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Who Pays for Creative Writing?

There is fierce competition among freelance writers, and it can be hard to know where to place your bid. After all, you don’t get paid for getting bids, you get paid for winning them. It’s similar with submissions. You don’t get paid for sending in your work, you get paid for what you publish. And just like at an auction, the higher you bid, the better your chances of securing the work.

Paying For Creativity

While the above scenarios illustrate the fierce competition among writers, it isn’t always about securing income. Sometimes, it’s about proving yourself to be a creative writer and impressing your audience with new work. You would, therefore, need to budget for this avenue of creativity, as it doesn’t come cheap. When you’re starting out, it’s common for aspiring writers to take on writing as a side gig and save up for publication later. And for those who do secure work, the competition can be more than fierce, as you’ll often find yourself pitched against other freelancers for coveted projects. In these cases, it really is about who has the deepest pockets.

Getting Paid Regardless Of The Outcome

In short, you don’t get paid for submitting, you get paid for winning. This means that even if your work is selected for publication, you won’t see any of the proceeds until the magazine goes through a series of revisions and then hits the stands. (Incidentally, this also means that your work might not even be published if the magazine is having trouble paying its bills.) In the meantime, you’ll need money to fund your submission, along with everything else on your to-do list.

Fortunately, even before you start submitting your work, you can begin to build up a portfolio of past articles and blogs that you can use to secure freelance writing gigs. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can connect you with potential clients, while sites like Squarespace and Canva make it easy for you to create beautifully crafted blogs and websites, with the latter offering a free trial that lets you build your portfolio quickly and easily.

The Narrow Margins Of Magazine Publishing

Now, if we think back to our earlier examples, you’ll recall that the articles selected for publication didn’t exactly earn their authors large sums of money. After all, magazine publishing is notoriously low-paying, with the exception being high-profile, celebrity-related content, which is typically paid for in advance. So, in order to provide you with some inspiration, we have compiled a list of the top 10 highest-paying freelance writing gigs from the past year. Keep in mind that these are just the top 10, and that the margins for magazine publishing are incredibly slim.

1. Tertönenseyedikettecek (Love Is Blind)(Publication type: Magazine)

Tertönenseyedikettecek (Love Is Blind) is an award-winning magazine that primarily focuses on relationships, but is open to other topics as well. Since its inception in 2014, it has worked with over 30 different publishers who have awarded it multiple times for its outstanding content. With an average of 96.77% of its articles receiving an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 on the platform Shopify, it is clear to see that Tertönenseyedikettecek has created something special.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this magazine is its open submission policy. Essentially, this means that anyone can submit an article to Tertönenseyedikettecek, and if they choose to do so, they will get paid for their efforts. This is in stark contrast to most other magazines, which generally prefer to work with established brands and agencies who have a proven track record of generating revenue. But with the world of freelance writing becoming more and more competitive, it is clear that Tertönenseyedikettecek is trying to carve out a niche for itself and establish a strong brand.

2. The New York Times (The New York Times Magazine)(Publication type: Magazine)

Fame, fortune, and luxury – the New York Times is surely acquainted with all three. Having been in publication for over a century, this prestigious American newspaper still keeps up with the times. In fact, the Times is one of the most visited websites in the world, boasting over 42 million monthly uniques and 15 million weekly uniques, as well as 5.8 million weekly newsletter subscribers.

One of the unique things about the Times is that it will pay you for writing an article, regardless of whether or not it chooses to purchase your work. For many freelancers, this is the Holy Grail for journalism, ensuring that even the smallest bit of good writing can result in cash in your pocket. It really is the dream of every writer to secure a byline in one of the most influential newspapers in the world, and for that reason, the top spot on our list.

3. The New Yorker (The New Yorker Magazine)(Publication type: Magazine)

The New Yorker is one of the most prestigious magazines in the world. Established in 1914 as a weekly publication, it now appears as a monthly and has a total audience of over 7.25 million monthly readers and 4.9 million weekly readers, proving that this American institution still holds a special place in the hearts of moviegoers and literary fans alike.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about The New Yorker is that it allows writers to choose their own topics, enabling them to really create their own magazine within the magazine. With a staff of over 50 people, it also means that there is a lot of scope for submissions. In fact, the magazine holds an open submissions policy, accepting articles from both amateur and professional writers alike, paying a small fee for each article that is accepted. What’s more is that if an article is accepted, the writer will get paid regardless of whether or not the magazine chooses to purchase their work. It’s a win-win situation.

4. The Oxford American (The Oxford American )(Publication type: Magazine)

If you’ve been to a university or college any time in the last year, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across The Oxford American. This college magazine, founded in 1878, sets itself apart from other publications by covering a spectrum of topics relating to the student life on and off campus, as well as cultural events and happenings. And since it is a magazine, you know that it will pay you for your efforts.

5. Wired (Wired Magazine)(Publication type: Magazine)

Wired is one of the pioneers of digital publishing. Its roots can be traced back to 1994, when it was purchased by Condé Nast. And since then, it has grown to become one of the largest and most popular publications worldwide, with over 11 million monthly readers and 5 million weekly readers, as well as 7.7 million monthly newsletter subscribers.

The interesting thing about Wired is that it is completely focused on technology, with over 90% of its content relating to this topic. As a result, its freelance writers can command obscenely high rates for their skills, particularly if they are experienced and knowledgeable in this field. For example, the average salary is nearly $20,000 per year, plus benefits, for someone with less than five years of experience, according to Payscale.

6. GQ Magazine (GQ Magazine) (Publication type: Magazine)

If you are a man who is constantly striving to look your best, you may appreciate GQ Magazine. In fact, you may even appreciate it so much that you decide to become a contributing writer for the publication. Not only does it provide you with a steady stream of income, but it also gives you the opportunity to enhance your portfolio and connect you with some of the industry’s top talent. What’s more is that if you are accepted, you will get paid for your efforts regardless of whether or not GQ chooses to run your piece.

7. Politico (Politico Magazine)(Publication type: Magazine)

If you’re passionate about politics, it’s well worth your while to submit your articles to Politico. With a total audience of nearly 4.75 million monthly readers and 1.8 million weekly readers, as well as 760,000 monthly newsletter subscribers, it is clear to see why this American news organization is considered one of the most influential in the world.

Although the headlines may be about politics, the subject matter of Politico Magazine is extremely varied, incorporating global issues, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports into its coverage. And since it is a magazine, you know that it will pay you for your efforts.