Publication: Episodes
Topics: Pop Culture, Film, Television, Books, Music, Video Games, Theater, Cultural Criticism
Rate (USD): $200 per piece
Deadline: Ongoing
Editor: Episodes Editorial Team
Submit Via: Email episodes.pitches@gmail.com
Episodes Is Accepting Freelance Pitches for Paid Essays
Episodes is once again accepting freelance pitches from writers interested in exploring pop culture through thoughtful essays, cultural criticism, and longform journalism. The publication pays $200 per accepted piece, with submissions ideally ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 words.
Following its newsletter relaunch in January, Episodes has reached its support goal and resumed accepting freelance contributions, reopening an opportunity for writers to publish original cultural commentary.
What Is Episodes Looking For?
Episodes is a culture journalism and criticism publication focused on the moments that make pop culture meaningful. It prefers analytical, essayistic pieces that explore ideas, themes, and cultural significance rather than straightforward reviews.
The editors are particularly interested in essays that examine a specific moment in a film, television show, or other cultural work to reveal something larger about the entire piece.
Other areas of interest include:
- Film and television: Essays examining memorable scenes, storytelling choices, themes, and cultural significance.
- Books and literature: Thoughtful criticism exploring the ideas and cultural relevance of books.
- Music: Essays examining songs, albums, artists, and the wider cultural contexts surrounding them.
- Video games: Critical writing about gaming, storytelling, design, and cultural impact.
- Theater: Essays exploring performances, productions, and the ideas behind them.
- Interviews: Conversations with relevant artists, creators, and cultural figures.
Episodes also welcomes pitches about more obscure or unconventional corners of pop culture. Writers should not assume an idea is too niche to interest the editors.
Personal essays about seeing oneself reflected in a particular cultural work are occasionally considered, but the publication maintains a high editorial bar for these submissions.
Submission Guidelines
Episodes prefers pieces between 1,500 and 2,000 words. Your pitch should present a clear argument, a distinctive perspective, and a compelling reason for readers to engage with the subject.
Before submitting, review the publication’s previous freelance work to understand its editorial style and expectations.
Writers should also read the editor’s detailed guide on how to write a freelance pitch.
How to Submit Your Pitch
Email your pitch to episodes.pitches@gmail.com.
Use this subject line format:
Freelance pitch: [headline or subject of pitch]
The editors request that writers send a follow-up email if they have not received a response within approximately one month.
Episodes does not publish work written, outlined, or ideated using large language models (LLMs). Pitches and resulting articles must be developed by human writers.
Please also note that accepted pitches may take several months to be published, depending on the editorial backlog. The team will keep contributors informed about publication timelines.
How Much Does Episodes Pay Freelance Writers?
Episodes pays $200 per published piece, with articles ideally running between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
Writers interested in cultural criticism, pop culture journalism, and longform essays can use this opportunity to develop their portfolios while earning money from original editorial work.
Ready to Pitch Episodes?
Develop a distinctive idea, explain its cultural significance, and make a compelling case for why it deserves an essay. Review the publication’s guidelines and previous freelance contributions before emailing your pitch.