As writers, we often only write when we are expecting to be paid, but truthfully the pay that the majority of writers are earning is much lower than those writers that chose to patiently build a reputable publishing portfolio are earning. Sometimes, getting paid isn’t always the best path to take.

Writing for most reputable magazines these days often requires a vetting process to screen out any article submissions that do not meet the editor’s guidelines since these magazine-writing opportunities do employ a screening process and do not accept just any and all submissions. These publishing opportunities hold more weight than the typical “publish all content publishing companies” operating both online and offline do.

So, if you are a serious writer or you are currently a hobby writer and desire to become a serious writing professional, then this is an opportunity to carefully consider. Writing for magazines will test every writer’s skills. Those writers, who survive the review panels and are published, can honestly feel that their writing abilities are among the cream of the crop.

Many of the following magazine writing opportunities are non-paying, but could potentially lead to paying opportunities when accompanied with a current publishing portfolio. Use these magazine opportunities to start building your own publishing credit portfolio, so your professional writing background will have the chance to reward your future. Writer’s guidelines are included below.

1. Mothering

   Mothering Natural Family Living is a magazine that is primarily focused on parenting and child rearing issues facing the proudly new parents. Currently, Mothering is accepting professionally written articles for several different categories. There are submission guidelines to read before applying for this opportunity. Mothering does pay $200 to $500 for magazine articles that are accepted and published with the exact amount to be negotiated at the time it is selected.

2. Smithsonian

   For many serious writers, getting an article published in a world-class magazine like the Smithsonian Magazine is the turning point which signals that the smell of success is in reach. The Smithsonian Magazine currently accepts unsolicited proposals from established freelance writers for features and in other departments. If published, this is an excellent publishing credit to add to any writer’s professional publishing portfolio.

3. MSDN Magazine

   The Microsoft Journal for Developer MSDN Magazine is always on the lookout for original, well-written articles that help developers evaluate and learn to use current Microsoft technologies for their software development projects. Articles that are published are eligible for payment (Microsoft employees are not eligible for payment) with rates set by contract before submission.

4. CHIPS Magazine

   This is quite an unique opportunity to write an article for CHIPS “The Department of the Navy Information Technology Magazine. This is a non-paying portfolio building publishing opportunity. Carefully, read the editorial writing guidelines to see if you are eligible to write for this magazine before submitting your article.

5. Diabetic Gourmet Magazine

   Share your cooking for diabetics knowledge with readers who must rely on healthy dining to sustain healthy living while living with diabetes. This is a non-paying writing opportunity that will continue to build a stronger professional portfolio. Diabetic Gourmet Magazine is published online and every article submitted must be reviewed and approved before publishing. Not all articles will be published.

6. Impact Times

   Impact Times consists of short articles on poetry, short stories, business strategies, book proposal suggestions, photographic techniques, etc. Writers who would like to have their articles considered will need to read the editorial guidelines before submitting any original works to Impact Times. This is a non-paying opportunity that could potentially lead to a future paying opportunity in the future. For now, this opportunity would be an excellent professional publishing credit to enhance your professional writing resume.

7. CIRE

   CIRE Magazine is offering an outstanding writing opportunity for real estate professionals that can write how-to, trend and forecast articles on a variety of topics relating to the commercial investment real estate market. CIRE published authors gain the distinguished international exposure of 14,000 real estate professionals worldwide. Published authors receive, in addition, 10 complimentary copies of the issue in which their article appears.

8. Toastmasters International

   Toastmasters International is an extraordinary professional organization that helps produce the future speakers and leaders in the world. Successfully being published in the Toastmaster Magazine will expose your article and your name to approximately 226,000 members in 11,500 clubs worldwide. Compensation for accepted articles depends on a couple of factors, so carefully read and understand the writing guidelines before submitting any articles.

9. Kid Magazine

   This is a perfect opportunity for writers who enjoy writing for children. Kid Magazine has writing opportunities that focus on story telling that young children would enjoy. This is a non-paying, portfolio building writing opportunity that will help authors gain more exposure for their works. Like with any opportunities, paying or non-paying, always carefully read the editorial guidelines and only submit your best original unpublished writing works.

10. CMS Jumpstart Magazine

    CMS Jumpstart Magazine is a unique opportunity for writers that run and operate a Joomla! site over time. Ideally, CMS Jumpstart Magazine is on the lookout for tutorials, deployment experiences and industry trends or editorials. Authors may be eligible to earn $5.00 – $20.00 per article upon being accepted and published. Articles that stand the best chance to be published are tutorial series that would span 3-5 articles.