Freelance & paid writing

How to find paying publications

Find legitimate markets that pay contributors, and judge whether one is right — without falling for scams.

Intermediate Assumes you can already draft and revise a piece.

Researched & written by BRYME Editorial Desk · 2 min read · Updated 2026-09-04

The best way to get paid is to pitch the right market. The hard part is not finding places that list "writing jobs" — it is finding legitimate ones that welcome you and actually pay.

What to look for

A named, real publication. A credible market has a website, an editorial team, published writers, and a clear submission guideline.

A stated pay. Even a range ("we pay £50–£150 per piece") is a good sign. A market that never mentions pay is a flag.

Clear eligibility. Good guidelines say who they are open to and any region or country rules. "International submissions welcome" is not the same as "open to everyone" — read carefully.

An official submission channel. A form, an editorial email, or a guideline-linked system. Avoid third parties promising to pitch for a fee.

Real examples of published work. Browse recent pieces to see the style and the quality. This tells you what they want and whether you can match it.

How to judge legitimacy

Check the official guideline. It should state the submission method, format, and any rules. A page that only says "we accept submissions" with no detail is a flag.

Confirm the pay or its absence. If pay is not stated, treat it as unknown, not as "unpaid" or "paid." Never assume.

Never pay to be published. A legitimate publication does not charge writers to be considered, and does not promise publication for a fee.

Avoid gigs promising guaranteed acceptance or money. No legitimate editor guarantees a payout before reading your work.

Verify before you commit. Confirm the client or publication, the pay, and how you will be paid. If you cannot verify the route, do not use it.

Where to look

Start with BRYME's opportunity directory — each entry is researched and verified, with the official guideline linked and a last-checked date. From there, follow markets that publish the kind of writing you do, and read a few of their recent pieces.

Common mistakes

Treating a "writing jobs" list as verified. Relying on a repost or a third-party aggregator. Assuming "no country listed" means "open worldwide." Paying a fee to be "considered." Pitching a market that does not fit your work.