Guide: How to Write for Funny Times — A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Plan

Section 1 · About the publication

What Funny Times actually publishes

Section 2 · Read the rules first

Where and how to submit — the official path

The single most important step before you write anything is to read Funny Times’ own submissions page. Their submissions page lists the method to send material, the address or email to use, and any specific format or file preferences. In practice, their listed contact for submissions is submissions@funnytimes.com, and they ask contributors to include identifying information in the email. Always use the address and process they list — this prevents your work from being lost.

Section 3 · Shape an idea that fits

Choose an idea that matches Funny Times’ readers

Don’t submit a long-form magazine feature. Instead, produce short, self-contained humor pieces — personal comic essays, satirical lists, ironic observations, or captioned short cartoons. Here are practical approaches to generating ideas:

Section 4 · Make quick samples

Build 2–3 short samples you can send with your pitch

Even beginners should create publishable samples. You don’t need a book-length portfolio — you need 2–3 short, well-polished pieces that show your voice and timing.

Once you have 2–3 samples (a mix of a short essay, a list, and maybe 2–3 cartoons or panels), you’re ready to prepare the actual submission email.

Section 5 · How to format & send

Practical formatting rules & what to attach

Follow these formatting rules to make life easy for editors and increase your chance of acceptance:

Section 6 · Money & rights

What to expect to be paid and rights to grant

Payment rates for small humor markets vary and are updated from time to time. Public reports and market listings commonly report that Funny Times pays contributors a modest flat fee for accepted pieces and often provides a complimentary subscription or reprint terms. Multiple market listings and contributor roundups place the per-story pay in the range of approximately $60–$75, with cartoons sometimes paid in a lower per-cartoon range (often quoted around $25–$50 per cartoon).

Section 7 · Pitch templates

Copy-paste pitch email templates you can adapt

Subject: Submission: [Your Name] — “[Title of Piece]”

Hello Funny Times editors,

I'm [Your Name], a humor writer/cartoonist from [City]. I'm sending a short piece titled “[Title of Piece]” (approx. [word count]) that I think will fit your audience — it satirizes [one-line hook]. 

[One-sentence bio: e.g., "My work has appeared at X, Y, Z" or "I'm a longtime reader."]

Attached: [Title].docx

Thanks for reading — I hope it gives you a laugh.

Best,
[Your Name]
[Email] | [Phone optional] | [Link to portfolio]
          

Subject: Submission: [Your Name] — 3 short humor pieces

Hello editors,

I'm [Your Name]. Attached are three short pieces (one-liners / essays / list) that suit the Funny Times voice:

1) “[Title A]” — 550 words — Hook: [one-liner].
2) “[Title B]” — 430 words — Hook: [one-liner].
3) “[Title C]” — 300 words — Hook: [one-liner].

Bio: [One-liner bio and relevant clips].

Thanks for considering these. Happy to adapt for space if useful.

— [Your Name]
          

Section 8 · If you get accepted

What to do after acceptance

Congratulations — now turn the single win into momentum. Here are immediate next steps and mid-term strategies so one acceptance grows your income and visibility.

Longer-term: aim to create a series of related pieces (3–5 items) that can become a repeat pitch, or form the basis for a paid talk, newsletter monetization, or a small e-book of humor pieces.

Section 9 · Checklist & Resources

Final pitch checklist and helpful links