- this literary life
- Posts
- no. 17
no. 17
Nicole Tommasulo
February 02, 2025
In partnership with
hey there.
As always, thanks for signing up and scrolling through. I hope your pitches and/or queries land and the words flow this week.
Without further ado.
Table of Contents
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tips for freelance writers + novelists
craft
Using basic dialogue tags like "said" and “asked” can be missed opportunities to deepen your story. Instead, use tags to reveal character, add emotional depth, and share subtext through specific details like themed actions, visceral responses, and fresh facial expressions that make your scenes come alive. (Writers in the Storm)
When the world feels chaotic, protect your writing time like a professional: set dedicated hours, create a distraction-free space, and develop a pre-writing routine that tells your brain it's time to work. Remember: you don't need to feel guilty about putting your writing first; whether it's silencing social media or finding the right background noise, create boundaries that let you focus on your craft despite the chaos outside. (Writer Unboxed)
You can make your subplots work harder by using them to reveal hidden information, balance mood, develop future characters, and challenge your theme. This will create a richer story that keeps readers engaged. To build a plot template that works for you, start by analyzing what makes your favorite books satisfying — not their characters or setting, but how their main and subplots unfold and connect (Writers in the Storm).
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all things book publishing
publishing news
In a major shift, Simon & Schuster's flagship imprint is ditching its (unofficial) requirement for book blurbs. Publisher Sean Manning argues that the practice wastes valuable creative time and creates an "incestuous and unmeritocratic literary ecosystem." The decision follows the discovery that many of S&S's biggest hits never used blurbs, begging the question of why we needed them in the first place. (Publisher’s Weekly)
There is finally a new option for buying ebooks. Bookshop.org announced this week that you can finally purchase ebooks through their app and website. Like physical books, each purchase directly supports local, independent bookstores.
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, literary agents will share what they wish was landing in their inboxes.
Kelly Dyksterhouse, literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency, is open to queries from February 1 - 7. For this submission window, she’s particularly interested in MG stories with fast-paced adventures, grounded fantasy, first crush, or light romance, especially by marginalized authors. She’s also looking for high-concept YA with a strong hook, cozy fantasy, a fresh take on vampires/eternal ones, and cryptid stories. Use QueryTracker to submit.
Erin C. Niumata, SVP and literary agent at Folio Literary Agency, is now accepting queries from more genres, including romance, historical fiction, inspirational fiction, and humor fiction. To submit, use QueryTracker.
Rebecca Agnus, literary agent at Howland Literary, is open to queries from February 1 until February 15. She’s looking for MG and YA in non-Western settings, LGBTQIA horror/fantasy/magical realism/mystery/suspense, cozy witch romances (YA only), and folklore from different perspectives. Plus, she’s looking for urban fantasy with unique magic systems, feminist horror, queer historical romance, and grounded romantasy for adults. Use QueryTracker to submit.
Mark O’Brien, associate literary agent at Azantian Literary Agency, is looking for submissions with even the smallest hints of Welcome to Night Vale. Please submit using 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
Conz Preti, deputy editor at Business Insider, is looking for pitches on feel-good stories, parenting teens, having kids later in life/not having grandchildren, and comparing US vs other countries (i.e. did you move to another country and parenting was easier?). Send pitches to [email protected].
More to Her Story is open to pitches for news and feature stories centering on women’s and girls’ rights globally. Submit pitches here.
from previous issues
food + travel
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.
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].
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.
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].
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.
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].
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.
Outdoors: Ryan Wichelns, founding editor at Trails Magazine, is looking for North American-focused pitches for features and reviews for upcoming issues with the themes of “Efficiency” (Issue 10) and “Connection" (Issue 11). Rate: $0.50 per word. Pitch: [email protected].
Food: Vittles Cooking is opening the cooking section for pitches for the first time. Although there are no restrictions on what you can pitch – beyond the need to be related to home cooking in one way or another – they’re especially interested in stories on “the rules don’t matter” (the pleasures of ignoring the ‘right’ way of doing things), “..maybe they do” (techniques and approaches that transforming/optimize cooking), “cooking and work” (fitting cooking into daily life), “cooking and climate crisis” (impact of ecological disasters and seasonal disruptions in markets and the kitchen), “cooking under duress (what it takes to keep yourself/othere fed during illness, grief, turmoil), and recipe sets. They’re also particularly interested in hearing from people whose work challenges the traditional European and/or American-centred perspective of mainstream food writing. Rate: £150/40p a word for shorter pieces, £500 for 500 - 800 word essays. Pitch: [email protected] with the subject, COOKING PITCH.
parenting + relationships
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.
lifestyle + culture
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]
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].
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.
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].
Upcycling Clothes: Ellen Freeman, founding editor of Mildew Magazine, is looking for pitches of “surprising, thoughtful stories that inspire readers to think about old clothes in new ways.” They are particularly interested in pitches on “a reuse practice that’s a special part of your family/community/religion/location and how it shapes ideas around ownership/clothes/trash,” “artists who create work (digital, sculpture, musical theater—anything goes) around themes of recycling, old clothes, found ephemera, etc.,” and more. They are not looking for “stories about fashion made from new materials (no matter how slow and sustainable).” Rate: $0.50/ word, “negotiated as a flat fee at the time of commission.” Pitch:[email protected] by February 9.
Features on Echoes: Sophia Epstein, editor at Digital Frontier, is looking for pitches for features on the theme of “echoes.” This can be interpreted as “however you want — as long as it relates to emerging and digital tech, and its impact on our lives.” She's interested in past cultural movements, strange theories about tech moguls being historical figures reincarnated, and more. Rate: up to £0.30 per word. Pitch: [email protected] by February 4.
Neurodivergent Living: Lauren Quinn, managing editor at Motley Bloom, is always looking for pitches of “voice-driven pieces that feature lived experiences of neurodivergence” on “travel, beauty, home design, work and career, product reviews–anything that falls under the umbrella of Neurodivergent Living.” Rate: $300 (short articles) to $500 (longer researched and/or first-person pieces). Pitch: [email protected].
Gaming: Jack King, British GQ contributing editor, is always looking for writers (including US-based) to help expand gaming coverage. “I'd love to meet some great writers — especially with experience across profiles and in-depth feature reportage, and a distinct voice — in the space.” Pitch: [email protected].
LGTBQ+ History: QueerAF is looking for pitches for 700-1000 word history articles for Trans+ History Week. They want 'think piece’ style histories, aiming to be thought-provoking and speculative, focusing on the lessons we can learn from history. To pitch, you must provide examples of previous work, a working headline, and four to five bullet points about what your article will cover. One of these bullet points should tell us how the piece will conclude with what learning there is from this history lesson. Pitch here.
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 February 16.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
Smokelong Quarterly is looking for flash narrative submissions of up to 1,000 words. Pay: $100. Deadline: February 15.
GriffithReview is accepting non-fiction submissions for GriffithReview89 Here Be Monsters with a max of 4,000 words. Pay: AUD$.075/word. Deadline: February 16.
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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 25) 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 buy me a coffee.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
Angi wants to add a full-time Staff Writer to its team to produce high-impact content that promotes the Angi and HomeAdvisor brands. Ideal candidates have 3 - 5 years of experience creating search-driven content, working in a CMS like Contentful, and a degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or a related field. Pay: $60k - $70k plus benefits.
from previous issues
Dotdash Meredith is hiring multiple remote roles for PEOPLE Magazine, including a full-time Digital Weekend News Editor ($35-$38/hr), a full-time Digital Night News Writer ($30 - $35/hr), a full-time Digital Morning News Editor ($35 - $38/hr), a full-time Digital News Writer-Editor ($35/hr), and a full-time Digital News Writer-Editor (Crime) ($35/hr).
Dotdash Meredith is also looking for a full-time Senior Library Editor for Simply Recipies ($77k - $92k/yr), a full-time News Updates Editor for Better Homes and Garden, a full-time contract Business & Finance News Writer for Investopedia, and a part-time contract Copy Editor and Fact-Checker ($25/hr) for Food & Wine.
Gymshark Central wants to add more freelance writers to their database. Writers should have experience in fitness, wellness, food, or fashion.
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).
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 readers.” 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 be able 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.
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
podcasts
And as always, here are the podcasts I listen — and re-listen — to.
limited series
culture, news, politics, history
books, movies, tv, writing
true crime
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