Below is a list of publications that accept all sorts of stories about food, ranging from recipes and pieces examining the sustainability of certain practices, to articles exploring the junction of food and travel. We tell you a bit about the media outlet, as well as how you might try to reach an editor there.

Cooking publications and food magazines to pitch

While we focus here on cooking magazines and food magazines, here’s a tip: don’t limit yourself strictly to publications that only cover food. Many other publications, ranging from travel to regional, include a food or dining section, so keep an open mind when trying to place stories about the culinary world.

If you’re keen to explore food-writing jobs, try pitching editors at these publications.

1. Bon Appetit

Bon Appetit is a well-known fine food magazine, and they also publish regularly online. While they rely on in-house writers for recipes and cooking tips and don’t feature traditional restaurant reviews, they’re open to conversational, funny and passionate freelance pitches for reported features, trend stories, personal essays and opinion pieces.

To pitch BonAppetit.com, email cooking@bonappetit.com with “PITCH: [your idea here]” as the subject line. We recommend paying close attention to the pitching guide Bon Appetit provides. Last we checked, rates start at $250 for Restaurant Diaries, Highly Recommend and other short-form stories that range 300 to 500 words. 

2. Catalyst

Salt Lake City, Utah-based Catalyst Magazine focuses on a wide variety of lifestyle topics, including organic food, gardening/food security and more. 

Send your query, along with a resume and clips, writers@catalystmagazine.net. And be warned: if your article is accepted, you’ll be expected to write it on spec. It could still be worthwhile, though! You can find the full submission guidelines online.

3. TASTE

An online magazine with today’s home cook in mind, TASTE seeks a wide variety of freelance material including original recipes with a clear point of view as well as reported stories, home-cooking advice and more.

Send your email with the text of the pitch pasted in the body—no attachments!—to Matt Rodbard. Find all the pitching details in their pitching guide.

4. Disney Food Blog

If the only thing you love more than food is all things Disney, this blog might be the perfect place for you to show off your skills. Focused primarily on the dining and drinking options around Orlando’s Walt Disney World, Disney Food Blog (DFB) welcomes original articles and photos covering the constantly-changing world of Disney cuisine. And while it doesn’t appear to be a paid opportunity, the editors will allow you to thread one link into your byline.

For more details, check out the blog’s guest post guidelines.

5. Eating Well

“Ingredients for The Good Life” is the motto of this national food magazine dedicated to healthy eating. Articles focus on cooking, nutrition science, culture, food origins and traditions, and even social issues related to food networks.

Last we checked, this market pays up to $1 per word, and starting with the short, front-of-the-book sections is the best way to break in. They’ve removed their writers’ guidelines but you can find an editor to pitch on this page.

6. Edible Communities

The Edible franchise features food-related publications in towns and regions all over the country and beyond, from Edible Brooklyn to Edible Northeast Florida to Edible Vancouver. Each publication has different submission requirements and pay rates, so be sure to click on the individual publication you’re interested in for more details.

For example, Edible Seattle relies on freelance writers and encourages pitches for a number of its magazine sections, from long-form features, to recipes, to chef profiles. Pay typically ranges from 20 to 30 cents per word.

7. Epicure & Culture

“Food, Wine & Culture for the Ethical Traveler” is the tagline for this online publication. Recent food articles include Exploring The Culture of Parsi Cafes In Mumbai, India and  Eating Vegan in Austin, Texas. The writer’s guidelines notes contributors receive a link to their website, social media promotion, and $10 payment upon publication.

8. Eater

A national magazine that focuses on reporting on and critically examining all things food and drink, Eater actively seeks pitches from external contributors and pays a competitive rate. (Who Pays Writers reports an average of about 37 cents per word, with some writers having seen rates of up to 67 cents.)

Be sure to read the lengthy submission guidelines in full before you query the magazine, and be doubly sure you’re not pitching something the magazine’s not looking for… especially since they specifically spell it out.

9. Kashrus Magazine

Kosher eating is the focus of Kashrus Magazine covering everything from preparing for Jewish holidays to new Kosher products and even Kosher marijuana.

You can reach out to an editor at editorial@kashrusmagazine.com.

10. Kitchn

Kitchn, a daily web magazine, sees an audience of more than 17 million people, so it’s an understatement to say it would be pretty cool to be featured amongst its colorful, clever posts. And while the bulk of the writing is done by a small, steady team of freelancers, they do accept kitchen projects and recipe links from food bloggers—and also hire freelancers from time to time, so keep an eye on their job listings.

11. Food52

With articles running the gamut from pillowy-soft cinnamon rolls to one-skillet chicken with brothy beans, Food52 makes food approachable, fun and fascinating—and if you have an idea for a story that might fit its mission, you can contact the editors at pitches@food52.com.

Click here for full submission guidelines.

12. Saveur

Saveur covers the junction of food and travel, featuring everything from recipes and cooking tips to features on specific ingredients and cookbooks.

To submit ideas, follow the pitch guidelines and email the relevant editors with a summary of the article you’d like to write along with some information about how you’d like to put the article together, such as who you’d like to interview and what angle you’d take.

13. Extra Crispy

“Why does anybody in the world ever eat anything but breakfast food?”

If you were nodding in agreement with Ron Swanson during that particular episode of Parks & Rec, Extra Crispy might be the perfect spot for your food writing. This breakfast-focused blog publishes opinion pieces, serious reported stories, works of humor and more, and is actively open to pitches from outside contributors.

Check out the pitch guidelines for full details.

14. Whole Life Times

This bimonthly magazine depends on freelancers to fill its pages and focuses on holistic and integrative health stories, organic food, sustainability and other topics related to a healthy and progressive lifestyle. Rates vary and can go up to $125 for a 800 to 1,000-word feature, with shorter departments paying less.

Check out the writers guidelines for more information.

15. YAM Magazine

Greater Victoria, Canada, is the focus of the lifestyle YAM magazine covering food and wine, health and fitness, culture, and other topics. 

It’s worth noting the publication’s lead time is three to four months, so you’ll watch to pitch topics that will be timely and relevant.

Full submission guidelines, including the most up-to-date point of contact, are available via PDF.

16. Healthyish

Healthyish, a Bon Appetit brand, is a site all about delicious healthy foods. It publishes recipes and its typical quarterly editorial packages as well as “conversational, passionate articles that cover the many intersections of food, wellness and culture today.”

Pay starts at $250 (though shorter columns are $100) and increases based on your experience and also the depth of the piece. If you’re interested in pitching, be sure to read the guidelines first.

17. Well + Good

The mission behind this publication is simple: “Decoding and demystifying what it means to live a well life inside and out.” Recent food and nutrition stories cover a variety of topics, from a high-protein baked oats recipe to a cheap iced coffee maker recommendation to paleo breakfast ideas.

If you’re interested in contributing, check out the pitching guidelines, where you’ll find more information on the types of food stories they’re looking for as well as where to email your pitch.

18. The Spruce Eats

The Spruce Eats has a “mission to turn curiosity into confidence.” The magazine evolved from a 25-year archive of recipes, which are constantly updated and tested.

It has been reported that freelancers can sell pieces for as much as $225 to this publication, but for current rates it’s best to check with the editorial team. You can find the masthead for who to pitch here.

19. Whetstone Magazine

If you write about global food culture and origins, then make sure to check out Whetstone Magazine. In 2020, the publication’s founder said they pay $300 per piece.

To pitch, send your ideas that take an anthropological approach to what’s eaten where and why to editor@whetstonemedia.com.

20. TheFoodellers

This food travel website is “always on the lookout for articles on inspirational travel, photo stories, tips, top XX’s, your experiences traveling the world, your recipes, and your food travel experiences in the world.“

The writing guidelines don’t mention pay, but other reports say it runs between $20 and $50 per article so it’s a good idea to check when submitting your ideas.

If you’re wondering what opportunities exist for freelance writers in 2024 (hint: there are plenty!) then make sure to register for the free webinar called How to Successfully Break Into Journalism in 2024! You’ll learn about the different types of journalism and what you may best be suited for, and the top skills successful journalists need and what it can lead to.  

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Despite being described as one of the unhealthiest countries in the world, the American people take in an abundance of information on ways to improve their health, get fit and just feel better.

To satiate those needs, there is no shortage of magazines dedicated to the topic — and that means ample opportunity for freelance writers looking to break into the consumer health market.

Whether you’re writing about the latest dieting trend sweeping the nation or hoping to share your experience trying out a new fitness regimen with like-minded individuals, the 22 health and fitness magazines below are great places to get started.

22 health and fitness magazines to consider pitching

Below are 22 health magazines that cover everything from fitness and nutrition to holistic medicine, spirituality, and living with challenging health conditions.

1. IDEA Publications

The IDEA Health and Fitness Association has four publications targeting fitness professionals including personal trainers, fitness instructors and health and wellness professionals: IDEA Fitness Journal, IDEA Trainer Success, IDEA Fitness Manager and IDEA Pilates Today.

Check out the author guidelines and submit a query that includes why your article is important, why you’re the right person to write it, a brief outline of what you’ll cover and an explanation of how you’ll include “practical how-to information” within the article.

While the site does not specify pay rates, it does confirm it will pay “within 60 days of final acceptance.”

2. Inside Fitness Magazine

Qualified industry professionals can pitch their ideas to Inside Fitness Magazine. This Canadian publication covers everything from training to food and nutrition.

The magazine’s website offers more information for contributors, but is mum on pay rates.

3. Healthy Living Magazine

Healthy Living Magazine covers the full gamut from health and anti-aging to beauty and parenting content. While it doesn’t include specific pay information on its site, varies based on the department; amount of editing required; and pageviews.

4. Vibrant Life

This bimonthly lifestyle magazine “promotes physical health, mental clarity and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective.” The publication looks for everything from exercise and nutrition articles to interviews, self-help, environmental stewardship, spiritual balance and family-related articles.

Payment ranges from $100-$300.

5. Radish

This magazine focuses on “healthy living from the ground up” and covers natural foods, products and services in Illinois and Iowa with a focus on healthy, sustainable lifestyles.

Radish typically pays $50-150 per article.

6. Whole Life Times

Freelancers write most of the articles that appear in Whole Life Times, a magazine that targets the holistic community. It addresses everything from natural health to yoga, spirituality, the environment and “anything that deals with a progressive, healthy lifestyle.”

Whole Life Times is based in Southern California and wants local angles. The writers guidelines specify pay of $35-$125 for shorter stories and $75-$150 for longer ones; Who Pays Writers reported one person making 13 cents per word.

7. Poz

Poz’s audience is the HIV+ community, but it accepts submissions from any qualified writer, regardless of HIV status. Topics cover everything from treatments to nonprofits to people living with the condition. Back issues are available online.

8. The Health Journal

This magazine covers a wide range of topics related to health, fitness and wellness, including parenting, senior health and natural healing.

Writer guidelines are available online. The Health Journal told TWL that pay rates “vary based on experience and skill level” and that the publication is “always looking for fresh voices.”

9. Cure

Health writers, especially those with experience writing about cancer, may wish to pitch Cure, which focuses on people with the disease. The publication requires a medical writing background and offers specific writing guidelines covering everything from queries to fact-checking procedures.

10. Spirituality & Health

Writers looking to cover topics ranging from Eastern philosophy to mainstream religion to social justice and wellness-related issues can pitch Spirituality & Health.

Its guidelines say it will pay up to $500, depending on the type of piece submitted. 

11. Natural Awakenings

Natural living and sustainable lifestyle topics are the focus of this publication, which especially seeks to provide facts and statistics that will keep readers engaged. Additionally, it is looking for global briefs and health briefs in addition to regular articles.

12. The Aquarian

The Aquarian is a Canadian print publication that publishes the first week of March, June, September and December. It focuses on “holistic health (natural, complementary, alternative) and progressive environmental, social, cultural, political and spiritual issues” to “shed new light on the path to greater meaning.”

While its pay rates vary, its newspaper article rates typically range from $25 to $50 and online articles from $10 to $25.

13. Eating Well

EatingWell is a national food magazine publishing 10 times a year that focuses on healthy eating, from the standpoints of cooking, nutrition science and food network-related social issues. It pays up to $1 per word.

14. Mother Earth Living

Mother Earth Living focuses on maintaining a healthy, environmentally conscious lifestyle in the home. While it doesn’t list specific payment information, Mother Earth does pay upon publication.

15. Men’s Health

Men’s Health is a leading lifestyle magazine offering authoritative advice on fitness, nutrition, style, and relationships for men worldwide. With expert insights and cutting-edge content, it empowers men to live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.

16. Women’s Health

Women’s Health is a premier magazine dedicated to empowering women with the latest insights on fitness, nutrition, beauty, and wellness. Through expert guidance and inspiring content, it equips women with the knowledge and tools to prioritize their health and lead vibrant lifestyles.

17. Runner’s World

Runner’s World is the ultimate resource for running enthusiasts, providing expert advice, training tips, gear reviews, and inspiring stories for runners of all levels. With a passion for the sport and a commitment to helping readers achieve their running goals, Runner’s World is the go-to destination for everything related to running.

18. Shape

Shape Magazine is a leading authority in women’s fitness, offering expert advice on workouts, nutrition, beauty, and overall wellness. With a focus on empowering women to embrace a healthy lifestyle, Shape provides inspiration and practical tips for achieving fitness goals and feeling confident in mind and body.

19. Muscle & Fitness

Muscle & Fitness is a premier publication catering to bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts, providing expert guidance on strength training, nutrition, and supplementation. With a legacy of over 80 years, Muscle & Fitness continues to inspire and educate readers to achieve their fitness goals and unlock their full potential.

20. Prevention

Prevention Magazine is a trusted source for wellness advice, offering insights on nutrition, fitness, natural remedies, and preventive healthcare. With a mission to empower readers to lead healthier lives and make informed choices, Prevention equips individuals with the tools they need to thrive both mentally and physically.

21. Outside

Outside Magazine is the ultimate guide to adventure and outdoor lifestyle, inspiring readers with captivating stories, expert advice, and breathtaking photography. With a focus on exploration, conservation, and pushing boundaries, Outside fuels the spirit of adventure in its audience, encouraging them to embrace the wonders of the natural world.

22. Healthline

Healthline is a leading online health platform providing trusted medical information, expert advice, and actionable insights to millions of readers worldwide. With a commitment to empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health, Healthline covers a wide range of topics, including fitness, nutrition, mental health, and medical news.

What’s your favorite health or fitness publication? Have you submitted any pitches to them?

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Photo via Zodiacphoto / Shutterstock 

After spending weeks, months or maybe even years perfecting the words in your book, you’re probably ready to toss it online and cross your fingers that you’ll receive rave reviews.

But before you jump on the self-publishing bandwagon, take some time to learn how to make a book cover — an amazing one, at that!

When people browse books, whether physical or electronic, the cover is often the first piece of information they see. If your cover looks amateur or out of line with your book’s genre, readers will likely move on to the next option without a second thought.

How does a wordsmith cultivate the images and graphic design skills needed to turn a blank cover into a captivating collage — especially while trying to keep your self-publishing costs as low as possible? When it comes to how to make a book cover, what’s the best approach?

Whether you’re ready to call in an expert or DIY your cover, here are some inexpensive options for creating a book cover.

How to Make a Book Cover: 9 Great Options for Self-Publishing

Tier 1: Hire a professional designer

Not thrilled about the idea of creating your own cover? These options may cost more, but can help ensure a polished final product… which could mean more book sales.

1. TheBookDesigner.com

This site offers done-for-you cover design as part of its publishing packages. They work directly with professional designers and they consistently create professional-looking covers for both fiction, non-fiction, and even children’s books. The company is run by Chandler Bolt and was previously founded by Joel Friedlander, both well-known and respected names in the self-publishing world. They have been providing book design tips for years (and continue to do so under the banner of the SelfPublishing.com platform).

2. 99designs

This site can design not only your book cover, but also your author logo, character merchandise and anything else you can dream up.

Start by creating a design contest for your project. Write a “design brief” explaining what you’re looking for, and 99 Designs will present your specifications and budget to its marketplace.

Designers then respond to your brief with their ideas. After a time period where you get to review designs, you select a winner, request any edits, and that designer earns the money you’ve budgeted for the project. You retain full copyright ownership of the final design you select.

Book covers on 99designs start at $299, and ebook covers start at $199. You can do both for $399.

One potential bonus for using a site like 99designs: If you discover a designer whose work you love, you can continue working with that designer on future products.

3. Ask for referrals

Referrals from other self-published writers, writing groups (online or in-person) and writer friends are a great way to find good designers at reasonable prices. If you’re not sure where to start, Facebook groups for writers can be a great resource.

If you already work with designers in a professional capacity, consider asking if they’re interested in working on your book cover; those trusted sources can also provide you with referrals for other designers.

4. Fiverr

Fiverr offers the chance to get a professional book cover for just $5. The site lets you review designers’ portfolios and see ratings left by other clients before committing to a designer.

Some people swear by Fiverr, while others have ended up frustrated. In one case, ebook writing team Frankie Johnnie had to work through 20 design iterations (at $5 a pop) before settling on a design that resonated.

However, the duo still recommends using Fiverr as a basic cover designer and a way to test out cover design options. “For as little as $5 bucks, you can roll the dice…” Frankie says in a tell-all on James H. Mayfield’s blog.

Tier 2: The DIY option

If you’re not too keen on hiring a professional and would rather tackle design duties yourself, here are a few resources to help you along the way.

5. Microsoft Word

Believe it or not, you can actually design an entire book cover using only Microsoft Word.

The Creative Penn offers an incredible DIY book cover design tutorial by Derek Murphy. His tutorial notes how important it is to select the right picture (“Simple is better,” he says) as well as the importance of balancing colors.

The tutorial also discusses where to find images, whether you’re taking photos yourself, sourcing stock images or using other online sources such as Etsy and DeviantArt. Then, it walks readers through the step-by-step details of designing a captivating cover.

6. DIYBookCovers.com

Derek Murphy’s own site offers customizable templates so self-published writers can easily design their own book covers.

You don’t need to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for special design software to create a cover that will make people snap up copies of your book. Murphy offers a training video that teaches how to design a great book cover in 30 minutes or less.

He also offers a free, online cover creator tool, along with video tutorials to help you make the most of it.

7. Pixlr

Pixlr offers a variety of photo editing apps. “Pixlr Editor” offers opportunities to use layers, replace colors and transform objects. Another popular option is “Pixlr Express,” which offers quick fixes and personal touches with a simpler interface.

The site helps you create and touch up gorgeous images, as the “Made with Pixlr” gallery shows. While some of Pixlr’s tools are free, if you want to use the desktop version of Pixlr, you may have to pay a fee.

8. GIMP

GIMP, a free program you can use for photo retouching, creating and composing images, stands for “GNU Image Manipulation Program.”

While many tools allow you to create and edit within your web browser, you’ll have to download this software before you get started. GIMP can be used with GNU/Linux and UNIX, as well as Windows, Mac and other systems.

9. Canva

This design software is super popular with non-designers because it makes it easy to create professional-looking designs. While some design elements will cost you, many of Canva’s templates and features are free.

Canva’s drag-and-drop setup makes it easy to create your simple book cover. It features millions of images (including stock photos, vectors and illustrations) as well as photo filters, free icons and shapes, and hundreds of fonts.

If you’re not sure where to start, visit Canva’s free Design School, where you can learn even more about design, as well as a book cover-specific tutorial.

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

While many enjoy celebrating with family and friends, it can be difficult to keep the income flowing this time of year.

Follow these tips to start planning  for a successful holiday season.

The freelance writer’s guide to the holidays

1. Check your finances

The holidays can be expensive.

Whether you’re buying presents, traveling to see family, or planning a holiday feast for 30, you’ll likely have some additional expenditures this time of year.

You’ll also likely have higher day-to-day expenses with the shorter days and colder temperatures. Expenses such as electric and heating bills typically jump this time of year, so be sure to plan your finances accordingly.

When calculating your expenses, don’t forget about things like Secret Santas, white elephant exchanges, gingerbread cookie ingredients, eggnog, holiday donations, decorations, holiday parties and gatherings with friends. All the little expenses add up.

2. Plan your workload

Once you have an idea about your end-of-year expenses, you can decide if it makes sense to take on extra work.

Consider if you need to send out additional pitches or ask your regular clients if they have extra work available.

It’s also a good time to do your end-of-year review and ask your regular clients for a pay bump in the new year.

3. Check your calendar

Take a few minutes and look at your calendar through the second week of January or so. Look at your deadlines, see when you’ll be traveling, and be sure to mark down holiday parties and other events.

Decide if you would like to take some time off for the holidays. Figure out what days you would like to take off and whether or not your plans will involve travel. Then you can plan your work schedule around these dates.

4. Work ahead and count on delays

If you have to reach out to anyone for your stories, start right away. During the holidays, you’ll find that many subjects are even harder to reach than usual.

Try and conduct your interviews as early as possible to allow time to reach out again with any follow-up questions.

Also realize that many editors will be out of the office or difficult to reach during the holidays. Take some extra time now to go through your assignment and reach out with any questions or concerns you might have.

It’s also a good idea to work ahead on assignments so you can reach out early with any questions that come up along the way.

5. Have a communication plan

If you’re going to be incommunicado for any length of time, be sure to set up an auto-reply and voicemail message to let people know when you’ll be back in the office. It’s okay to take a vacation, but it’s also important to communicate your availability.

It likely makes sense to bring important files with you and have a plan for addressing any last-minute edits or changes when you’re traveling. As much as you can plan ahead and do your best to get your stories in early, it’s not uncommon for something to come up that requires some last-minute attention.

If you’re only taking a long weekend, say Thursday to Sunday off, you may not need an intensive “away” plan. But if you’re planning on taking two weeks off, you will likely want to make a plan.

Some people like to leave an auto-reply with alternate contact information, such as a phone number for “emergencies.” Others prefer to check in with email once or twice a day, but it can be hard to truly disconnect while checking in all the time. Every writer will have to decide what works best for their particular situation and plan accordingly.

An unexpected upside to the freelance writer’s guide to the holidays

While you’re likely to encounter many delays during the holidays, it can also be a time of opportunity for freelancers.

While many editors go on vacation, others use this slow time to get ahead on their work. Some editors may be especially receptive to pitches during this time since they may receive fewer queries.

It is also a good time to be an editor’s go-to person for a last-minute story when their regular stable of writers is unavailable. If you will be available, it may be useful to reach out to your regular editors and let them know you’ll be available.

Using this freelance writer’s guide to the holidays can help turn an often-slow season into a prosperous one. They can also help you plan a much-needed break to enjoy some time with family and friends.

• Related: 4 Ways to Manage Freelance Writing During the Holidays
• Related: Full House: How to Work at Home with Kids During the Holidays

Your Turn: How do you prepare for the holidays as a freelancer?

But covering parenting faux-pas and nifty new placemats aren’t your only options if you’d like to write for magazines. In fact, those glossies are only a tiny fraction of the publications out there looking for writers.

Today we’re going to talk about a corner of the magazine market that has less competition, higher rates, and a ton of prospective markets: trade publications.

What is a trade publication?

Most industries have trade magazines tailored to professionals in their field. From supermarket produce professionals to sign makers to nail salon owners to roofers, most fields have one or more magazines specifically for people in their profession.

For example, AdWeek is a trade publication that caters to advertising professionals. Aviation Week & Space Technology is a go-to resource for professionals in the aviation field. Animal Pharm News targets professionals in the animal health and nutrition space.

Trade magazines cover a specific industry for a specific group of professionals. They tend to use language those professionals are familiar with (and others might not understand), including jargon and acronyms.

How much do trade magazines pay? Often up to $1 per word or more. And they don’t receive as many pitches from up-and-coming writers as some of the household names you see on the newsstand.

Your opportunities range from publications that cater to long-term care professionals to bowling alley managers to a wide array of other industry pros. I’ve written about everything from mango merchandising to how golf course managers maintain their greens despite herds of elk wandering through.

Who writes for trade publications?

In some industries, you’ll need specialized, advanced knowledge to write for industry publications, but other fields are far more open to writers who don’t have advanced knowledge of the field. Be sure to read the publication’s guidelines to see if you have to be an industry expert before spending your time crafting a pitch.

Linda Formichelli, a freelance content writer who has also taught others how to earn money writing, has written for a wide variety of trade magazines over the years. Her trade clips include a pizza restaurant-owner publication, a magazine for credit-union executives, a publication for those who own in-plant print shops, and one that appeals to boat-related business owners.

“I admit it — with trades, the glamour factor is missing in action,” Linda wrote. “You won’t get the same thrill seeing your byline in Boating Industry as you would in Glamour. But guess what? I’m not in this game for the bylines. I’m in it for the paychecks.”

And keep in mind, many industry publications also run articles that aren’t specifically related to their fields. Many business, finance and law publications include short sections to appeal to a broader spectrum of interests, such as stories about travel and dining.

How do you find trade magazines to pitch?

When I first looked into trade magazines several years ago, I turned to Writer’s Market and pored through its many pages of listings. Some love the online, subscription-based version, but I went the old-school, library-book route. I lugged the thick volume home and spent hours going through the huge “trade journal” section, making a note of every publication that seemed like a good match.

I spent a lot of time copying down crucial info from the guide and transferring it into a spreadsheet. But as soon as I went online to cross-reference the contact info, I realized some of the names from the print book were already out of date.

It’s often a better idea to use print publications and online directories to find the names and website addresses of publications that might be a good fit — not editors. Then go directly to that publication’s website and find the writers guidelines to get the most up-to-date information.

Google’s also an easy-to-use resource. Look for lists of trade publications like this one. Or Google “[your favorite industry] + trade magazine” and see what comes up. You’ll find quite a few resources and options with a quick web search.

How do you decide which trade publications to approach?

If you have experience in a particular industry, that’s a great place to start.

For example, if you have experience with horses, pitch horse magazines. If you were a realtor once, look for real estate publications. Be sure to mention your qualifications and relevant experience in your letter of inquiry, as that can help you stand out from freelance writers who don’t have any background in the field.

If you write often for publications in a particular industry, you’ll develop a niche over time. That can be more lucrative, because you’ll have more experience and know-how than other writers.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to be an expert in a certain topic to write for a trade magazine. Many publications are happy to work with skilled, reliable writers who have basic knowledge of a subject and can conduct research and interviews to fill in the gaps.

How do you pitch a trade magazine?

Once you’ve chosen a few publications, you’re ready to reach out.

Before pitching, thoroughly research the publication by reading back issues to see what types of topics they like to write about, as well as what they’ve covered recently. Your goal is to tailor your pitch to their particular needs. Trade publications, even in the same industry, can vary widely in their coverage of similar topics.

Double-check you’re following the freelancer contact instructions for each particular magazine. Some may prefer you pitch stories while others prefer a general “letter of inquiry.” If they don’t have specific information, a letter of inquiry is often a good place to start.

An LOI is a “letter of inquiry,” “letter of interest” or “letter of introduction.” Your LOI introduces yourself, demonstrates your familiarity with the magazine and topic, explains why you’re qualified to write for the publication, and presents some of your ideas as well as your credentials.

“You write it once, and you reap the rewards repeatedly. That’s why it’s important to get yours right from the get-go,” wrote Mridu Khullar Relph, who highlights the importance of having a letter of introduction in your back pocket to demonstrate you’re the best person for the job.

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Photo via Farknot Architect / Shutterstock 

Sometimes freelancing is a little too free.

Wearing your pajamas for days in a row and not brushing your teeth before noon can be delicious luxuries at first, but it gets old after a while.

How can freelancers beat the “work-from-home blues?” Try getting out of the house and getting a little work done in one of these great “co-working” spaces. While they’re not all traditional places to write, each has its perks.

Where to write (other than your home office)

Be prepared to work offline in some of these locations, or if you need WiFi, call ahead to make sure they have a reliable connection. And scope out a backup location if you have important phone calls scheduled — no one likes to get shushed!

Here are some places to write you might want to try.

1. Your local library

Every writer loves being surrounded by endless shelves of inspiration. Libraries make great work spaces, and often have quiet study rooms or work spaces you can reserve for free, provided there are no special library events taking place. Ironically, while this is a free option, it’s one we often forget about.

Plus, the WiFi is usually speedy, and plenty of resources (and librarians) are on hand if you come across a tricky research question.

Typically, libraries aren’t the best places to take calls (unless you have a truly soundproof room reserved) and you’ll have to go elsewhere to drink your coffee and have your lunch. But for a few hours of productivity, libraries are a top option.

2. Coffee shop

Coffee shops are classic writers’ haunts for a reason. While caffeine is a great aid to churn out page after page of top-notch narrative, coffee shops also offer snacks, meals and juices to keep you full and productive.

Scope out a table with outlet access, but be mindful of other customers and don’t overstay your welcome. If you’re there more than an hour or two, put in a second order and tip well!

While coffee shops can get noisy, sometimes background noise is welcome after quiet days at home. Some writers even say it helps them focus!

3. Public park

Public parks offer space to get your nature fix and keep up with your work.

If you go for a park, follow these tips for working outside. Consider bringing your own chair or blanket since picnic tables can be a little hard to sit at after a while.

4. Your own porch

Why not head outside and get some work time in right on your own porch? Be mindful of any potentially distracting neighbors who may be looking for a good chat, but otherwise porches offer great convenience.

You can typically adjust your WiFi router so you still have service outside, and when you get hungry, thirsty or need a restroom break, all you have to do is walk back inside.

5. Coworking space

Co-working spaces with names like “Spark” and “Hub” are popping up all over the country, offering membership-based and pay-as-you-go options for freelancers looking to head into an office space.

These spaces can be pricey, costing hundreds of dollars a month for a designated space, but if you’re flexible on where you sit, some are affordable. Many coworking spaces offer perks like printing, conference rooms and other amenities that can be a big draw for freelancers and small businesses.

6. Museum

If you love a nearby museum, consider springing for an annual membership and using the museum as your workspace from time to time.

Sitting on a bench near inspiring paintings or soaking in the natural history on a break can offer a brain refresh and give you an opportunity to get some work done in a new setting.

Not a member, or just visiting a new city for a few days? Call ahead or check online to see if there’s a student discount, or if the museum offers any admission-free or pay-as-you-wish days.

7. Aquarium

Doctors’ offices have fish tanks for a reason. Watching little fish (or big fish) make their way through a tank of water is incredibly calming.

With a hurried freelance life, being able to work for a few hours in a calming and peaceful environment is a great way to get some work done. Pro Tip: Aim for late afternoon, after field-trip time.

Call ahead or check online to see if there’s a student discount, or if the aquarium offers any admission-free or pay-as-you-wish days. Also, see if you can score an inexpensive annual membership if you plan on stopping by often.

8. Shopping mall

Head over to your local mall and whip out your laptop for a change of scenery. Find a nice bench or cushy seat or head to the food court to set up shop at a table.

Some malls, including the Mall of America, even offer free WiFi. And when you’re ready for lunch, the food court’s nearby!

9. Anywhere! (At least, in cities with free WiFi)

Is free, public, city-wide WiFi a freelancer’s dream come true? Some cities, such as Perth and Paris have implemented municipal WiFi in core downtown areas.

This means you can connect to WiFi just about anywhere within these areas, giving you the freedom to roam and stay connected or find a nice little corner bench to get a little work done without maxing out your data plan. Of course, be sure to check connectivity and be mindful of security on such a public WiFi system.

10. Bus or train station

Watch passengers come and go as you grab a seat in a bus or train station to catch up on some work. Many offer free WiFi, but don’t get too distracted by the top-notch people watching.

11. Friend’s house

A change of scenery can be refreshing, so why not head over to a fellow freelancer’s pad to work?

Bring a treat or lunch to share and designate time for chatting and catching up when you can both take a break. Next time your friend needs a change of scenery, inviting them over to your place could help you both be a bit more productive.

12. Botanical gardens

Spending time in nature is proven to boost creativity. Settle into a botanical garden and get some work done while taking time to get some exercise and (literally) smell some flowers.

If you hate cold winter weather, an indoor garden can be the perfect place to find a taste of spring.

13. On a boat or ferry

Head out onto the open water to work. Many cities, such as San Francisco and New York, offer commuter ferries, and some commuter-type watercraft have benches or tables.

Washington State even offers paid WiFi service on its ferries.

14. On a train

Trains are one of the most romantic places to work. Amtrak even offered a writing residency, where writers could work on their creative projects while riding its trains throughout the country.

Many Amtrak trains offer seating with tables, work space, and even outlets to keep your electronics charged as you travel.

15. Your camper van

Got a camper van? Equip it with a table and way to charge your devices, and you have a mobile office you can take anywhere.

Go camping or just drive it to a local park to enjoy a comfortable and inviting mobile work space.

16. By the pool

While beaches are not ideal places to work — sand in your keyboard is the ultimate nuisance! — pools make much better places for working freelancers to get some sun.

Be sure to stay far enough away from the water to dodge errant splashes, and secure your valuables if you jump in for a dip. And before you head outside, plan for dealing with the sun’s glare on your laptop.

17. Zoo

Dr. Seuss found a lot of his inspiration at the local zoo.

Consider heading to your zoo to find a quiet spot to appreciate the animals, inspire your creativity and get some work done. Call ahead or check online to see if there are any admission discounts.

18. Local universities

Colleges and universities are set up for learning and studying, and every campus has more than a few hidden gems when it comes to work space.

Head to the library or a quiet hall to find a bit of space to work, and you’ll often find free WiFi. Plus, it can be inspiring to be surrounded by students.

19. International coworking spaces

While the U.S. offers an abundance of coworking options, you can also find some great places to work overseas. Maybe this is an excuse to travel while you work!

Hubud is just one example of a popular international coworking space. Located in Ubud, Bali, this space offers digital nomads and dreamers a place to connect and get down to business. Prices vary, but Hubud rates start at $15/day or $57 per month for 30 hours of desk time, up through $206 per month for unlimited access.

20. A castle

Who wouldn’t want to work in a castle? If you happen to live nearby one of the United States’ castles, from California’s Hearst Castle to Belvedere Castle in New York City’s Central Park, head on over and see if you can get some work done.

all ahead or check online to see if there’s an admission fee and if certain days have discounts.

21. Your client’s office

Face time is always good for business, so why not see if you can snag a corner of a table or an open desk in one of your client’s offices?

Be sure to ask, and expect to focus on that company’s work while you’re there. Spending time right by a client can be a great way to keep you in the forefront of their mind the next time a big project comes up.

22. Your “she shed” or “man cave”

Find a little personal space in your backyard and create a “she shed” or “man cave.”

These special retreats can be fun to design and provide a personal place for you to create. For more inspiration, check out YA novelist Laurie Halse Anderson’s writing cottage.

And if you feel like a bigger change is needed altogether, consider moving to one of the top cities for writers.

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

If you’d like to increase your writing income, spend some time evaluating your business model and make a few adjustments to increase your bottom line. Read on to learn how to begin the process and boost your freelance income.

1. Learn about your income

The first step to making more money is learning more about the money you already bring in.

Many writers find an end-of-year review to be very helpful in terms of evaluating your income, business model, clients and setting goals for the year ahead. But you don’t have to wait for the end of the year to conduct a review. Any time you’re looking to make a big change in your business plan — like increasing your income — is a great time for a review.

Evaluate your clients

To evaluate your business, evaluate each of your clients and income sources. To do this, ask yourself the following questions:

• How often do you write for each client?
• What types of materials do you write?
• What is the word count and pay like?
• On average, how long does each project take?
• How much do you earn a year from this client?
• What is your “pitch to acceptance” ratio? If you have to pitch 150 times for every accepted story, it may be time to reevaluate working with this client or consider pitching differently to boost your acceptance rate.
• What’s the revision process like? Endless rounds of edits can be frustrating and reduce your earnings on the project.
• Do you enjoy working with the client? It’s okay to cut ties with a client who makes you miserable.

Figure out your current rates

After you’ve evaluated your general impressions of each client and the projects you do for them, calculate how much money you earn on average from each client. This could be per word, per hour or per project.

Many writers find calculating their “per hour” rate to be most useful. This doesn’t mean you’re necessarily charging your clients per hour (though that can be common in some fields, such as editing and copywriting). This means you’re figuring out how much you earn per hour.  

To figure out your rate, first calculate how much time you spend on a project. This includes research, interviews, transcribing, writing, editing and other tasks like  tracking down images. Divide your earnings for the project by how many hours you spend on it. For example, if you earn $100 for a project that takes 5 hours, $20 is your hourly rate for that project.

Now that you’ve spent some time thinking about your current clients and learning about your income, it’s time to figure out what you’d like to make.

2. Set goals

Think about how much money you would like to make and set income goals. You can set yearly, quarterly, monthly, or weekly goals, or a combination of all of these.

If your goals are longer-term in nature, it makes sense to break them down to have a better idea about how much you need to earn to stay on track.

For example, if you would like to earn $50,000 per year and take two weeks off each year, you’ll need to earn an average of $1,000 per work week to stay on track. If you would like to earn $100,000 per year with two weeks off, aim to earn $2,000 each week.

Be sure to keep in mind some of this money will go to taxes and expenses. Consult with a tax preparer or accountant to figure out how much you should save for these expenses (and how and when to pay your taxes).

As you set goals, keep in mind you’ll need to regularly check in with your goals and adjust your plan accordingly. If you are falling short of your goals, you may want to adjust your strategy. If you’re exceeding your goals, consider setting your goals even higher.

You may also wish to set non-income related goals. Consider if you’d like to set goals for work-life balance, working for dream clients, or even taking on certain types of projects, like writing magazine feature articles or breaking into the tech copywriting industry.

3. Raise your rates

When you have the same clients for a long time, it’s easy to keep the same rates for years. You may be afraid to scare a loyal client away with higher rates, but it’s often worth it to take the chance and ask for more money. Many freelancers like to ask for more money around the New Year, while others prefer to request an increase near the client’s new fiscal year or other times.

How much should you ask for? If you’re earning $150 per blog post, suddenly asking for $750 might be a little too much to ask for right away. Few clients have the budget to quintuple their rates instantly. But if you’re earning $150 and want to bump that up to $175 you may have more luck.

It’s very helpful to have an idea about the client’s budget when proposing a rate increase. If the company is slashing their budget and laying people off, it’s likely not the best time to ask. But if they just gained a lucrative new contract, it might be prime time to get more work and raise your rates.

Consider framing your rate increase request in a way that also provides clients with additional value for their money. One way to do this is to provide a package of services. For example, instead of $200 per blog post, you could charge $1,000 a month for a package of four blog posts. This provides you with reliable income and bumps your rate up while also providing your client with reliable content. You could propose a content schedule ahead of time and set everything up to make the process easy for your client.

Or you could pair your writing services with social media offerings if you’re skilled in that area. Just be sure packaging several services together ends up increasing your hourly rate overall, not decreasing it with additional time-consuming projects.

However you ask, be prepared to hear a “no” and have a plan for how you’ll respond. You may choose to continue working with the client, or you may prefer to part ways. There’s also a slight chance the client will think you’re not a good fit anymore, so do keep that possibility in mind. It’s always a risk to ask for more money, but it’s often one that turns out to be worthwhile.

4. Spend less time on lower paying projects

If you spend all day every day churning out articles for $20 a pop, it’s going to be hard to make a ton of money as a freelance writer. If you’re spending 40, 50 or 60 hours a week working on low paying projects, it may be a challenge to find the time and energy to find better paying clients.

Sometimes you need to free time in your schedule — and room in your client roster — to make space for higher paying clients. This doesn’t mean you should dump all your clients and only accept new ones that pay $5 per word (those will be hard to find).

But when you are able to free just a few hours each week in your schedule to cultivate new client relationships and send out pitches and proposals, you’ll likely have better luck finding higher paying clients than waiting for them to come to you.

For example, if you’re working on lower paying projects for 45 hours a week, consider cutting that down to 40 or 42 hours a week to free up three to five hours each week to pursue higher paying clients. You’ll still earn the bulk of your income, but hopefully this extra time will make it so you can take on higher paying clients and gradually transition to higher paying work.

5. Find higher paying clients

Everyone wants higher paying clients, but how do you find them? Resources like Who Pays Writers can help point you to publications that pay within the range you would like.

It also makes sense to consider different types of writing. Content writing can pay fairly well, so if you’re looking to earn a little more, it might make sense to take on a few content writing clients and offer website copy, reports, ghostwriting, and other services.

One good way to find content writing clients is to spend some time networking. Sending letters of introduction and samples of your work to potential clients can also be a good way to start building a relationship and hopefully gaining a new client.

6. Set your new rates

Figuring out what to charge can be a bit of a challenge. Rates and rate structures vary widely. Freelancers can get paid by the word, the hour or even a per-project rate.

For guidance on typical rates, the Editorial Freelancers Association shares a list of market rates for a variety of services, from transcribing to ghostwriting. These rates are a good starting place for negotiation, but they’re not set in stone.

When determining what to charge a client, consider how long the project will likely take you. If an article pays $200 and takes two hours of your time, your rate is $100 per hour. If a $500 project takes 15 hours, you’ll earn $33 per hour., but if the same project takes 40 hours, your pay rate drops to $12.50 per hour — a rate brushing up against minimum wage in some locations.

It doesn’t always make sense to take the higher paying article if the per-hour rate is much lower.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to charge each client the same rate. Most writers have a range of rates. It’s okay to charge high-budget clients more and cut a break for a nonprofit you love. If you know a client will want a lot of revisions and meetings that take up a lot of your time, by all means charge a premium rate to account for your time and effort.

Another technique is to ask a client about their budget for a project and then provide them with a few options of what you can provide for that amount. For example, if they have $1,000 per month to spend on editorial services, you could give them several options for what you can provide for that fee. Perhaps that’s two long blog posts, or maybe it’s rewriting a few pages of web copy. Clients generally like having a few options to choose from.

Sometimes it pays to earn less

Sometimes a project isn’t all about the paycheck. There may be other factors that make a lower paycheck worthwhile. For example, if you’re devoted to the local animal shelter, you may be willing to charge them a lot less than your corporate clients.

If you’re delving into a new field, or want to start writing about a new topic, you may need to start at lower paying publications to develop your expertise and promote yourself as an expert in that field. For example, if you write mostly about technology and want to veer into the health and wellness space, you may have to start at publications that pay less in order to get started and build your name in that field. Then you can likely use your clips and connections to work your way up to higher paying publications in the same field.

When you take actionable steps to set goals and work towards them, you’ll likely have a better chance of getting to where you’d like to go. But be patient with the process. It won’t happen overnight, and it’s likely to have ups and downs. Working towards your goals, even with small steps, is a great way to achieve them and ultimately earn more income as a freelance writer.

How do you work towards earning more income as a freelance writer?

Being able to put together a document explaining just what you can offer your client and how much it will cost can help you secure business.

Keep in mind there isn’t one ideal proposal format for every project. Every proposal will be unique based on your client’s needs and your offerings, but they will all contain the same basic elements: A proposal of what you can do for your client, a description of how you’ll do it and an estimate of how much this will cost.

Read on to learn how to put together a project proposal.

The basics

Be sure to include basic information in your project proposal like your name, contact information, website, the date, the company you’re preparing the proposal for and your contact’s name.

You’ll likely want to submit it to your client as a PDF to ensure you don’t have any issues with formatting. You may wish to include graphics or visuals or keep it simple with just plain text.

However you submit it, make sure you’ve spell-checked and edited it thoroughly. Making a good impression is very important.

Project components

When putting the proposal together, you’ll want to outline the various components of the project.

If you’re creating a proposal for website copy, don’t just write “website copy.” That could mean vastly different things to different people. You might envision that as 2,000 words, while your client might see that as an open-ended proposal to write 100,000 words or more.

Instead, detail the components you are able to provide. Specify that you can provide 300 words of copy for the company’s “about page,” 200-word bios for five staffers, and three 500-word pages of text detailing the company’s services.

Of course, you’ll want to have some flexibility and to be able to change things to meet your client’s needs.

The proposal is just a starting point. You’ll want to have all the details completely hammered out by the time you sign a contract.

Scope of work

Be sure to outline the scope of work you can provide to avoid any misunderstandings later. Some clients may not understand the services you offer, so be clear.

If they need a website designed and you only provide writing services, be sure to specify what you can offer. Will you subcontract a designer? Will you source images for them? Will you edit HTML? Will you upload the copy into their CMS? Or will you just provide copy?

Be sure to be as specific as possible so they know what is and is not included in your estimate.

Also be sure to clarify the number of edits you will provide. It often works best to say you will work with one point of contact on a specified number of rounds of edits. If you don’t specify one point of contact, you may be dealing with a dozen different staff members with different ideas about what they would like. By having the company designate one person to compile the company’s thoughts, that should help streamline the process.

You will also want to specify whether you are talking about “light copy edits” or “developmental edits” so you are on the same page. You may need to explain what these terms mean to your clients.

Finally, be sure to define how you will submit the final materials. You don’t want to run into a situation where you think you’re emailing a Word document and the client expects you to input material directly into its CMS complete with links and formatting. Be sure to clarify exactly how you will submit materials and be sure to consider that in your pricing.

Timeline

In your proposal, provide an estimate for a timeline. You may prefer to say something like “two weeks from contract signing” or list specific dates. Be sure to keep in mind that it may take a while to get from the proposal stage to the point where it’s time to begin the project.

Look at your calendar when providing this estimate and realistically see when you have other big projects due, any upcoming vacations, or other plans that may require a reduced workload for a time.

Be sure to also provide deadlines for the company to provide information, interviews, edits, and other necessary information and feedback.

Remember these dates will likely change as you move forward toward a contract, but it’s good to have an estimate of how long each step will take as a starting point.

Pricing your proposal

Typically, when pricing your project  many writers prefer to develop a project fee rather than provide an hourly rate.

To set your project fee, estimate how long a project will take you and multiply that by your hourly rate. You may wish to add a bit of a cushion if you think it may take a bit longer. The Editorial Freelancers Association has a good list of rates for different types of projects.

A flat fee for a clearly defined scope of work minimizes the chances of financial surprises for you and your client. If you complete the project a bit more efficiently than you expected, you earn more per hour. If it takes you longer, your client won’t have to pay extra. Of course, if you do quote a flat fee, it’s important to have a really good idea how long the project will take you so you don’t end up scrambling or feeling short-changed.

Following up

After you submit your proposal, be sure to follow up promptly. Depending on the urgency of the project and your relationship with the potential clients, you might want to follow up as soon as the next day (or even the day of submission if it’s urgent) to see if they have any questions or you can provide additional information.

Give them a little time to mull it over and reach out again to see if they’re interested in moving forward or if they have any additional questions.

Many freelancers prefer to have a signed contract before moving forward, and many require at least a partial payment up front. Find out what works best for you and go from there.

However you put your proposal together, just remember that it’s only a starting point. Collaborate with your potential client to make sure the details work well for both of you. Don’t be intimidated by putting together your first project proposal. The more you write, the easier they will become.

Knowing what’s going on in your field can help you land more stories, and it might help you become your editor’s “go to” person for related topics.

Follow these techniques to stay on top of your beat.

1. Use Google Alerts

Writers use Google Alerts in all sorts of different ways. You can use this free service to subscribe to companies, people or phrases, and Google Alerts will send you an email notification when the keywords appear online.

Many writers have a Google Alert set up for their name so they see when they’ve been mentioned or have an article published.

This is also a useful way to stay on top of your niche and the main subjects you cover. If you cover technology, you might want to set up an alert for a specific technology company or a specific kind of technology or an aspect of the field.

Of course, when you receive an alert, that means someone else has already covered the topic. This is a great way to stay on top of current developments in the field, but not the best way to break the news yourself.

2. Subscribe to journals

Whether you cover penguins or parenting, there are likely at least a few research journals that may be of use to you. When you subscribe to academic journals, you can read studies and articles about your field and stay up to date on the latest research.

Joining a society or organization in your field is often a good way to access these journals as many memberships include a subscription or a way to access one or more relevant journals.

You can also read many subscription-based journals for free at a local public or academic library.

3. Network and use your contacts

In order to stay on top of the latest developments, cultivate great sources and have a chance to break some news yourself, it’s important to network and have contacts in your field.

If you cover aerospace, reach out to leading aerospace researchers and ask them to keep you up to date on their latest developments. Ask to be included on their public relations media list. However, they are busy with their research and reaching out to the media is likely not one of their top priorities, so you will have to be proactive.

Check in from time to time and see what’s new. They may be able to give you a heads-up on the research they are currently working on or an upcoming newsworthy project. See what’s going on and check in later to stay on top of their work.

Be sure to clarify with your subjects what is “on the record” and what is “off the record.” Some may give you a heads-up about a project coming down the line in a few months but not be ready to officially comment on the topic.

4. Attend industry conferences

While cultivating individual relationships with the top experts in your field is important, it takes up a lot of time to track down a dozen or more individuals and stay on top of what each one is doing.

In order to optimize your time, consider attending industry conferences and events to see a number of prominent experts in one place. Use the time to network, cultivate contacts and learn everything you can about the field.

Industry conferences are different from writing conferences. Writing conferences include writers, editors and agents, while industry conferences feature scientists, researchers and top industry experts sharing their knowledge.

Conferences typically host panels, speakers, and events where you can also get story ideas. Be sure to check with conference organizers and presenters to see what is “on the record.”

Sometimes, these types of events involve presentations on in-progress research and other developments they want to share with colleagues but aren’t prepared to share with the wider world. You don’t want to get on an important contact’s bad side by sharing preliminary results without the proper context, so be sure to make sure the findings are ready to publish.

Staying on top of your beat will take a certain amount of time, but it’s invaluable to cultivate important contacts and learn as much as you possibly can about your field.

When you know the people, the latest developments, and understand the field thoroughly, you can make yourself a “go to” reporter on the topic.

Use this time to get organized and prepared before tax season rolls around, and also to get ready for next year’s bookkeeping. Spending a little time getting everything in order now can save a lot of hassle later.

If you have any questions about how to prepare for the upcoming tax season, be sure to ask your tax preparer.

1. Follow up on invoices

Now is a good time to go through your records from this year and see who still owes you money.

Like many freelancers, there’s a good chance you still have an outstanding invoice or two.

Check the terms of your contracts to see when each outstanding payment is due and, if they’re late, reach out to those clients. Sometimes it takes a little time to track down your money, so it’s a good idea to start soon.

2. Find your receipts

What do you do with your receipts for tax-deductible expenses?

Do you carefully file them away the day you make a purchase? Or do you cram them in your junk drawer, wallet, purse, or car and figure you’ll just deal with them later?

Now is the perfect time to gather all those receipts and sort them out for tax time. Check with your tax preparer if you’re not sure what you can and cannot deduct.

Take a few minutes and go through your credit card and bank statements for the year to make sure you’re not missing anything.

Don’t forget about digital receipts. Sort through your emails and maybe even take a quick look at your order history with your favorite online retailers to make sure you don’t miss anything.

3. Organize your tax deductions

Once you have all your tax-deductible receipts gathered in one place, go ahead and start sorting them out.

It is usually helpful to organize them by deduction category. Look at your taxes from last year and, if you have similar types of expenses this year, you’ll see what categories of deductions you may have.

Then sort the receipts out. File folders are often helpful. Paper clips also work. Avoid staples or anything that may damage the receipts or make them difficult to separate. Some people also like to scan their receipts to have a backup digital copy.

Next, make a spreadsheet for your expenses and organize it by category. This will help you have everything ready for your tax preparer. Include information like the date of purchase, vendor, business reason for purchase, cost, method of payment and anything else that might be helpful.

4. Prepare to receive 1099s

At the end of the year, while you’re preparing for your end of year review, you’ll want to know how much money you earned this year. It makes sense to tally up how much you received from each client so you can evaluate each one, but also so you can prepare to receive your 1099s in the new year.

Throughout the year, be sure to keep records of all your income. Keep your paystubs or photocopy checks if you don’t receive a pay stub.

Be sure to go through bank statements and note any direct deposits. Look at PayPal and other payment systems and check these records. You’ll likely want to print these all out for your tax preparer (or provide a digital copy).

Once you have all your income records together, make a spreadsheet recording the payments you received from each client.

You can use this information to double-check your 1099s when you receive them and to be able to file your income accurately if you do not receive a 1099. If your records and the 1099 you receive do not match up, double-check your records and contact the client for a corrected 1099 if the one they initially sent is inaccurate.

5. Start next year’s folders and spreadsheets

Pretty soon, the new year will roll around and you will start receiving checks, contracts and other important information for the new year. Be sure to prepare your organizing and filing system ahead of time so you’re ready to go as soon as January arrives.

Make the physical folders you’ll need and set up your digital ones as well. Create next year’s assignment and income spreadsheets and be ready to hit the ground running in the new year.

6. Ask questions

If you have questions for your tax preparer or accountant, take advantage of the slow season to ask them or set up a meeting.

As soon as January arrives, people will kick into high gear and they will likely be quite busy, but it might be easier to ask a few questions when things are slow.

The end of the year is a great time to get organized, catch up and get ahead on accounting for the new year. So when January rolls around, you’ll be ready to focus on your writing.

How do you prepare for the end of the tax year?