Writing for The New Jew

Summary

Our base rates range from $50 to $500 depending on the nature and length of the piece, from interviews to features. We look for thoughtful, accessible, well-researched writing, and we don't demure from divergent viewpoints or controversy.

The New Jew is an almanac and field guide for Jews who begin again. We buy clear, carefully sourced writing that takes adult learners seriously: explanations of Jewish texts and ideas, practical guides to Jewish life, historical studies, criticism, and personal exploration. We welcome disagreement and distinctions among Jewish traditions; accessibility of ideas should not come at the expense of either accuracy or controversy.

Base rates

All rates below are flat rates in US dollars, not per-word rates. Lengths describe the usual scope; the assigning editor and writer agree on the format, length, fee, and deadline in writing before purchase, and before editorial work begins. These are minimum starting rates for pieces purchased on spec, or commissioned on assignment. Substantial reporting, specialist research, travel, or unusual complexity may justify a higher rate.

Features and extended studies — $500

Usually 2,000–10,000 words. A substantial reported, researched, or interpretive article: a Jewish historical narrative, a close study of a text or practice, an exploration of belief, a community profile, or a sustained editorial essay. The piece should develop a clear argument or narrative and help readers understand why it matters.

Short articles and focused explainers — $300

Usually 1,000–2,000 words. A focused treatment of one question, concept, custom, historical episode, or contemporary issue. This is the natural home for concise Foundations, Torah & Texts, Prayer & Liturgy, Holidays, and Jewish Living articles.

Reviews and resource criticism — $300

Usually 1,000–2,000 words. An independent assessment of a book, siddur, translation, learning resource, website, film, exhibition, or other work relevant to TNJ readers. Explain its strengths, limitations, perspective, and intended audience; a review is more than a recommendation or promotional summary.

Field guides and visits — $300

Usually 1,000–2,000 words. A practical, experience-based account that demystifies Jewish life: visiting a shul, choosing a siddur, approaching a holiday or ritual, learning with a chevruta, or encountering the people and institutions that sustain a community. This category includes reported behind-the-scenes pieces and substantial process interviews written as articles.

Mini-essays and single-source studies — $150

Usually 500–1,000 words. A compact reflection or explanation organized around one passage, object, custom, historical document, or sharply bounded idea. Short editorial reflections belong here when their scope fits.

Mailbag — $150

Usually 400–500 words. A clear, sourced answer to one reader question about Jewish belief, texts, practice, history, or finding one's way into community. Answers should clearly label explanation vs personal advice (both are welcome), acknowledge meaningful differences among traditions, and identify when a reader should consult a rabbi or another qualified adviser. Payment goes to the commissioned answer's writer; submitting a question does not earn a fee.

Postcards and community dispatches — $50

A brief, vivid dispatch from a Jewish place, event, learning experience, archive, or community encounter. Length and any images are agreed with the editor; there is no fixed word-count requirement for this format. A postcard offers a focused observation rather than the research and scope of a field guide.

Learning and practice interviews — $50 to the interviewee

A short interview about how someone learns, practices, teaches, or builds Jewish community. This honorarium is for the featured participant. It is not the fee for a freelance writer to research, conduct, and write a substantial interview article; that work is separately commissioned under the appropriate article category. Interviewees are never paid for particular answers or favorable testimony, and any participant honorarium will be disclosed with the interview. TNJ will, on occasion, purchase a finished interview piece on spec, at the same rates.

Commissioning, editing, and payment

What you choose to write on spec and submit as a finished piece, for consideration, is entirely your own decision. For new writers, that will typically be your only option; TNJ editors are volunteers, are busy professionals, and getting our attention can be, lamentably, challenging. For experienced, published, writers who are submitting on spec, please do get our attention first, for a provisional expression of interest in your article pitch.

For commissioned assignments, please ensure you have a signed agreement in hand before you begin. If you don't have a signed agreement, then you don't have a commission, and anything you submit will be considered on spec: an opportunity for TNJ, but not an obligation.

Normal editing for clarity, length, and house style is included. Editorial cuts do not reduce an agreed flat fee. A material expansion or change of direction requires a new written agreement on fee and deadline. Expenses require advance written approval and are reimbursed separately.

Our Contributor Agreement provides for payment within 30 calendar days of written acceptance, a review of the edited article, protection of the writer's meaning, and defined cancellation and withdrawal terms. If you are undertaking a piece on spec with intent to submit to TNJ, please-please read the Contributor Agreement first, so that you're fully aware of the terms we require. Nobody likes surprises where contracting is concerned.

Rate basis

We know these rates are not competitive with Tablet or Commentary, let alone The Atlantic. While TNJ is not a 501(c)(3), it is operated on a volunteer basis at a considerable loss. But we, the editors, are ourselves writers, and we are unwilling to publish serious works of journalism and scholarship without paying writers for their work. We have struck a middle ground by basing these rates on those of non-profit magazines in the areas of history and sociology, such as Contingent Magazine.

AI Policy

TNJ does not enforce a blanket ban on the use of AI. We want articles that are accurate, engaging, thoughtful, informative, sometimes emotionally affecting or funny. We find that the core ideas of such articles nearly always come from human minds and souls. We also sometimes find that the exposition of those ideas, and vetting those ideas for accuracy, is often aided by AI; we do not object.

But רבאק, be damned sure that however you wrote it, that it is preciously accurate, beautifully written, and that none of our editors are likely to accuse you of just submitting a whole-cloth AI-written piece. It should go without saying that if you violate that generous requirement, it will be the last time we read anything you submit. And more importantly, you as a (hopefully proud) writer must be comfortable that you deserve your byline.

However, if you have a piece that has turned out to be worthwhile, but for whatever reason you don't want to claim your byline, please do submit, and make this clear. Our payment rates will not change. Some perfectly-acceptable reasons this may be appropriate:

• You've written a straight-forward glossary entry or definition that includes no original insight or significant aspect
• The piece was written by multiple people who don't collectively want bylines
• You wrote the original draft, but a mentor significantly contributed to the final draft and you don't want to claim what you don't deserve
• You've written what is essentially a summary of another article, or an authoritative source, you have provided appropriate attribution, but there is nothing original in it that you would like to claim as your own
• Your piece was largely written by AI, or it started as AI but you haven't rewritten enough of it to feel comfortable claiming it as your own
• The whole damned thing was written by AI and you didn't change a word of it, but you love how it turned out, it doesn't read like AI, and you think people should read it, but you're not the kind of monster who puts your name on that

TNJ publishes many, many pieces that span every one of those categories. You will not see bylines on them. But every one of them is worth reading.

How To Submit

Fill out this form.

I say the following with shame and apologies, and wishing that it were not the case: For new writers especially, it can take literally months to hear back from our editors (depending largely on how much I'm doing myself, and how many other volunteers I have). You may never hear back at all. Please don't take this personally, and please don't hate me for it.

TNJ has been, and continues to be, a labor of love, one that I very often only make the time for by skipping sleep and sometimes working 36 hours at a time. I am an indie film and Broadway producer, a writer and novelist, a father of three, an Orthodox Jew, and a voracious reader and amateur scholar. I'm ADHD, and my wife will tell you I am a failure at saying "no" and building sanity into my life. I am what I am. In the final analysis, I won't have made all the correct prioritization decisions. I just hope that, on net, Hashem finds that my life has been more useful than not!