- this literary life
- Posts
- no. 9
no. 9
Nicole Tommasulo
December 01, 2024
hey there.
I hope my American subscribers had a calm, healthy, and safe holiday this week.
For the second year in a row, my partner and I stayed home with our cat and cooked a mini-feast for two, including slow-roasted duck legs, mashed potatoes made the way I was taught at Mimo in Nashville, and roasted garlic Brussels sprouts. We also had pumpkin pie with a homemade crust.
If you’re struggling with your writing, I’m running a Black Friday/Cyber Monday special at Blue Line Editing Co. All services are 20% off through December 3. Your project doesn’t have to be ready yet, either; you can put a deposit in for a service now (only 50% is required to book) and schedule your edit later.
ALSO: you can now find prints (+ bags, mugs, etc.) of my photographs of around Boston + from my travels on Society 6.
One more thing: if you, too, want to start a newsletter, Beehiiv has a special offer for this literary life subscribers. 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
There’s something about a blank slate. On one hand, they’re freeing; all of that possibility for something great and new. But there’s also something anxiety-inducing about all the expectations we can put on new projects. On Writer Unboxed, author Vaughn Roycroft shares his best advice for writers of all levels on starting over.
Speaking of starting over, Lisa Norman dropped by Writers in the Storm to invite writers to join Disruptive December.
When you create a fictional world, you control every detail, including the names of every character. If this task seems daunting, Jeanne Kisack shared naming tips at Writer Unboxed this week.
Consider exploring the side effects of limiting beliefs to add another layer of depth to an already deep point of view. Lisa Hall-Wilson talks writers through exploring this side of their characters on Writers in the Storm.
all things book publishing
scam alerts
Writer’s Beware investigator Victoria Strauss reported on two big scams this week. The first is the Independent Literary Recognition Guild, which looks old and legitimate and charges writers $99 for membership. While there are many sketchy details about this organization, one of the biggest red flags is that Hilary Mantel, who died two years ago, is listed as the current president and associated with a literary agency that does not exist.
The second is the Acquisition Database, which claims to help connect writers with film producers for monthly fees ranging from $99 to $999. Overlooking the fact that free databases like Query Tracker exist, other red flags for this service stem from the AI-generated staff page.
publishing news + interesting reads
Taylor Swift became a published author this week, and naturally, everyone now believes that publishing is entering a new era. Her Eras Tour coffee table book ($39.99) is available only at Target, giving the retailer a much-needed sales boost.
There’s probably a fancy edition of a classic on your bookshelf. Lately, more of those editions have become available, and the market is flooding with people trying to capitalize on old stories that have fallen out of copyright.
A group of publishing bros believes they will “disrupt” the publishing industry. They plan to use AI to roll out 8000 books in one year. Here’s how it will work: Writers can pay Spines (up to $5000) to proofread, produce, and disrupt their books. The company will then use AI to do the work.
Microsoft is getting into the publishing game. Following TikTok owner ByteDance, the tech company is launching 8080 Books, which will highlight the (nonfiction) work of “Microsoftees” and other leading industry experts.
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 + essays
Parenting: Jessica Orwig, senior editor at Business Insider, is looking for pitches from parents about child independence. Specifically, she wants stories about how much (or little) autonomy you give your child and why. Does this change as they age, or has it changed because of something else? Pay: $200. Send pitches to [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: Nikki Miller-Ka, a senior editor at Gulfshore Life Magazine, is looking for food stories about the Gulfshore region (Charlotte Country to Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades excluding Sarasota, St. Pete, and Tampa). Specifically, she wants “food history, indigenous practices, culinary innovations or luxury dining and regional travel.” Pitches must have a clear subject, a unique angle, and your reporting plan. Rate: $.50/word. E-mail pitches to [email protected] with “GL FOOD PITCH” in the subject.
Career Change: Conz Preti, editor at Business Insider, is looking for pitches from teachers who have left the field and are much happier. Pay: $200/600 words. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
Tech: Joanna Chiu, China editor at Rest of World, is open to pitches about Silicon Valley activities around the world, as well as the impact of China’s tech. “We have both traditional and simplified Chinese versions of all our articles in Rest of World, in addition to other languages. Part of being an inclusive global tech-focused publication!” Pay: $750. Pitch: [email protected].
Sports Entertainment: Britni Danielle, digital lead at Andscape, is looking for pitches on stories at the intersection of sports and entertainment that align with the publication’s mission (“illuminating the culture and experience of Blackness”). Rate: $500 +. Pitch: [email protected].
literary magazines
There are many literary magazines out there that pay. ChillSubs has an amazing (free) database you can dig through to find the right opportunities for you. The ones I include here are literary magazines that pay for publication that are closing within the next seven days.
Reminder: Vet each opportunity before submitting. Inclusion does not equal endorsement.
Poetry, Short Story, Photography: Split Lit Magazine will close its general submission window, including for photography, poetry, reviews, interviews, and more, on Dec 15. Rate: $75.
Essay, Short Story, Poem: Tangled Locks Journal is still seeking submissions for a special edition called “We Could Almost Touch It.” The journal asks “women [to] share their perspectives on the decline of freedom for women in America and what they are doing about it.” The deadline is Dec 15. The pay is $15.
Flash Fiction, Poetry, Visual Art, Comics, Film, Nonfiction: Exposition Review will close its general submission window on Dec 15. Rate: $50.
Literary, Essay, Photography, Interview: Southern Indiana Review closes its general submission window on Dec 15. Rate: $125 - $300.
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
Travel: Stephanie Pitera Statile, lifestyle/entertainment editor at Business Insider, is looking for stories “about the best things to do in big cities and/or national parks. Note: Business Insider does not accept hosted travel stories. Rate: $240.
Environmental: John R. Platt at The Revelator is now taking pitches for 2025. Specifically, they're looking for stories on "what we're losing: species, ecosystems, environmental justice communities, climate battles, or other aspects of life on Earth at risk." Plus, they want reporting on "What we’re saving: How people are working to understand, stabilize, or reverse a major threat." Finally, they're hoping for stories on the Trump administration: "What damage was done the first time around that we’re just starting to understand? How did people and communities recover after the first Trump administration? What are organizations doing to defend against the second?" Pay: $300 - $500. Deadline: Dec 10.
AI and Creativity: Rachel Courtland, a commissioning editor at MIT Technology Review, is looking for pitches of longer pieces — narrative features, compelling investigations, essential profiles, and super-sharp essays — on the theme of “creativity” for an upcoming print issue. On LinkedIn, she shared: “Please note that we will likely be getting a lot of pitches on AI and creativity. This is not to dissuade you from pitching on that topic if you feel like you have a strong and specific idea. But we would especially welcome pitches on other subjects, ones that interpret the theme in other ways." Pay: $1 to $2 per word. Send pitches to [email protected] by December 4.
Science and Health Features: Shannon Palus, features editor at Slate, is open to science and health features. She's looking specifically for "big, unexpected and counterintuitive ideas" like this example and this example. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
Food: Eater SF is open to "new ideas and new voices" with original insights, reporting, and analysis on the Bay Area's food scene. “We get the same press releases everyone else does, so strong preference will be given to story pitches that arise from your personal expertise, revelations, or finds over ideas proposed by media relations teams.” No rates were given, but historically have been $0.25/ word. E-mail pitches with a "clear angle" to [email protected] and include clips.
Food and beverage: Chris Hatler is seeking whisk(e)y pitches for Men's Journal. He's looking for hot takes and personal essays with unique opinions and snappy headlines like "Old Grand-Dad Bonded Is My Favorite Cheap Bourbon" and "I’ve Tried Hundreds of Bourbons. Bib & Tucker Double Char Is the Smoothest I've Tasted." No deadline. Rate: $250. E-mail pitches to [email protected].
Relationships: Nonlinear Love co-founder Ariella Steinhorn is looking for nonlinear love stories. This includes “divorces and remarriages; dating horrors or delights; lovers who cropped back up years later; or even an unexpected thing you learned from your partner within a traditional marriage or relationship structure.” The rate is $150 for 800-1,000 words. E-mail pitches to [email protected]. Stories can be published anonymously.
creative opportunities
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, and we enjoy rigorous criticism for a general audience." Send pitches (2 - 3 paragraphs outlining your idea) to [email protected].
Interviews, Short Stories, Poems, Articles: Nonprofit Quarterly seeks articles, interviews, short stories, and poems for their print magazine's 2025 racial justice issue, “How Women of Color in the South are Reclaiming Space.” Deadline to submit: December 17. Pays: $150 - 300 (short stories, poems), $300 (interviews), and $500 (articles).
remote writing + editing jobs
Since we’re all already on LinkedIn, I will do my best to find the remote writing and editing jobs that are not already being shared/applied there. These job listings are active at the time this newsletter is scheduled to be published (Nov 30).
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.
Night sky enthusiasts can apply to be Space.com’s newest Sky Watch Writer. You will be responsible for planning and writing feature and educational content, plus covering trending and breaking news. Pay range: £24,000 - £28,000 + benefits.
Arizent is looking to add several full-time financial reporters to its team, spread across its various publications, including journalists with a background in covering securities law and regulation for The Bond Buyer. For this role, you will be responsible for covering breaking news and researching and writing three - to five features weekly. You will also be expected to create daily social media posts and participate in events hosted by The Bond Buyer, including podcasts, interviews, seminars, etc. Pay range: $70k - $80k + benefits.
Additionally, Arizent seeks a technology reporter to join American Banking to cover bank tech and FinTech. You will be responsible for researching and writing one article a day plus two “enterprising features” per month, creating daily social media posts, and participating in live and digital events. Pay range: $70k - $80k + benefits.
For freelance writers looking for work paid per article, Internet Brands Publishing is looking for experts in a number of topics, including travel ($30/300 words), apartment living, lifestyle ($30/500 words), acupuncture ($25 - 40), and more.
recommendations
books
A lighter book week this week, but I still got sucked into and inspired by a few.
One of the big ideas I’ve been circling in my writing for a while is toxic female friendships and the mini cults they create, especially in academia. The Truants is my favorite example of this, but I really sunk into Heather Darwent’s The Things We Do to Our Friends.
I came across an adaption of Say Nothing last week, and while that book has a months-long wait, I did start Milkman by Anna Burns, something someone suggested as a follow-up to Say Nothing. This, too, takes place in Northern Ireland but shows the realities of living during the time of The Troubles and how words are just as dangerous as car bombs.
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
Note: I may earn a fee from purchases made at Bookshop.org using affiliate links.
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