Website 19: MSmagazine.com

How Can You Earn Money Writing For “msmagazine.com” Website

This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to msmagazine.com.

You will learn what msmagazine wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.

MsMagazine.com

Ms. Magazine · Contributor Snapshot

Pay: Rates are competitive (inquire after pitch approval) Style: Intersectional, Investigative, Advocacy Topics: Politics · Health · Global Rights · Arts & Culture Audience: Feminist thinkers, activists, policy-makers Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced (Strong voice & research required)

Ideal for well-researched features, news analysis, personal essays tied to policy, and reporting that advances the feminist movement.

Feminist Journalism · 01 Research Intensive Target: Ms. Magazine

Guide: How to Write, Research, and Pitch for Ms. Magazine

This guide provides a comprehensive workflow for beginners looking to successfully pitch, write, and submit their work—including feature articles, analysis, and opinion pieces—to the renowned feminist publication, Ms. Magazine.

You will learn to understand the magazine’s **mission and intersectional lens**, develop a powerful pitch idea, conduct feminist-informed research, structure your article for impact, and navigate the submission process. The focus is on crafting high-quality, impactful journalism.

Section 1 · Understand the publication

Ms. Magazine’s Mission, Voice, and Intersectional Lens

Before you draft a single sentence, you must fully grasp what Ms. Magazine is. Founded by Gloria Steinem and others in 1972, it is not merely a lifestyle magazine with women’s interests; it is a **trailblazing feminist, political, and investigative journal**. Its mission is to make the world a better, more equitable place for *all* women and girls, utilizing an **intersectional lens**.

The publication operates under the Feminist Majority Foundation, which confirms its core focus is on activism, policy, and global human rights. Your piece must contribute to this larger, activist mission.

💡

The Ms. Voice: Analytical & Urgent

The Ms. tone is:

Authoritative: Backed by facts, statistics, and expert/lived experience.
Intersectional: Always considering how race, class, sexuality, and disability impact gender issues. Avoid ‘white feminism.’
Forward-Looking: Not just reporting a problem, but analyzing its causes and advocating for policy solutions or actions.
Urgent: The topics matter now. Why should the reader care today?

Read the Online Latest section to internalize the current tone and urgency.

🌍

Core Content Areas

Ms. publishes content across several deep, policy-driven areas:

U.S. Politics & Policy: Reproductive rights, voting rights, women in leadership.
Global Feminism: International human rights issues, reports from the field.
Feminist Arts & Culture: Analysis of media, literature, and culture through a feminist lens (not just reviews).
Health & Environment: Health disparities, climate justice as a feminist issue.
Opinion & Analysis: Strong, evidence-based commentary on current events.

Your idea must fit squarely into one of these buckets, showing a clear connection to **feminist policy or advocacy**.

Piece Type	Ms. Focus	Key Elements	Goal
News Analysis	Current Events	Timely, well-sourced, explains the why and what’s next	Inform and contextualize policy changes
Investigative Feature	Deep-Dive Topic	Original reporting, multiple sources, primary data	Uncover systemic injustice
Opinion/Essay	Personal Tie-in	Strong voice, personal experience links to larger policy issue	Persuade and catalyze action
Book/Media Review	Arts & Culture	Deep feminist critique, context in the movement	Frame cultural products through a political lens

Tip: Go to the Ms. site and click on a few main categories. Notice how even articles about pop culture quickly pivot to discussions of systemic power, labor, or representation. Your pitch must show this level of **political commitment**.

Section 2 · Deconstructing the submission guidelines

Reading Between the Lines of the Ms. Pitch Request

The official submission page, Ms. Magazine Submissions, is the single most important document you must study. Unlike casual blogs, Ms. has specific needs.

Requirement: Be Timely and Original

Is your idea “news-pegged” or “evergreen”?

Most pitches should be **news-pegged**, meaning they respond to a recent event, court ruling, legislative debate, or cultural moment.

Good: Analysis of how the recent state bill on childcare subsidies affects single mothers of color.
Bad: A general essay on why childcare is important.

If it’s an **evergreen** feature (deep history, profile), it needs to be *so* original and necessary that it must be done now. Always ask: “Why Ms.? Why now?”

Requirement: Know the Word Counts

Different sections need different lengths.

While the guidelines don’t always specify exact numbers, professional publications follow common length conventions:

**Online News Analysis:** 800–1,200 words. These are frequent and fast-paced.
**Opinion/Personal Essays:** 1,000–1,500 words. Must connect personal narrative to policy.
**Feature Articles (Print/Online):** 2,500–5,000+ words. These are reserved for deep, original, investigative reporting. **Beginners should start with analysis/opinion.**

Your pitch must include a **target word count** to show you understand the scope.

Requirement: What to Avoid

Filter out non-Ms. ideas.

Avoid pitching generic content that could be published anywhere. Specifically, avoid:

General self-help, non-political lifestyle tips.
Complaining about feminism without offering a policy-driven critique or solution.
Articles based only on personal feelings without linking to systemic issues or data.

Ms. is an authoritative source. Your submission should reflect graduate-level analysis and professional-level journalism, even if you are a beginner writer.

Exercise: Spend an hour reading five recent Ms. articles. For each one, write down the **news-peg**, the **central policy argument**, and the **tone**. This practice is critical for internalizing the magazine’s expectations.

Section 3 · Pitch Development

Crafting a Powerful, Timely Pitch Email (for the Editor)

A pitch for a magazine like Ms. is a professional sales letter. You are selling your idea, your authority, and your ability to deliver clean, finished copy.

Step 1: The Subject Line

Grab the Editor’s Attention Instantly

Editors get hundreds of emails. Your subject line must be immediately clear, urgent, and professional.

Format: PITCH: [Short, Catchy Headline] – [Your Name]
**Example:** PITCH: The Digital Divide in Rural Abortion Access – Jane Doe
**Bad:** Article Idea! OR Submission for Ms.

Brevity and urgency are key. Assume the editor will read nothing else but this line first.

Step 2: The Hook & Core Idea

The First Paragraph Sells the Story

Immediately introduce your core idea and the **news-peg**. This should be 3–5 sentences maximum.

Example: “I am writing to pitch an 1,100-word analysis on the implications of the new Texas Supreme Court ruling on medication abortion access. The ruling, handed down last Friday, creates a dangerous legal gray area that specifically impacts poor women who rely on telemedicine for care. My piece will explain the legal mechanism and outline the short-term impact on reproductive justice organizations.”

Step 3: The Outline/Proof

Show Your Article’s Structure

Use a bulleted list to show the editor exactly how your article will flow. This proves you’ve thought the piece through.

Introduction: The court ruling and the urgent problem for low-income patients.
Section 1: Explaining the legal loophole (citing relevant law/case).
Section 2: Data on how telemedicine disproportionately serves rural and low-income patients (cite 2-3 sources).
Conclusion: Policy remedies and action items for reproductive justice advocates.

Mention your **sources** (e.g., “I have an interview scheduled with an expert from the ACLU”).

Step 4: The Bio & Clips

Prove Your Authority and Reliability

Briefly explain *why* you should write this piece. This is where you include your “clips” (links to past published articles).

**Bio:** 2–3 sentences. Focus on relevant background (e.g., “I am a women’s health policy researcher with a Master’s degree…” or “I am a journalist specializing in policy affecting marginalized communities…”).
**Clips:** Provide **2–3 strong links** to published work. They don’t need to be in major publications, but they must show your ability to write clean, researched copy. If you have no clips, offer to write the full piece on spec (unassigned) for their review.

End with a polite closing: “Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you. [Your Name], [Phone], [Portfolio Link].”

**[External Link: Guide to Writing Magazine Pitches]**: Study how professional journalists format pitches. Never send the full article unless the guidelines specifically ask for it, or you are offering it “on spec” (unassigned).

Section 4 · Research & Sourcing

The Art of Feminist Research and Ethical Sourcing

A Ms. article is built on a foundation of unimpeachable facts. If you pitch a topic, you must be able to back it up with data, quotes, and primary source material. This is the difference between a blog post and a magazine feature.

🔎

Prioritizing Primary Sources

Your research should rely on the highest quality sources:

Policy: Official government documents, court filings, legislative texts (e.g., Congress.gov).
Data: Reports from non-partisan think tanks, academic studies, or recognized NGOs (e.g., WHO, Pew Research, ACLU, Guttmacher Institute).
Expert Interviews: Speak directly with academics, lawyers, activists, and policymakers. A quote from an expert always elevates a piece.

**Never rely solely on Wikipedia or popular news sites.** Use them to find the primary sources and then cite the primary source.

⚖️

Ethical and Intersectional Sourcing

Ms. demands ethical reporting, especially when dealing with marginalized or vulnerable populations:

**Consent:** Get explicit, informed consent when quoting someone’s lived experience.
**No Trauma Porn:** Avoid focusing gratuitously on suffering; focus on systemic failures and solutions.
**Diverse Sources:** Actively seek out sources from **BIPOC, queer, disabled, and low-income communities** to ensure your article reflects an intersectional reality. A piece on women’s labor that only quotes white, middle-class sources is not an Ms. piece.

**[External Link: Poynter’s Journalism Ethics]** is a great resource for learning ethical reporting standards.

Fact-Checking Note: Major magazines have rigorous fact-checking. Every name, date, statistic, and quote must be verifiable. Keep a detailed document listing the source (link, book page, interview time) for every fact in your draft. This will save you significant time during the editing process.

Section 5 · Writing & Structure

Writing and Structuring Your Ms. Magazine Article

Every successful Ms. article follows a journalistic structure, even opinion pieces. The goal is to inform, analyze, and then provide a call to action or a path forward.

Phase A

The Lede (The Hook)

The first 1–3 paragraphs must grab the reader. Start with an urgent anecdote, a shocking statistic, or a direct reference to the news-peg.

**Goal:** To draw the reader in emotionally or intellectually and make them care about the topic.
**Tip:** Make it as specific as possible. Don’t say “Women are struggling.” Say: “Maria, a mother of three in rural Oklahoma, lost her job last week after the nearest clinic offering childcare subsidies closed.”

Phase B

The Nut Graf (The Thesis)

The **Nut Graph** (around paragraph 3–5) is the core of the piece. It tells the reader, “This is what the article is about, and this is what it will prove.”

**Goal:** State the feminist argument and the political significance of the topic.
**Structure:** [Problem] is happening because of [Systemic Failure], and my article will show that [Proposed Solution] is necessary.

Phase C

The Body (Evidence and Analysis)

Each section of the body should support the Nut Graf with evidence: data, quotes, and expert analysis.

**Analysis is Key:** Don’t just report a quote; analyze its meaning in the context of feminist policy.
**Sourcing:** Integrate your research naturally. Example: “This disparity is not accidental; a 2024 report by the National Women’s Law Center shows…”
**Paragraph Length:** Keep paragraphs short (2–4 sentences) for online readability.

Phase D

The Kicker (The Conclusion)

The conclusion must feel satisfying and, critically, **forward-looking**.

**Return to the Lede:** Loop back to the opening anecdote or statistic, showing how the systemic issue impacted it.
**Call to Action (CTA):** What should the reader do now? Vote, donate, lobby, call their representative, or change their own behavior. Ms. is an activist publication, and the end should reflect this.

**[External Link: Nieman Lab on the Nut Graf]**: The Nut Graf is essential for news and feature writing. Ensure yours is punchy, clear, and makes a strong political claim.

Section 6 · Payment & Rights

Understanding Payment, Kill Fees, and Contracts

While specific rates for Ms. Magazine are generally competitive but not publicly listed (and may vary based on experience, article type, and length), understanding professional payment terms is crucial for a freelance career. **Never discuss money in your initial pitch.** Wait until the editor expresses interest and offers a commission.

💵

Navigating Payment Rates

Once your pitch is accepted, the editor will discuss the budget. As a beginner:

**Industry Standard:** Competitive pay for quality feature journalism often falls between $0.50/word to $1.50+/word, but rates for online analysis/opinion vary widely. **Never accept less than $100 for an online piece, and ideally much more.**
**Negotiation:** You can negotiate the rate, but be professional and base your counter-offer on your proven experience or the exceptional amount of research required.
**Invoice:** Be prepared to submit a professional invoice with all required information (your name, address, tax ID, payment rate, word count).

Your best leverage is a **well-researched, clean, submitted-on-time article**.

📜

Contracts and Rights

When you accept a commission, you will sign a contract. Pay attention to the following terms:

**Kill Fee:** A kill fee (usually 25–50% of the agreed rate) is paid if the magazine commissions your piece but then decides not to publish it. **Always confirm a kill fee is in the contract.**
**Rights:** Ms. will usually ask for **First North American Serial Rights (FNASR)**. This means they get to publish it first. After publication, the rights revert back to you (the author) to re-publish the work elsewhere (e.g., your portfolio, blog) after a specified period (the “non-compete window”).

**[External Link: Sample Freelance Contract]**: Review sample freelance contracts to understand the standard legal language.

Warning: Always get the payment rate and the kill fee **in writing** before you begin writing the full article. “Verbal” agreements are not enforceable in the professional publishing world.

Section 7 · Final Polish

Final Pre-Submission Checklist and Formatting

Once your piece is written and polished, use this checklist before you hit send. Remember that professional submissions require professional formatting.

The document is double-spaced, 12-point, and clearly titled (Your Name – Article Title – Word Count). All names, dates, and statistics are checked against **primary sources** (Fact-check!). A separate list of **sources/hyperlinks** (for the editor/fact-checker) is included at the end or in a separate file. The article’s core argument aligns with Ms. Magazine’s **intersectional feminist mission**. The piece contains a strong **Nut Graf** (thesis) and a clear, forward-looking **Call to Action/Kicker**. The required word count (e.g., 1,000 words) has been met or is very close (e.g., 980–1,020). The title is compelling and professional (avoiding all caps or excessive punctuation). The email body is brief, referencing the original accepted pitch idea and attaching the completed manuscript.

**Formatting Tip:** Submit the manuscript as a **clean .doc or .docx file**. Do not submit PDFs, Google Drive links requiring permissions, or specialized file formats unless requested.

Section 8 · Additional Support

FAQ and Resources for Aspiring Feminist Journalists

Q: What if I don’t have a Master’s degree or deep academic background?

A: Ms. values **original reporting and powerful storytelling** as much as academic background. If you are a beginner, focus on **local, underreported issues** and find sources with first-hand knowledge. A compelling, well-researched story from the field often beats dry academic analysis. Use your biography to highlight relevant experience, such as “active in local reproductive rights campaigns” or “former public school teacher with experience in disparity.”

Q: How long should I wait for a response to my pitch?

A: Editorial teams at major publications are very busy. Wait at least **3–4 weeks** for a response. After that, send a polite, one-line follow-up email (a “nudge”) asking if they’ve had a chance to review your pitch. If you receive a commission for the same piece elsewhere, immediately email the Ms. editor to withdraw the pitch, stating: “I’ve accepted a commission for this piece elsewhere, so I am formally withdrawing my pitch. Thank you for your time.” This is professional and keeps the door open for future ideas.

Q: Should I include a personal essay idea in my pitch?

A: Only if your personal experience is a **direct lens into a larger systemic problem** that Ms. covers. For instance, a story about your personal struggle with a rare reproductive condition *and* an analysis of the lack of federal funding for that condition. The political analysis must be the focus, with the personal story serving as the evidence.

📚 Key Resources for Feminist Writing & Journalism

**Ms. Magazine Online Archive** (Crucial for tone and topic research)
**Women’s Writing Resources & Fellowships** (Find opportunities to build clips)
**Nieman Lab** (Excellent resource for journalistic best practices and industry trends)
**National Lawyers Guild** (Source for legal and policy analysis, often crucial for Ms. pieces)
**Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma** (Ethical reporting on sensitive topics)
**Freedom Forum’s First Amendment Resources** (Understanding press freedoms and responsibilities)

MC-Guide