Writing articles for publications and websites that reach your target audience can be an excellent way to gain exposure for your work since most publications allow you to include your author bio and website link. In addition, articles featured in publications become part of your author resumé. Each article boosts your professional credibility, which can impress literary agents, editors, media professionals, and more.
These articles also become known as “clips,” which you can share with larger publications that want to see samples of your work. Clips are often needed when seeking paid freelance writing opportunities or when aiming to write for larger publications.
Speaking of getting paid, while most blogs and online publications don’t pay writers, there are some larger outlets that pay for contributions, with rates ranging from $50 to $1,000+. Paid placements are harder to get due to the competition with experienced freelance writers, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue them, especially after acquiring several clips from other publications.
How to Pitch Articles and Essays to Blogs and Print Publications
Most publications feature submission guidelines that detail how they want to receive pitches for articles, blog posts, and essays. Guidelines usually include topics of interest, word count limits, and what kinds of rights the publication expects. If the publication pays for your article, they may require full rights to the work—meaning you cannot publish it elsewhere. But most non-paying outlets ask for rights for 30 days or so, and then you can publish the piece on your own site or submit it to another publication that accepts reprints.
The list features 12 media outlets that welcome guest articles, essays, and opinion pieces. Be sure to review the submission guidelines carefully and follow the requested process. We would love to celebrate your success so if you place an article in any of these publications, be sure to come back and share in the comments!
Blogs, Websites, and Publications Accepting Nonfiction Articles and Essays
Psychology Today
Most articles on psychologytoday.com are written by our network of expert authors. Each author typically publishes regular blog posts focused on a particular theme or set of topics. Are you a clinician, scientist, mental health expert, or writer who has a great idea for a new Psychology Today blog? We want to hear about it.
See Psychology Today Writer Guidelines
Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper
The Sunday Paper is a weekly digital publication that’s on a mission to elevate the voices and ideas of those trying to move humanity forward. As part of our mission, we partner with journalists, writers, and other creative professionals to provide readers with engaging content produced exclusively for The Sunday Paper. This work is deemed “A Sunday Paper Original” and is included in our weekly newsletter, as well as amplified on our socials.
See Sunday Paper Writer Guidelines
LifeHack.org
You have the wisdom, expertise, and experiences to share. We provide you with the platform and voice to spread it. Lifehack is a well-established and well-known authority of self-improvement tips for millions of readers worldwide. As a Guest Writer, you will play an integral role in changing people’s lives with fresh perspectives and actionable advice. Topics covered include health and fitness, parenting, happiness, spirituality, productivity, and motivation.
See LifeHack Writer Guidelines
Brevity Literary Magazine
While Brevity publishes the finest examples of flash nonfiction we can find, the Brevity Blog is the place to discuss issues related to the writing of literary nonfiction. The blog, like the magazine, reaches thousands of readers each month, with 50,000+ WordPress subscribers. Though we don’t shy away from important issues in the writing community, the Brevity blog can also be colloquial, personal, and at times irreverent or humorous, and our most popular posts tend to be those that are the least academic. We aim to publish not just blog posts but essays, with a beginning, a middle and an ending, with the arc and movement found in all good essays, and in which the writer comes to a recognition, a realization, or sometimes an epiphany. We look for that throughline and a reader take away that questions, teaches, inspires, and/or entertains—that makes us think.
See Brevity Writer Guidelines
The Audacity Newsletter by Roxane Gay (PAID!)
THE AUDACITY features an emerging writer twice a month. Please submit your best literary essays and memoir. Essays should be between 1500 and 3000 words. We may take up to eight weeks to respond but we will respond to all submissions. All essays are paid a flat fee of $1,500.
See Audacity Writer Guidelines
AllBusiness.com
AllBusiness.com is one of the premier sites on the web for entrepreneurs and small and growing businesses. The site has been operational for over 20 years and has published high-quality, search engine optimized-content in over 50 categories including sales, marketing, finance, technology, AI, entrepreneurship, and more.
See AllBusiness.com Writer Guidelines
Tiny Buddha
Tiny Buddha is a place for community, where people come together to share what they’ve been through and what they’ve learned. With millions of readers and friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, Tiny Buddha reaches a large audience of motivated people who are actively seeking tips and techniques to heal, grow, and enhance their lives. Topics include mental health, relationships, purpose and passion, healthy habits, happiness, and personal growth stories.
See Tiny Buddha Writer Guidelines
American Historical Association
Articles and pitches must be original, not submitted elsewhere, and should be submitted online. All submissions are subject to review by the Perspectives editorial board before acceptance and publication. All accepted articles will be published online; selected articles will also be published in print.
See American Historical Association Writer Guidelines
Journal of Military History
The Journal of Military History seeks primarily manuscripts rooted in archival or original research that will alter or bring into question an accepted historical narrative. It also publishes, on occasion, historiographic essays, research notes, and documents of interest.
See Journal of Military History Writer Guidelines
Nonfiction Authors Association
The Nonfiction Authors Association welcomes guest blog posts from contributors. Articles should be how-to in nature and offer tactical advice for nonfiction writers in any of the following categories: nonfiction book writing, book marketing, traditional publishing, self-publishing, publicity, public speaking, the business of writing, and revenue streams.
See Nonfiction Authors Association Writer Submission Guidelines
Washington Post Op Ed
Taking its name from its traditional position opposite the editorial page of a newspaper, an op-ed is an opinion essay written by a staff columnist or an outside contributor. It should have a clear point of view or argument supported by specific evidence. It does not represent the opinions of The Washington Post — in fact, it may often contradict the opinion of The Post’s Editorial Board.
See Washington Post Op Ed Guidelines
New York Times Op Ed
New York Times Opinion guest essays deliver an argument in the author’s voice, based on fact and drawn from expertise or experience. Our goal is to offer readers a robust range of ideas on newsworthy events or issues of broad public concern from people outside The New York Times. We welcome ideas for submissions in all media, including audio, illustration, data and visualization.
See New York Times Op Ed Guidelines
Get more writer submission guidelines for publishing your nonfiction articles and essays!
Beginning in May 2025, the Nonfiction Authors Association will share writing opportunities with subscribing members every Friday in the weekly members-only newsletter, which also includes blogs seeking guests.
Not a member yet? You can join us here!
