- this literary life
- Posts
- no. 12
no. 12
Nicole Tommasulo
December 22, 2024
hey there.
Thanks for subscribing to this literary life. For newsletter subscribers only, I’m offering a special 20% off all editing services through the end of the year. Even if you’re not finished with your manuscript, you can secure a spot in my editorial calendar now (at my current rates!).
Or, if part of your New Year plan is to start a newsletter, Beehiiv has a special offer for subscribers to this literary life. When you sign up from this link, you’ll get a 30-day free trial and 20% off a premium membership for 3 months.
Okay, that’s it from me for this week. Thanks for signing up and scrolling through. I hope your pitches/queries land and the words flow this week.
Without further ado.
Table of Contents
tips for freelance writers + novelists
Your book cover is basically the Tinder profile of the publishing world. A killer designer can turn your boring book jacket into a visual thirst trap that'll have readers swiping right faster than you can say "bestseller.” Rebecca Forster, author of the acclaimed Witness series, shared her many experiences with book cover design this week at Writers in the Storm.
all things book publishing
Would it be the holidays without new scams? There's a major scam alert from the Authors Guild about shady "independent publishers" like Leap Write Literary pulling some seriously sketchy moves — from unauthorized credit card charges to fake movie deals with big names like Focus Features. Victoria Strauss at Writer’s Beware sent a quick warning/reminder that if someone's pushing you to pay for publishing services or promising too-good-to-be-true movie rights deals in your DMs, run the other way because legitimate publishers never charge authors for basic services or cold-email about film rights.
Jane Friedman released her annual roundup of all New Publishers and Agents announced in 2024 on The Hot Sheet. This year, publishers launched new imprints faster than you can say "side hustle." And collaboration was king; publishers partnered with podcasts, streaming services, and even celebrities to create fresh, targeted content that speaks directly to specific audiences.
Sofia Coppola is entering the publishing world with her new imprint, Important Flowers, under the U.K.’s Mack. Her first feat will be a stunning photo book by Corinne Day to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Virgin Suicides. She also has a chic Chanel Haute Couture visual history planned for September 2025. Coppola is on a mission to spotlight fresh photography talent and bring back some beloved out-of-print gems.
EL James is once again disrupting the publishing industry. This time, it’s with Bloom Books, a romance publishing power player that’s landed 25 books — and counting — on bestseller lists. The Fifty Shades of Grey author has been scooping up viral romance authors like Scarlett St. Clair and giving them book deals with full creative freedom.
If you’re worried about what publishing will look like in 2025 despite the silver lining companies like Bloom Books offer, you’re not alone. Between media layoffs, the impending TikTok ban, and AI, the book world is facing a total transformation. Publishing PR expert Kathleen Schmidt, creator of Publishing Confidential, shares her rundown of what she feels publishing needs to brace for next year.
calls for pitches + paid creative opportunities
To receive pitch + creative opportunities a day early or right when I find them, you can sign up for a subscription.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
reported stories + personal essays
Travel: Matador Network re-opened their general call for submissions for travel that has already taken place (not upcoming trips) for stories that have not already been covered on their website. For January and February, they are especially looking for Caribbean food and drink stories, pitches about destinations or experiences that may disappear due to climate change, astronomy stories, and solo travel. Pay: $200 - $300 for 1,100 words. Note: Please only send one pitch at a time.
Personal Essays: Rheana Murray, TODAY’s essay editor, is open to pitches (or full drafts) of “non-holiday” essays. No further details were given. Rate: not given, but has historically been $350 per essay. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
Gaming: Restart is looking for high-quality, entertaining reviews and feature pitches. Rate: averages $200. E-mail pitches: [email protected].
literary magazines
Many literary magazines pay to publish your creative work, whether they’re short stories, essays, poems, or other mediums. ChillSubs has an amazing (free) database you can use to find the right opportunities. For this issue of this literary life, I’ve included a curated list of literary magazines with submission deadlines on December 31.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
American Short Fiction will be closed to general submissions on December 31. These have no content topic or length requirements. Submission fee: $3. Pay: “competitive.”
Granta’s fiction and non-fiction submission window will be closed on December 31. They are “committed to championing new voices” and “offering a home to writing by those who are marginalized or underrepresented.” Submission fee: £3.50. Pay: “professional fee.”
TriQuartlerly will close its fiction, non-fiction, and poetry submission windows on December 31. Note: interviews, video essays, and craft essays are accepted year-round. Submission fee: $2. Pay: yes.
In The Mood Magazine is looking for pitches of “expanded criticism on films, TV, or music videos set in/engaging with the future” for its upcoming 12th issue. Rate: $30 CAD for 1,000 words max. E-mail pitches to [email protected]. Deadline: Dec 31.
Open Secrets is looking for fully written (including headline and header image) personal essays about work/career, relationships, parenting/family, identity, finances, LGBTQIA+, physical health, mental health, and grief in ways they have not yet covered. They are especially looking for essays on accessing abortion and reproductive care post-Roe, the professional lives of teachers, the impacts of book bans have had on your personal life, being a minimalist, your experience with Ozempic, and underreported aspects of work and career, especially from teachers and healthcare workers. Pay: $50 for 1000 - 2000 words. Deadline: Dec 31.
from previous issues
These pitch calls and paid writing opportunities were featured in previous issues and are still active.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
reporting + essays
Moving: Paige DiFiore, Deputy Editor of Lifestyle and Entertainment at Business Insider, wants pitches from “folks who moved away from a place they loved living in for years, moved for a job or a partner's job, unexpectedly fell in love with living in a place they never thought they'd love, or have lived many places until finding one that they adore.” Rate: $240 for 600 - 700 words. Submit pitches here.
Renovations: Paige is also looking for stories from writers who “who recently did renovations and remodels and have regrets. Outdoor spaces, bathrooms, kitchens, fixer-uppers — you name it.” Rate: $230 for 600 - 700 words. Submit pitches here.
Travel and Food: Atlas Obscura and Gastro Obscura are open for pitches. They have a very in-depth breakdown of how to pitch them, including examples of what they’re looking for. Pay: $.50/word.
Bay Area: SFGate's editor-in-chief, Grant Marek, is always looking for pitches of “stories from people who REALLY understand the Bay Area” about ideas “no one else has thought to chase, people no one has ever thought to highlight before, stories that perfectly capture the spirit and history of a California treasure, and finally, angles “that remind people it's not all Doom Loop here in the Bay Area.” Like this example and this example. Rates: $200-$400+
Food Writing: Taste Cooking is looking for a variety of topics, including recipes and food culture features. "We’re most interested in your well-reasoned idea. A story with a strong point of view that is backed by clear reporting and/or supported by proven expertise." With your pitch, please include "why you are qualified to write this story. And if we don’t know you, we’d like to see some of your work. Links are great. The pitch should outline the story in detail, with specifics. For us, the excitement comes from not just colorful copy but substance to back it up. A wise turn of phrase is not a substitute for detailed observation and reporting. If you pitch a feature involving recipe development or sourcing from chefs, clips of similar work are required." E-mail pitches to Matt Rodbard at [email protected].
Travel: Off Assignment seeks submissions for their "Letter to a Stranger," "Under the Influence," "No Equivalent," "What I Didn't Say," and "Witching Hour" columns. Only completed drafts are considered for publication. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Pay range: $100 (Witching Hour) - $300.
Literary Life, Culture: LitHub is always open to pitches about "literary life and culture," especially "the ways that books or their authors fit into the culture at large.” They also note they “enjoy rigorous criticism for a general audience." Send pitches (2 - 3 paragraphs outlining your idea) to [email protected].
remote writing + editing jobs
Since we’re all already on LinkedIn, I will do my best to find remote writing and editing jobs that have yet to be shared or applied for there. These job listings were active when this newsletter was scheduled to be published (Dec 21) but may have expired since then.
You can sign up for a subscription to receive job opportunities a day early — or right when I find them.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
The New Republic seeks a temporary literary editor for print. You will be responsible for commissioning and editing six pieces of between 1500 and 4,000 words for each issue of the print magazine you’re working on. These will be “a lively mix of articles about current books, movies, and TV that upholds TNR’s long tradition of bold, stylish, and intellectually substantive review-essays and will work with the art director and photo director to illustrate the section, as well as with the production manager to create the section’s issue map.” The cover letter must include why you think you're the right fit for the job. Pay: $70k - $80k. Deadline to apply is Jan 10.
Inkitt is looking for freelance fiction editors to add to its roster in 2025. Their ideal candidate has two years of experience and is a data-driven “high-functioning workaholic” with at least two years of experience and a proven track record for meeting deadlines.
Betches is seeking a freelance content manager for their health and wellness Instagram account, Everything’s Fine. Their ideal candidate deeply understands what Gen Z interacts with on social media and has at least one year of experience. Rate: $25/hr, 12 hours a week.
The Nerd Stash is looking for part-time weekend Entertainment and Celebrity reporters. Ideal candidates have a proven track record in covering celebrity news, soap operas, reality TV, and related entertainment verticals at established media outlets.
ad break:
“I feel like I know you”
That’s what a customer—who I had never met—wrote to me after reading all 36 emails in my first course. She would go on to buy my next product (on presale!) because a great email course solves the digital sales relationship problem.
Join over 1,000 students and sign up for Master the Email-Based Course today to see why Dickie Bush said he got “Takeaways within 5 minutes of digging in. Huge value.”
recommendations
books
I’m juggling a few different articles and newsletters right now, making devouring books harder to do. Still, I finished one and started another I’m really enjoying.
If you missed The Only Good Indians by Stephan Graham Jones when it first came out, I recommend picking it up. There are a lot of elements similar to other horror novels I’ve enjoyed this season (magical realism, generational trauma, #ownvoices), plus a unique way of approaching storytelling that I haven’t experienced before. Each section is like the next ripple of aftershocks after a decision is made, and you’re jumping from one ring to another.
I also started debut author Marcus Kliewer’s We Used To Live Here. At first, I thought it would be similar to Rummaan Alam’s Leave the World Behind, but unexpected visitors at a secluded house are where the similarities between these two books end. While less than halfway in, I’m deeply unsettled by most of the characters (in the best way) and can’t wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds.
podcasts
And as always, here are the podcasts I listen (and re-listen) to.
Reply