December + 2024 EOY Newsletter
Sawasdee kha from Thailand!
I've just returned from spending the holidays in Koh Tao with friends. You can find more on my travels at the end of the newsletter. Finally, here's my monthly update and my massive end-of-year review.
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I offer consulting services to PR professionals, brands, and writers. I bring unique skills to the media industry, having worked in New York City as a publicist for seven years and as a freelance journalist for eight years. I deeply understand the inner workings of relationships between PR/brands and writers/publications.
Consultations for brands and publicists include insights on best practices for pitching journalists, how to foster relationships with journalists, media training, and more. I'm also available for hire to pen marketing materials such as press releases, media alerts, website copywriting, blog and social media content, and more.
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MONTHLY STATS
In December, I wrote four articles (about 2,200 words). Two were commissioned pitches and two were assignments. I sent 30 pitches this month—none were commissioned, six were rejected, and 23 are pending a response.
YEARLY STATS
Much to my surprise, May was my most profitable month for the second year in a row. April was my least profitable month, under $1K. I didn't have a single $5K month this year, which was my goal. I earned $1 or more on four articles.
I sent 614 pitches in 2024—just over 100 more than last year. Ninety-nine were commissioned, compared to 32 in 2023. This is about a 16% acceptance rate, which isn't too bad. Many of the pitches were recycled—meaning once a publication rejected my pitch, I sent it on to many other publications until it landed. I didn't send over 600 original pitches this year; that would be wild, considering I only work about 5 hours a week.
This year, as always, I went on many press trips and visited new-to-me countries during both professional and personal travel, including the Maldives, Bhutan, the Philippines, Tunisia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. Check out my EOY travel recap on Instagram.
In 2024, I wrote 92 articles. Sixty-two were commissioned pitches, and the rest were assignments. I wrote for 39 publications, 19 for the first time, including LA Times, BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, Wired, Guardian, Eating Well, Health, and Stylist.
My Business Insider article on moving to Chiang Mai was picked up by The Daily Mail and El Pais Uruguay. I was also quoted in AFAR, StyleCaster, HuffPost, PopSugar, Yahoo, and Real Simple Magazine (print). Merriam-Webster quoted me on entries for at least six words and phrases as part of its suggestions on how to use a word/phrase in a sentence. I loved doing this interview, which discussed my first byline, which was astonishingly 18 years ago!
Of the 614 pitches I sent in 2024, five are being considered, 261 were rejected, I moved on from 171 due to timing, 45 were placed elsewhere, and 61 are pending a response. Of the stories that haven't been commissioned, these are some of the pieces I'm still hoping to land in case any editors are reading this and would like to work with me on these stories. Please don't steal my ideas.
Why This Uruguayan Always Has Amethyst with Her
This is Why You Shouldn't Make Cairns (Rock Stacks)
Buildings Around the World Inspired by Birds
Where to See Naturally Pink Animals Around the Globe
Pakistan is Home to The Wildest Polo Match in the World
How To Partake in Ocean Safe Travel
There'd be No Scotch without Spanish Sherry
Sustainable Wineries Around the World
This Resort is in Mexico's Luxurious Coastal Hot Spot
Connecting with My Indigenous Heritage and Honoring My Father at Iguazú Falls
These Cultures Traditionally Cook In The Ground
Luxurious Resorts Protecting the Ocean in Asia
Review of The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Trailer Hotel Accommodation Around the World
Jemez Springs, New Mexico Travel Guide
This Outdoor Adventure Influencer Has Hiked in All 50 States
Kill Fees are Predatory to Freelance Writers
A Perfect Weekend in Chania, Crete, Greece
Deepen Your Understanding of Greek Mythology led by an Astronomer in Crete
The Vegan Sneakers I've Worn in Thailand, Japan, Hawai'i, and South Korea
This Latina is Championing Latine Voices in Environmental Conservation
The Latinx Beauty Brand that Gives Back to Madre Tierra
These Thruhikers Have Explored 10,000 Miles Together and Just Published a Hiking Book
10 Free Things to Do in Waikīkī, Hawai'i
I shared my end-of-year thread on Twitter and Threads with 19 of my favorite articles of the year. As promised, here are the rates and a bit more context behind the published stories:
I Hid My Queerness For 15 Years To Avoid Further Marginalizing Myself, Huffington Post
The rate was $400 for 900 words, and I negotiated it to 800 words to match my base rate of $0.50/word. The story took several rounds of edits and was published at 895 words. I was paid within two months of filing the draft.
Raj Punjabi commissioned this piece and was a kind and thoughtful editor, which I appreciated due to the sensitive nature of this topic.
This Major Dunkin' Lawsuit Proves We Need to Do Away With the "Vegan Tax" Once and For All, PS
The rate was offered at $200 for 800 words, but as the pub has paid me that amount for 500 words before, I negotiated down the word count. It was published at 503 words, and the editing process was seamless. I was paid within a week of filing the draft.
This piece was commissioned by Lena Felton and edited by Yerin Kim, who were both lovely to work with. I love writing about veganism; doing so for major publications with massive readership is always a career highlight.
From Upgraded to Música, Camila Mendes Is The New Leading Lady of Rom-Coms, Refinery29 SOMOS
The offered rate was $500 for 900 words. It was published at 1205 words. I didn't ask for additional pay but should have, as it was ⅓ more work than what was agreed to. I was paid within two months of filing the draft.
This piece was commissioned by Raquel Reichard, who was great to work with. It meant so much to me to interview Camila Mendes (no relation) and highlight her foray into a rom-com starlet. I love to see Latinas shine in Hollywood and beyond.
Taylor Swift claims she offsets her travel carbon footprint - how does that work?, BBC
This was my debut in BBC. I was offered $350 for 800 words and negotiated the word count down to 700. I wasn't given a specific brief or a style guide, so this piece took a lot of editing. I filed the first draft at the word count but hadn't included sources as I hadn't pitched the piece with sources or been asked to include them. The final piece was 1136 words, nearly double the agreed word count, and I didn't receive additional compensation for the extra work. I was paid within five weeks of filing the draft.
This piece was commissioned by Amelia Edelman, who was a very kind editor; as this was a news piece, she sent me links to integrate into the piece, which I've never had an editor do before, and it was super helpful.
What Makes A Safari 'Animal-Friendly' And How Can You Ensure Your Next One Is?, UPROXX
This piece was commissioned for $325 with no specific word count and without room for negotiating. I wrote 1375 words, significantly under my rate. I made an exception as this topic is near and dear to my heart. This is my only client who requires freelancers to format stories in the CMS. I was paid within five weeks of filing the draft.
This piece was commissioned by Steve Bramucci, who makes it very clear what he wants out of a piece. This makes it easier to file a draft that meets his expectations and results in a very minimal editing process, which makes the lower pay worthwhile. UPROXX changed ownership last year, and I still have four stories that haven't been published, some of which are 11 months old.
'The World's Biggest Little City' Goes Big on Art, Thrillist
The piece was commissioned at $400 with an open-ended word count and published at 881 words. I negotiated the contract to change the 25% kill fee to a 100% kill fee. I was paid within three weeks of filing the draft.
Becca James commissioned this story, and it was a dream to work with. There were no edits for me to address.
Visiting the Rainbow City, Porthole Cruise Magazine
The rate was $400, offered at $0.50/word. I was paid within two months of filing the draft.
This was commissioned after a pitch to Grant Balfour. Writing for him is always a great experience—there are very few edits, and he lets me run with my ideas. My first article for 2025 is also for him.
Chef Solomon Johnson Shared the Most Underrated Way to Cook with Cannabis—and It Uses a Tool You Probably Have, Eating Well
This was my debut in Eating Well. The pitch was commissioned at $250 for 700 words without room for negotiation. I had been pitching this story for over a year and was happy to see it land, so I accepted the rate despite it being below my payscale. I was paid within a month of filing.
The editor was Carolyn Malcoun, who provided a detailed brief and was terrific to work with.
Two extra-dark chocolate gelato scoops in Rome, Condé Nast Traveler
This was my debut in CNT, albeit a roundup of short stories with other writers, but I was still thrilled. The rate was $100 without a specific word count, and I wrote about 400 words. I was paid within five weeks of filing.
The editor was Arati Menon, who was a breeze to work with. I really hope I have the chance to write more for her this year—hopefully, my first stand-alone byline for CNT!
How the rainbow flag became a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community, NatGeo
This was my favorite assignment of the year. It was assigned at $1/word for 800 words, published at 740 words, and I still received the full fee. I was paid within three weeks of filing.
The editor was Starlight Williams, who is genuinely one of my favorite editors. As I said in my thread, I'll write anything Starlight asks me to! I even wrote about spring cleaning this year despite outsourcing the cleaning of my home for years.
Underground (Literally) Experiences in Missouri You Won't Want to Pass Over, Matador Network
This was my first article for MN in years and my first sponsored article for them, which paid $500 for 1,000 words. It was published at 893 words, and I received the full fee. I was paid within a month of filing the draft.
The editor was Alex Bresler, who was fantastic to work with. It was so fun to revisit one of my favorite childhood activities — caving in Missouri!
My dad had impeccable style. After he died, I started wearing his clothes to remember him, Business Insider
This pitch was commissioned at $300 for 700 words, but I negotiated it up to $350 as I've been paid $0.50/word for other BI essays. The published piece was 643 words, and I was paid the agreed fee. I was paid within three weeks of filing the draft.
The editor was Conz Preti, whom I've wanted to write for for ages, so I was thrilled when she accepted the pitch. It was special for me to write this deeply personal piece for an editor from the Southern Cone.
A Guide to Queer Wineries, The Travel Magazine
Every year, I write the most articles for The Travel Magazine. I wrote 14 articles this year, including this piece I pitched (the work is typically assignment-based). The rate is $300 for 500 words, and I wrote 518 words. I was paid within a month of filing.
I love writing for Amanda Merz and am grateful for all the work she gives me year after year!
I Went Birding With the World's First AI-Powered Binoculars, Wired
This was my debut in Wired and probably my most challenging article of the year as I'm not a tech writer. It was $750 for under 1,000 words. There were many rounds of edits over two months, and the published piece was 1,179 words. I sold a few photos to illustrate the story for an additional $150. I was paid two months after filing the draft.
I appreciated that editor Michael Calore took a chance on me with this piece, as it's outside my wheelhouse. His edits were super helpful.
Where Does a Local Hike In Joshua Tree National Park? These 3 Trails, Backpacker Magazine
I made my debut in Backpacker Magazine this month. All pieces were commissioned at $500 for 900 words. It was published at 972 words and paid for a month after I filed the draft.
I love writing for editor Emma Veidt, who gives thoughtful feedback on the pitches that aren't a fit, which is always appreciated.
Meat is central to my cultural heritage. Here's how I gave it up, Los Angeles Times
This was my debut in the LA Times, a career highlight of the year. I followed up three times on the pitch before I got a response — always follow up on your pitches! My pitch was commissioned at $600 for 1200 words. It took two months of heavy edits to get published. The piece was published at 1495 words. I was paid a month and a half after filing the draft.
The editor for this piece was Alyssa Bereznak, who made thoughtful edits that were much appreciated.
The best beaches in Asia for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing, Time Out
I was asked to contribute eight articles to the launch of Time Out Southeast Asia. This was the first piece I wrote, and it was assigned at 300 SGD (219 USD) for 1,000 words. I negotiated the rate to 350 SGD (256 words) for 800 words. I was paid within a month of filing.
The editor for these assignments was Cheryl Sekkapan, who was a pleasure to work with.
Being Raised by a Torture Victim: How Trauma Can Impact Future Generations
My proudest article of the year is this piece about generational trauma. It was commissioned at $1200 for 1200 words. I was paid within two weeks of filing.
Zuri White-Gibson was one of the best editors I've ever worked with and took such delicate care with this story.
NEW ARTICLES
My portfolio can be viewed at LolaAnnMendez.com. In December, I had six articles published, including my debut in the LA Times. I have upcoming pieces in new-to-me publications, including Eater and Scary Mommy.
These are some of my pieces that were published this month. Each image is clickable to read the story.
CALLS FOR PITCHES & PR SOURCES
I always post my calls for sources on Twitter.com/LolaAnnaMendez. Newsletter subscribers get the first look at my current work. PR folks (and individuals, when relevant) are welcome to send pitches for the stories I'm currently working on.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LOLA?
I spent all of December in Thailand, with two beach getaways to Hua Hin and Koh Tao. This month, I'm headed to the U.S. in a few weeks—first to NYC for IMM and then to LA to visit family.
As always, I'm very open to press trips in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific in the coming months. I'm especially keen to visit and write about New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Madagascar, Namibia, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Senegal, Nigeria, Oman, Iran, Georgia, Pakistan, Mongolia, and more!
Follow my adventures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.