Shady Websites, Writers, and Markets for New Writers

I've been doing a lot of talking concerning new writers. I'm not the only one. Angela Hoy from Writer's Weekly wrote a recent rant on Pay Per Click sites. It's not just a rant, it is an informative post on just what these people are doing to new writers.

I could list the names of these places, but like Angela, I won't. It just gives them more advertising. Let me say that I don't have a problem with some places-like Hubpages, eHow, and yes, even Associated Content. I'll explain why:

Hubpages: Much like BellaOnline, Hubpages allows you to set up and plug in your own Google Adsense, Amazon, eBay, and Kontera affiliate codes. What sets HubPages apart is that you can write on whatever you'd like. I like this. It gives me another place to plug in articles I didn't sell, forgot to sell, or a blog post that went far over the word count I like to set. They do police the content and your profile prominently displays your score. The higher the score, the better and more informative the content. HubPages does not pay its writers-they are paid via their affiliates only.

eHow: eHow pays through a revenue share program. There are no upfront payments unless you work for Demand Studios which supplies content to eHow- I prefer using the compensation program through the eHow site. If the How-to's you write are done well, you can bring in a respectable amount each month. I've made well over what Demand would have given me per title by using the compensation/adshare program. It's probably the best program I've participated in and pays on time.

Associated Content: I'm only including this site as an example of something that's better than pay per clicks. Even this content mill will offer upfront payment. It's low pay- but it is PAY...better than a penny a month that some sites think is wonderful.

Angela Hoy puts forth that new writers deserve to be paid just like any other tradesman- which I wholeheartedly agree. She has a page that offers many links to publications that encourage new writers to submit. Why don't you take a look, HERE.

Good luck!

7 Magazines For New (or Veteran!) Freelancers

I thought about compiling this information into an ebook then decided it would be more fair to list the links. Websites change often, so do submission guidelines. This means that if something changed, you'd need a new and updated book-even if the information changed a day after the ebook was released.

This post should be considered only one more resource among many. There are great books, newsletters and guides for writers. Utilize as many as you can, check them often, and once you've learned the basics of querying, pitching, and submitting, tailor what you have learned to fit your own style.


All are open to any writer, regardless of experience. Read the full guidelines and follow them precisely to better your chances of being published.


This post is for all writers interested in writing for parenting magazines. Remember that these magazines publish more than parenting information. Recipes, gardening, money saving tips...the list goes on and on.

The following magazines/websites accept email submissions.

Mothering Magazine
We pay between $200 and $500 for a magazine article, the amount to be negotiated at the time it is selected for and laid out in an issue. Payment is made 90 days from publication date for one-time use of the article. In addition to payment, all authors receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Mothering and two copies of the issue in which their article is published. Inquire if you would like additional copies.


Charlotte Parent- Editor: Eve White
Fees vary depending on the length, depth and use of the story. Assigned articles generally pay $45-$75, and reprints pay $15-$35. Writers are paid following publication. Tearsheets provided with payment. We do not pay kill fees.


Chicago Parent
Short Stuff is the port of entry for new writers. If you haven’t written for Chicago Parent, chances are we’ll ask you to start here. It is a section in the front of the magazine that looks at local people, places, groups and things of interest to families. We are always looking for breaking news and relevant issues as well. We ask first-time writers to pitch us an idea. They may be asked to submit a full article on speculation, with no guarantee of publication.
Short Stuff articles are 300-400 words in length, payment is $25-$50


Hudson Valley Parent
We generally pay $60 for locally-slanted, assigned one-page story of 700-800 words, $80-$120 for 1,200 word or more features. Our fees for reprints are between $25-$35 depending on the word count. Any unsolicited, non-locally-slanted feature is treated as a reprint and payment will be made based on the word count mentioned above. Writers are paid within 7-10 days of publication of their article, which is generally the last week of each month (though some months vary). Two copies of the magazine will be sent with payment.


Indy's Child
Midwest Parenting Publications pays .10 cents per word for first publication rights to an article and no more. Feature articles must be no less than 1500-2000 words. Reprint articles are paid $35 for articles under 500 words and $50 for articles up to 1000 words. These fees include the rights to use your article for both Indy's Child Parenting Magazine and All About Kids Parenting Magazine in Cincinnati, OH, as well as for use on both IndysChild.com and AAKMagazine.com once published.
Payment will be made within 90 days of publication.


South Florida Parenting-Submit 2 months in advance for seasonal material
South Florida Parenting pays $150-$300 for first publication rights to articles, based on placement within the magazine, length and quality of writing. We will ask you to sign a contract warranting that the work submitted is your original work and agreeing that you will not submit work to any other publications in South Florida. Writers are paid $30-$50 for reprints of articles that are published elsewhere. Generally, these fees also include rights to use the article online at www.sfparenting.com


The Villiage (Fargo)
Article length for regular articles is approximately 1500 words, feature article length is approximately 2500 words. We pay freelance writers $.07 per word. Our reprint fee is between $30 and $50, depending on length of article.
Can submit via email or hardcopy.