30 Places Paying You to Write About Crime & Justice

Earn as much as $2/word from your next feature.

Hey again, writers!

Today I’m sharing a brand new themed pitch roundup: 30 publications paying for your writing about crime, justice, and punishment.

The content these are looking for varies drastically from detailed investigations to true crime stories to even a little fiction. Whatever you’re looking to do in this professional space, I can assure you there is something in this list that you’ll find valuable.

And even if this isn’t a topic you’ve thought of writing for before, many of these outlets do cover adjacent as well as alternative topics, so you might find a new space you were unaware of until now.

As always, please read submission guidelines thoroughly and ensure you verify payment details with editors before you write. If you think any information here is incorrect, please do message me to let me know.

See you again soon!

~ George

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30 Publications Paying for Crime, Justice, & Punishment Writing

New York Focus is a nonprofit newsroom investigating power in New York State, with a focus on Albany, state agencies, and carceral institutions. Politics and current‑affairs pitches need a clear “who is wielding power and who is affected” angle, plus a tangible scoop or revelation. Standard freelance fees are $800/story. Pitch guidelines here.

Prism is an independent, nonprofit newsroom led by journalists of colour, covering voting rights, criminal justice, racial and economic justice, immigration, the environment, and LGBTQIA+ issues across the U.S. It especially encourages pitches from BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and those from historically oppressed communities. They pay $0.50/word. Pitch guidelines here.

Truly Adventurous is a digital magazine publishing longform stories by established and powerful nonfiction writers, with no topical mandates but a strong track record in true-crime and real-life horror alongside wild adventures, clashing cultures, and unsung heroes. Payment starts at $1,000, according to writers. Pitch guidelines here.