I'd like to publish your essays on writing
Send me your pitches, please! Rate: $100
Hiya writer friends,
Something a little different today…
Every Tuesday, I send paid subscribers a big list of pitch calls from editors and publications who are looking for story ideas. But now I’m looking for pitches on stories I can publish right here.
When I started this newsletter, I was writing essays about writing every week. It was a muscle I hadn’t been using much during my three years as an editor, and it felt good to be vulnerable, to build up to the point of a story with my own thoughts and feelings. It felt good to offer advice, backed by my own experiences that led me to a place where I sometimes feel qualified to offer advice. In that way, it’s been so lovely to share pieces of my freelance writing journey with all of you.
But if you’re a regular reader, you may have noticed there have been fewer of those stand-alone essays as I lean more on Q&As with other writers lately.
There are two reasons for this. 1. I’ve started working on a big creative project that requires some heavy lifting in the first-person department, so I have less energy to do that here. And 2. I think it’s really important for you to hear from a wide variety of writers whose professional journeys look completely different from my own.
This newsletter will always be a place for honest musings about the writing life. I never want it to become just a collection of pitch calls without additional context, like what’s more important than pitching and how to deal with rejection. I started One More Question to offer transparency and nuance around what works and what doesn’t in this crazy industry. (Advice, I believe, is best served with humility, and even better, through some embarrassing story about a time you did the exact opposite of what you now advise.)
But now I’d like to open this space to even more voices and perspectives. And I’d like to pay you!
In publishing guest essays, I hope to expand the scope of this newsletter, while also creating another potential, paying home for your work.
So if you think you’d like to write for One More Question, first check out some of the essays that have been a hit with subscribers:
I share those to provide some examples of what I publish here. But also, I’ve been the only one writing this newsletter. The style and topic of an essay you’d like to write might be completely different than what I’ve published so far—and I’m here for it.
In commissioning guest essays for One More Question, I’m looking for a strong thesis, compelling narratives, and helpful advice. I’m looking for topics that will be informative, but I want more than how-to’s. I want helpful takeaways wrapped in your unique voice and specific experiences.
Pitch Call: Essays on the freelance writing life
Send pitches to britany.robinson@gmail.com
Topics your essay might cover: Creativity, time-management, self-promotion, business, writing essays, writing journalism, writing content, not writing because you’re burnt out, burn out, what to do about burnout, or something else I haven’t considered (because I’m a little burnt out).
Include OMQ pitch in the subject line.
You’re welcome to send completed essays on spec, but I do prefer pitches.
Word count will be flexible, but we’ll want to keep these around 1,000 words.
Payment: $100
To start, I’ll be publishing one guest essay a month.
These essays will be accessible to anyone with the link—they won’t live behind the paywall for paid subscribers.
I will respond to all pitches. If you don’t hear from me after a week, feel free to follow-up.
Sound good? Send me those essay ideas! I can’t wait to read them.
If you’re a paid subscriber, I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow with the usual big list of writing opportunities.
And if you’re new here: Welcome! This is a newsletter about freelance writing, and you can subscribe for access to all the good stuff for just $5/month. These future essays will be delivered straight to your inbox, along with weekly round-ups of writing opportunities, and lots more.
Stay inspired,
Britany