10 Paying Humor Markets for Writers – by Karoki Githure
If you’re funny, you might as well get paid for it!
Paying Markets for Writers
The Masters Review
“Founded by Kim Winternheimer in 2011, the Masters Review is an online and in print publication celebrating new and emerging writers. We are on the lookout for the best new talent with hopes of publishing stories from writers who will continue to produce great work. We offer critical essays, book reviews by debut authors, contest deadlines, submissions info, and interviews with established authors, all with the hopes of bridging the gap between new and established writers. The Masters Review has several ways to submit. New Voices is open year round and is available to any emerging writer. This category is always free to enter and pays up to $200 for selected stories. Additionally, we are (almost always) open to contest submissions, with prizes up to $3,000. There is a $20 submission fee for contest entries. The full contest calendar is available on our website.” Weekly. Buys first rights. No reprints. Responds within three months. Guidelines online.
Pays $200 for short stories and narrative essays, $100 for flash-length work
Massage Magazine
Monthly in print, and five times a week in digital. Pays 30 days after publication. Publishes ms 30-90 days after acceptance. Buys First N.A. rights, and right to repurpose. No reprints. Responds in 30 days. Guidelines are available by email.
Pays $0.20/word for 1000-2000 words
Military History
“Military History is the nation’s oldest and most popular war magazine devoted to the history of warfare.” 75% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Pays on publication. Buys all rights. No reprints. Response time varies. Guidelines available by email.
Pays $250-$500 for departments; $1500 and upward for features.
OATMEAL STUDIOS GREETING CARD CO.
“We sell cutting edge, humorous greeting cards in many styles: humorous photo ideas, many cartoon styles, and more traditional word-play styles of humor. See our website.” 100% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Pays on acceptance. Publishes card 6 months to 2 years after acceptance. “We request exclusive purchase and use of any idea we buy. We respond within a few days to emails and we hold copy for between 3-10 weeks for review (depending on when it comes during our current review cycle). We tell writers what dates they can plan on final decisions.” Samples available online. Guidelines online.
Pay: $100
The Iowa Review
“The Iowa Review’s mission is to provide an expertly curated, carefully edited, and beautifully designed print and online space for the voices of writers of every kind of diversity to move and enlighten us; to use the experience gained from fifty-plus years of continuous publication and our connection to the University of Iowa as a home for creative writing to validate, amplify, and encourage those voices; and to serve the reading public by presenting the best contemporary writing in short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.” Welcomes new writers. Triannual. Pays on publication. Publishes ms within a year of acceptance. Buys First N.A. rights. No reprints. Responds in 3-6 months. Guidelines online.
$1.50 per line for poetry and $0.08 per word for prose.
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
“The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction has been one of the genre’s leading publications since 1949.” Buys first N.A. serial rights and select world rights. Occasionally accepts reprints.
Pays $0.08-$0.12/word
Jack and Jill Magazine
“Jack and Jill is an award-winning magazine for children ages 6-12. It promotes the healthy educational and creative growth of children through interactive activities and articles. The pages are designed to spark a child’s curiosity in a wide range of topics through articles, games, and activities.” Welcomes new writers. Pays on publication. Publishes ms several months after acceptance. Buys all rights. No reprints. Responds in 3 months.
Pays $0.25/word.
Leading Edge
“Leading Edge magazine publishes short stories, poetry, and essays that relate to science fiction, fantasy, and horror. We also contract for short-term blogs and art. The magazine was started in 1981 by a team of students from Brigham Young University and continues to be run by a team of dedicated volunteers. Leading Edge is a great place for both first-time and well-established authors.” Biannual. Pays on publication. Publishes ms 4-5 months after acceptance. Buys First N.A. rights, for six months. No reprints. Responds within one week.
Pays $10-$50.
9 Travel Markets That Pay Writers – by Karoki Githure
Do you have a funny or serious travel story, or something in between?