Publication: Scary Mommy
Topic(s): Parenting, Sex & Relationships, Entertainment, Health, Food, Home, Pets, Personal Essays
Rate: Starts at $200 per article
Deadline: Rolling
Client’s Name: Julie Sprankles (Deputy Editor – Lifestyle & Entertainment)
Submit Via:
- Personal essays: Use this pitch form
- Entertainment: Use this pitch form
- Other topics: Use this pitch form
- Or email directly: julie.sprankles@bustle.com (Subject: Freelance Pitches)
🧐 What They’re Looking For:
Julie is on the hunt for smart, voicey, highly relatable stories in these verticals:
- Parenting (core focus)
- Sex & Relationships
- Movies/TV + Pop Culture
- Pets, Food, Health & Wellness, and Home Life
- Personal stories with emotional punch (top priority)
👉 Do NOT pitch shopping or travel content.
📚 Resources/Guides:
- Read recent stories on ScaryMommy.com to get their tone—bold, witty, raw, and deeply human.
- Personal essays should have a clear arc, vulnerability, and a unique takeaway.
- Entertainment pieces must tie back to parenting, identity, or lifestyle with a sharp angle.
🚀 How To Get This Client:
Lead with a clear, tight pitch—2-3 lines max. Show her why your idea matters now and how it fits her beat.
Reference past Scary Mommy stories if possible. For personal essays, include a 1-2 line bio + a proposed title.
🔥 Pro Tip:
Scary Mommy doesn’t want surface-level parenting fluff. Think: real talk, taboo topics, humor with heart. If you’re unsure how to pitch like a pro, get trained first. Even pros sharpen their skills.
