50 Publications Paying for Personal Essays

A collection of online and print publications paying writers for personal essays.

Hey there, freelancers!

Today we’re sharing a new and comprehensive list: 50 publications actively paying writers for personal essays, from literary journals and national newspapers to major consumer magazines and independent digital outlets.

Whether you have a finished essay sitting in a drawer waiting for the right home, a half-formed idea you’ve been meaning to pitch, or a story only you can tell, this list has something for you.

We’re talking outlets covering everything from nature writing and LGBTQ+ life to criminal justice, wellness, parenting, and culture, with rates $1/word and beyond.

Some of these want a full draft. Some want a pitch only. Some open their doors for just a few weeks a year; others are rolling year-round. I’ve tried to flag all of that so you can match the right opportunity to wherever you are in your writing process.

If you have insights into specific details, or if you’ve been offered different terms than those listed here, please let me know by replying to this email or by messaging me on Substack.

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50 Publications Paying for Personal Essays

Longreads is dedicated to finding and sharing the best longform nonfiction storytelling on the web. We look for smart, unexpected angles and compelling voices across a wide range of topics. Their personal essay rate is $500. Check their submission guidelines here.

The New York Times has a column called ‘Modern Love’. The editors of Modern Love are interested in receiving deeply personal essays about contemporary relationships, marriage, dating, parenthood, any subject that might reasonably fit under the heading. Modern Love only accepts submissions during two windows per year: September–December and March–June. Pay is around $300. Submission details here.

Business Insider welcome pitches of personal essays year round. Their best advice for deciding what to pitch: Read the site. Get a feel for the types of stories they run. Don’t pitch stories we’ve already written. Be creative, and use a Business Insider-style headline in the subject line of your email. Business Insider generally pay $230+, but rates vary by section. Guidelines here.

Motherwell is a publication that tells all sides of the parenting story. They accept personal essays and there are paid opportunities for selected, featured content—either personal essays or perspective pieces. Generally pays around $50. Keep an eye on their page on Submittable for submission themes.

The Sun Magazine publishes personal essays, short stories, poems, and black-and-white photography in print and online in a monthly magazine. Pays $200 and up for personal essays, based on length. Submission guidelines here.