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- no. 25
no. 25
NaNo no more + calls for ferry stories
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
Well-researched nonfiction is still possible to write. The news cycle is spinning faster than ever, with stories evolving at lightning speed. Writing nonfiction books can still cover trending topics, though, as long as they make allowances for how slow book publishing is. By zooming out and providing clear analysis, nonfiction books can remain relevant. (Jane Friedman Blog)
Write from the scar, not the wound. Personal experience is the best resource for writing stories, but writers need to put distance between themselves and their subject before putting pen to paper. When the event is too raw, we churn out essays that look closer to diary entries than something crafted with an audience in mind. (Writers Circle)
marketing
Play instead of pitch. In social media posts and e-mail newsletters, sharing publication dates and buy links isn’t enough to get readers to care. Instead, work on creating a community through fun, authentic posts that “play” with readers, helping them look forward to your new content. (Writers in the Storm)

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all things book publishing
publishing news + notes
NaNo No More. National Novel Writing Month closed down this month, announcing via e-mail that while there is “no shortage of writers who want to participate in NaNoWriMo…building a community and being able to sustain it are two different matters.” (LitHub)
for querying writers
Reminder:
I have openings + a quick turnaround on query letter edits.
Rachel Cone-Gorham, literary agent at RDX Agency, is looking for emotionally resonant, high-contrast fiction with strong hooks and commercial appeal. Think literary-commerical crossovers or smart, voice, romantic-adjacent stories. In non-fiction, she is looking for “big-idea books” with cultural bite and urgent POVS, especially the future of work & identity, feminist wellness, or counterintuitive health, climate, or spiritual narratives.
Natascha Morris, literary agent at The Tobias Agency, is looking for fantasy set in military-style schools.

calls for pitches +
paid creative opportunities
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
Internet + Pop Culture: Manisha Krishnan, senior editor at WIRED, is open to tips and original, surprising, and wacky pitches tied to internet culture, pop culture, tech, online dating, gaming, and more. E-mail [email protected].
Jobs: Frank Olito, editor at Business Insider, is looking for essay pitches from people who gained employment thanks to their parents. Did you use their connections or let them apply for you? Do you have any embarrassment or shame? Also open to pitches from the parents’ perspective. E-mail [email protected].
Travel: Stephanie Pitera Statile, editor at Business Insider, is looking for pitches of essays on ferry trips, flight and cruise upgrades, retirement travel, and moving to/from the US. Rates start at $200 for 600 words. Pitch using this form.
Neurodivergence: Lauren Quinn, managing editor at Motley Bloom, is looking for pitches of essays, reviews, first-person narratives, and reported stories for their May digital issue on “confronting shame, stigma, and misconceptions.” Rates start at $300 for short pieces and $500 for longer. Deadline: April 11. E-mail pitches to [email protected] with “PITCH” in the subject.
from previous editions
This subscriber-only section includes all remote job openings shared in previous editions of this literary life. Upgrade now for access.
food
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 with fresh, interesting things to say about the whisky world. Rate: $.25/word. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
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].
Food: Gastro Obscura is 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: 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/others 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.
travel
Travel: Fodor’s has opened to pitches for spring 2025. Please pitch topics not already covered on their site, and remember they are not accepting destination service/SEO content. Ideal pitches are for “serviceable” stories that teach readers something new. Pitches through this form.
Food/Drink/Travel: Christie Rotondo, senior editor for Vox Creative, is always commissioning writers “for assignments in the food, drink, and travel space.” She told Study Hall that Vox is “constantly creating Eater heatmaps and Thrillist local guides and want to grow our roster of local writers.” Rate: $750 for maps or guides. E-mail bio and 2 -3 clips of relevant work to christie@[email protected] with subject line: Local Writer Pitch From [Your City].
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].
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: Atlas Obscura is 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.
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 pitches from through-hikers or members of the Appalachian Trail Community about Hurricane Helene, its impact on the trail/trail community, or its recovery. Pitch: [email protected].
Outdoors: Stasia Stockwell, managing editor for Trails Magazine, is looking for pitches on backpacking food. “We need recipes as well as stories: Think a profile of a backcountry chef or a review of a unique piece of camp kitchen gear. Rate: $.50/word. Pitch: [email protected].
home + garden
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 “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.
Groceries: Mara Weinraub, Senior Editor at The Kitchn, is looking for pitches from new writers who have “ingenious advice and strong opinions about the groceries we buy and the retailers and we buy them from.” She is looking for personal essays, reported features, expert-approved tips, noteworthy trends, cultural phenomena, and more. Rate: $150/300 word story. Pitch: mara.@[email protected].
Sustainability: Lynn Freehill-Maye, managing editor at Hudson Valley Viewfinder, is looking for pitches on reported stories on “sustainability, agriculture, science, wildlife, outdoor recreation, green transportation, and more” related to the Hudson Valley. Rate: $500 - $700 for 500 - 700 words. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
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
Older Millennials + Midlife: Marquita Harris, senior editor for Gloria, told Study Hall they are looking for “essays and reported features on topics that are relevant to women who are midlife. Think: pop culture, entertainment, relationships, and beauty. We also love original, compelling, quirky, and relatable ideas” for “women who aren’t yet old but aren’t still young.” Rate: $400 for 800 - 1200 words. Pitch: [email protected] with PITCH in the subject line.
Personal Essays: Narratively is looking for pitches for “The Personals,” a new series of “super unique and interesting first-person stories that focus on one moment, one day, one week, one season.” Specifically, they are looking for “active, exciting first-person stories that resolve around dramatic scenes and moments.” Rate: $300 for 1000 - 15000 words. Submit through Submittable.
Habits and Attitudes: Chicken Soup for the Soul is now accepting true stories about habits and/or attitudes. Whether you’re breaking bad habits, changing your attitude, or even if this story call-out inspired you to make a change, CSFTS wants to hear about it. Deadline for “habits and attitudes” is May 30. Submit here.
Personal Stories: Jessica Reed, head of narrative at The Guardian US, is always looking for pitches about “normal people. Normal people who go on, endure, preserve, resist.” Think: “Walmart workers, broke teachers, gentrifiers meeting the gentrified, struggling surgeons, hard-working farmers, taxi drivers on the brink, unhoused people who choose to go to jail, etc.” 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].
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].
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].
Book Culture: John Maher, news director at Publishers Weekly, is looking for pitches of industry news, trend pieces, and reported features on “book publishing, comics and graphic novel publishing, manga/manhwa/manhua publishing audiobook publishing, bookselling, libraries, copyright law, generative artificial intelligence, [and] large language models.” He's especially interested in stories that are at the “intersection of technology and the book business; comics, graphic novels, and manga; trends in genre publishing including science fiction, fantasy, romance, and horror.” Rate: $0.50 per word for print; “web rates vary.” Pitch: [email protected].
Movies: Jared Keller, managing editor of Military.com, is looking for pitches of “compelling analyses of war movies new and old” for “Theater of War,” a new column. Analysis can focus on “a certain character, a particular scene, or broader theme.” Rates: start at $400. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
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].
Living with disabilities: Rooted in Rights is looking for pitches for blog posts from disabled writers interested in “sharing resources ranging from organizing tips, strategies on getting basic needs met, highlighting a direct service organization, to things that bring you joy, books, comedy, or media recommendations, accessibility workaround, tips for finding community, strategies for rest, and strategies for resistance.” Rate: $400 for 500 words (w/ option to publish anonymously). Pitch here.
gender/identity/sexuality
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 and what learning there is from this history lesson. Pitch here.
Girls and women: Sarah Little, founder of More to Her Story, is looking for more pitches on under-told stories about girls and women worldwide. Their focus isn’t just what’s in the headlines but the stories slipping through the cracks in mainstream media. 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.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
Roxane Gay is accepting nonfiction essays from emerging writers for her newsletter, The Audacity. Emerging writers have “fewer than three article/essay/short story publications and no published books or book contracts.” Essays should be between 1500 and 3000 words. Rate: $1500. Submit through Submittable.
Narratively and Belletrist have joined forces for the Narratively Belletrist True Romance Writing Prize, which “will award remarkable memoir and reported stories, from love quadrangles, to lost-and-found soulmates, to unthinkable sacrifices and bizarre romantic connections that defy all odds.” Grand prize winners receive $3000 (longform) and $500 (shortform). Entry fees are $10 - $20, but waived for Narratively subscribers. Submit through Submittable. Deadline: May 1.

remote writing + editing jobs
These job listings were active when this newsletter was scheduled to be published (April 5), but may have expired since. If you appreciate these weekly roundups, feel free to buy me a coffee.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting.
Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
Forbes is looking for a full-time Deals & Coupons Writer to join their team. You will be responsible for writing 1 - 3 deal articles a day, plus updating evergreen sale content, participating in sales event coverage, and building and maintaining coupon store pages weekly. Ideal candidates have 1 - 2 years of experience and have an appropriate taste level to be able to curate products for the Forbes audience. Salary: $70k - $75k.
from previous editions
This subscriber-only section includes all remote job openings shared in previous editions of this literary life. Upgrade now for access.
Morning Brew is looking for a full-time Contract Copy Editor to read and review newsletter items, interviews, and reported stories across their B2B portfolio, including Retail Brew, Tech Brew, HR Brew, and more. Ideal candidates have 2+ years of copy editing and/or fact-checking experience with financially-focused news or media outlets. Rate: $50 - $55/hr.
Dotdash Meredith is seeking a part-time News Editor to join the Martha Stewart team at least 13 hours a week. You will be responsible for pinching and writing news content for MarthaStewart.com, plus researching and making revisions, updates, and rewrites of archival content. Ideal candidates have at least 2 years of experience writing or editing home/lifestyle media for a magazine or news publication, are comfortable working remotely, and can perform internet research, including creating/tracking Google alerts. Rate: $25/hr. US residents only.
Trusted Media Brands is looking for a full-time Contract Editor to report to the senior editor on the Taste of Home team. You will be responsible for editing SEO-driven food content accordingly to weekly publishing goals, mentoring writers, and supporting editorial strategy. Ideal candidates have 5+ years of full-time experience writing and editing food content, have a Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, media, marketing, or a related field, and have solid knowledge of SEO practices.
Salon is looking for a full-time Senior Editor, Ideas to add to their team. Your role will be to help Salon reimagine their opinion coverage while leading the editorial vision for the exchange of ideas “on-site and across [Salon’s] multi-platform channels.” Ideal candidates have 7+ years of journalism experience, proficiency in digital analytics tools like Chartbeat, and an understanding of Salon’s voice and editorial vision. Rate: $81k - $90k, plus benefits + unlimited PTO. Position is covered by Salon’s Writers Guild of America, East, Collective Bargaining agreement.
Bustle Digital Group is hiring a part-time affiliate shopping writer (fashion & women’s lifestyle) for their Commerce and Affiliate Marketing Team. You will be responsible for writing articles, reviews, and round-ups aimed at helping BDG’s audience make “informed purchasing decisions,” with successful articles earning affiliate revenue. Ideal candidates have 3+ years of experience in writing, editing, or creating content in a digital publishing and/or affiliate marketing environment. Rate: $22 - $25/hr.
TheTravel is adding more Freelance Travel Writers to their team. These writers have experience, especially as a travel writer, with exceptional research skills, in-depth knowledge about travel trends, and strong writing skills.
Blavity is looking for a Content Editor ($25/hr, 25 - 29 hrs a week) to edit and publish 8 - 10 articles and 5 - 10 web stories daily and write 2 - 3 articles weekly.
Raw Story also wants to add a Night and Weekend Newswriter to their ranks to cover breaking news in national politics, criminal justice, social justice, extremism, and more. Ideal candidates can find new stories or different angles on events/mainstream issues, have a deep interest in the breaking news cycle, and have the ability to work independently on nights and weekends.
Gannett/USA Today is seeking a full-time Developmental Editor/Content Creator to produce audience-focused financial content that will develop revenue. You will work closely with the Content Monetization Team to identify content opportunities to grow revenue and the USAT audience. Ideal candidates have a degree in journalism and at least four years of professional experience. Rate: $68k - $93k..
Seahawk is looking for a full-time Content Writer to join their team. You will be responsible for creating blog posts, social media posts, and other digital materials. Ideal candidates have over four years of experience in content creation, good knowledge of SEO tools, and experience using Google Docs, Google Analytics, WordPress, and social media tracking software.
Dotdash Meredith is also looking for a full-time News Updates Editor for Better Homes and Gardens and a full-time contract Business & Finance News Writer for Investopedia.
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.
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.
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.
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
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

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