Valnet

Photo: Serenity J.

Valnet is a Canada-based media company that operates a family of twelve websites, known for their viral lists and news pieces. From my understanding, Screen Rant, CBR (Comic Book Resources) and The Richest, which all focus on different aspects of the TV/film world, are their most popular properties.

There are other websites that post about things like pregnancy and motherhood tips, travel roundups, video game news + more.

How To Apply:

There’s a “Write For Us” button at the bottom of each website. It will take you to their application page. Once there, fill in your name, location, and phone number. Then submit three article ideas and a writing sample.

A close friend of mine, who asked not to be named, used to write for Valnet. At the time of their hiring, their only writing experience was running a blog that covered topics that were similar to the website that they were applying for. Based on their samples, the hiring manager gave them the chance to write a test article, which led to them freelancing full-time.

Rate:

Unknown. But it’s my understanding that freelancing with Valnet can be a source of nice, part-time income.

Book Riot

Photo: Serenity J.

Book Riot is the “largest independent editorial book site” in North America. They publish book reviews, recommendations and think pieces. While they do have a full staff, their pool of contributors is made up of pros and non-pros. You could be among the non-pros.

How To Apply:

Book Riot has a contributor form, which you can access here, right on its website. It asks for your personal information, three books you recently read, two (unpublished) writing samples, and two pitches.

Your writing samples should reflect your ability to adapt to Book Riot’s content. Of the two pitches, one of them should fit into their Our Reading Lives series.

One last thing: Book Riot accepts/rejects and responds to new contributor applications on a quarterly basis (January, April, July and October). So you shouldn’t expect to get an immediate response back. That said, October is just around the corner. So there’s no better time than the present to apply!

Note: Book Riot also offers full-time positions, but there are none open at this time.

Rate:

Unknown

Bustle

Photo: Serenity J.

Bustle is a media company, under Bustle Media Group, that serves millennial women. They publish original interviews, episode recaps, book lists, personal essays + more.

How To Apply:

Head to their submissions page, where they’ve laid out the content they’re currently looking for. Next, locate the appropriate editor for the section you want to write for, then pitch them your idea.

If the editor likes it, they will usually respond within two weeks. If not, you can probably assume they have passed on your idea. If they do move forward, they may work with you to polish it further, then guide you through the drafting process.

There are also staff positions with Bustle and their other properties that require a more extensive writing/academic history. I encourage you to circle back around to these opportunities after you’ve published a few freelance pieces with them.

Rate:

From what I’ve found online, Bustle pays about $50/800 word essay.

Hello Giggles

Photo: Serenity J.

Hello Giggles hails itself as a positive, online community for millennial women. Think Bustle, but with a bubblier voice. It was founded by Zooey Deschanel, Molly McAleer, and Sophia Rossi.

Per their Masthead, they welcome reader contributions.

How To Apply:

Hello Giggles lists the kind of content that they accept on their contributor page. They’re “especially interested in personal essays and cultural criticism with unique and diverse points of view, LGBTQ perspectives, smart articles with original reporting, and illustrations.”

To pitch them, email your idea, along with a paragraph about who you are, to pitches@hellogigglescom. If you have writing samples, you should include them. But they’re not mandatory. Writers without samples are encouraged to send over a full draft of their proposed article.

I have never written for Hello Giggles, but I have twice pitched them. Neither pitch was accepted, but I did receive an auto-prompt, letting me know they’d received my email.

Rate:

Hello Giggles’ rates aren’t clearly laid out on their website. However, Contently’s freelance rate database lists the pay as $75/reported piece.