- this literary life
- Posts
- no. 15
no. 15
dust off your query letters. the publishing industry is finally back from their holiday break.
Nicole Tommasulo
January 19, 2025
In partnership with
hey there.
When I’m scheduling this to send, two wildfires in Los Angeles County are still burning. Like last week, I’m including places to donate or volunteer. Plus, there are resources on emergency aid for writers/artists/creators.
One new addition to this list is the Los Angeles Wildfire Bookdrive, organized by Julia Fierro, founder of Sackett Street Writers. They are accepting all adult & kid fiction and nonfiction in good condition. Either DM LA Wildfire Bookdrive on Instagram or e-mail [email protected].
Plus, WatchDog is looking for Volunteer Reporters/Radio Scanners to listen to updates on the LA fires and report accurate information ASAP.
emergency aid/resources
donations/volunteers needed
As always, 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
Writers, don’t let your work disappear!
Imagine losing years of articles because a site shut down. What would you do if all your work samples disappeared?
With Authory, that’s a nightmare you’ll never have to face. Authory automatically creates a portfolio that backs up everything you’ve ever written and will write, so your work is always safe.
That’s right: Authory finds and backs up all your past work and saves every new piece you publish, wherever they appear.
Join thousands of writers who already trust Authory to protect their work and never lose a piece again.
tips for freelance writers + novelists
craft
Practice makes perfect. If you want to be a better writer, Jules Horne argues, you must practice deliberately. Like a gym routine, you need to pick specific aspects of your writing to focus on during different writing sessions (dialogue day, setting day, etc.). There is a place for journaling, but if you want to be a better writer, you need to be intentional with your word workouts. (Jane Friedman)
Good editing takes time. Author and creativity advocate Lynette M. Burrows takes writers through the editing journey on Writers in the Storm. The first step is to stop looking at your work like a writer. You need to sit down and read your manuscript from start to finish with a reader’s eye. After, write up a review. What are the strengths and weaknesses? Would you recommend this book to a friend yet?
Worldbuilding matters, no matter your genre. Erika Swyler, an author and former set carpenter, digs into the importance of worldbuilding on LitHub. Too much can restrict character development or overwhelm the story, while too little can leave readers in a fog. Writers need to balance minimalism and opulence, with each detail serving a purpose and supporting your narrative.
marketing
Want to improve how you market your book? In her recent essay for LitHub, Maris Kreizman (of The Maris Review) shares how writers have always actively promoted their work, wowing readers in bookstores with their latest book’s creation story. Today, it’s more important than ever that this “story of the story” is concise and comes with key anecdotes that are easily sharable across social media.
Quotes are your book marketing plan’s secret weapon. One of the best ways to reach new readers is to showcase the showstopping lines you’ve labored over. As award-winning author Jenn Windrow explains, you can use programs like BookBrush and Canva to create eye-catching graphics with the best lines in your books. (Writers in the Storm)
Is it okay to talk about politics online when you’re a writer? This week, author Randy Susan Meyers explores this question on Writer Unboxed, discussing the pros and cons of being actively political on and off the page. It’s important not to “dilute your convictions for the sake of broader appeal” while also being responsible about what political content you share.
The quickest way to scale as a writer? Ghostwriting.
✅ You don’t need any startup capital.
✅ You don’t need a big social audience.
✅ And you don’t need decades of writing experience.
all things book publishing
for querying writers
Reminder:
I have openings + a quick turnaround on query letter edits.
The next #MSWL day is scheduled for Feb 12 at the new official Bluesky location. Starting at 9 am ET on Feb 12, literary agents will be sharing what they wish was landing in their inboxes.
Rosecliff Literary has updated its wish list for winter and is looking for submissions of character-driven literary suspense. “We’re here for the slow burn. Emotional depth + high-stakes situations = perfection.” Also, clever spy stories, historical fiction, and stories with a strong gothic atmosphere. Submit your query on QueryTracker.
Weaver Literary Agency is looking for YA and MG bubblegum horror with romance. Submit your query on QueryTracker.
Erin Niumata at Folio Literary has re-opened to queries. She’s only looking for adult upmarket, literary, and commercial fiction for the next two weeks, with plans to open to more genres. Specifically, she’s looking for books similar to The Housemaid, The Writing Retreat, and The Push. Submit your query on QueryTracker.
This week, the agents at Greene & Heaton refreshed their MSWLs. Visit their website for a full list of agents and to read each individual's (very in-depth) wishlist.
Renee Fountain, literary agent at Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management,, is looking for queries about trope-defying horror, women’s fiction with In Five Years vibes, and self-improvement non-fiction proposals. Check here for submission guidelines.
Chelsea Hensley, literary agent at Man Woman Literary Agency, is open to queries again and is always hungry for horror and thriller projects but is really hoping for a picture book biography of Woso star Marta and a “fkboy Frankenstein retelling.” Submit your query on QueryTracker.
calls for pitches + paid creative opportunities
FYI: You can sign up for a subscription to receive pitches and creative opportunities a day early or right when I find them. If you appreciate these weekly roundups, feel free to leave a tip or buy me a coffee.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
reported stories + personal essays
Grocery Diaries: Stephanie Pitera Statile, Lifestyle/Entertainment editor at Business Insider, is looking for fresh pitches for their Aldi, Costco, and Trader Joe’s grocery diaries. Rate: $175. Pitch here.
Travel: Stephanie Pitera Statile, Lifestyle/Entertainment editor at Business Insider, also wants short (500 - 600 word) essays on disappointing travel experiences. Think: your dream vacation didn’t live up to the hype, an underwhelming cruise, and regrets about moving countries or states. Rate: $200. Pitch here.
Homelife: Sofia Rivera of Apartment Therapy seeks pitches from Black writers for Black History Month. Specifically, she’s looking for untold histories of household items, ways to honor your identity in your home, family heirlooms/traditions you keep up with, etc. Pitch: [email protected].
Food/Drink/Travel: Daria Smith at Late Checkout seeks travel, food, and drink stories with Gen Z energy. Pitches must be newsworthy/have a news angle (why does this story need to be told now?) and have accompanying visuals. Successful pitches also focus on one specific column, are 200 words max, nail Late Checkout’s voice, and have a fleshed-out concept. Rate: $200. Read full pitching guidelines here. E-mail pitches to: [email protected].
from previous issues
New England Travel: Jen Rose Smith, editor at Seven Days, is always looking for pitches for a travel series “about visiting Québec aimed at people living in Vermont.” “We're next-door neighbors, so stories can assume some basic familiarity. (i.e., this is not the place for ‘Montreal!! A cosmopolitan wonderland with Euro flair!!’)." They generally cover places within a few hours of the Vermont border — Montréal, the Eastern Townships, Québec City, etc., “but we're also open to big, dreamy stories that showcase how vast and diverse the province is.” Rate: $250-$325 for 1,200-1,800 words. Pitch: [email protected].
Culture: Douglas Greenwood, film editor at i-D, is looking to commission across “culture, fashion, art, and photography for i-D this month. op-eds, new talent profiles, left-field looks at what’s cool rn, and introductions to what will be cool tomorrow.” Pitch: [email protected]
Food, Travel: Stephanie Pitera Statile, Lifestyle/Entertainment Editor at Business Insider, is looking for stores on: food/beverage rankings, traveling to many US states/countries, and visiting chain restaurants for the first time. She’s also looking for stories from longtime service-industry workers. Pitch through this form.
Whisky: Glug Magazine’s sister, Stramash, is looking for contributors who have fresh, interesting things to say about the whisky world. Rate: $.25/word. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
Parenting: Rosemary Donahue, Health & Parenting editor at Business Insider, is looking for pitches of personal essays on “co-parenting, nontraditional engagements, parenting in 40s or older, not following milestones in relationships in the traditional order, supporting a family financially/being the breadwinner,” and more. Rate: starts at $225 for about 600 words. Pitch: [email protected] with [Pitch: Your proposed headline] as the subject line.
Health, Culture: Starlight Williams, editor at Nat Geo, is open to “smart (not academic), interesting (not just to you), and relevant (to a global audience)” pitches. Some examples include hidden histories, health explainers, health debunkers, or “I wonder” stories. Be sure to include sample hed/dek that matches Nat Geo style, plus a Nut Graph that answers the 5 W’s, emphasizing why you are telling this story, and your bio plus relevant clips. E-mail pitches: [email protected].
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.
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].
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 or before January 31.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
Emerge Literary Journal, a free verse and flash fiction publication, will close to general submissions for poetry, fiction, and CNF, plus submissions to Esperanza Corner (mental health-focused work) on January 28. Rate: $15.
The Rebis, a literary magazine focused on tarot, seeks submissions for their fourth anthology inspired by The Devil (XV) tarot card. Think: power, oppression, rebellion, freedom, shame, sin, pleasure, etc. They are looking for various mediums (creative nonfiction, short stories, researched articles, interviews, poetry, photography, comics, collages, etc.). Payment: $200. The submission window closes on January 31.
Brink will close its submission window on January 31. It seeks poetry, prose, artwork, and hybrid entries focused on Renewal. Rate: $25 to $1000.
Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret in Your Industry
Turn trending ideas into social media attention (we detect them for you).
This attention into followers.
And followers into customers.
Turn ONE conversation into WEEKS of authority-building content, that actually sounds like you. From idea to monetization.
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 are set to Easy Apply. These job listings were active when this newsletter was scheduled to be published (Jan 18) but may have expired since.
You can sign up for a subscription to receive job opportunities either day early or right when I find them. Or, if you appreciate these weekly roundups, feel free to leave a tip or buy me a coffee.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
PEOPLE is hiring a full-time Digital News Writer to work on culture, society, viral, and nostalgia-based content. You must be able to handle a high volume of work and be comfortable with pitching new ideas. Ideal candidates have at least two years’ experience writing for a news website in a high-velocity environment. Rate: $30/hr.
from previous issues
Everyday Health is looking to hire more freelance editors. Ideal candidates have experience working on clinical and lifestyle content. They should also be able to write assignment briefs, edit new and updated content, and perform minor updates to optimize existing content. The rate is $30/hr.
Food & Wine is hiring a contract, part-time copy editor/fact-checker to “thoroughly fact-check and copyedit print stories.” Candidates should have at least two years of copy-editing and fact-checking experience. Rate: $25/hour. Requires working 25 hours per month for six months (with the possibility to extend).
Newsmatics seeks a part-time staff writer who will be responsible for creating engaging content, “including client help materials, how-to guides, landing pages, and newsletters.” Ideal candidates are already familiar with outlets like o’Dwyers’s PR, PR Daily, and/or PR Week and understand best SEO practices.
Axios is hiring a full-time Media Editor to join their team. You will be responsible for “overseeing and elevating” all aspects of their coverage, including newsletters, breaking news, live events, and membership programs. You will also support the reporting team “in pursuing scoops, data-driven insights, and distinctive pieces that dig deeper than the obvious storylines.” Pay: $110,000 - $145,000 + benefits.
Additionally, Axios seeks a full-time Senior Technology Reporter. The ideal candidate is “obsessed with chronicling the companies and individuals who are building AI. You must be well sourced inside the major tech companies and AI upstarts, and eager to break stories and explain the day’s news to Axios reader.” Pay: $87,500 - $175,000 + benefits.
The Dallas Morning News is looking for a full-time Interactive News Developer. You will be responsible for partnering with “reporters, editors, photographers, videographers and audience engagement editors to help develop visualizations, tooling and workflows for ambitious in-depth investigative stories and quick turn dailies. You'll also have the opportunity to pitch, report and develop your own project ideas.” Ideal candidates have front-end coding experience (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) as well as experience with data analysis tools, web scaffolding knowledge, and back-end web development experience.
Eleven is adding more freelance Topic-Expert Writers on a rolling basis. Ideal candidates have “subject-matter expertise as demonstrated by a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent or 3+ years’ industry or relevant writing experience,” plus familiarity with SEO, research skills, and the ability to take constructive feedback. Pay: monthly basis.
Dexerto is still looking to hire more freelance TV and movie writers to pitch stories and accept commissions. Ideal candidates have an “understanding and knowledge of the TV and movie landscape” and experience with CMS, Google Sheets, and SEO.
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.
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.
recommendations
books
Do you ever hit a reading slump? After ripping through 3 - 5 books a week for a few months, I’m settling in at about one a week. I’m also moving off reading potential comp titles for my novel-in-progress, at least for now.
podcasts
As always, here are the podcasts I listen — and re-listen — to.
limited series
culture, news, politics, history
books, movies, tv, writing
true crime
Reply