict pitching strategy, which you can read in their article, “How (Not) to Pitch.”
You can also submit a piece for editorial consideration by contacting one of The Atlantic’s news desks.
6. Smithsonian
If you love history, science, and the arts, consider submitting a pitch to Smithsonian magazine. The magazine focuses on creating content based on subject matters that have been researched, studied, and exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution, such as history, art, science, innovation, and culture.
The magazine makes it easy to submit a pitch. Simply fill out the information on this contact form and an editor will reach out if they are interested in pursuing your story.
7. Discover
Discover magazine has been delivering readers captivating articles on the newest developments in science, technology, medicine, and the world since the 1980s. The magazine features a combination of stories on complex subjects and incredible photography. The pay rate for print starts at $1 per word. For web content, you can expect to get paid around $300 per story.
If you’re looking for content writing jobs that focus on the sciences, the mind, technology, health, the environment, or planet Earth, this is it. Review the website’s pitch guidelines for both the print magazine and online edition.
8. The American Gardner
If you have a green thumb, then consider writing for The American Gardner. This interesting magazine is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society and features a 64-page, four-color spread that goes out bi-monthly to more than 20,000 members. The magazine is currently seeking profiles of individual plant groups, plant research and hunting topics, heirloom gardening articles, and profiles of horticulturists whose work has had a national impact, among other topics.
You can review the writer’s guidelines for yourself here. You can also send proposals by email to editor@ahsgardening.org or by regular mail.
9. Architectural Digest
Architectural Digest magazine celebrates international design talents, inspiring decorating ideas, innovative homes, and all things travel and culture. The magazine has been around since 1920 and has grown to become one of the most popular publications in the world.
The magazine has posted an article on how to get published, with information on what editors want you to know when pitching these writing gigs.
10. Popular Mechanics
Since 1902, Popular Mechanics has brought audiences the latest news on inventions and innovations in the automotive industry. Of course, the publication has branched out over the years, now offering a wide range of worldly information, such as how to build a farmhouse table, how to hike the Appalachian Trail, and why orca attacks are spreading.
If you have a story to tell, Popular Mechanics wants to hear it. Here’s how to pitch a story to Popular Mechanics, as well as the contact information for its editors.
Other Honorable Mentions
While the above magazines are some of the most popular print and/or digital magazines that accept freelance writer submissions, there are many more. Check out some of these magazines currently offering print or online writing jobs.
13. Forbes
14. Oprah Daily
15. Fortune
16. Psychology Today
17. Byrdie
18. Well + Good
19. Insider
20. HuffPost
Online Writing Gigs 