Lesley Writes

Everyone wants to be published, but then that’s not a problem.

Just write your own blog and off you go!

For most writers that’s not enough, because sadly, we have to put food on the table, so the question isn’t really ‘how do I get published’ but ‘how do I get paid.’

At a recent conference of the American Society of Journalists and  Authors, one very useful session covered precisely that topic, but  so we’re clear, there are some very very good reasons to seek out magazines and have them publish your work. We’re not talking about 10, 20 or even 50 dollar articles here, we’re talking about companies who pay $400-$600 for a story which can be a short as 600 words.

Here’s a sample of what some of the editors of prominent magazines have said about using freelance writers.

Scott Olster, from Fortune.Com likes to be pitched story ideas on companies whose names are ‘on the tip of people’s tongues’ . He likes to see a point of view or a new angle and would expect some details in the pitch explaining how you’re going to get the story and how long it will take. You’ll also be expected to check that the magazine hasn’t already published something similar. For anyone used to having to chop up articles to meet length requirements, the good news is, you don’t have to. Anything from 600-1300 words is fine.

CNN Money has a small business section which is the domain of editor Tania Padgett. It is also the only section of CNN money to use freelancers. Tania is looking for freelancers to pitch stories about entrepreneurs and what they’re doing, and she wants to see pitches with no typos or spelling mistakes.  The reward? Seventy five cents per word for a 500-600 word story.

DailyWorth.com may not be quite so well known as the two magazines I’ve mentioned, largely because it’s not an online publication but an email newsletter dedicated to personal finance for women.  MP Dunleavey is the editor in chief and is looking for short sharp articles, around 200 words, that have a definite point of view on something in the news, and they pay up to $200 per article.

But don’t forget the most obvious.  If you want to be published in a magazine, you need to read it first to make sure your idea fits. Then and only then, do you pitch.