25 Publications that Pay for Explainers

Here’s our latest research — a list of publications that accept submissions for explainers and that work with freelance writers.

We’ve researched payment rates, pitch guidelines, and more, to help you connect with the right editor.

If you want to browse even more opportunities, be sure to check out our database of over 1,500 publishers that pay writers. It’s easily searchable, and includes thousands of listings just like the ones below.

If you’re new to freelancing, I also very much encourage you to take our course on pitching. You can get the details here.

1. Prism is an independent, nonprofit newsroom led by journalists of color. They elevate “stories, ideas, and solutions from leaders, thinkers, and activists whose voices are critical to a reflective democracy.” They especially encourage pitches from BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and others from historically oppressed communities. They are seeking pitches for their news section, features stories, op-eds, explainers, and stories for their Right to Write project. According to their pitch guide, they pay 50 cents per word. To learn more, refer to this page.

2. PublicSource is a news organization serving Pittsburgh and the region. They welcome story pitches from journalists and community members. According to their pitch guide, they pay $300 for first-person essays (800 to 1,200 words); $300 for event coverage (600 to 1,000 words); $400 for resource guides/explainers; $600 for enterprise stories; and $1,000 for investigative stories. They usually pay a 25% kill fee.

3. Refinery29’s mission is to help women see, feel, and claim their power. Their Canadian edition aims to shine a spotlight on the Canadian stories and issues that resonate with their Gen-Z and millennial audience. They publish everything from personal essays to reported trend pieces to features on race, reproductive rights, and pop culture. According to their pitch guide, they typically pay $150 for short market roundups and $350 for a thorough news explainer with interviews. Personal essays and shorter reported articles start at $350 and increase from there, depending on the piece. To learn more, refer to this page.