MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 39: Islandmag.com
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “Islandmag.com” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to Islandmag.com.
You will learn what Islandmag.com wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
Guide: How to Write for Island Magazine & Get Paid
This step-by-step guide will teach you how to prepare, write, and submit high-quality work to Island Magazine. Unlike quick SEO blogs, Island is a premium literary journal. Getting published here is a major credential that pays well and builds your reputation.
You will learn the difference between “content” and “essays,” how to use their submission portal, and how to professionally present your work to editors.
Section 1 · The Publication
What is Island Magazine?
Island is one of Australia’s leading literary magazines. It is not a standard blog or a “content mill.” It is a curated publication that prints four times a year, along with publishing digital content.
Founded in Tasmania, it has a reputation for high-quality thinking, writing, and culture. They focus on the environment, the arts, social issues, and pure storytelling.
- Nature & Environment: Essays that explore the natural world.
- Deep Fiction: Short stories that move the reader emotionally.
- Arts Review: Intelligent critique of books, art, and culture.
- Quality over Quantity: They don’t want “listicles” (e.g., “10 Ways to Sleep Better”). They want narratives.
The audience includes writers, publishers, academics, and people who love reading.
Your tone should be intelligent, authentic, and polished. You don’t need to be fancy, but you must be clear and thoughtful.
Section 2 · Categories
What can you write for them?
Before you write a single word, you must choose the right “bucket” for your idea. Island Magazine typically accepts submissions in these specific categories.
| Category | Description | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Fiction / Essays | Memoir, commentary, nature writing, or opinion pieces on culture. | 1,500 – 3,000 words |
| Fiction | Short stories. Literary, experimental, or narrative. | 1,500 – 3,000 words |
| Poetry | Collections of poems or single strong pieces. | Max 5 poems per submission |
| Arts Features | Reviews or essays about visual art, film, or books. | Variable (Check guidelines) |
Section 3 · The Style
The difference: Literary vs. SEO Blog Writing
If you are used to writing “How-To” guides for the internet, writing for Island requires a shift in mindset. They do not want SEO keywords. They want Voice.
❌ Avoid This
- “Here are 5 tips to improve your writing.”
- Short, choppy sentences designed only for scanning.
- Heavy use of bold text and keywords for Google ranking.
- Generic advice (“Drink more water,” “Work hard”).
✅ Do This
- “The rain in Tasmania smells different than the rain in Sydney…”
- Paragraphs that flow into one another with a narrative arc.
- Personal experience mixed with wider research.
- Unique insights that only you can provide.
Section 4 · The Workflow
Step-by-Step Submission Process
Island uses a specific platform (often Submittable) to manage thousands of entries. Follow this process to ensure your work is actually read.
Check the “Call out”
Go to islandmag.com/submit. See what they are asking for. Sometimes they have themed issues (e.g., “Water,” “Future,” “Islands”). If your story fits the theme, your chances of acceptance go up.
Write and Polish your Piece
Do not send a “pitch” (an email asking if they want the idea). For fiction and essays, you must write the entire piece first. Edit it. Read it aloud. Fix every typo.
Format Anonymously
Many literary magazines judge “blind.” This means they don’t want to know who you are until they decide they like the story. Remove your name from the Word document itself. Only put your name in the form fields on the website.
Pay the Submission Fee (If applicable)
Some literary magazines charge a small fee ($10-$20) to submit. This pays for the software and the editors’ time. However, Island typically offers free entry for subscribers or specific groups. Check the current rules on their site.
Section 5 · Money
How much do you earn?
Island is a professional market. They follow guidelines often set by the Australian Society of Authors (ASA). While rates change, professional literary magazines generally pay:
- Fiction/Essays: Often between $0.20 and $0.40 per word, or flat fees ranging from $200 to $1,000+ depending on funding.
- Poetry: Usually a flat fee per poem (e.g., $100–$150).
*Always check the “Payment” section of their current submission guide for the exact figures.
When they pay you, they are usually buying:
- First Serial Rights: The right to be the first place to publish the story.
- Digital Rights: The right to put it on their website.
You usually keep the copyright. After a set period (exclusivity), you can republish it in your own book.
Section 6 · The Professional Look
How to format your document
Nothing screams “amateur” like a messy document. Use Standard Manuscript Format to look professional immediately.
- Font: Times New Roman or Garamond, 12 point.
- Spacing: Double-spaced (2.0).
- Margins: 3cm (approx 1 inch) on all sides.
- Page Numbers: In the bottom right or top right corner.
- File Type: .DOC or .DOCX (Microsoft Word format).
Section 7 · Final Review
Pre-Submission Checklist
Before you click that “Submit” button on Island’s portal, check these boxes.