5 Websites That Pay Women Writers Real Money
Because we deserve places to tell our stories — and get paid for them too.
No words will ever truly sum up the joy, pain, wonder, and frustration that comes with being a woman. But that doesn’t mean that we haven’t come close! From poetry, to biographies, to memoirs, women have been articulating our unique experiences for centuries.
Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to read first person essays by women writers just like you and me (as well as those so different than us we can’t help but learn from them), expertly sourced reported pieces, book reviews, and social commentary.
While it may seem harder to find work right now during the Covid-19 Pandemic, know that there are still publications that will pay to publish our experiences and opinions! I’ve compiled a few of my faves. Here are 6 websites that are paying women writers — today!
Bolde
Bolde (formerly known as The Bolde) publishes relationship content for millennial women. They’re known mostly for their short, snappy listicles that touch on things like ghosting, breakups, online dating, long distance relationships and much more!
Their pieces read confident, snarky, and at times, humorous. Their writers turn their dating fails into advice that the readers can learn from.
How To Apply:
Bolde periodically puts out ads for new writers, but they also recruit writers on an ongoing basis via their submission page. After you read over the guidelines, make sure that you email them at submissions@thebolde.com with your ideas.
Rate: A few years ago, Bolde paid $35 dollars per article. I’m not sure of the going rate today.
Pop Sugar
Pop Sugar is a popular entertainment based website that publishes pop culture news, political commentary, beauty, health and lifestyle content, too. Geared towards women, it’s especially popular with the 18–34 crowd.
How To Apply: While Pop Sugar employs full and part time staff writers, it also allows writers to submit content, via it’s Voices program. Anyone can sign up, fill out their profile and submit articles for Pop Sugar’s editors consideration.
Submission of an article doesn’t guarantee that it will be published. But if the editor likes it, they will contact you for edits and guide you through the publishing and payment process. They also, periodically, put out calls for certain topics, which writers can submit articles and essays on.
Note: I usually avoid platforms that ask for full drafts beforehand, but because Pop Sugar is a high-authority website, with millions of monthly readers, a byline there would be highly beneficial!
Rate: $50 per post
The Tempest
The Tempest is a online magazine that caters primarily to women of color. There, you’ll find original reported pieces, personal essays, and pop culture/lifestyle write ups that put diverse voices and experiences at the forefront. Founded in 2016, they’ve already grown their network to over 1,500 contributors in just four years — many of whom got their start on the website!
How To Apply: Come up with an idea that you think will fit their content, then email them at submit@thetempest.co with your pitch, short background and previous published work (it’s okay if you have none)! If the editors like your idea, they’ll get back to you within two weeks.
Rate: Four years ago, $10/800 word article. Today? Unknown
All Women’s Stalk
All Women’s Talk is a website that publishes women-centered listicles about romance, home design, celeb news, book reviews and more. Most of the articles contain at least 10 items, and anyone can join and create lists. But if writers want to get paid, they need to join the “Write & Earn” Program.
How To Apply: Email write.earn@allwomenstalk.com, express your interest to join the program and wait for a response.
Payment: $3 per 1000 views.
Ravishly
Ravishly calls themselves the “endgame of intersectional feminism with an ebullient twist.” And while that description was too good to leave out, I was going to call them a medium for candid expressions of the triumphs and plights of women. Motherhood, sex, mental health — they specialize in personal essays on everything that affects us! Plus more!
How To Apply: If you want to add your experience to the heap, you should email them, through the contact link on their website, with your name, email address, article idea, links to three published clips, and a resume!
Rate: $50–$100 dollars