$1 a word is widely considered the standard rate for professional writing. Many pros will tell you that you shouldn’t work for anything less. However, it can be hard to find publications that actually pay that rate. To make it easy for you, we’ve put together a list of publications that all pay $1 a word. Not only will they pay you well, but you’ll also get a byline to be proud of. Please note this list is not comprehensive. There are many more publishers that pay these rates. These publishers were included in this list because they are particularly transparent about their pay.
1. Eating Well focuses on all aspects of food and nutrition. Their motto is “Where Good Taste Meets Good Health,” and their articles reflect that. Their pieces take a scientific approach to food and provide advice on healthy eating. They’ve posted a list of columns that are suitable for freelancers, and they pay up to $1 per word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
2. Reader’s Digest is looking for real-life stories for their True Stories department. They want unique stories told in 100 or fewer words, and they pay $100 per story, which works out to $1 or more per word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
3. Boys’ Life is published twice a month by the Boy Scouts of America. They’re looking for exciting, lively articles that target a readership of boys aged 6 to 18, and their advice is to “write for a boy you know who is 12.” They pay up to $1 a word for major features (1,500 words). To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
4. Central Coast Farm & Ranch is a quarterly magazine based in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties in California. They publish articles that cover a variety of topics specific to Central Coast agriculture. They pay up to $1 a word for published features. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
5. Teaching Tolerance publishes articles for a national audience of pre-K through 12 educators with a focus on diversity and social justice. They accept freelance submissions for articles, blog posts, and lessons that reflect their perspective. They pay up to $1 a word for features and their Story Corner section. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
6. National Parks magazine publishes information exclusive to areas in the National Park System. They welcome freelance queries for articles, departments, and news items on the wildlife, discoveries, and legislation related to national parks. They pay up to $1 a word, but they specify that rate for their “proven contributors.” To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
7. Backpacker publishes articles that target the backpacking and hiking communities. Their pieces cover foot-based travel, backcountry experience, North American destinations, and other topics that they highlight. They pay up to $1 per word depending on complexity and experience. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.