Get Paid to Write

How many times have you thought about writing for a living?

I know.

You’re practical. You’re realistic. Your mama didn’t raise a fool.

You paid attention when dear uncle Stan warned you:

Don’t quit your day job.

And you’ve read every imaginable horror story about wannabe novelists and journalists pounding away day and night to subsist on ramen noodles, dollar store crackers, and discount Campbell’s soup.

Forget about the third-floor, efficiency apartment in the dicey neighborhood.

But you’re different, aren’t you?

You somehow can’t wait to roll up your sleeves and tear into your next piece. You can’t escape writing, and you might as well get paid while paying your dues.

Sound familiar?

What can you do today, tomorrow, or next Monday to begin earning an income, to begin laying a foundation for better pay and better writing opportunities?

It’s not all bad news.

While you’re working on your novel, your writing portfolio, or your MFA, you can make make money writing for others. It’s true. You can write engaging, quality articles for quality publications without turning to penny-per-word content mills.

It’s an exciting time for writers. If you’re willing to make connections and develop your craft, you can get paid for your writing. You can carve out a living while working on your final revision of the next great American novel.

Sound good?

Let’s take a look at 15 sites paying writers just like you for your insight and efforts.

Freelance Mom

Freelance Mom is a website for women who want to work from home or start a home business. Articles focusing on entrepreneurship, marketing/SEO, money, productivity, personal development, and work from home tips are welcome. Pays $75-100 per published article.

Women’s Voices For Change

This site for 40-plus women looks for expert analysis and personal essays on personal development, culture, media, relationships, health, careers, and finance. They pay $50 for articles of 1,000 to 1,500 words, no more than two per month. Query first.

BlogHer

Bloggers with topical and conversational posts geared to women and economic empowerment, including expert analysis of business and social media trends, can apply to join the BlogHer publishing network and get paid on a revenue-sharing basis for accepted posts.

Women on Writing

This site connects women writers to editors, agents, publishers, and readers, and offers knowledge and tips to aspiring authors. Accepts submissions/queries that conform to upcoming editorial themes (see website for details). It pays between $50 and $150, depending on content type.

Men’s Magazine

This men’s e-zine focuses on pop culture, fitness, sports, style, technology, cars, and relationships for men in the 20 to 40 demographic. Contact them for information regarding submissions and pay.

The Wicked Noodle

A popular food blog, the Wicked Noodle accepts submissions, including article or commentary, recipe, and images, about healthy eating, lifestyle, and the business of food blogging. They pay $50 per accepted post.

Listverse

Listverse is a quirky site build on a “listicle” format: “10 Chefs Who Tragically Died on the Job,” “10 Creepy Aspects of Victorian Life,” topics that are off the beaten path, more or less. The site pays $100 per accepted list.

Write Naked

Write Naked aims to dispel misconceptions about the freelance writer’s life and to encourage budding writers. They accept a limited number of queries during “open reading” sessions only (visit the website). They pay $50 and up for accepted submissions.

Funds for Writers

As the title suggests, this site is devoted to exploring grants, fellowships, contests, and other ways to make money writing. They do not accept “how to write” articles, but focus on tips to help writers earn money for their work. The site pays $50 for original articles and $15 for reprints.

Writers Weekly

This site publishes articles for writers looking for places to sell their work and to make more money writing. They don’t accept “how to write” articles. They’re open to home-based business topics (ghostwriting, self-publishing, corporate writing, marketing and self-promotion). The pay is $60, but you must query before submitting.

The Penny Hoarder

A site for all things creatively thrifty, you can write 700-900-word articles featuring clever money hacks, couponing, freebies, and work-from-home opportunities. Contact them at editor@thepennyhoarder.com with queries and article ideas (and to discuss payment).

Your Online Biz

Your Online Bizr is looking for well-written, passionate, and fresh success stories, case studies, and interviews with influential people in the online business world. Check the website to get a feel for the tone and style. It pays $100 for articles of 1,000 words and up. Follow submission instructions on the site.

Great Escape Publishing

A site for travel writers looking for tips and how-to’s on the craft and business of travel writing and photography, Great Escape Publishing looks for interviews, personal success stories, and specific income-generating advice. The site pays between $50 and $200 for accepted pieces; query first.

Tales to Go

This site publishes original, personal, non-fiction travel-related stories of 1,000 to 3,000 words that highlight something “funny, illuminating, adventurous, frightening, or grim” about traveling somewhere unfamiliar. Check out the website for examples of successful stories. Use the site’s submission form only. They pay $50 for published work.

Cracked

If you write irreverent, humorous, and potentially viral articles, rants, fiction, or listicles, this site is for you. They also accept original videos, “photoplasty,” which is a clever photo manipulation, and infographics on just about any pop culture subject, including video games, movies, TV, “this weird world,” history, tech, and music. Payment varies depending on the nature and success of the submission. You must register on the site to submit your work.

Now, it’s your turn.

Leave a comment, and add your favorite paid writing gig to the list.