MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 65: placesjournal.org
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “placesjournal.org” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to placesjournal.org.
You will learn what placesjournal.org 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 Places Journal — a step-by-step beginner’s guide
This guide helps you research, write, and submit a clear, publishable piece to Places Journal. It explains what Places publishes, how to shape an idea for their readers, how to prepare a submission (including formatting and bio), plus a ready-to-use pitch template and follow-up checklist.
Key source links are included inside the guide so you can click through to Places’ official instructions and supporting pages. Read those first, then follow this guide to craft a pitch and a full draft that editors can evaluate. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Section 1 · What Places Journal publishes
Who reads Places and what they value
Places Journal (often shown as Places) is a respected forum for public scholarship about architecture, landscape, and urbanism. It publishes essays, criticism, photography, and narrative journalism that connect design with public issues — equity, sustainability, policy, and lived experience. If you aim to contribute, your piece should speak to those concerns and to readers who care about built-environment ideas and impacts. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Places runs thematic calls and open submissions, and the editors encourage lively, original, well-researched writing. They host a mix of academic-quality essays and accessible public-facing criticism. Reading recent articles on placesjournal.org’s archive helps you learn tone, evidence standards, and the kinds of projects they promote. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Long-form essays connecting scholarship to public concerns.
- Case studies of places, projects, or interventions.
- Critical commentary on policy, planning, and design.
- Photography & visual essays paired with captions and careful credits.
Readers include scholars, practitioners (architects, landscape architects, planners), students, and public intellectuals interested in how design shapes public life. Articles that tie examples to broader civic or environmental questions resonate best.
Section 2 · Does your idea fit Places?
Testing your idea (3 quick checks)
Before you draft a long essay, run your idea through three practical checks below. This saves time and increases your chance of acceptance.
Is there a public/critical question at the center?
Places favors writing that connects a project, policy, or design decision to a public problem — housing, climate, inequality, infrastructure, cultural history. If your piece only explains technique without tying to civic concerns, rethink the framing.
Can you support your claims with evidence or close description?
Good submissions include on-site observation, interviews, archival research, policy citations, or measurable outcomes. Even a reflective essay should name where the evidence comes from.
Is the voice public-facing and readable?
Places is not a cloistered academic journal: avoid opaque jargon, explain unfamiliar terms, and aim for clarity. Use images and captions to make evidence vivid for non-specialist readers.
Section 3 · Build strong samples & evidence
How to prepare materials that make editors say yes
Places asks for “complete drafts” in many cases and emphasizes clear bios and supporting materials. If you already have relevant publications, include them. If not, prepare a strong sample that demonstrates your research and writing chops. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- A clear one-paragraph summary of the argument.
- A full draft (if requested) or strong excerpt with notes on length.
- A short author bio (third-person, ~50–150 words) and contact info.
- Image credits and captions for photos or maps you include.
- Your personal website (preferred if well formatted).
- Academic repositories / institutional pages (if available).
- Medium, Aeon, or an online magazine — but indicate whether the piece is exclusive or previously published.
Section 4 · Submission workflow (step-by-step)
Exactly what to do from idea to sending
Places’ public instructions ask that manuscripts, proposals, and queries be sent to the editors with the subject line “Places submission” and the draft title, and that attachments be formatted as Word or PDF with endnotes for citations. Their staff page and contact details also point to an editors’ email and Submittable portal for certain calls. Read the official submission page carefully before sending. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Read the official submission guidelines
Open the Places Submission Guidelines and the Calls for Articles. Note any current themes or special instructions (image sizes, word counts, deadlines). :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Prepare a concise pitch packet
Include: 1) a 150–250 word summary, 2) a proposed word count, 3) a one-paragraph author bio, 4) links to one or two writing samples, 5) a list of proposed images with captions and who owns them. If you have a complete draft, attach it as a single Word or PDF document. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Send your submission to the editors
Email submissions to the editors address listed on the Contact or Submissions page (see Places’ Contact). Use “Places submission — [Your Draft Title]” as the subject line. If a Submittable form is open for a call, follow that portal’s instructions instead. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Wait patiently; follow up once
Editors at nonprofit journals often work with limited staff. If you don’t hear back within 4–8 weeks, a single polite follow-up is appropriate. Keep the follow-up brief and include your original subject line. If your piece is declined, ask for brief feedback and consider revising for another outlet or adapting the idea. (See “What to say” in the templates section.)
Section 5 · Formatting & attachments (practical)
How to format a Places submission (file types, citations, images)
Places’ guidelines request Word or PDF attachments and ask that citations be formatted as endnotes. The submission page notes that you should include a bio and contact details. If you are sending images, provide captions and credits, and attach high-resolution files or links to a shared folder. Always double-check the current page for any updated technical requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
| Element | What to send | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Draft | DOCX or PDF | Use consistent fonts, avoid tracked changes; include title and proposed word count at top |
| Citations | Endnotes (numbered) | Put full citations in endnotes — editors may convert to inline or footnotes later |
| Images | High-res JPG/PNG or links to folder | Include captions, credit lines, and permission statements if required |
| Author bio | Third-person, ≤150 words | Give one-sentence credentials + relevant links (website, ORCID, institutional profile) |
Section 6 · Pitch templates & sample wording
Concrete templates you can copy and adapt
Subject: Places submission — “Title of Your Draft”
Dear Places editors, Please find attached a complete draft entitled "Title of Your Draft" (approx. 2,400 words) for consideration. Short summary (2–3 sentences): This essay argues that [concise thesis — e.g., "the pedestrianization of X street created an informal economy that shows how micro-scale interventions shape urban equity"]. It draws on site visits, interviews with three local shop owners, and municipal planning documents. Author bio (1 sentence): [Your Name] is a [architect/planner/teacher/researcher] based in [city], currently [position]. Website: [link]. Attachments: Draft (DOCX), images (ZIP / link), author bio (DOCX). Thank you for your consideration. Best, [Your Name] [Email] | [Phone] | [Website]
Subject: Places submission — “Working title: Short phrase”
Dear Places editors, I would like to propose an essay (approx. 2,500–3,500 words) tentatively titled "Working title" that explores [one-sentence thesis]. The piece connects [the case — e.g., "a municipal housing retrofit in City X"] with broader questions of [policy / equity / climate / memory]. Planned evidence: on-site visits, interviews with [stakeholders], and analysis of [documents]. I am happy to submit a full draft within [8–12 weeks / timeframe]. Bio: [one short sentence]. Writing samples: [link1], [link2]. Thank you for your time, [Your Name]
Section 7 · Money, rights, and expectations
Do Places pay? What rights do you keep?
Places is a nonprofit journal with a mission of public scholarship. Payment policies can vary by piece and over time; older reports and third-party roundups indicate that some pieces may receive modest honoraria while others (reported journalism or grant-supported projects) can have larger fees. Because payment practices vary, confirm terms with editors before accepting. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Nonprofit journals often request a license to publish online but allow authors to repost after an agreed period or with credit. For Places, check the editor’s contract for specifics about republication and archival rights. If you plan to reuse the essay (for tenure dossiers, books, or blogs), ask for written permission or a clear statement in the agreement.
Section 8 · Ethics, citations, and images
How to be scrupulous and camera-ready
Places expects careful sourcing and correct credits for images and quotes. Use endnotes for citations (as requested), and provide full source details. For images, obtain permissions when required and include captions with photographer credit and license details (e.g., “Photo: Jane Doe, used with permission”). Editors will expect you to stand behind any claims or data. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Number all endnotes and ensure they correspond to references in the text.
- Include full URLs and access dates for online sources.
- For interviews, list date and role (e.g., “Interview with X, city planner, 8 March 2025”).
- Keep permission emails for images and quote attributions.
Section 9 · Final checklist & next steps
Use this before you hit send
Section 10 · Resources & further reading
Helpful links, templates, and places to practice
Official Places Journal pages
- Submission Guidelines — Places Journal. (Start here.) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Calls for Articles — Places. Check for open themes and Submittable links. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- About Places Journal. Read mission and editorial stance. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
- Explore the archive to learn tone and structure. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
- Places Submittable (if active). Some calls use Submittable for intake. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Where to publish practice pieces
- Medium — easy publishing and discoverability.
- Aeon — essays and long-form work (check their guidelines).
- Your own blog — best place for full control and a portfolio link.
Where to learn about payments and editorial experience
- Writing.ie summary about Places submissions (historical summary, may mention fees). :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
- Duotrope listing for Places — community-collected stats and submission notes. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}