Get Paid $500+ to Write Essays • phmillennia

If you’ve got a personal essay, cultural commentary, or meaningful nonfiction story to share — something honest, original, or close to your heart — Longreads might be the perfect place to land your work.

They publish essays that go beyond surface-level storytelling —
the kind that hold a reader’s attention from start to finish.

And they pay well, often $500 or more per piece.

In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to pitch your work to Longreads: from what kind of essays they’re looking for to how you can submit your pitch.

Let’s get started.

What is Longreads?

Longreads is a digital publication and storytelling platform focused on longform nonfiction — personal stories, cultural commentary, and deeply reported features.

Founded in 2009 by Mark Armstrong, it’s now part of Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com).

They focus on publishing:

• Personal and reported essays
• Criticism
• Reading lists
• Book excerpts
• Interviews
• In-depth features

Longreads has earned a solid reputation in the world of nonfiction.
They’ve been:

• Nominated for four National Magazine Awards
• Awarded a 2020 ASME for Best Digital Illustration
• Honored with a Canadian National Magazine Award (Gold)

Their pieces have also appeared in Best American anthologies and been recognized across genres — from essays and science writing to food and sports.

What kind of content do they accept?

Longreads accepts original nonfiction pitches across a range of topics and formats.

They publish:

Researched or critical essays

These are thoughtful essays that mix analysis, reporting, and personal perspective —
the kind of work that dives deep into a topic rather than skimming the surface.

Your pitch should explain:

• The core idea and takeaway
• Why the topic matters now
• Why the piece needs longform treatment (e.g. 5,000 words instead of 2,000)

Personal essays

Personal reflections that explore things like identity, relationships, loss, illness, growth —
anything that shows change or insight over time.

Note: These must be submitted as full, polished drafts — not pitches.

They look for:

• Smart, original angles
• A compelling voice
• Emotional resonance

Reading lists

Curated collections of longform reads centered on a theme you care about —
anything from pop culture and history to offbeat niche topics.

Each reading list includes:

• A brief, essay-style intro
• Links to freely available stories on the web

Books may be mentioned as side notes, but they don’t accept book-only lists.

Reported features

Well-researched, character-driven stories that come in many forms:

• Profiles
• Oral histories
• Dispatches
• In-depth reporting

Your pitch should include:

• A clear vision for the story’s structure and style
• Key characters, scenes, or surprises
• A basic reporting plan
• Why you are the one to write this

Across all formats, they want strong storytelling, emotional truth, and ideas that stick.

What are their writing guidelines?

Let’s start with a few important basics:

• No fiction
• No AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (e.g. ChatGPT)

Instead, they want:

• A literary, narrative tone – Use vivid scenes, details, and emotion
• Original thinking – They want real stories told in your voice — not something generic or overly polished
• Clarity and polish – Write clearly, avoid clichés, and keep your language fresh
• Submission-ready ideas – Pitches should include your background, clips, and a clear summary

Typical length: Most Longreads stories run 2,000 to 6,000+ words, but that’s just a guideline.
If your piece needs more space — and can keep readers engaged — they’re open to it.

Who can write for them?

Anyone — anywhere in the world.

Longreads accepts pitches from:

• Freelance writers
• Journalists
• Essayists
• Literary nonfiction writers

You don’t need to be a professional writer or have published clips —
but they do expect polished work and well-developed ideas.

If your story has a strong voice and a compelling angle, that might be all you need to get a foot in the door.

How much do they pay?

Longreads pays competitive rates depending on the type of piece and reporting involved:

• Personal Essays – $500 per essay
• Reading Lists – $350 per list
• Researched or Critical Essays – Start at $500 and go up
• Reported Features – Start at 50 cents per word, with higher rates for complex stories

Payment timeline: They use a Net-60 schedule — meaning payment is due within 60 days of invoice — though many writers report being paid sooner.

You keep all rights after publication —
Longreads only asks for First Rights, meaning they want to publish your piece first.
Once it’s out, you’re free to republish it elsewhere.

Note:
You do not get paid just for submitting.
You get paid if your piece is accepted and published.

Why should I write for them?

Writing for Longreads is more than just adding another byline to your portfolio. It’s an opportunity to tell stories that truly matter — stories with depth, nuance, and emotional honesty.

You’ll be working with an editorial team that genuinely respects the craft.

They’re not just looking to churn out content; they care about quality, about helping you shape something meaningful.

Whether you’re writing a deeply personal essay or an in-depth reported piece, you’ll find support here.

What’s more, Longreads attracts a thoughtful, curious readership — people who appreciate longform storytelling and aren’t afraid to slow down and sit with complex ideas.

If you have something to say, this is a space where your voice will be heard and valued.

For any writer hoping to grow, challenge themselves, and be taken seriously, publishing with Longreads is a smart move.

How do I get started?

Before you pitch, it’s a good idea to browse through some recent Longreads pieces to get a feel for their voice and style.

You can also check out the editors’ curated collections of favorite stories —
it’ll give you a better sense of what each one likes to work on.

Here’s how to pitch:

1. Write a strong pitch

• Clearly explain your story idea, why it matters, and how you’ll tell it
• Include the type (e.g. “Personal Essay,” “Reading List”) in the subject line

2. Send your pitch to [email protected]

3. Attach relevant clips or background info

• Include links to published work (if you have)
• Mention if there’s a specific editor your idea might resonate with

Editorial process: If accepted, expect a collaborative editing experience — they’ll help you shape your story into its best form.

Important notes:

• They’re a small team and don’t confirm receipt of submissions
• They usually only reply if interested, so it’s OK to submit elsewhere too
• They review pitches on a rolling basis, so be patient — quality stands out

Before you submit:
Paid writing opportunities like these are limited — and they exist because editors are still willing to accept unsolicited submissions from writers around the world. To help keep these opportunities open, don’t submit AI-generated content or low-effort work clearly intended as spam. It wastes the editors’ time and takes away chances from real writers who care about the craft. Respect the opportunity. Respect the process. And respect the people reading your work.

Ready to pitch your essay?
Head over to their website to get started.

WRITE FOR LONGREADS ➤

Final thoughts

Writing for Longreads isn’t just about hitting a word count —
it’s about telling a story that matters, and having the space to do it right.

You don’t need to be a published author, a journalist, or someone with a huge platform.

You just need:

• A story worth telling
• A voice that’s uniquely yours
• And the courage to pitch it

So if you’ve been sitting on a story that means something to you —
this might be the place to finally share it.

Looking for more sites that pay you to write?

Here’s a curated list of sites that pay writers.

You’ll find magazines, websites, and platforms in all kinds of niches, from poetry, fiction, and greeting cards to travel, lifestyle, parenting, and more.

Each site includes everything you need to know — from the type of content they’re looking for, to how much they pay, to how to submit your work — so you can confidently land your next paid writing gig.

SEE THE FULL LIST ➤