December 23 + EOY Newsletter
Hola desde Puerto Vallarta y muy feliz año nuevo! May it be a prosperous year for all of us with lots of commissioned pitches and assigned stories.
Thank you for subscribing to my monthly newsletter that highlights my recently published articles, upcoming calls for sources, and a peek into my travels. If you’d like to support my work, tips are appreciated via Venmo and PayPal. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the paid version of this newsletter for $9.99 a month. If you’d like, buy me a tea here as a token of appreciation.
If you’d like to work with me, I offer consultations where I workshop pitches and allow writers to pick my brain about the industry: LolaAnnMendez.com/Consultation
In December, I wrote one article. I sent 33 pitches this month—eight were rejected, one is being considered, and 24 are pending a response. Now let’s dive into the yearly stats.
Grief was a major barrier to success in 2023. May was my most profitable month. November and December, for the second year in a row, were my least profitable months, each under $1K.
I sent 501 pitches in 2023, of which 32 were commissioned. Unfortunately, my acceptance rate was really low this year. But I’m proud of myself for continuing to pitch and get my ideas in front of editors.
Part of my low acceptance rate is due to my focus on sending travel pitches, which is an extremely competitive field. I went on many press trips and reached new-to-me countries during both professional and personal travel including Kenya, Tanzania, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and French Polynesia.
In 2023, I wrote 65 articles. Thirty-two (almost half!) of the articles I wrote were assignments. It’s an honor to be recognized for my work and have editors approach me for stories about travel, sustainability, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ stories. I wrote for 15 publications for the first time including National Geographic, Vogue, Travel + Leisure India, Jetsetter, Vegan Society, TripAdvisor, Roadtrippers, Hispanic Executive, Wanderlust, Xtra, and The Virtuoso Magazine.
I also was paid to give a keynote speech during Latinx Heritage Month and was featured by Remezcla.
Of the 501 pitches I sent in 2023, 15 are being considered, 373 were rejected (or I moved on to another pub or the subject was no longer timely), and 79 are pending a response. Of the stories that haven’t been commissioned, there are many titles I’m still hoping to land, including the following, in case any editors are reading this and would like to work with me on these stories. Please don’t steal my ideas.
Latina Entrepreneurs in Sexual Wellness Space
LGBTQIA+ Portland, OR Travel Guide
Why Stockholm is a must-visit for LGBTQ+ Travelers in 2024
PETA's Inaugural Animal-Friendly African Safari Awards/How to Vet African Safaris
The Latina Revolutionizing Homeownership for the Latinx Community
Profile of a Slovenian Craftswoman/Silk Screen Printer
Lima, Peru Travel Guide Pitch
10 Gorgeous Gorges To Visit Around the World
Review of Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
What It's Like to Adopt an Elephant in Kenya
In Rwanda, Cow Dung is Upcycled into Art
Drink and Dine at These U.S. Cannabis Restaurants, Bars, Lounges, and More
A Look Inside the Renewed Iconic Mid-Century Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs
Rosé All Year is the Standard in France
This Wine Maker is Also the First Queer Mayor of McMinnville, OR
What You Need to Know About Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Research & Education Act of 2023
A Split Tongue Wasn't on my Sexual Fantasy List but it Should Have Been
The Mexican-American Nurse-turned-Winemaker Diversifying Oregon's Viticulture Industry
I stayed in the Closet for 15 years to Avoid Further Marginalizing Myself
Indulge in Wellness at This Sustainable Luxurious Costa Rican Hot Spring Resort/Wellness Tourism Will Hit $1 Trillion in 2024
Barefoot Luxury Resorts—The Brando in French Polynesia
Why This Uruguayan Always Has Amethysts with Her
A guide to queer wineries in Oregon
Meet the Brazilian Female Wall Street Exec Turned Kundalini Yoga Expert
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Encouraged me to Finally get LASIK
Guide to Vegan-Friendly Oral Health Care
Why You Should Visit Hood River, Oregon
Why You Shouldn't Stack Rocks
The Best Light Shows Around the World
Buildings Around the World Inspired by Birds
Where to See Naturally Pink Animals Around the Globe
The Best Sustainable Underwear
Pakistan is Home to The Wildest Polo Match in the World
Adventure Awaits in Chiapas, Mexico
How To Partake in Ocean Safe Travel
Hocking Hills, Ohio is an Unexpected Destination for Wine, Wellness, and Wilderness
Vegan Travel Guide for Portland
Vegan Travel Guide for Palm Springs
A Gluten-Free and Vegan Guide to New York City
How to Ethically Experience Indigenous Tourism in Victoria, Canada
Everything You Need to Know about Land Art
This Ohio Man Grows 1,600 Apple Varieties
How to Offset Your Carbon Footprint by Buying Carbon Credits
Climate Neutral vs Carbon Neutral
Local Guide's Tips on Lesser-Visited Parts of Joshua Tree National Park
Learn about Viking Heritage in Iceland
Anaheim is the Perfect Base for a SoCal Trip
Reno is an Unsuspecting Creative Hub
What to Do in Rwanda Beyond Gorilla Trekking
Puerto Vallarta Vegan Guide
I shared on Twitter my end-of-year thread with 17 of my favorite articles of the year. As promised, here are the rates and a bit more context behind the published stories:
Slovenia Is the Most Underrated Wine Destination in Europe, Food + Wine
The rate was $350, and I negotiated it to be $.50/word. I was paid within a month of filing the draft.
Maria Yagoda commissioned this piece and was a pleasure to work with, as always.
How Victoria, B.C. Became a Sustainable Travel Hotspot, Vogue
I negotiated the rate up to $300 for 800 words. I was paid two months after filing my draft.
I loved working with Liam Hess on this piece. I believe it was my first time having the courage to pitch Vogue so it was thrilling that it was commissioned. I hope to write more for Vogue in 2024.
Celebrate Pride Month in these 5 U.S. gayborhoods, Roadtrippers
The rate was $500 for 800 words. I was paid two months after filing my draft.
This was commissioned by Ashley Rossi who I believe is no longer with the publication. This was my debut in Roadtrippers and I’d love to continue writing for them.
What Is Rainbow Washing? How This Sneaky Marketing Tactic Hurts the Queer Community, Good Housekeeping
The rate was $400 for 800 words. I was paid within seven weeks of filing my draft.
This was an assignment from Beth Dreher who had been involved in a piece I wrote the year before for Good Housekeeping. Dreher is wonderful to write for and assigned me several queer-related stories this year which were a joy to take on. I learned a lot while writing them and was thrilled to see a traditional women’s mag highlighting queer topics.
Amid Bud Light’s Dylan Mulvaney Controversy, Big Beer Lands in Inhospitable Middle Ground, Wine Enthusiast
The rate was $430, offered at $0.50/word. I was paid within a month of filing my draft.
This was commissioned from a pitch after my editor Rachel Tepper Paley had tweeted that she was looking for takes on the Mulvaney x Bud Light backlash. Paley asked to do a call which I’ve rarely done as I prefer to keep communication to email so there’s no confusion, but I was on a press trip at the time and it was a quick turnaround. It was great to speak directly to Paley to get an idea of what she envisioned for the piece.
Geothermal Iceland, Porthole Cruise Magazine
The rate was $400, offered at $0.50/word and I sold a few original images to illustrate the piece for an additional $190. I was paid two months after I filed the draft.
This was commissioned off of a pitch to Grant Balfour. It’s always a great experience writing for him — very few edits and he lets me run with my ideas. We have a few pieces in the works for 2024 that I’m excited about!
What is yerba mate—and is this caffeinated drink really good for you?, National Geographic
The rate was $800, offered at $1/word. I was paid within a month.
This was commissioned by Starlight Williams who I had met on a press trip in 2022 and had been pitching consistently for ages. It was my career highlight of the year to finally get to write for her and about something about which I’m so deeply passionate.
I Cast a Love Spell With Salem’s Love Witch & Here’s What Happened, StyleCaster
The rate was $350 for 700 words ($.50/word) which I negotiated up from $250 to match what StyeCaster previously paid me. I was paid within six weeks.
This was a commission off of a pitch by Jonathan Borges. I had worked with Borges before at Oprah so it was wonderful to get to write for him again now that he’s at StyleCaster. I filed the draft in May and it took five months to get this published but I was so thrilled to see it go live in time for Halloween.
After coming out, I learned that behaviors related to toxic masculinity could happen in my relationships with women too, Business Insider
The rate was $300 for 600 words, so $.50/word. I was paid within two months of filing my draft.
This was commissioned off of a pitch to Rosemary Donahue who was excellent to work with. I was thrilled to have the chance to write a handful of pieces for them this year and hope we’ll get to work together in 2024 as well.
A Brief Explainer on Latine and Latinx, Hispanic Executive
The rate was $300 for 500 words. It took six weeks to be paid after filing my draft.
Michele Cantos (who is no longer with the pub) gave me this assignment. The story led to me being hired to give a keynote speech on the topic.
How To Immerse Latin Culture In Kentucky, Kentucky Tourism
The rate was $600 for 600 words, so $1/word. I was paid within six weeks.
These assignments were from the tourism board. I’m passionate about the Latinx experience in the USA and loved taking on this four-part series. I hope to do more sponsored content in 2024.
This Maasai guide knows wild animals by name – and will introduce you to them, Lonely Planet
The rate was $500 for 800 words. I was paid 20 days after filing my draft.
This was commissioned by Melissa Yeager who had tweeted that she was looking for pitches for this series. I’ve gotten to work with Yeager twice and really enjoy her editing style. I miss writing for LP regularly and hope that this column will continue as I have lots of other guides/local experts I think would be a great fit.
The Last of Us, Travel + Leisure India & South Asia
The rate was $74 for 1,200 words which is obviously extremely below my pay rate. I haven’t had luck landing stories in T+L USA and after T+L India featured me last year I was encouraged to pitch them. This was a story I had tried to land for over two years so I decided to justify the very low pay. It took over five and a half months after I filed the draft to be paid.
I worked with several editors and had a hard time getting responses to whether there were edits, when this would be published, when I would be paid, etc. I really hope that writing for the India outlet will lead to my pitches being considered by T+L US editors.
What LGBTQ+ Travelers Want From a Group Tour, The Compass
The rate was $2,000 for 2,000 words, so $1 word. It took less than a month after filing to be paid.
This was an assignment from Sydney Burden who is a kind and fair traveler.
9 must-visit spots in Montevideo, Uruguay, TripAdvisor
The rate was $300 for 600 words. I was paid just over a month after filing.
This was a commission based off of a pitch after the editors let me know they were looking for LATAM destinations. I broke into TripAdvisor this year and had a great experience writing for them. I worked with Erika Owen on this piece and have another about Playa del Carmen that hasn’t been published yet.
The Meaningful Significance Of Hoops To Latinx Culture, The Zoe Report
The rate was $400 at $0.50/word for 800 words. I was paid within five weeks.
This was an assignment from Alison Syrett who is always great to work with. I hope eventually my pitches will be commissioned by TZR as I’d love to contribute beyond Latinx Heritage Month.
Trans people need breast cancer screenings—but they struggle to get them, Xtra Magazine
The rate was $450 for 900 words. It was paid just after a month.
This was commissioned by Ziya Jones who was a joy to work with! I hope to write for the magazine again in 2024.
My portfolio can be viewed at any time at LolaAnnMendez.com. In December, I had three articles published. I have upcoming pieces in new-to-me publications including Virtuoso, The Magazine.
Here are my pieces that were published this month. Each image is clickable so you can read the story.
I always post my calls for sources on Twitter.com/LolaAnnaMendez. Newsletter subscribers are privy to the first look at my current work. PR folks (and individuals, when relevant) are welcome to send pitches for the stories on which I’m currently working.
Swedish hotel review, no pitches needed
The First Queer Wine Fest in the United States, no pitches needed
Punta Carretas, Montevideo Neighbourhood Guide, open to pitches/suggestions
December took me to my 68th country (I’m not going to debate with anyone about whether or not places that are still under colonial rule in 2024 deserve to be called countries)—French Polynesia. I had the most luxurious week at the high-end eco-resort The Brando partaking in wildlife viewing, water activities, and learning about the beautiful Polynesian culture. I hope to go back to the archipelago this year and see more of what it has to offer.
This weekend I’m off on my first press trip of the year — a local staycation. I’ve already been invited to go on what I had said in my EOY travel review on IG was the top of my bucket list and if that trip pans out it will also be in January! I’ll be in NYC for IMM and to see friends for 10 days at the end of January and am open to attending events while I’m in the city.