✍️ 45 Paying Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Outlets

Earn as much as $2000 from your next submission.

Want to pitch or submit creative or literary nonfiction but not sure where to send it?

You're in the right place. Today I’m sharing an up-to-date list of publications that pay for creative nonfiction writing (which you might know as literary nonfiction, narrative nonfiction or literary journalism). Some publications pay as much as $2000 for accepted work.

I've included lots of information on pay rates, editorial guidelines, plus submission links. Everything you need to submit your latest ideas and earn that next commission!

Not sure if creative nonfiction is for you? If you’ve ever told a personal story, reflected on an experience, or found yourself explaining how something felt rather than just what happened… you’ve already started. This list spans everything from memoir to reported essays, so even reading through might spark your next idea.

If you have insights into specific pay rates, or if you've been offered different terms than those listed here, please let me know via email at thefreelancewritingnetwork@gmail.com or by messaging me on Substack.

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45 Publications Paying for Creative Nonfiction & Memoir

Earn up to thousands of dollars for your submissions.

Note: Not all of these magazines are currently accepting submissions. You’ll need to check details for specific submission dates.

Narrative Magazine publishes creative nonfiction alongside fiction, poetry, art, and even graphic works. Every piece they accept is paid ($200 to $1000 depending on work and length) and writers are eligible for the annual $5,000 Narrative Prize for emerging literary nonfiction. They welcome personal storytelling, memoir, and hybrid work with strong narrative drive. More details here.

The Drift is a culture and politics magazine that prioritizes deeply engaged, critical creative nonfiction. Think class-sensitive essays, sharp-minded takedowns, and immersive character-driven stories. They only accept pitches (no full drafts) and pay $2,000 for published essays, plus $500-$1000 for short stories. They look for work that dives beneath surface narratives and addresses what others avoid. Details here.

Longreads is dedicated to finding and sharing great longform creative nonfiction storytelling. They look for smart, unexpected angles and compelling voices across a wide range of topics. Their general rate is $500. Submission guidelines here.

The Sun Magazine is an independent, reader‑supported monthly magazine that champions personal, political, and socially mindful creative nonfiction up to around 7,000 words. They pay at least $200 for essays, fiction, and poetry, scaling up, while creative nonfiction earns between $300–$2,000, depending on length and depth. Details here.

Narratively publishes richly detailed and original creative nonfiction with a strong narrative arc (think personal essays, memoir, and reported human-interest stories). They prioritize compelling characters, under-the-radar angles, and immersive storytelling. Rates typically start at $300. Submission guidelines here.