Answering Your FAQs About Writing
Plus writing jobs, pitch calls, resources, encouragement, and more!
Hi writers and friends!
Quick announcement: My resource set has gone back down to $18 and the Medium guide is back down at $14 :)
Answering Your FAQs About Writing
As I mentioned in June’s newsletter, I offer coaching/editing services over the phone and email. I’ve already worked with several clients (who are incredible and I had a great time working with them!) and I thought answering a few common questions here might help others, too!
1. What publications should I pitch?
It depends on what you like to write about, of course, but here are some common topics and a few pubs that cover them, along with their guidelines:
Business/Entrepreneurship: Business Insider
Health: Well+Good + Giddy + Stylist + Meet Monarch + SELF
Identity/LGBTQ: PopSugar + Cosmopolitan + Autostraddle + Diem
Relationships: Well+Good + Giddy + SELF + Cosmopolitan + Autostraddle
Sustainability: The Good Trade + PopSugar + GloWell
2. What does your (my) typical day look like?
Each day is different, which is one of the perks! However, I try to wake up around 9 or 9:30am and work until 2 or 3pm.
I do some combination of writing articles, posting my articles on Twitter, answering emails, sending pitches, working on my newsletters, looking for expert sources, etc etc.
I try to plan each week at least a week in advance. For example, I know X article is due this day, so I write it a day or two before. And on this other day, I don’t have anything to do, so I’ll work on my newsletter or a Medium article on Y topic that has been successful for me so far.
3. Why wasn’t my pitch accepted?
Here are some possible reasons (and I say all of these with understanding and love, because goodness knows I’ve been there, we all have):
Your idea wasn’t unique enough (it was already covered by the publication, a staff member could write it, etc) or it was too unique (aka, people wouldn’t search for it)
Your writing style/grammar/English isn’t great yet
You pitched a general topic idea, not a specific story with an angle
You didn’t give enough details about what information you’d include, why, the newsworthiness, etc
Your story would be a better fit in a different publication
Your email/pitch was aggressive and demanding
Rejection is common and sometimes there’s just not a great reason! Editors have limited budgets, times when they publish certain topics, etc. Luck IS involved, to some degree. On that note, I recommend reading this list of reasons by Tim Herrera.
Want more specialized support/feedback/editing/advice? Email me (ashleybroadwater346@gmail.com) and let’s set up a time for your coaching session! An email session is $40 and a call is $50 (which is more affordable than you’ll find other places — just saying :) )
Check It Out: Bonsai!
I recently learned about a program called Bonsai, recommended by many freelance writers.
It’s an all-in-one business management and financial suite for freelancers, small businesses, etc where you can handle invoices, proposals, and contracts, as well as access templates, tax things, task trackers, forms, surveys, etc.
Basically, everything you’ll ever need! Pretty incredible and time-saving, right?
I’m an affiliate partner. If you’re interested, please check it out using my referral link here!
Writing/Freelancing Tips
Pitch Calls
These won’t be as recent since I’m OOO July 25-Aug 1, but I did my best!
NOTE:
If the story is about a marginalized community, you need to be in that community to write the piece.
Mentioning my name in your pitch won’t help, unfortunately!
If the rate isn’t mentioned, one site that may help is Who Pays Writers.
Pitch calls:
Apartment Therapy — send pitches on Hispanic Heritage Month, back to school & upcoming themes for art month, architecture week, community month, along with other incoming holidays — rate is $100-$250+
Nexus Media News — always accepting pitches on climate and environmental justice — rate is $350-$500
Prism — always accepting pitches on various kinds of social justice — rate is $0.40/word.
passionfruit — always accepting pitches on internet subcultures, creator interviews, trend analyses, creator economy news, etc — rate is $250-$450
Want a bunch of these weekly? Purchase a paid subscription to my writing opportunities newsletter!
Writer Jobs
These also won’t be as recent since I’m OOO July 25-Aug 1, but I did my best!
Want a bunch of these weekly, all spelled out? Purchase a paid subscription to my writing opportunities newsletter!
Writing/Freelancing Resources
26+ ways to make money by writing online (written by a friend who so kindly gave me a shout-out in the article!)
This is more of a fun thing: The 4 types of freelancers, by Jasmine Williams
Encouragement
Keep going — you’re not out of time and will understand why you’re going through this soon!
From Giphy
My Articles + Successes
I was featured in this article about some top Medium writers + my newsletter was shared in this Instagram post as one that can help you become a better writer!
I’m in some new pubs, such as Stylist!
In addition to writing for HuffPost Wellness, I also write about lifestyle/tech for HuffPost now!
Housekeeping
Don’t forget about my Medium guide and coaching/editing services and Writing Checklist Set!
More of my content: (1) my writing Twitter // (2) my portfolio // (3) my resource set // (4) my newsletter with tons of writing jobs and pitch calls
Feedback from you: (1) For the newsletter // (2) For the resource set
This newsletter is free, but if you’d like to donate, my Venmo is @AshleyBroadwater, my PayPal is paypal.me/aebroad, and my CashApp is $ashleybroadwater3 :) A huge thanks to donors!
That’s all for now! Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions :)