For freelance writers, the eternal bugbear remains what to pitch — and where and to whom and how much will it yield?
Here’s the bad news: no magic bullet exists. Databases (free and subscription-driven) fall quickly out date. And when calls for submissions roll out — via listserves, newsletters, writers groups, etc. —you’ll be jostling alongside dozens, maybe even hundreds, of other freelancers.
That’s not to say “don’t buy” or “don’t try,” however! These compendiums contain a lot of good intel, even if much of it slips out of date as the industry shifts and editors hop from job to job.
- AllIndieWriters.com
Free searchable database of paying markets and their rates. - Freelance Beat
A newsletter and subscription service for submission calls - Freelancing with Tim
A substack newsletter from former New York Times staffer Tim Herrera. It includes advice, as well as links to contributor guidelines like this. He also runs Zoom panels. Subscriptions start at $3/month. - Journalism, Creative Jobs, and More Newsletter
PJ Gach runs this excellent Substack - Journalism Jobs
A bulletin board run by the distinguished Columbia School of Journalism in New York. The freelance section is small, but it’s worth checking every few weeks. - LinkedIn
Job postings and submission calls from freelancing to contract work and staff jobs. Many professionals now use this as a networking site now. - Mediabistro
These listings focus more on journalism staff jobs, but remember those adverts often contain good contact information and can flag a changing of the guard (a good time to approach — or re-approach — a publication). Paid memberships also include guidelines on pitching many A-list outlets in the U.S. - Pitchwhiz
Browse listings on this free database - Study Hall
A subscription media newsletter and online network - UGoGurl
Elaine Lee’s newsletter aimed at uplifting fellow Black travel writers - Upod
This academy runs panel discussions featuring top-shelf editors detailing their needs. Join an active discussion or purchase one of the recordings. - Who Pays Writers?
While it doesn’t contain contacts or guidelines, this crowdsourced list gives you an idea who’s buying and at what rate. It’s associated with the NWU’s Freelance Solidarity program, which also details rates. (These two sites are in the process of consciously uncoupling, from what I can tell.) - Worldwide Freelance
An e-newsletter details some openings and you can access a 700-outlet database for free. A $1.87/month subscription opens up another 1,800 suggestions. - Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook (UK)
More than 4,500 listings pack this annual paperback volume. - Writer’s Handbook (UK)
This paperback details 1,300 magazines, British literary agents and book publishers, and also gives access to 2,471 more periodical suggestions in the firstwriter.com online database (which also sells unlimited access for $4.49/month). - Writers Weekly
Advice articles and a small smattering of freelance job listings. The “hall of shame” reveals ongoing scams.
Note: you’ll see a distinct lack of job-bidding sites like Upwork here. That’s because the business model often attracts cheap, difficult clients. Companies like this, Contently and the EnVeritas agency can be useful in a lull, but look to pitching big titles and brands directly — and building your professional network — if your goal is a lucrative freelance income! — Amanda Castleman, founder of Write Like a Honey Badger
Want to up your query game? Write Like a Honey Badger offers courses on pitching throughout the year. Students receive feedback from their instructor and peers weekly. Strapped for cash? Our school offers a needs-based scholarship in each course for writers from backgrounds underrepresented in the media!