best place to write essays

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, getting college essay help: important do's and don’ts.

College Essays

If you grow up to be a professional writer, everything you write will first go through an editor before being published. This is because the process of writing is really a process of re-writing —of rethinking and reexamining your work, usually with the help of someone else. So what does this mean for your student writing? And in particular, what does it mean for very important, but nonprofessional writing like your college essay? Should you ask your parents to look at your essay? Pay for an essay service?

If you are wondering what kind of help you can, and should, get with your personal statement, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll talk about what kind of writing help is useful, ethical, and even expected for your college admission essay . I'll also point out who would make a good editor, what the differences between editing and proofreading are, what to expect from a good editor, and how to spot and stay away from a bad one.

Table of Contents

What Kind of Help for Your Essay Can You Get?

What's Good Editing?

What should an editor do for you, what kind of editing should you avoid, proofreading, what's good proofreading, what kind of proofreading should you avoid.

What Do Colleges Think Of You Getting Help With Your Essay?

Who Can/Should Help You?

Advice for editors.

Should You Pay Money For Essay Editing?

The Bottom Line

What's next, what kind of help with your essay can you get.

Rather than talking in general terms about "help," let's first clarify the two different ways that someone else can improve your writing . There is editing, which is the more intensive kind of assistance that you can use throughout the whole process. And then there's proofreading, which is the last step of really polishing your final product.

Let me go into some more detail about editing and proofreading, and then explain how good editors and proofreaders can help you."

Editing is helping the author (in this case, you) go from a rough draft to a finished work . Editing is the process of asking questions about what you're saying, how you're saying it, and how you're organizing your ideas. But not all editing is good editing . In fact, it's very easy for an editor to cross the line from supportive to overbearing and over-involved.

Ability to clarify assignments. A good editor is usually a good writer, and certainly has to be a good reader. For example, in this case, a good editor should make sure you understand the actual essay prompt you're supposed to be answering.

Open-endedness. Good editing is all about asking questions about your ideas and work, but without providing answers. It's about letting you stick to your story and message, and doesn't alter your point of view.

Think of an editor as a great travel guide. It can show you the many different places your trip could take you. It should explain any parts of the trip that could derail your trip or confuse the traveler. But it never dictates your path, never forces you to go somewhere you don't want to go, and never ignores your interests so that the trip no longer seems like it's your own. So what should good editors do?

Help Brainstorm Topics

Sometimes it's easier to bounce thoughts off of someone else. This doesn't mean that your editor gets to come up with ideas, but they can certainly respond to the various topic options you've come up with. This way, you're less likely to write about the most boring of your ideas, or to write about something that isn't actually important to you.

If you're wondering how to come up with options for your editor to consider, check out our guide to brainstorming topics for your college essay .

Help Revise Your Drafts

Here, your editor can't upset the delicate balance of not intervening too much or too little. It's tricky, but a great way to think about it is to remember: editing is about asking questions, not giving answers .

Revision questions should point out:

• Places where more detail or more description would help the reader connect with your essay
• Places where structure and logic don't flow, losing the reader's attention
• Places where there aren't transitions between paragraphs, confusing the reader
• Moments where your narrative or the arguments you're making are unclear

But pointing to potential problems is not the same as actually rewriting—editors let authors fix the problems themselves.

Bad editing is usually very heavy-handed editing. Instead of helping you find your best voice and ideas, a bad editor changes your writing into their own vision.

You may be dealing with a bad editor if they:

• Add material (examples, descriptions) that doesn't come from you
• Use a thesaurus to make your college essay sound "more mature"
• Add meaning or insight to the essay that doesn't come from you
• Tell you what to say and how to say it
• Write sentences, phrases, and paragraphs for you
• Change your voice in the essay so it no longer sounds like it was written by a teenager

Colleges can tell the difference between a 17-year-old's writing and a 50-year-old's writing. Not only that, they have access to your SAT or ACT Writing section, so they can compare your essay to something else you wrote. Writing that's a little more polished is great and expected. But a totally different voice and style will raise questions.

Where's the Line Between Helpful Editing and Unethical Over-Editing?

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether your college essay editor is doing the right thing. Here are some guidelines for staying on the ethical side of the line.

• An editor should say that the opening paragraph is kind of boring, and explain what exactly is making it drag. But it's overstepping for an editor to tell you exactly how to change it.
• An editor should point out where your prose is unclear or vague. But it's completely inappropriate for the editor to rewrite that section of your essay.
• An editor should let you know that a section is light on detail or description. But giving you similes and metaphors to beef up that description is a no-go.

Proofreading (also called copy-editing) is checking for errors in the last draft of a written work. It happens at the end of the process and is meant as the final polishing touch. Proofreading is meticulous and detail-oriented, focusing on small corrections. It sands off all the surface rough spots that could alienate the reader.

Because proofreading is usually concerned with making fixes on the word or sentence level, this is the only process where someone else can actually add to or take away things from your essay . This is because what they are adding or taking away tends to be one or two misplaced letters.

Laser focus. Proofreading is all about the tiny details, so the ability to really concentrate on finding small slip-ups is a must.

Excellent grammar and spelling skills. Proofreaders need to dot every "i" and cross every "t." Good proofreaders should correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. They should put foreign words in italics and surround quotations with quotation marks. They should check that you used the correct college's name, and that you adhered to any formatting requirements (name and date at the top of the page, uniform font and size, uniform spacing).

Limited interference. A proofreader needs to make sure that you followed any word limits. But if cuts need to be made to shorten the essay, that's your job and not the proofreader's.

A bad proofreader either tries to turn into an editor, or just lacks the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job.

Some signs that you're working with a bad proofreader are:

• If they suggest making major changes to the final draft of your essay. Proofreading happens when editing is already finished.
• If they aren't particularly good at spelling, or don't know grammar, or aren't detail-oriented enough to find someone else's small mistakes.
• If they start swapping out your words for fancier-sounding synonyms, or changing the voice and sound of your essay in other ways. A proofreader is there to check for errors, not to take the 17-year-old out of your writing.

What Do Colleges Think of Your Getting Help With Your Essay?

Admissions officers agree: light editing and proofreading are good—even required ! But they also want to make sure you're the one doing the work on your essay. They want essays with stories, voice, and themes that come from you. They want to see work that reflects your actual writing ability, and that focuses on what you find important.

On the Importance of Editing

Get feedback. Have a fresh pair of eyes give you some feedback. Don't allow someone else to rewrite your essay, but do take advantage of others' edits and opinions when they seem helpful. ( Bates College )

Read your essay aloud to someone. Reading the essay out loud offers a chance to hear how your essay sounds outside your head. This exercise reveals flaws in the essay's flow, highlights grammatical errors and helps you ensure that you are communicating the exact message you intended. ( Dickinson College )

On the Value of Proofreading

Share your essays with at least one or two people who know you well—such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend—and ask for feedback. Remember that you ultimately have control over your essays, and your essays should retain your own voice, but others may be able to catch mistakes that you missed and help suggest areas to cut if you are over the word limit. ( Yale University )

Proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you. Although we want substance, we also want to be able to see that you can write a paper for our professors and avoid careless mistakes that would drive them crazy. ( Oberlin College )

On Watching Out for Too Much Outside Influence

Limit the number of people who review your essay. Too much input usually means your voice is lost in the writing style. ( Carleton College )

Ask for input (but not too much). Your parents, friends, guidance counselors, coaches, and teachers are great people to bounce ideas off of for your essay. They know how unique and spectacular you are, and they can help you decide how to articulate it. Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. ( Vanderbilt University )

Now let's talk about some potential people to approach for your college essay editing and proofreading needs. It's best to start close to home and slowly expand outward. Not only are your family and friends more invested in your success than strangers, but they also have a better handle on your interests and personality. This knowledge is key for judging whether your essay is expressing your true self.

Parents or Close Relatives

Your family may be full of potentially excellent editors! Parents are deeply committed to your well-being, and family members know you and your life well enough to offer details or incidents that can be included in your essay. On the other hand, the rewriting process necessarily involves criticism, which is sometimes hard to hear from someone very close to you.

A parent or close family member is a great choice for an editor if you can answer "yes" to the following questions. Is your parent or close relative a good writer or reader? Do you have a relationship where editing your essay won't create conflict? Are you able to constructively listen to criticism and suggestion from the parent?

One suggestion for defusing face-to-face discussions is to try working on the essay over email. Send your parent a draft, have them write you back some comments, and then you can pick which of their suggestions you want to use and which to discard.

Teachers or Tutors

A humanities teacher that you have a good relationship with is a great choice. I am purposefully saying humanities, and not just English, because teachers of Philosophy, History, Anthropology, and any other classes where you do a lot of writing, are all used to reviewing student work.

Moreover, any teacher or tutor that has been working with you for some time, knows you very well and can vet the essay to make sure it "sounds like you."

If your teacher or tutor has some experience with what college essays are supposed to be like, ask them to be your editor. If not, then ask whether they have time to proofread your final draft.

Guidance or College Counselor at Your School

The best thing about asking your counselor to edit your work is that this is their job. This means that they have a very good sense of what colleges are looking for in an application essay.

At the same time, school counselors tend to have relationships with admissions officers in many colleges, which again gives them insight into what works and which college is focused on what aspect of the application.

Unfortunately, in many schools the guidance counselor tends to be way overextended. If your ratio is 300 students to 1 college counselor, you're unlikely to get that person's undivided attention and focus. It is still useful to ask them for general advice about your potential topics, but don't expect them to be able to stay with your essay from first draft to final version.

Friends, Siblings, or Classmates

Although they most likely don't have much experience with what colleges are hoping to see, your peers are excellent sources for checking that your essay is you .

Friends and siblings are perfect for the read-aloud edit. Read your essay to them so they can listen for words and phrases that are stilted, pompous, or phrases that just don't sound like you.

You can even trade essays and give helpful advice on each other's work.

If your editor hasn't worked with college admissions essays very much, no worries! Any astute and attentive reader can still greatly help with your process. But, as in all things, beginners do better with some preparation.

First, your editor should read our advice about how to write a college essay introduction , how to spot and fix a bad college essay , and get a sense of what other students have written by going through some admissions essays that worked .

Then, as they read your essay, they can work through the following series of questions that will help them to guide you.

Introduction Questions

• Is the first sentence a killer opening line? Why or why not?
• Does the introduction hook the reader? Does it have a colorful, detailed, and interesting narrative? Or does it propose a compelling or surprising idea?
• Can you feel the author's voice in the introduction, or is the tone dry, dull, or overly formal? Show the places where the voice comes through.

Essay Body Questions

• Does the essay have a through-line? Is it built around a central argument, thought, idea, or focus? Can you put this idea into your own words?
• How is the essay organized? By logical progression? Chronologically? Do you feel order when you read it, or are there moments where you are confused or lose the thread of the essay?
• Does the essay have both narratives about the author's life and explanations and insight into what these stories reveal about the author's character, personality, goals, or dreams? If not, which is missing?
• Does the essay flow? Are there smooth transitions/clever links between paragraphs? Between the narrative and moments of insight?

Reader Response Questions

• Does the writer's personality come through? Do we know what the speaker cares about? Do we get a sense of "who he or she is"?
• Where did you feel most connected to the essay? Which parts of the essay gave you a "you are there" sensation by invoking your senses? What moments could you picture in your head well?
• Where are the details and examples vague and not specific enough?
• Did you get an "a-ha!" feeling anywhere in the essay? Is there a moment of insight that connected all the dots for you? Is there a good reveal or "twist" anywhere in the essay?
• What are the strengths of this essay? What needs the most improvement?

Should You Pay Money for Essay Editing?

One alternative to asking someone you know to help you with your college essay is the paid editor route. There are two different ways to pay for essay help: a private essay coach or a less personal editing service , like the many proliferating on the internet.

My advice is to think of these options as a last resort rather than your go-to first choice. I'll first go through the reasons why. Then, if you do decide to go with a paid editor, I'll help you decide between a coach and a service.

When to Consider a Paid Editor

In general, I think hiring someone to work on your essay makes a lot of sense if none of the people I discussed above are a possibility for you.

If you can't ask your parents. For example, if your parents aren't good writers, or if English isn't their first language. Or if you think getting your parents to help is going create unnecessary extra conflict in your relationship with them (applying to college is stressful as it is!)

If you can't ask your teacher or tutor. Maybe you don't have a trusted teacher or tutor that has time to look over your essay with focus. Or, for instance, your favorite humanities teacher has very limited experience with college essays and so won't know what admissions officers want to see.

If you can't ask your guidance counselor. This could be because your guidance counselor is way overwhelmed with other students.

If you can't share your essay with those who know you. It might be that your essay is on a very personal topic that you're unwilling to share with parents, teachers, or peers. Just make sure it doesn't fall into one of the bad-idea topics in our article on bad college essays .

If the cost isn't a consideration. Many of these services are quite expensive, and private coaches even more so. If you have finite resources, I'd say that hiring an SAT or ACT tutor (whether it's PrepScholar or someone else) is better way to spend your money . This is because there's no guarantee that a slightly better essay will sufficiently elevate the rest of your application, but a significantly higher SAT score will definitely raise your applicant profile much more.

Should You Hire an Essay Coach?

On the plus side, essay coaches have read dozens or even hundreds of college essays, so they have experience with the format. Also, because you'll be working closely with a specific person, it's more personal than sending your essay to a service, which will know even less about you.

But, on the minus side, you'll still be bouncing ideas off of someone who doesn't know that much about you . In general, if you can adequately get the help from someone you know, there is no advantage to paying someone to help you.

If you do decide to hire a coach, ask your school counselor, or older students that have used the service for recommendations. If you can't afford the coach's fees, ask whether they can work on a sliding scale —many do. And finally, beware those who guarantee admission to your school of choice—essay coaches don't have any special magic that can back up those promises.

Should You Send Your Essay to a Service?

On the plus side, essay editing services provide a similar product to essay coaches, and they cost significantly less . If you have some assurance that you'll be working with a good editor, the lack of face-to-face interaction won't prevent great results.

On the minus side, however, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the service before working with them . If they are churning through many application essays without getting to know the students they are helping, you could end up with an over-edited essay that sounds just like everyone else's. In the worst case scenario, an unscrupulous service could send you back a plagiarized essay.

Getting recommendations from friends or a school counselor for reputable services is key to avoiding heavy-handed editing that writes essays for you or does too much to change your essay. Including a badly-edited essay like this in your application could cause problems if there are inconsistencies. For example, in interviews it might be clear you didn't write the essay, or the skill of the essay might not be reflected in your schoolwork and test scores.

Should You Buy an Essay Written by Someone Else?

Let me elaborate. There are super sketchy places on the internet where you can simply buy a pre-written essay. Don't do this!

For one thing, you'll be lying on an official, signed document. All college applications make you sign a statement saying something like this:

I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented... I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certified be false. (From the Common Application )

For another thing, if your academic record doesn't match the essay's quality, the admissions officer will start thinking your whole application is riddled with lies.

Admission officers have full access to your writing portion of the SAT or ACT so that they can compare work that was done in proctored conditions with that done at home. They can tell if these were written by different people. Not only that, but there are now a number of search engines that faculty and admission officers can use to see if an essay contains strings of words that have appeared in other essays—you have no guarantee that the essay you bought wasn't also bought by 50 other students.

• You should get college essay help with both editing and proofreading
• A good editor will ask questions about your idea, logic, and structure, and will point out places where clarity is needed
• A good editor will absolutely not answer these questions, give you their own ideas, or write the essay or parts of the essay for you
• A good proofreader will find typos and check your formatting
• All of them agree that getting light editing and proofreading is necessary
• Parents, teachers, guidance or college counselor, and peers or siblings
• If you can't ask any of those, you can pay for college essay help, but watch out for services or coaches who over-edit you work
• Don't buy a pre-written essay! Colleges can tell, and it'll make your whole application sound false.

Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications and then explore our step-by-step guide to writing a great college essay .

Using the Common Application for your college applications? We have an excellent guide to the Common App essay prompts and useful advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you . Wondering how other people tackled these prompts? Then work through our roundup of over 130 real college essay examples published by colleges .

Stressed about whether to take the SAT again before submitting your application? Let us help you decide how many times to take this test . If you choose to go for it, we have the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

• SAT BootCamp
• SAT MasterClass
• SAT Private Tutoring
• SAT Proctored Practice Test
• ACT Private Tutoring
• Academic Subjects
• College Essay Workshop
• Academic Writing Workshop
• AP English FRQ BootCamp
• 1:1 College Essay Help
• Online Instruction
• Free Resources

14 Best College Essay Services for 2024 (40 Services Reviewed)

Research conducted by Emily Kierkegaard , PhD, and expert-reviewed by Kevin Wong, PrepMaven Co-founder

Not sure which college application essay coaching and editing service is the best? We compared the top 40 services, created in-depth reviews for 14 of them, and narrowed it down to the 4 best that will help guide you through the process of writing amazing college application essays.

What is the Best College Essay Service?

• PrepMaven  – best college application essay service overall
• College Essay Mentor  – best for individual consultants
• The College Essay Guy  – best for unlimited essay assistance
• College Vine  – best of the big platforms

The best of the rest:

Individual essay consultants:

• College Essay Editor  – small editing team
• Allison Karpf  – former English teacher helping students
• Your College Vision  – former journalist with more affordable rates
• The College Guru  – good on paper but unresponsive
• Sofia Zapiola – budget-friendly application assistance

Mid-size teams:

• Lotus Learning  – focus on health sciences

Large platforms:

• Study Point  – larger platform with mystery editors
• Ivy Select  – larger platform with mystery editors
• Empowerly  – larger platform with mystery editors
• BeMo  – expensive and aggressive with wrong expertise

Schedule a college essay consultation

Best College Application Essay Services in 2024

#1 – prepmaven.

Our Verdict — Best College Essay Assistance Overall Price: $79–349/hour (minimum $510 package) PrepMaven’s one-on-one college essay assistance is the best option overall. Founded by brothers and Princeton grads Greg and Kevin, almost all of PrepMaven’s essay coaches have Ivy-League experience, primarily from Princeton and Harvard. All essay coaches also undergo a thorough training program in PrepMaven’s methods, developed by professional writers with deep understanding of the college admissions process, for helping students to discover the most compelling stories for their essays. Unlike other services, PrepMaven offers college essay assistance at several different price points. At the most accessible rate, students can work with current Ivy-League undergraduates who specialize in writing and have recently aced the college application process. At higher rates, students can work with coaches who are both Ivy-League grads and professional writers (screenwriters, journalists, editors) with many years of experience helping students to craft compelling essays. Interested students can even work directly with founders Greg and Kevin, who have over 15 years of experience helping students through the entire essay-writing process. PrepMaven’s services combine many of the best features of other good options into one, and it’s hard to beat their experience.

Sign up for PrepMaven’s college essay help now

Any student wanting college essay help, at any point in the process, with a range of budgets.

At a glance:

• Cost: $79–349/hour (minimum $510 package)
• Writing coach qualifications: Princeton graduates and professional writers (or current Princeton students); all trained

What we like:

• Ivy League experience —most of their writing coaches are Princeton grads or current students, with some from Harvard and other Ivies
• Different pricing options to meet different families’ circumstances
• More flexible and greater capacity to take on new students compared to individual consultants

Sign up for PrepMaven’s college essay help

#2 – College Essay Mentor

Our Verdict — Best of the Individual Consultants Price: unknown but high Some college essay consulting services consist of just one expert. Of these individual essay consultants, Chris Hunt at College Essay Mentor is our favorite. He combines writing experience as a journalist for the Economist and the Wall Street Journal with personal experience as a graduate of Dartmouth. However, he only works with a small number of students each year, and students need to apply to work with him — he only accepts students with top grades and test scores who are already strong applicants for top schools. Chris offers the option for one-time written feedback, but this only gives big-picture generalizations. (And written-only feedback is always limited.) In order for help with the essay process, students need to purchase a complete essay package.

Students with top grades and test scores who want to work with a one-person business, who have a sizable budget, and who are ready to get started early.

• Cost: $210 for a one-time written essay feedback (big picture only), then $110 per draft feedback; pricing for essay process packages unknown
• Essay coach qualifications: professional journalist, Dartmouth grad
• Professional writing experience as a journalist
• Extensive experience working with college applicants
• Partners with Debra Felix, former Director of Admissions at Columbia, for full application review

What we don’t like:

• One-on-one work is limited to very high-achieving students, who need to apply with a resume : “I limit my one-on-one work to students who I believe will be strong applicants to elite universities. As a rule, this means having high grades in challenging classes, a test score of ACT 34+ or SAT 1500+, and substantial activities outside of the classroom.”
• Works with a limited number of students (60 per year), so often no availability
• All-or-nothing packages don’t allow students to work with Chris for just a few hours or for part of the essay-writing process
• Secretive about pricing (he’ll only give pricing details once he’s reviewed the student’s resume and agreed to work with them), but we expect the minimum cost of working one-on-one to be several thousand dollars

#3 – The College Essay Guy

Our Verdict — Best for Unlimited Essay Assistance Price: $4900 for application to 3 schools, $8050 for application for 10 schools We’re fans of Ethan Sawyer, the original “college essay guy”— his book, College Essay Essentials , is a great guide to the essay-writing process. Ethan doesn’t work directly with many students these days, but he now has a team of consultants who help students follow his principles. Their assistance is really all-or-nothing — they prefer to work with students from the very beginning of the process, and their minimum package is $4900, which includes assistance with essays for three schools. If students are applying to ten schools (a more realistic number for students aiming at competitive colleges), the fee is a hefty $7400.

Students who want unlimited help through the entire process, who have a sizable budget.

• Cost: $4900 (supplemental essays for 3 schools) – $7400 (supplemental essays for 10 schools)
• Essay coach qualifications: mix of Ivy grads and former teachers, some writers/screenwriters; all trained
• Great free resources about the essay-writing process
• Their Matchlighters Scholars Program gives back to the community by providing admissions consulting for select qualifying students
• All-or-nothing packages have a high minimum fee and don’t work for students who want just a few hours of feedback or help with just part of the process

#4 – College Vine

Our Verdict — Best of the Big Platforms Price: $140–180/hour There are plenty of large platforms with large stables of part-time tutors and coaches available to work with students. Of these big platforms, we think CollegeVine has the best offerings. Compared to other large companies, CollegeVine provides more information about their tutors, and students can pick individual tutors to work with from their roster. However, this model is really just a way of finding individual tutors to hire. Tutors don’t receive any training and don’t share a common approach, so it’s a mixed bag. Their rates are fairly high for part-time tutors who don’t have specific expertise and training in college essay consulting. Because CollegeVine is really just a marketplace where individual tutors can find students, the quality and price will vary widely.

Students who want to work with a big company, or those who want a quick session or two to go over their essays.

• Cost: Typically $140–180/hour
• Essay coach qualifications: no specific qualifications, but a few are Ivy League graduates
• Possible to select individual editors to work with from their roster.
• Easy to schedule ad-hoc sessions with a tutor through the website.
• No training or common approach for tutors
• Editors are part-time , with no option to work with full-time college admissions experts
• Relatively expensive for this level of expertise

College Essay Editing Alternatives (that Didn’t Make the Cut)

Individual essay consultants, #5 – college essay editor.

Our Verdict — Small Editing Team Price: Roughly $5,950 for applications to 10 schools College Essay Editor comprises two graduates of Stanford. This means that they have personal experience applying to highly competitive schools. One member of the team also has a college counseling certification, which is a good background for college essays. Based on their website, they appear to focus on the editing and proofreading phase of the essay-writing process. This can be helpful to students, but we recommend working with a service who can help students to uncover their values and brainstorm really great material that allows them to really shine—and if this doesn’t happen at the beginning of the process, it’s much harder to add in later on.

• Cost: $195/1000 words for proofreading, $495/1000 words for 3 rounds of editing and proofreading, or $595/1000 words for unlimited rounds of editing and proofreading; for the purposes of comparison, complete applications to 10 competitive colleges would be around 9,650 words, or $5950.
• Writing coach qualifications: Stanford graduates, one of whom has college counseling certification
• Editors are graduates of Stanford University , and one is a member of NACAC, the national association of college counselors
• They focus on editing and proofreading only , not on the crucial earlier steps of brainstorming and strategy
• Small team with very limited availability
• All asynchronous editing so you won’t be able to cultivate a real relationship with your essay coach.

#6 – Allison Karpf

Our Verdict — Former English Teacher Helping Students Price: $385/hour or $3850 package for application to one school Another option for students looking to hire an individual consultant is Allison Karpf. Allison is a former high school English teacher and a graduate of UC Berkeley who also holds a Masters of Education from Stanford. Her rates are definitely on the higher side, especially for someone who doesn’t have a professional writing background, but she does have extensive experience working with students to craft their essays.

• Cost:  $385/hour or $3850 unlimited counseling (includes supplemental essays for one college)
• Essay coach qualifications: former high school English teacher; Berkeley grad, Stanford MEd
• Lots of experience helping students improve their college essays
• Very quick to respond to client requests
• No professional writing experience or Ivy-Plus undergraduate experience
• High rates relative to other options
• Limited availability , since she works alone

#7 – Your College Vision

Our Verdict: Former Journalist with More Affordable Rates Price: $180/hour, or packages starting from $3500 Laurie Lande is another individual consultant who helps students through the essay-writing process. She comes recommended by other consultants like Chris from College Essay Mentor . Laurie did not herself attend a highly competitive school, so she doesn’t have that personal experience of going through the selective admissions process, but she does have a professional writing background as a journalist for the Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong.

• Cost: $180/hour or packages starting at $3500
• Essay coach qualifications: journalism background
• Affordable pricing , relative to other options
• Not a graduate of a highly selective school

#8 – The College Guru

Our Verdict — Good on Paper but Unresponsive Price: unknown Yet another individual essay consultant is Geanine Thompson from The College Guru. Geanine attended Dartmouth as an undergraduate and also holds an MBA from Duke. She also has a professional writing background as an assistant book editor at Berkley Publishing Group. Like Greg and Kevin at PrepMaven , she combines experience in the business world and at Wall Street firms with experience in education.

• Cost: unknown
• Essay coach qualifications: former assistant book editor; Dartmouth grad, Duke MBA
• Dartmouth graduate and former book editor
• Not responsive to emails and client requests

#9 – Sofia Zapiola

Our Verdict — A budget-friendly, personal essay editor. Price: $80/hour Yet another individual essay consultant is Sofia Zapiola, who offers a mix of essay editing and college application counseling services.

• Cost: $80/hour
• Essay coach qualifications: M.A. from Harvard; certificate in College Counseling from UC San Diego.
• Individual approach, budget-friendly rates, commitment to working within families’ budgets.
• Very few testimonials, so it’s difficult to evaluate how effective she is.

Mid-size Teams

#10 – lotus learning.

Our Verdict — Expensive for Tutor Background Price: $165/hour Founded by a Harvard grad who is a former teacher and veteran of the publishing industry, Lotus learning offers college essay help in the Boston area. They have a small team of tutors, mostly recent grads from good but not Ivy-Plus colleges, and mostly with focus in health sciences.

• Cost: $165/hour (minimum 8 hours)
• Essay coach qualifications: tutors are recent grads, but not Ivy-Plus schools
• Reasonable pricing with flexible packages
• Essay editors aren’t graduates of Ivy-Plus schools and don’t have professional writing experience

Large platforms

#11 – study point.

Our Verdict — Larger Platform with Mystery Editors Price: Rates Between $60 and $120/hr Study Point is a larger essay editing service. They claim to have several decades of experience helping students to craft their college essays, but they do not give information about who their essay coaches are and what qualifications they might have.

• Cost: $60-120/hr, depending on tutor experience
• Essay coach qualifications: unknown
• Larger company with several decades of experience
• Unclear who the essay coaches are
• Lack of statistics about their results

#12 – Ivy Select

Our Verdict — Larger Platform with Mystery Editors Price: unknown Ivy Select makes a lot of big promises on their website about having the best college essay consultants in the business, but they offer no information on who these consultants are, or on their backgrounds. They also brag that each consultant “only” works 20 students in one application cycle, but in our experience, that’s quite high.

• Long list of impressive (but anonymous) testimonials
• Only work with “top students”
• No information on their website about who the editors are
• Each essay coach works with up to 20 students at one time

#13 – Empowerly

Our Verdict — Larger Platform with Mystery Editors Price: High, from $6000/year Empowerly has over 60 college counselors who each work with an average of 5 students per year, in order to have more time to devote to each student. Their counselors come from “different educational backgrounds,” and while they do not provide specific biographical details we can assume that most of their essay coaches did not attend highly selective schools.

• Cost: typically from $6000/year
• Essay coach qualifications: college counselors
• Counselors work with just a few students per year
• You have to upgrade to “Empowerly Elite” to guarantee a counselor with a more selective educational background
• No professional writing experience

#14 – Prepory

Our Verdict — Expensive but with Good Expertise Price: $325/hr Prepory is a college application and career counseling service that offers a comprehensive program for college applications at any stage of the process (including as early as 9th grade). They make a lot of impressive claims about the expertise of their coaches, but it’s quite difficult to actual find much information about their essay coach qualifications.

• Cost: $325/hr
• They have a comprehensive college application program that begins as early as 9th grade.
• Limited information about essay coaches
• High prices

Top 40 College Essay Services Considered

• College Essay Editor
• The College Essay Guy
• College Vine
• College Essay Mentor
• Study Point
• Allison Karpf
• The College Guru
• Lotus Learning
• Summit Prep
• Sofia Zapiola
• Ivy Global / New Summits
• College Essay Solutions
• Your College Vision
• Essay Edge*
• ServicEscape*
• PapersForge*
• QuickWriter*
• JustEditMyEssay*
• JustDoMyEsssay*
• ExpertWriting*
• SpeedyPaper*
• GradeMiners*

* A number of services will edit essays directly for students, or even write portions of the essay for students. We do not condone this. Admissions officers can tell when essays have been written or edited by adults and this can have severe consequences. We have excluded these services from our reviews.

Why are college application essays important?

Can a great college essay alone get you into Harvard?

No. You’ll need your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities (as well as letters of recommendation and interview) to be outstanding.

But can a mediocre essay be the reason you didn’t get into Harvard?

Yes. There are thousands of amazingly-qualified students who graduate from high school each year. Great grades and test scores might be a prerequisite for admission to a competitive college, but they alone aren’t enough.

College essays are a key component of a student’s application . When done well, they transform a collection of numbers—GPA, class rank, SAT or ACT scores , number of AP classes taken, AP scores—into a glimpse of a real, individual person.

Essays do many things. Good college essays can highlight extracurricular achievements which otherwise would be overlooked in a sterile list. Strong essays often indicate the student’s future plans —how they plan to leave a mark on their college campus and on the world. They can shine a light on unique challenges that a student may have had to face on their journey.

College admissions officers only have a few minutes to spend on each application. College essays need to be original, interesting, and memorable . They need to grab the attention of the admissions officer and persuade them that this is the student out of hundreds or thousands of other similarly-qualified applicants who should be admitted.

College admissions essays are usually unlike any other kind of writing that students have done before. They’re a combination of memoir and marketing pitch, and they need to be creative but also highly strategic. That’s a tough assignment!

What’s more, students are left to figure this assignment out on their own. A thoughtful and generous high school English teacher may provide guidance or offer to read essays and give feedback, but these teachers are responsible for many students, and they’re (usually) not experts in admissions strategies.

There’s another reason college essays are especially important from 2024 on. After the recent Supreme Court decision, the application essay has become one of the main ways that you can communicate how your racial identity has affected your life.

In fact, the New York Times published an article about how important it can be for students to discuss race in their college application essays!

Why work with a college essay service?

You may want to consider a college essay service if:

• You have no idea where to start in order to write your college application essays
• You feel overwhelmed by all of the different ideas you have and don’t know what would be the most strategic for college admissions—and what topics to definitely avoid for college essays
• You don’t know how to craft a compelling stor y
• You’re not sure how to edit and refine what you’ve written
• You have a hard time keeping yourself on track and want an external structure to hold you accountable
• You’re tired of conflict between students and parents about college essays
• You’re aiming at a competitive college (not just the Ivy League!) and know that you need your essays to be outstanding
• Your grades, test scores, and extracurriculars aren’t exceptional, so you need your essay to make your essay stand out from the pack
• You’re unfamiliar with the US college admissions process (a common situation for international students and first-generation families in the US)

Any of these are strong reasons to consider working with a college essay service!

It’s also worth remembering that a lot of the free advice on college’s website isn’t always very clear. For example, NYU’s admissions Senior Assistant Director of Admissions says that “There is no right or wrong way to answer as long as your answer is genuine to you.”

While that’s true, that doesn’t offer much guidance on how to actually write the essay!

Though many college applicants might not mention it, more and more students are using professional college application consultants. Research at the University of Chicago has shown that over a quarter of high-achieving seniors employed private specialists to help with the college application process.

In fact, according to NPR , some companies are even offering college admissions counseling to their top employees as an incentive–that’s just how important professional help can be in the current landscape of college admissions.

It’s important to note that a good college essay service will not write your college application essays for you . This is unethical and illegal. That’s not just coming from us: take it from a school like Princeton, whose website insists on the importance of writing your own application essays.

A good college essay service will guide you through each step of the process , teaching you how to self-reflect and write well while sharing insider insight about admissions strategy .

What makes a good college essay service?

We strongly believe that students need to write their own college essays , and we do not condone plagiarism or “buying” a college essay.

However, writing college application essays requires a completely new set of skills that is rarely taught in high school!

Writing a personal essay is much more creative than simply writing a good paper for English class. It requires a compelling narrative and a great deal of writing craft . A good essay service will teach how to do this kind of writing.

There are many college essay services that will provide only written feedback to students, usually in the form of comments added to an essay draft. (Remember, it’s important that students write their own essays, so avoid any college essay service that will make edits directly to an essay document .)

Written comments can be an effective component of good essay coaching. However, writing college essays is a deeply personal process , and it’s incredibly difficult to guide a student through the process of self-reflection, brainstorming, and planning purely through written comments.

In addition, a great college essay coach will teach students how to do this entire process of brainstorming, planning, outlining, writing, and revising . It’s difficult to learn why an essay coach is advising certain changes through written comments alone.

For these reasons, look for a college essay service with live, one-on-one services , not just written feedback. These days, it’s easy to work with the best college essay consultants in the country over Zoom!

Students need to reflect on their goals, their passions, and what drives them to be the person they are. This requires a great deal of self-awareness and self-analysis . An experienced college essay coach can help draw these ideas out of students through tested introspection techniques and brainstorming exercises .

On top of all of that, students need to be cognizant of which traits and accomplishments will be most appealing to colleges , and which stories will be cliche and boring. Personal statements and supplementary essays need to fit together to tell a cohesive story, and they need to work together with the rest of the student’s application (extracurriculars, grades, and other accomplishments).

In other words, there’s a great deal of strategy here! An experienced college essay service can help students decide how to present themselves in the best possible light .

Furthermore, most students don’t know how to edit effectively . A really top-notch college essay service will also teach students how to edit their own writing —how to reorder sections for better flow, cut unnecessary words to meet a word count, eliminate passive verbs, and make their writing vivid and exciting. Our students are routinely amazed by how transformative this step can be, and how much they learn by doing it together with the essay coach.

Finally, the best college essay services can also help students to make a writing plan and keep them on track , so that parents don’t have to be involved directly.

Ready to work on your college essays? Schedule a free 15- to 30-minute consultation with Jessica or one of our founders.

Best overall: PrepMaven’s tutors offer the highest quality at the best price. With three tiers of tutors, they make it easy to work with an Ivy League undergraduate for as little as $79/hr. Or, families can work with education professionals or Ivy League graduates from $150/hr. PrepMaven’s track record means that you can be sure every hour is being spent productively, so that you can expect real results from the work.

Best for individual consultants: College Essay Mentor. In theory, College Essay Mentor would offer an unparalleled level of individual attention and guidance: his website boasts of some very impressive results. You might find it hard to actually schedule with him, however, since he’s very selective about his clients.

Best for unlimited essay assistance: The College Essay Guy might not offer that personalized attention you get from live, face to face essay coaching, but they do offer unlimited essay editing for up to 10 schools (if you’re comfortable paying a hefty package price).

Best of the big platforms: College Vine will always be a bit of a gamble. Because it’s a tutor marketplace, your results (and costs) will really depend on how lucky you get with your consultant. From our research, however, many of their essay coaches look to have solid track records.

Ready to work on college essays with one of our experienced writing coaches? Schedule a free test prep consultation with Jessica (Director of Tutoring) or one of our founders to see what would be the best fit for your family.

It’s always best to start early and not wait until the last minute to write your college essays! Remember that essays can be used to earn scholarships as well as college admission, so a few months of writing now can pay off with up to $300,000 in tuition saved later. 

We work with students at all stages of the writing process, from I-have-no-idea-what-to-write to final edits. To start working with an Ivy-League writing coach today, set up a quick free consultation with our team.

Schedule a free college essay consultation

Top College Essay Posts

• 14 Best College Essay Services for 2023 (40 Services Reviewed)
• Qualities of a Successful College Essay
• 11 College Essays That Worked
• How to Answer the UC Personal Insight Questions
• How Colleges Read your College Applications (A 4-Step Process)
• How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essays
• The Diamond Strategy: How We Help Students Write College Essays that Get Them Into Princeton (And Other Ivy League Schools)
• What is the College Essay? Your Complete Guide for 202 4
• College Essay Brainstorming: Where to Start
• How to Write the Harvard Supplemental Essays
• How to Format Your College Essay

Emily graduated  summa cum laude  from Princeton University and holds an MA from the University of Notre Dame. She was a National Merit Scholar and has won numerous academic prizes and fellowships. A veteran of the publishing industry, she has helped professors at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton revise their books and articles. Over the last decade, Emily has successfully mentored hundreds of students in all aspects of the college admissions process, including the SAT, ACT, and college application essay. 

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED POSTS

15 College Essays That Worked

May 13, 2024

In this regularly updated post, we share the college essays that helped students get into their dream schools -- including Ivy Leagues.

SSAT Score Release Dates – When You’ll Get That Score Report

May 2, 2024

You've studied hard. You've taken the SSAT. Now when will you get that score report? Find SSAT score release dates and more in this regularly updated post.

SSAT Prep Resources: Your Guide

Preparing to take the SSAT? What SSAT prep resources should you be utilizing? We weigh in on the best SSAT test prep tools in this post.

Scoring on the SSAT: Your 2024 Guide

Understanding your SSAT score report can be challenging. With this detailed breakdown of SSAT scores, you'll have a firm grasp on what to expect in no time!

What is a Good SSAT Score for 2024?

What is a good SSAT score? What percentile ranking do you need to get into the school of your dreams? Find out more in this comprehensive post.

Princeton Review vs Kaplan: Which SAT Prep Service is Better?

April 29, 2024

Princeton Review and Kaplan are two of the biggest test prep services, but which one is better? Detailed review of pricing, course materials, instructor qualifications, and customer service. Choose the best SAT prep to help you raise your score…

Kaplan SAT Prep Review: Rating All of Kaplan’s SAT Prep Options

Comprehensive review of Kaplan's SAT prep services: pricing, instructor qualifications, online platform, customer service, and educational quality.

Princeton Review vs Kaplan: Which ACT Prep Service is Better?

Princeton Review and Kaplan are two of the biggest test prep services, but which one is better? Detailed review of pricing, course materials, instructor qualifications, and customer service. Choose the best ACT prep to help you raise your score…

Kaplan ACT Prep Review: Rating All of Kaplan’s ACT Prep Options

Comprehensive review of Kaplan's ACT prep services: pricing, instructor qualifications, online platform, customer service, and educational quality.

15 Best Online Writing Tutoring Services for 2024 (50 Tutoring Services Reviewed)

A list of the 15 best online writing tutoring services, reviewed and ranked. Compare prices & writing tutor qualifications. Best overall: PrepMaven’s writing tutoring ($66–349/hr). Best on a budget: Wyzant ($20–600/hr). Best…

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My Portfolio
• Latest News
• Stock Market
• Premium News
• Biden Economy
• EV Deep Dive
• Stocks: Most Actives
• Stocks: Gainers
• Stocks: Losers
• Trending Tickers
• World Indices
• US Treasury Bonds
• Top Mutual Funds
• Highest Open Interest
• Highest Implied Volatility
• Stock Comparison
• Advanced Charts
• Currency Converter
• Basic Materials
• Communication Services
• Consumer Cyclical
• Consumer Defensive
• Financial Services
• Industrials
• Real Estate
• Mutual Funds
• Credit cards
• Balance Transfer Cards
• Cash-back Cards
• Rewards Cards
• Travel Cards
• Personal Loans
• Student Loans
• Car Insurance
• Morning Brief
• Market Domination
• Market Domination Overtime
• Opening Bid
• Stocks in Translation
• Lead This Way
• Good Buy or Goodbye?
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Yahoo Finance

Best essay writing services: top 5 websites for custom papers in the u.s..

Have you ever been in a situation where you have an essay due soon, and for some reason, you just can't get started? The deadline is creeping up on you, and every tick of the clock just adds more pressure. I've definitely been in that spot more times than I'd like to admit.

I've checked out over twenty paper writing services to find the best ones out there. I looked at everything that matters: how good the essays were, how fast they got delivered, whether they arrived on time, and, super importantly, if the essays were original and not just copied from somewhere else.

Choose the Best Paper Writing Service

PaperHelp : Top Pick, Best Value for Money (4.88/5)

BBQPapers : Best for Lengthy and Complex Assignments (4.86/5)

EssayPro : Best for Punctuality (4.82/5)

WritePaperForMe : Best for Affordability (4.80/5)

ExtraEssay : Best for Urgent Papers (4.77/5)

In-Depth Review of the Top Essay Writing Services

I didn't just sit back and read through reviews or take their claims at face value. Nope, I went full incognito mode and actually ordered custom essays from these services to see if they could deliver. It was all about seeing firsthand whether they truly lived up to their promises.

PaperHelp: Top Overall Pick

PaperHelp is a top paper writing service that offers a good bang for your buck with high-quality essays and research papers at prices that don't break the bank.

My experience with them was really positive. From the writing quality and the originality of the content to how qualified the paper writers are and their privacy policies, everything was top-notch.

Quality and Timeliness (4.8/5)

I had a chance to try out PaperHelp for a project I needed, and I went with their basic writer option to keep things budget-friendly.

Honestly, the quality blew me away. The essay was well put together, the points made sense, and it was pretty clear to me that whoever wrote it really understood the topic. It’s obvious they have a solid team who knows how to write well and make complex topics easy to understand.

My paper was nearly 100% original, which is impressive. If you're worried about plagiarism, they do offer checks for an extra fee.

One thing I really appreciated was how quickly they delivered my paper. It arrived six hours before the deadline, which gave me plenty of time to go over it and make sure everything was perfect.

Overall, I genuinely think that PaperHelp is the best essay writing service currently available, because it offers a good balance between quality, affordability, and reliability. From what I've seen, they consistently deliver great work without breaking the bank.

Cost (4.8/5)

Talking about cost, I found their prices really reasonable. I mean, starting around $13-14 for simpler papers and up to $23 for more advanced stuff like Master's and Ph.D. level work seems like a good deal to me, especially considering the quality you get.

A basic plagiarism check is $10, and a detailed Turnitin report is $30. I kind of wish these were included for free, but it seems to be a common practice to charge extra.

Confidentiality (5/5)

They only asked for my email to place the order, which is a big thumbs up from me. It's refreshing to see an essay writing website that takes privacy seriously.

Customer Support (5/5)

Their customer support was on point, too. Every time I reached out, I got a quick and helpful response. It’s comforting to know there’s someone ready to help 24/7, whether it’s over the phone, email, or live chat.

Revisions and Refunds (4.6/5)

Their policy on revisions and refunds is pretty straightforward. You get up to three free revisions within a week, which is generous. And if there’s a significant issue like a missed deadline, they offer a full refund, no questions asked. Though it seems getting a refund under other circumstances might be a bit of a hassle.

BBQPapers: Best for Lengthy and Complex Papers

I've used BBQPapers before, and honestly, it felt like a breath of fresh air in the crowded world of academic writing services.

Yes, their prices are a bit on the higher side, but you really get what you pay for here – outstanding service and top-notch quality that just takes the weight off your shoulders.

Quality and Timeliness (5/5)

The essay they delivered to me was nothing short of impressive. It was well-researched, beautifully crafted, and followed my instructions to the letter. The professional essay writers they have are clearly some of the best out there, with a real talent for digging deep into subjects and presenting ideas clearly and convincingly.

Unlike PaperHelp, they don't have different levels of writers to choose from. It's all about ensuring you get a paper written by someone who's either a native English speaker or perfectly fluent in it, without having to pay extra. That approach simplifies things a lot.

They've also been incredibly reliable in terms of turnaround times, even for urgent requests. It's like having a dependable buddy who's always there to help, ensuring you're never stuck without support.

Cost (4.7/5)

The prices start at $14.60 per page for high school essays, which is a bit steep. But considering the peace of mind and the quality you get, I found it worth the investment. Plus, their loyalty program is genuinely helpful, making future orders more budget-friendly. It feels like they're rewarding you for sticking with quality.

Every order comes with a free plagiarism report, which is a huge plus since most other services charge extra for this kind of assurance. It shows they're committed to maintaining high standards of originality.

Confidentiality (4.8/5)

They ask for just the basic details like email, name and phone and do an excellent job of protecting your information. Knowing that my details were secure and only accessible to customer service made me feel a lot more comfortable using their service.

Speaking of customer service, they're really easy to talk to. It never felt like I was just getting standard responses. Whenever I had a question or an issue, I was chatting with a real person who was there to help.

Revisions and Refunds (4.8/5)

Lastly, their revision and refund policy seemed fair to me. You get a chance to ask for revisions within ten days, which is reasonable. And their full refund promise if they ever miss a deadline or if the content isn't original speaks volumes about their confidence in what they offer.

EssayPro: Best for Punctuality

EssayPro isn't your typical college essay writing service. In fact, it's more like an auction where professional paper writers bid to work on your project. This setup really lets you pick someone who seems right for the job based on their proposal and price.

The essay I bought from EssayPro wes top-notch. It hit the mark on every level: well-structured, clear arguments, and the language was just right for a college assignment. Plus, chatting with the online paper writer was easy and convenient.

My essay landed in my inbox 3 hours ahead of the deadline. That level of punctuality is really something I value, and it's one of the reasons I'd say EssayPro is top-notch in this department.

My paper came back with only a 3% similarity score, and they even threw in an originality report for free just like BBQPapers did. This gave me peace of mind about the uniqueness of my essay.

Cost (4.9/5)

Pricing starts at $11.40 per page, which is reasonable and didn't hurt my wallet too much, even for a last-minute request. And speaking of last-minute, they got my essay done way ahead of schedule — three hours before it was due. Their punctuality is a real standout feature for me.

The process to order was straightforward and kept my details under wraps, asking just for an email.

Customer Support (4.6/5)

If there’s one thing that I don’t like about EssayPro is that there is no option to call them up directly. However, there is an email and live chat support that becomes available after you've placed an order.

Being able to ask for unlimited free revisions for up to 30 days after getting your order is a big plus. Additionally, knowing that you could get anywhere from a 50% to a 100% refund depending on your situation adds a lot of reassurance.

WritePaperForMe: Best for Affordability

In my opinion, WritePaperForMe is the best pick if you need help with a small request and don’t want to spend too much money on it.

They're pretty affordable and don't compromise too much on quality, which was exactly what I was looking for. Their team mainly consists of professional writers with advanced degrees, which gave me confidence in their ability to handle my paper.

Quality and Timeliness (4.7/5)

When I chose the "Best available" writer option, I was hoping for a good mix of affordability and expertise, and that's pretty much what I got. The essay I received was detailed and well-researched, really showing off the writer's knowledge on the topic.

There were a few minor grammar mistakes, probably because the essay writer wasn’t a native speaker of English. However, it wasn't a big deal for me.

The fastest turnaround option here is 6 hours, so WritePaperForMe is not the quickest essay service out there. However, they always deliver on time, which is crucial during crunch time.

As for originality, my paper came back with only 3% plagiarism, which is totally fine for college standards.

WritePaperForMe is genuinely affordable, starting at just $6.99 per page for high school-level writing. That's perfect for students like me who are trying to keep expenses low. What I didn’t really like is that they charged an extra $10 for the plagiarism report, which was a bit too much.

I also really appreciated their approach to privacy, as they only needed my email to start processing my order.

Their customer support was another win. I called a couple of times for updates, and everyone I spoke to was super helpful and friendly.

Revisions and Refunds (4.5/5)

They offer three free revisions within a week after delivery, which is handy. The refund policy is a bit strict, but hopefully, you won't need to use it.

ExtraEssay: Best for Urgent Papers

ExtraEssay is probably the fastest essay writing service around. They offer a one-hour delivery for short tasks, which is a lifesaver for college students pressed for time.

Although there's some room for improvement, particularly regarding the cost of originality reports and additional features, it's a solid choice. If you're in need of dependable and quick academic writing assistance, ExtraEssay is a great option to consider based on my experience.

My essay arrived on time, was well-written, clear, and covered all the important points I needed them to cover. I did notice that if you're in a real rush and need something in just a few hours, the quality might dip a little.

From my experience, giving the writer a bit more time can really help make the essay better. In my case, the balance between how fast I got it and the quality was perfect. It seemed like the person writing it knew the topic really well and was good at writing graduate essays.

If you're running out of time, this service can save you a lot of trouble. They can get you an essay in just an hour, which is amazing for those moments when you've either forgotten about an assignment or just couldn't get to it. There's a limit of one page for these super quick orders, which makes sense but is good to keep in mind.

My essay was mostly unique, which is great, but I was a bit surprised to be charged $15 just to see the originality report. Again, the practice of charging extra for plagiarism reports isn't unique to ExtraEssay. However, even though it's important to know your work is original, that extra charge felt a bit much.

About the cost, it was a bit more than what I usually pay, but given how good the essay was and how fast I got it, I think it was worth it. The prices vary depending on what school level you need the paper for, with the prices starting at $9 per page for high school papers.

I also really appreciated how they handle their customers’ privacy. You only need to give them your email to place an order, and leaving a phone number is totally optional. It's great for keeping your information safe.

Their customer support is excellent, too. I reached out via live chat and got a response in just 20 seconds. The person I talked to (her name was Kathie) was really nice and answered all my questions, which made the whole process a lot smoother.

Revisions and Refunds (5/5)

If something isn't right with your essay, their revision and refund policy is very fair. You have 14 days to ask for revisions, which is plenty of time to make sure everything's just how you want it. They also look at refunds on a case-by-case basis, so it feels like they really care about making things right if you're not happy.

Why These Services?

Let me share why I settled on these particular services. It wasn't a random choice; it came from my personal experiences and a lot of research.

Firstly, reliability is key for me. It's comforting to have services that you can rely on time after time. The ones I've chosen have consistently proven themselves, backed by loads of positive reviews.

The quality of the academic papers is another major factor. The recommended services have incredibly skilled writers who don't just write; they craft well-thought-out, original, and engaging papers. You can tell they have a solid quality control process that ensures every paper is up to par.

As a student, I'm always trying to balance quality with affordability. The services I've picked do just that. They provide excellent work without draining your bank account, which I find pretty impressive.

And let's not forget about meeting deadlines. In school, deadlines are everything, and the services I recommend understand that. They've consistently shown they can handle tight deadlines without ever compromising the quality of their work.

Essay Writing Service FAQs

Are custom paper writing services worth it.

I've used online essay writing services before, and in my experience, they're definitely worth considering, especially if you find a reliable one. They're great for proofreading and editing. You don't just get your writing checked; you also receive valuable feedback and tips to improve.

And if you're looking for someone to write your essay, the benefits are clear. You save so much time that you would have spent on research, not to mention the stress relief from knowing your paper will be plagiarism-free and well-written in terms of formatting, spelling, and grammar.

What I appreciate about these services is the assurance that comes with them. For instance, if there's something about the research paper or a custom essay that's not up to par, you can usually get revisions made. And if things really don't pan out, there's often a money-back guarantee.

The cherry on top? Your essay is delivered on time, just the way you want it. But for me, the biggest perk is the free time you get back. Whether it's for work, spending time with family, taking care of yourself, or pursuing other interests, it's invaluable.

Are essay writing services legal?

There's a bit of a debate around the ethics of using these services, but the fact that there are so many reputable essay writing companies out there doing this work suggests that it's not against the law.

These services do more than just write essays; they also offer proofreading and editing. So, if you write something and want professional feedback, these services can be really helpful. I think it's a great way to get some insight into improving your work.

It's also worth mentioning that nearly every essay writing service guarantees their work will be plagiarism-free. If they don't make this promise, it's a red flag, and you should probably avoid them.

While plagiarism might not always lead to legal trouble, it's definitely something to avoid. So, in my experience, using these services isn't illegal, but it's crucial to choose a trustworthy provider.

Can Turnitin spot the essay that I bought online?

No, Turnitin can't really spot an essay if it's completely original, even if you got it online. It compares your essay against what's available on the internet and what's already in its database to look for any overlaps.

When you go for a legitimate essay writing service, they usually give you a report that shows your essay is original. If an essay makes it through this initial check, it's probably going to be okay on Turnitin too.

But if your essay doesn't pass this test of originality, it means there's a problem. You definitely shouldn't have ended up with that paper, and it might be time to ask for your money back.

Is it safe to use a professional paper writing service?

Yes, they are absolutely safe. But like anything online, you've got to be careful. Some essay writing websites let you see drafts or outlines before you commit, which is helpful because you get a sense of what your essay might look like and judge the writer's skills yourself.

I've learned that picking a website that offers a money-back guarantee is wise. Also, a free plagiarism report is something you should look for. Plagiarism is a big deal, and ensuring your essay is original is crucial.

Safety-wise, choosing a service that uses secure payment methods, including PayPal, is essential to protect your financial info from potential hackers. From my experience, if you stick with reputable sites, especially the ones I've checked out, you should be in good hands.

Side-by-side Comparison of the Paper Writing Websites

Each service has its unique strengths. Your choice will likely depend on what you value most: cost, quality, speed, or a mix of these factors.

PaperHelp is your go-to college paper writing service for getting a lot of quality without spending too much. Their essays come with a side of quick delivery, and you can even check for plagiarism if you're willing to pay a little extra.

Prices are starting from about $13, depending on the complexity of your paper. They keep it simple and secure with just an email needed to get started, and their customer service is always there to help. You'll find their approach to revisions and refunds straightforward and fair.

BBQPapers feels like a premium service without the sticker shock. Yes, their prices are a bit higher, starting at $14.60 per page, but they make it worth your while with top-notch essays and free plagiarism reports at no extra charge. They value your privacy and offer excellent customer support, making sure you feel taken care of. Their loyalty program is a nice touch, rewarding you for choosing quality.

EssayPro offers you to pick the best essay writer based on bids. This adds a personalized touch to the process, often at competitive prices starting at $11.40 per page. They're punctual, delivering essays hours before the deadline, and they include originality reports for free, which is a huge plus. The ordering process is privacy-friendly, requiring just an email, and while their customer support is solid, it's a bit of a bummer you can't call them directly.

WritePaperForMe is a cheap essay writing service and a perfect pick if you're trying to keep expenses low. Prices start at just $6.99 per page. Even though they do charge extra for plagiarism reports, the overall cost remains low. They deliver quality work on time but expect a few grammar hiccups if the writer isn't a native English speaker. The revisions and refunds policy is decent, though it sounds like you might not need to worry about it much.

ExtraEssay is capable of providing a one-hour turnaround for those really tight deadlines. The website requires minimal personal information, and their customer support responds swiftly, making the stress of last-minute assignments a bit more bearable. Prices start at $9 per page.

20 Most Legitimate Essay Writing Services

Sometimes essay writing is like visiting a dentist – painful, but inevitable. Nobody is interested in student’s personal circumstances. Who cares if you have time and energy for doing that essay juggling work, study and private life? Is your heart broken? Or, maybe, have you spent several sleepless nights? In the eyes of your professors, these are weak excuses for not doing homework. Do it or die.

‘No extensions, no excuses’ – most professors are pitiless. This indifference has given rise to the development of essay writing services. Finally, in the desert of teachers’ insensitivity, students can rest in the oasis of expert writing help. Online writers are skillful and understanding at the same time. If you are lucky enough to find a good essay writing service, not a mirage, your life will become easier.

This list of top 20 best essay writing services is here to help you choose the best writing companies without trial and error method. Welcome to the oasis of writing help – understanding and helpful certified writers are waiting for your order right now.

1. 3HoursEssay.com

This writing service is the first one in our list of the best writing companies. The company offers not only academic writing help, but also editing and proofreading services. Professional writers promise on-time delivery and premium quality of research materials. Students can use money back guarantee if they are occasionally unsatisfied with the quality of their projects. Clients can urgently request a draft of their paper in any moment to track the writing process.

Pricing : Pricing depends upon deadline and study level and ranges from $10 per page (undergraduate level, 14 days) to $197 per page ( admission help , 3 hours).

Customer Reviews :

“Whenever I want to submit a paper, I use this company as they never disappoint me. They have writers who have knowledge for every field and they always deliver the best in the stipulated time. Scoring on papers was never so easy.” – Amelie

“I needed someone to write my essay for me and I was skeptical about who I should go with. A friend of mine recommended 3HoursEssay, so I thought why not. The website is easy to use and they have very affordable prices. My essay was ready in three hours! I would recommend this site to anyone who needs help with their writing.” – Calum

2. EssayOneDay.com

As it is clear from its name, this website specializes in urgent projects. Importantly, doing their best to provide papers ASAP, they never sacrifice quality of materials. One of the most important advantages of this service is its affordability. While the prices start at $7.50 per page (it is pretty close to the industry minimum), most writers employed by this company are native English speakers. The service offers unlimited free revisions and 24/7 instant support. The company can help with a wide range of academic tasks, including book reviews, proposals, dissertations etc. Numerous special offers and discounts make this company even more attractive.

Pricing : Pricing is a huge advantage of this website. Students can get a high school essay at only $7.5 per page, while a PhD level of writing with a 24 hour deadline costs $83 per page.

“I love most of my college writing assignments, except for book reviews. It takes so much time – first you read, then you summarize and write the reviews. I can’t find any creativity in these, so I use EssayOneDay to do my boring assignments like book reviews. They always do it perfectly!” – Alex S.

“There is no magic bullet for finishing a coursework, especially when it comes about History… Thinking back to my own experience as a burned-out wanting to be a graduate student, I might have balked at the idea of spending additional time on a course to help me get “unstuck”. However, Essayoneday’s systematic approach has made my dream come true. I was sent the work in parts and was able to communicate with my writer which was great. Whilst my work was in progress I was able to maintain the physical and mental health (was struggling before to be honest), I also began my job search, and much more. I have no idea what I would have done without the help of Essayoneday. Thank god they exist.” – Vanessa Racksoufberg

3. EssayPro.com

Delegating your MBA essay to amateurs can be dangerous. In that regard, students may feel safe with this online writing service, which employs only professionals with certificates and years of experience. The company can deliver various kinds of essays, and other assignment types, including reports, case studies etc. Students are free to choose their writers, looking through their profiles and ratings.

Pricing : The minimum price is $10.8 per page and it will rise, depending upon task complexity and order urgency.

“Very helpful service. I received an excellent essay! The writer was great and kept in touch so I was informed about the progress all the time.” – Samantha H.

“I have to admit I was hesitant at first, never ever have I ordered a paper before, always written everything myself. But now the circumstances have forced me to use online assistance, and I am just thanking God that I have settled for EssayPro.com. I love the product I got, and I received an A grade for it too, which cannot be a better proof of the hard work that this writer has done for me. My friend, however, used some other company, and the experience was horrible. He got his paper late, there were so many grammar mistakes as if it was written by some illiterate immigrant who barely speaks English. So yes, I paid a little more than he did, but I got so much for it that it’s totally worth the money! Thank you guys!” – Terrence W.

4. The-Essays.com

This company emphasizes their affordable prices along with professional writing service. Experienced writers can meet any reasonable deadlines. Of course, completing a thesis within a couple of hours is impossible. However, doing a 2 page essay within a couple of hours is possible though it would be more expensive than a project ordered beforehand. Student-friendly customer service is another important advantage of this website.

Pricing : The prices start at $9.36 and depend upon academic level and urgency. At the same time, a PhD thesis, delivered within 6 hours, may cost $46.95 per page.

“I have given them my accounting, statistics and many research homework. They completed all in time with A+ quality. Their customer service is very active and always ready to help.” – Sandra Warner

“The-Essays is one of the best places to get essays. They are prompt, affordable, and you always get your work back with no errors. I will continue using their service!” – Jayden H.

5. OvernightEssay.com

This service guarantees on-time delivery even if you want it to be done overnight. The company promises confidentiality, on-time delivery and original academic content. The tight deadlines are possible and even welcome with this service. Whenever a student feels that 3 a.m. is either too early or too late to start an essay, they can delegate their task to this service and go to bed. Their essays can be handled by expert writers overnight.

Pricing : Like with most other services, pricing depends upon deadline and academic level, starting from $11 per page.

“Great work with my college essay. Thank you so much. As I am unskilful in writing I will definitely use your custom writing services again.” – Maris

“I don’t know why you would want to spend your time and money anywhere else. OvernightEssay is perfect for high school and college students who need help doing research, editing, and proofreading assignments.” – Salma M.

6. CollegeEssay.org

This is an essay writing service that helps students write essays for their college applications. They have a team of professional writers who are highly qualified and efficient. Experienced writers know what they are doing, but avoid cliches or prewritten templates. All materials provided by this website are original and meeting students’ individual requirements. Focusing on clients’ needs, this company provides high quality service and plagiarism free papers.

Pricing : The prices are based upon assignment type (writing from scratch or editing), deadline and study level. Thus, a high school essay with a deadline of 8 days costs $15 per page, while urgent mba essay help costs $42.75 per page.

“I have used different online essay writing services a several time in year and often found many mistakes in texts. But when I found CollegeEssay.org, quality of my essays significantly increased. Great writers, support and property. I was really excited, when I get my paper!” – Rena M.

7. EssayVikings.com

This service fulfills a dream of all students – to pay for a writing service only when you are satisfied. Unlike most other websites offering repaid writing services, this company allows paying after a paper is completed. In this way, you can be certain that the quality of your paper is perfect. Along with superior quality and students’ absolute comfort, this company guarantees confidentiality and expert writers. Importantly, there would be no hidden charges on any stage of the writing process.

Pricing : Pricing is not set, as writers who know how to handle your project will bid on it and the bids depend upon their personal requirements.

“I researched a lot before finally chosing Vikings. They were very helpful. My essay was written in a few hours and the content was really good. I might say it was the love from the first sight.” – Phil N.

“I’m studying at college and one day got an assignment paper. I didn’t have much time to write it by myself. Been busy at work, so I had to order an essay to save some time. Yep, it’s not fair, but I didn’t have choice. Anyway, I got my essay really quickly.” – Kate Holt

8. EssayShark.com

Despite the ‘shark’ part in the website name, the company has one of the friendliest support teams in the industry. One of the biggest advantages offered by Essay Shark is the opportunity to pay only after the paper is approved. Thus, students may feel safe, as they are eligible for free unlimited revisions. Security and confidentiality are guaranteed by this service. There are no hidden charges or any other unpleasant surprises. An urgent paper can be completed in one hour.

Pricing : The service has a bidding system. Prices depend upon deadline, assignment type and writer’s hour rate.

“I have always been a responsible student and all of the academic works were done by myself. But afterwards I decided to find a job at the same time with my studying. And as you can imagine, I hadn’t enough time for doing homework. I am a bit embarrassed, but I used the service called EssayShark from time to time. Usually I dont write such reviews, especially about this kind of services, but honestly, I would like to let you know about this company that helps you in critical moments of your life. I confirm that EssayShark provides high-quality and unique texts. They did it the way that Id have written. Their academic writers are true professionals and always online when I needed some revision of my paper.” – Elsa B.

9. UKEssays.com

The service has been in the niche since 2003, and it is one of the oldest companies in the industry. As it is obvious from the website name, it employs writers from the UK who can help English-speaking students from all over the world. It means that you will never have any language or grammar issues with their papers. On the other hand, it is possible to request a writer residing in Canada or Australia, for instance. Be sure to provide detailed instructions when placing your order.

Pricing : Students are welcome to place a $25 deposit to clarify the price of their particular orders later.

“Just had my Master’s thesis proofread – the researcher took time to ensure that my work was perfect. It has saved me a fortune in time. Thank you for your hardwork; without you I would not be passing with a distinction.” – Chris C.

10. BestEssays.com

This reputed service has been providing essay help since 1997, which makes it one of the industry dinosaurs. Currently, the company employs over 900 professional writers who can boast of numerous certificates and gratitude of thousands of students. Clients’ satisfaction and superior quality of writing are a good tradition with this service. Unlike other companies, this service employs researchers who collect resources, writers who write papers and editors who eliminate typos and occasional errors. In this way, you receive a paper of impeccable quality.

Pricing : The prices start at $21.99, but taking into account the quality of the received materials and number of professionals involved, it is totally worth it.

“They showed a great eye for every detail on my argumentative essay. The whole process went easy and the paper itself was of good quality in some 24hrs – looks professional. I`m going to use them again whenever I need that.” – Char C.

“This essay writing service is the best one I’ve used so far. The custom essays are not cheap to buy all the time but if you are short on time it is definitely worth it. The quality of the essay writing is top notch so I would imagine that a term paper, research paper or any other course work would be equally as good.” – James P.

11. EssayTigers.com

Cooperation with this service looks like an easy way to optimize your homework routine. The joke on the main page says that the service employs predators (‘Tigers’) who feed on academic assignments. Anyway, this energy is promising and it gives hope for proper quality of writing. The individual approach and customer satisfaction are prioritized by the service.

Pricing : The prices range between $10 per page and $197 per page, depending upon urgency and assignment type.

“EssayTigers do good essays as for the formatting style and information included. I paid $25 only for my bachelor’s work with 2 day deadline, saved a lot of time and remained satisfied with the result I saw. No revisions were needed.” – Emily B.

12. EssayLab.org

This company has everything students can dream of – professional writers, support team working around the clock and financial guarantees. The company can handle any assignment types in numerous, even rarest disciplines. If you cannot find your subject in the list, place a request and the company will try to find a writer for you. Full confidentiality and quick delivery are the top reasons why students choose this service.

Pricing : The prices on essay writing services start at $16.50, while editing prices start at $10.55.

“Essay writing is just marvelous and without doubts the best of all. The writer completely understood what I wanted to see in the essay. Thank you so much for the help. Please continue the same efforts in the future as well.” – Harry Louis

13. Samedayessay.org

In the previous 10 years that the company has been in the industry, the service has helped thousands of students. Confidentiality of users and originality of content are the two main principles of the website. Rush essays are among their best services. Along with custom writing, the company offers editing and proofreading services. Every paper passes several stages of professional quality control before a student receives it.

Pricing : The prices depend upon urgency, number of pages, academic level and assignment type and start at $17.10.

“Followed instructions carefully, to the point and displayed indepth analysis and critical reasoning with the necessary effort and skills to deserve the 5/5stars grade! Well done!” – Tonya E.

14. KingEssays.com

As it is clear from the website name, the service promises superior quality of academic content. The two main advantages offered by the company include urgent deadlines and low prices. The combination is every student’s dream that can come true with KingEssays. The site has sample papers, which allow you to evaluate the quality of the provided services.

Pricing : The prices range from $10 per page to $29 per page, depending upon academic level and assignment type.

“My English knowledge is not good, since I am an international student and I placed my order on KingEssays. The easy interface helped me to register and place the order without any problems. My writer made my assignment with simple words, because I asked him to. In the end, my order was made according to my directions.”- Mr. Gonzalez

15. EssayRoo.com

The company provides a wide range of writing services, including essays, reports, research papers, presentations and even math problems. Professional researchers and writers can cover any topic in-depth. High quality writing is a good tradition with this online service. Whenever a student places an order on this website, a client can expect prompt answer and expert writing help. Students are eligible for free unlimited amendments until they are fully satisfied with their papers.

Pricing : The prices are interrelated with a deadline and academic level and start at $17.09 per page.

“My friend suggested me to use this service, he told he bought a couple of essays and research papers there. In the beginning I was a little nervous using the essay writing service, but after completing the order I was surprised with the paper I got. The quality of writing is amazing! And just to say I received an A+ for this one. Thanks Essay Roo!” – Jenna Z.

16. BuyEssayClub.com

Affordable prices and qualified writing help are the core reasons explaining popularity of this service. Professionalism and individual approach to every order allow satisfying needs of the most demanding students. Instant Support is available 24/7. Money back guarantee demonstrates the company confidence in their product. Affordable prices and friendly team make cooperation with this online service unforgettable.

Pricing : Prices range from $10 per page to $29 per page, depending upon the requested academic level and order urgency.

“I had some very nice experience with Buyessayclub.com, to be honest. They managed to write exactly what I was looking for (My professor actually:)). I would recommend you to contact the support team as soon as you come to the website. I only used the chat option in the right bottom corner for my communication and never spoke to them, but it was enough for me. I couldn’t find any review of Buyessayclub online so just gambled and decided to try them out. Now I want to share my experience and say that it is a nice and legitimate service! Don’t be afraid to order your essays from them. (I also think they write almost everything, not only essays).” – Ross S.

17. CoolEssay.net

CoolEssay makes college students feel cooler, boosting their academic performance and saving their valuable time. This experienced company with professional writers can help students solve various homework problems. This essay writing service guarantees students’ satisfaction. Even if a client has some doubts, free revisions are unlimited and can help resolve all kinds of questions.

Pricing : A high school essay with a two-week deadline can cost $10 per page, while an urgent doctoral project can cost up to $49 per page.

“I have used many companies during the past 2 years, but I found the website called CoolEssay.net, and first of all I was impressed with prices! This company is pretty cheap comparing to other companies, so i decided to give a try. I absolutely loved the service, since they could even complete my IT project which quite complicated. I bet they can complete any paper or project of any complexity..definitely worth to try! I will recommend them to my friends.” – Sarah P.

18. CheapestEssay.com

The website name is self-explanatory, as the main emphasis is put on cheap price of the provided services. Fortunately, students do not need to compromise quality of writing services. The company offers 100% refund to students who are to certain extent unhappy with their papers. Original papers written from scratch follow every client’s individual instructions. The website revision policy allows polishing papers to make sure they are error free and close to perfection.

Pricing : The prices are unprecedentedly low (the cheapest ones in the industry) – $4 per page for a high school essay with a reasonable deadline.

“I hope you will have more free features with your orders because it is not enough, some services offer more. But, your quality is the highest and you several times saved my life, and I will soon graduate from college. Thank you for my future!” – Marilyn W.

19. NinjaEssays.com

Just like true ninjas, essay writers from this service remain invisible but do their best to help you. Security and confidentiality are guaranteed. Therefore, nobody will ever know that your essay is based on research materials from an expert ninja writer. This service is professional and affordable at the same time. Furthermore, a flexible discount system can make your cooperation with this company even more pleasant.

Pricing : Prices are calculated, taking into account assignment type and deadline. The minimum price is $19.99 per page.

“Being a good student myself I just couldn’t crack the essay one professor assigned me, so I decided to buy essay from NinjaEssays. They delivered great essay fast and cheap. Good job.” – Bobby V.

“Usually all school paperworks I do myself. But once it happened that I had to use the services of this company. I was really impressed with quality and style. They do their job professionally.” – Carmen Allison

20. EssayBox.org

This reliable and legitimate essay writing service employs only native English speaking writers from the different corners of the world. The company offers a money back guarantee and 24/7 online support. With this company, students can be certain that third parties are never involved. Their personal info will never be shared with anyone, and their essays will never be resold in the future.

Pricing : Pricing ranges from $16 per page to $65 per page, depending upon academic level and deadline.

“I have been using EssayBox off and on for a couple years now, and I have yet to be disappointed. All of their writers are very professional and produce outstanding work. What ever you are wanting or needing, EssayBox will be able to get it done.” – Sloan B.

“60 pages of Masters in Thesis was excellent. Writer followed directives carefully and was very courteous, knowledgeable and reliable!” – Kyle Walden

Professional writing services do not work miracles, but they can make a whole world of difference for your academic career and even private life. To maximize effects of expert writing help, try to choose an effective and reputable writing company. In that regard, this list of top 20 legit essay writing services is enough for you to make an informed choice.

Related articles

• The 20 Best Assignment Writing Services
• The 20 Best Research Paper Writing Services
• The 20 Best Custom Writing Services
• The 20 Best Proofreading and Editing Services
• The 20 Best Dissertation Writing Services

A professional freelance web copywriter with several years’ experience in web marketing and SEO copywriting.

Other posts by Christina Walker

Comments (3)

Okay, that was a good review of those services. However, you forgot something very important, I’m afraid. This site https://essayoneday.com/ possesses a lot of value to many students seeking professional academic writing help. Make sure to include it to your list as well.

Thanks for your offer, we have researched this site and added it to list of top 20 essay writing services. It is a really good service.

If you are searching for best essay writing services so do not forget to check Essay Pro services which is the best leading academic assistance in USA.

Helping Writers Become Authors

Write your best story. Change your life. Astound the world.

• Start Here!
• Story Structure Database
• Outlining Your Novel
• Story Structure
• Character Arcs
• Archetypal Characters
• Scene Structure
• Common Writing Mistakes
• Storytelling According to Marvel
• K.M. Weiland Site

What Are the Best Places to Write? 15 Tips to Create the Perfect Writing Space

Of course, it doesn’t really work that way. Even though I’m a neatnik sort of person who enjoys interior decorating, my office experiences never quite look like the Pinterest version. There’s dust, there’s crumbs. Even worse, there are distractions. There’s, you know, the  Internet . And no matter where I write or how I design my writing space, there’s always the reality that writing isn’t actually all that glamorous.

But that’s good news, actually. The very fact that writing does not require a high-maintenance setting means we can, in fact, do it anywhere. As nice as a study lined with bookcases of leather-bound first editions might be, or a little desk on a porch overlooking a beach—these aren’t necessarily the best places to write for most of us. After all, the best  place to write is any place we actually  do write.

So how can you optimize  your writing space to help you get in the zone and stay in the zone? Colleen F. Janik brought this up recently:

I would love to hear a discussion of what the perfect writing area looks like, one that draws you there every single day. I have an office with a desk near the window, which I thought was perfect. But it’s not. I’ve made a very crafty, pretty memo board to put all my notes. That didn’t do it. I collected some great black and white World War I photos and had them framed and matted and put on my wall. That was good for a while.

I guess what it comes down to is that my characters become strangers to me and I am barred from entering the land where they dwell. How can I maintain that close relationship with these humans I so lovingly created?

Now, first of all, I’ll admit we can sometimes blame our external settings for writing blocks that are the result of other problems—whether personal issues like exhaustion or burnout , lack of motivation, or just good old plot block . But certainly our space can play a role.

Because I’ve experimented quite a bit with different writing spaces over the years, this topic immediately tickled my fancy. Today, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned in optimizing my own space.

TLDR: Honestly, my single biggest takeaway is going to be that what’s best on one day may not be best on the next day. Although it’s nice to have a dedicated writing space set up just how you like it, using your imagination to create flexible options might be the best solution.

5 Ingredients to Create Your Optimal Writing Space

Some writers can write anywhere. Some are particular. Some prefer silence. Others prefer background noise. There is no one perfect formula that suits all of us. But there are some common factors we can each consider in tweaking our available spaces to support us in our writing goals. Here are my top five.

(Please note that some of the links to recommended products are Amazon affiliate links.)

1. Optimal Lighting

Lighting is a powerhouse contributor to ambiance and mood. Consider whether you feel more inspired on bright, sunny days or gray, rainy days. Although you can’t do anything about the weather, you  can  recreate lighting patterns within your space by choosing bulb wattage and tone (warm or cool) to help you get into the right mood.

You need to be able to see what you’re doing and to protect your eye health. (At the same time, you might consider blue-light glasses or a blue-light filter for your computer to help with the glare.) The right desk lamp can make a huge difference in controlling writing spaces that otherwise offer limited options for change. Even just adding candles (preferably soy or beeswax to avoid air pollutants) can raise the vibe of your room and signal to your brain that it is now entering “writing space.”

If you can, you’ll also want to consider your proximity to a window. For a while, I had a desk that faced a gallery of windows. On the one hand, I loved it. But aside from the distracting squirrel that liked to dive-bomb off the roof, I also dealt with major glare for a few months in the early winter when the sun hit the windows just the wrong way. Depending on the orientation of the room, putting a window at your back can also be problematic, since the sun may then glare directly off your computer screen.

Lighting is crucial for creating the best places to write, but facing your desk to a window offers pros and cons to consider.

Desired degree of privacy is subjective. Some writers do their best work in crowded spaces, such as trains or restaurants. But if you get distracted easily or lose your train of thought when interrupted, you’ll probably do best in a closed-door environment where you can filter out visitors—or at least slow them down.

3. Visual and Auditory Control

Being able to control noise—both visual and auditory—can be important. Some writers prefer silence; some prefer music; some like the TV on in the background; some like people talking around them. Whatever the case, you want to be able to “turn it on” when you’re ready to write. Music has always been key for me. My brain is so used to hearing certain types of music when writing that I have a hard time dropping in without it.

Visual noise can also be important. Some writers thrive in cluttered spaces; others prefer clean minimalism. Either way, you’re looking for efficacy, not aesthetics. Although a Pinterest-worthy office can be gratifying, if it interferes with grounding in and writing , then it’s not worth it.

4. Comfort and Ergonomics

By the same token, value comfort over style. Make sure your desk, your chair, and your computer are the right size for your body and ergonomically placed. If your writing space looks great, but you hurt when you spend time there, you’ll end up writing in the living room or the kitchen instead—or, worse, not writing at all.

5. Availability of Tools and Resources

Finally, you’ll want a space that keeps all your most-used tools and resources at your fingertips. This might mean bookshelves or files. But it can also mean having all your files available on your computer or in the cloud, so you can access them easily without having to break your train of thought.

Set your writing space, so you have what you need within easy reach.

5 Ideas for Awesome Alternative Writing Spaces

The above ideas cover the standard writing space, the sort that usually comes to mind when we think of a writer’s office. But what if the “standard writing space” just isn’t working for you? What if, like Colleen (and me, on many an occasion), you show up at your optimized desk—and you just can’t settle in?

As much as I love a functional office, the following five alternative ideas are actually some of my favorite places to write. For me, they’re not feasible or even preferable all the time, but whenever they’re right, they’re  right . I’ve done some of my best writing by leaving behind my designated writing space.

1. Writing Outside

This is my all-time fave. When the weather isn’t too cold or too muggy, I like to take my writing into the wild. I’ll set up a little bistro tale outside, maybe on my front porch or maybe in a little nook in some trees, put my coffee in an insulated mug, and head out. I’ve written outside as late as November (with the help of gloves and a down vest), until my fingers got too cold to hold the pen.

One of the best places to write is… outside! I take my iPad with Scrivener notes, insulated coffee mug, outline notebook, and ergonomic pen —and I’m ready to go!

Being outside is both grounding and refreshing. I love being surrounded by trees and critters while I write, even if I’m not paying much attention. More than that, isolating myself from my normal life inside the house, including my office desk where I do “business stuff” and Internet connectivity in general, almost always sends me straight into story headspace.

Outlining Your Novel (Amazon affiliate link)

One thing I will note is that taking my writing outside has always worked best when outlining , since I do that in a notebook. When it’s time to work on the first draft, I’ve tried typing on various tools (see #4 below), but none of them are ergonomic enough to stave off back and neck pain.

2. Writing in the “Dark”

When the autumn nights get cold and long and I can’t sensibly take my writing outside any longer, my next best choice is to make my indoor writing space as dark as possible. I will often put on just a single light spotlighting my desk (or fairy lights) to create  a small cozy space. The sense that it’s just me and my writing existing in this little island of warmth helps me zoom in and focus.

3. Writing at a Dedicated Desk

This is one I haven’t yet been able to try, but it’s on my bucket list. Sooner or later, I need my computer in to be able write, whether it’s because I need an ergonomic setup for my keyboard or because I need access to all my notes. But because the computer also happens to be connected to the Internet, not to mention connected to all my other  notes (about business or personal stuff), it’s also the single greatest distraction to my writing.

This is why, at some point, I plan to create a second writing space with a smaller desk that is ergonomically favorable for writing by hand and a second computer that contains only writing programs and notes. The idea is not only to remove myself from all the other distractions at my work desk, but also to train my brain to recognize this dedicated space as  writing space (rather than a space for also checking email or blog comments, or browsing YouTube or Pinterest, or shopping for socks or toothpaste…).

4. Writing With Tools Other Than Your Regular Computer

Even when you don’t have the choice to create a writing space that is separate from the rest of your digital life, you can still distance yourself from all the distractions of your computer by utilizing other tools. This is one of the main reasons I enjoy writing my outlines longhand in a notebook. Even if my computer is within reach, the act of writing rather than typing puts a degree of separation between my mind and all the other things I could be doing on the computer.

I’ve also played around with digital typewriters, including the old AlphaSmart and the FreeWrite . The big drawback to both is that they aren’t particularly ergonomic. Even if you position the keyboard at an ideal height for your wrists, you still have to bend your neck to look down at the little screen. These tools can also be annoying when you’re trying to reread or edit what you wrote. I don’t use them frequently, but I’m glad to have them for those occasions when I either need a break from my computer and/or want to take my typing on the go.

5. Writing in Public

Finally, you may want to try taking your writing on the road with you. Writing in cafes and other public spaces is part of a long literary tradition. This isn’t my favorite approach, but I’ve tried it with success on several occasions when writing at home just wasn’t working for me and I needed a change of scenery. Earphones and the same tools I use when writing outside are all I need.

5 Tools to Help in Less Than Optimal Writing Settings

Not all of us get to write in those swoony offices/libraries on Pinterest. Even if we do have the chance to create a writing space that is exactly how we want it, we can sometimes find that, in fact, it isn’t as ideal as we imagined. So in the interest of #reallife, let’s round out the discussion with four simple tools that can help us block out distractions and zone in on our writing even in situations that are not the best places to write.

1. Sound-Proof Headphones

Can’t beat this one. Whether or not you’re into listening to music while writing, sound-proof headphones can be a WIP-saver. They’re also great for when you take your writing out in public because you want the company but not the noise.

2. Do-Not-Disturb Apps

If you find your greatest distraction when working on the computer is… the computer, any one of a host of do-not-disturb apps can help you create a writing-safe space  on  your computer. When writing, I always turn my phone to airplane mode and will often disable my Internet connectivity altogether (it’s off right now). I have previously used the app Freedom to schedule Internet blockages at certain times and from certain websites. Lately, I’ve been looking into Forest , which helps you track your progress, as well as giving you the incentive of real-life planted trees.

>>Click here to read  Creativity vs. Distraction: 13 Tips for Writers in the Age of the Internet

If your space is particularly limited and you’re unable to access privacy, you can always do it the old-fashioned way and find a corner. For me, putting myself in a small space is helpful in itself. Facing into the corner will also help block out visual disturbances (as well as cluing in others to the fact that you really don’t want to talk to them right now). Add in sound-proof headphones, and you may not even know you’re not alone.

Don’t have a corner handy? Grab your hoodie and blinker yourself from distractions. This isn’t foolproof, but it does give off those “leave me alone” vibes that come in handy for all writers sooner or later.

5. Flamethrower and Machete

Okay, just kidding (mostly). But my metaphorical flamethrower and machete (plus liberal threats) have always worked wonders for me.

Creating the best place to write will be an entirely subjective experience for each one of us. We each have to get real with ourselves about which elements help us write and which ones don’t . From there, we must work with what’s available to us in our personal spaces and immediate vicinity. The perfect writing space may vary day to day depending on your mood. What’s important is coming up with a suite of one to three feasible options you can easily slide into without much thought or preparation whenever it’s time to start writing.

Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! What are your best places to write? Tell me in the comments!

Click the “Play” button to Listen to Audio Version (or subscribe to the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast in Apple Podcast or Amazon Music ).

Love Helping Writers Become Authors? You can now become a patron. (Huge thanks to those of you who are already part of my Patreon family !)

Sign Up Today

Related Posts

K.M. Weiland is the award-winning and internationally-published author of the acclaimed writing guides Outlining Your Novel , Structuring Your Novel , and Creating Character Arcs . A native of western Nebraska, she writes historical and fantasy novels and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.

Great post! I definitely like my privacy when writing… I feel like it’s for my eyes only until I’m ready to let people read it. But the other day, I was stuck in a waiting room for a couple of hours, and I actually enjoyed writing there.

I also like to grab my notebook and curl up somewhere, whether on my bed or even on top of my desk (yes, I probably looked crazy, but there’s something about a different vantage point that gets the creative juices going). I’m not sure how much longer it’ll take before that desktop starts to feel awfully uncomfortable (I’m 17 so it’s not a problem right now).

Being an introvert, I think the parts about being in a corner and wearing a hoodie applies to more of my life than writing, so it’s safe to say I’m well versed in the art of looking non-approachable. (I also like corners at social gatherings because I can observe all the people and interactions while totally not looking like a creep.)

Yes, there’s nothing more distracting than knowing someone can read what you’re writing over your shoulder!

I agree that the place to write is most important, it must promote the right vibe. I’m a keen gardener so I love to write overlooking my garden and flowers provide the ambiance of peace for me, I relax and am capable of allowing my thoughts to come naturally without trying. I also have the dining table space for my laptop during evenings where the light over the table is the best place to be and for some reason I don’t want to be in isolation, alone in a small room, having the television quietly in the background, comfort is so important to be able to focus.

Hi K With a lap tray you can create a ‘desk’ for a laptop or tablet on any bed.

Oh, yes, this is a great addition!

A good, practical post for writers. I have tried many of these ideas. I have tried a variety of writing places, but always come back to my desk, my computer, and my (ergonomic) chair. I spent extra on the chair to get something highly adjustable so I could get it just right for my (aging) body.

I find warm light helpful especially helpful. I have a small lamp on one of the shelves on the wall the desk backs against.

Of course, I listen to music when writing. I choose upbeat music (e.g., Two Steps From Hell or Hidden Citizens) for extra energy or when writing an action scene, and quieter, ambient music (e.g., Ludovico Einaudi) for slower scenes. I have never tried soundproof headphones, but now that you’ve brought it up, I think I will.

Thanks for the post. Do good; be kind.

Totally second you on all three points. I spent a good deal of money on an ergonomic chair from Hermann Miller. So far it’s lasted me about a decade (and followed me through two moves and counting) and has been worth every penny.

When I write scenes, which take place in an airport, funeral home, diner, etc., I go to those places with notebook in hand. I spend time listening, sniffing for particular odors, studing people’s expressions, their tone, their clothing style, their moods, and any distracting sounds. Once I get the feeling, I jot notes. I may even pick out the attributes of one or two people to fashion my character around.

That’s a great idea. Of course, most of my stories are set in worlds that are not our own… But when I wrote my dieselpunk Storming , which is set in my Nebraska hometown in the 1920s, I had lots of fun rambling around and visiting settings in person.

One place to write is in “the prow of the house, where light breaks and the windows are tossed with linden,” (Richard Wilbur, The Writer). But that would probably be too distracting for me. My most productive time for writing was a four year period about ten years ago, when I was getting up at ten to five everyday to work on a bachelor degree in literature followed by a creative writing masters course. From 5am to around 8am, the world is quiet, the desk illuminated by one lamp, and I was never disturbed – I had strong black out curtains. It felt like the moment writing should be done, not doing the actions of living but meditating on living. Imaginatively, that moment after waking up sitting at the desk was like staring into a tranquil pond, everything slightly magnified and distorted but crystal clear, before my thoughts and mood became silted up by the currents of the day. Due to a back problem, I had a kneeling down chair, and this enabled me to lean over the desk more and use more of the desk space without actually having to reach forward. This allowed me to sustain the work for a longer. If I relaxed and leaned back I fell off, so I was always leaning slightly forward applied to the work. After the first three creative hours, I then went to work at my part-time job in admin, or did work on the computer typing up notes. It was tiring starting that early, but it was very satisfying. I cannot replicate this feeling of “writing in the dark” before I go to bed. In the morning my dreams are still lurking and although feeling sleepy, my energy levels are high after a night of sleep – in the evening I am just tired. Importantly it was a completely separate, relatively small, cheap sturdy desk in an alcove, with cork boards all around on the three enclosing walls, and a large piece of thick blotting paper, about A2 size, covering the desk and pinned with thumb tacks in the corners (yes pinned into the wood) – so I could scribble on it doodles and thoughts. When the sheet was full, I rolled it up and put a new one down. I could spill coffee on it and it didn’t matter. The whole space was brown and undecorated except by the yellow light of the desk lamp and the different colour doodles and post-it notes. When I put my pen down, it did not matter if I did not come back for two days. When I did, the pen was still there where I left it, nothing changed, I could pick up exactly where I left off. Since moving house, I have tried to maintain that, but the current house is quite small and although I have tried to create a dedicated writing space in the shed, I have not been able to establish a routine so am using my work desk in the house for writing. At the moment I take notes anywhere and enjoy sitting in the garden when warm enough, or in hotels on vacation, making notes, sometimes just making word paintings on what is happening, mostly notes on theme and plot, characters, dialogue, or ideas for poems that are inspired by what is happening – this is on small notebooks or my iphone or ipad mini (on the train) – I cannot seem to fix on one medium. For the “proper” sustained writing I have to be sitting at a desk in an isolated quiet space preferably without a view. The only music I can write to is instrumental Jazz, in hotel bars… anything with words or with a distinguishable rhythm throws me completely.

You raise a good point, in that timing is often as important as setting. As I mentioned in the post, I like writing in the “dark.” But timings are tricky, since I’m not a morning person and am usually too mentally spent to write by evening.

I have the desk, actually several desks. I have two rooms dedicated to writing and/or hobbies. Where do I get most of my writing done? Corner of the couch in the living room, laptop on lap. If it’s just a short scene, I’ll grab a cushion and plop the laptop on it. If it’s going to be any length of time, I use the lap desk. My “little voice” tells me that’s not the best for my back or neck. Never have all the tools I need…but it is still where I have my best writing sessions.

Hey, wherever the words flow, I say! 🙂

I’m still figuring out my best writing space, so these insights are giving me a wonderful way to work on that. Thanks for posting!

Hope you find the perfect spot!

Thanks for this post today. For me, the proverbial cafe is hands down the most productive place I write. Every time I sit in a Starbucks or similar coffee shop words tumble out. (Funny thing, I don’t drink coffee). The train is a close second. And the noise-canceling headphones are a must. Like you, music helps me zone-in. But I cannot write with a TV set playing. But you’ve inspired me to try the woods.

No, I hate the modern trend of TVs in restaurants and cafes. It’s so hard to look at anything else…

The Machete is the best. Works every time.

Hear, hear.

I quite enjoyed this post! It’s always fun for me to hear what other people have tried. The hoodie tip is wonderfully relatable.

I live (and work my 9-5) in a small space, so finding ways to make distinctions between the daily grind and writing has been a puzzle to work through.

Currently, I don’t use my work desk for writing, unless I’m reviewing edits. Aside from the discomfort of continuing to sit in the same spot where I have already spent most of the day, I have a hugely difficult time staying focused with a bright screen in front of me, to say nothing of the internet. Someday I hope I can have a dedicated writing space, but for now, I take my chunky little AlphaSmart to my couch, sit in a different spot than usual, and light a candle. Edits happen on paper first (though I’m looking into a dedicated e-ink tablet for this, so I don’t have to use so much paper), which helps minimize the time I’m obliged to spend on the computer.

My writing “office-in-bag” has been an effective exercise in making do with what I have, as well as choosing my tools very carefully, while still creating mental distinctions for writing.

Yes, since my “job” is maintaining this site and other related tasks, I work from home with basically no boundaries between “work” and “writing.” It has always been a challenge to carve out spaces and times that are specific to the fiction.

I once visited Dylan Thomas’s house in Wales. He had a little writing shed by the sea front where he could look out to the sea for inspiration. I would love to have something like that but I can only dream.

Sounds wonderful. Hope it had heat though!

I don’t think it did.

Ah well, time to crack out the gloves and coffee mug. 😀

My writing space is so perfect, a corner of my bedroom. I have a large window to my left facing east, filled with towering mountains, snow capped a good deal of the year. Another smaller window wraps around the corner and is on the wall my desk faces, but off to the left side of the desk so I’m not facing the glare. The windows are low, the bottom the same height of my desk, a beautiful view from both. They have shades to help when we have blue skies and blinding sunshine reflecting off a foot of snow like today. The mountains are always right there and in summer green grass and a rail fence. It’s a peaceful spot.

That sounds… perfect. 🙂

My personal experience is that obsessing over my writing space is a way to avoid the actual writing. If my writing space is good enough (even if far from perfect), and I’m motivated, I’ll write.

I’ve also tried disconnecting the internet during my writing time… funny thing is, it doesn’t make me write, if I’m looking for distraction to avoid the hard work of writing, I’ll distract myself without the internet. What I have found somewhat helpful is having a computer background just for writing. When I have that background on, I only allow myself to write, not do anything else on the computer.

Totally hear you on obsessing about the space being a procrastination technique. One thing I learned was that if I had a problem with my space, I needed to set aside time that was *not* writing time in order to address it.

Thank you for this inspiring, helpful post! It was so helpful to hear that you don’t always work in the same spot. That’s not necessary. I think I’m going to experiment more with lighting, like candles. Also, someone said mornings are best for him, and I tend to agree that I’m most inspired/productive early in the day. I have to admit that I do tend to use my writing space decorating as an excuse for not digging in and getting the book done. I tend to be creative in other areas, and the decorating part is so fun. I can see that you have found the ‘magic’ of creating the mood that transports you to that other world. I love this subject and think you could write an entire book on the subject—complete with great photos. You include some of these great comments that were shared here today. That would be so amazing.

Thank *you* for inspiring the post! 🙂

Privacy is definitely a must when it’s time to write. I have a lovely window, a small desk lamp, and whiteboard I scribble my ‘to do’ list on. It’s all great. However, the biggest distraction has got to be the Internet. Alas, its alluring glow has pulled me away from many important missions I tasked myself with, only to find I’ve wasted the whole hour. So, I use a timer. I set it to 15 min for ‘goof off’ time, and when the timer is done, its done–then it’s time to go to work.

Yes, the Internet–bless it–is a whole beehive of problems unto itself.

I have a Freewrite Traveler. I love it, but I do touch-type, so I don’t need to crane my neck to be able to look down at the screen. 🙂

I touch type as well, but I make a mess if I can’t correct as I go. :p

I love writing a first draft long hand, outdoors among nature, not caring how many mistakes I make. Later indoors I can do any editing on computer. For me the two don’t mix very well. For a while I tried working by laptop outdoors but it’s hard to concentrate on revision when you’re being bothered by flies and mosquitoes! Then you have to worry about battery power/ screen lighting and unexpected error: your file’s gone – computers ruin the experience of being outdoors, for me anyway.

Yes, there is definitely the potential of way more distractions outdoors. It doesn’t work year-round for me, for sure.

Re computer light: Make sure you set your screen resolution to 1280×720. I was getting headaches all the time before I did that and couldn’t work for more than a couple hours at a time.

If you live in a household where you can afford it, having a second computer for writing that you don’t hook up to the internet helps a lot too. It also makes me feel safer knowing there’s no risk of losing anything to viruses or hacking.

My favorite thing to do for working in public is go to a library. College libraries are the best because they’re filled with people working on assignments or studying, which can be motivating and help keep you on task. And their research materials are usually dryer so they aren’t as much of a temptation. (Bonus points if they use the Library Of Congress system, which is so impossible to navigate when you’re used to a public library that you can restrain yourself from going to your favorite sections!)

Ah, yes, that reminds me that I have actually written in libraries as well. And I agree, it’s a great atmosphere.

I have decamped to the living room for winter, though it’s not ideal it is warm. Much better when the man is out at work. I am new to the writing game 4 years, though have been writing poetry most of my life – work always got in the way and I never thought of myself as a writer. I have an atalier (studio) and have been painting also most of my life, but I cannot paint at the moment – carpal tunnel sydrome – recent op., though I can still type of a fashion.. I tend to hand write when I’m stuck – I can touch type faster than I can write – so handwrting tends to slow me down to think things through. I have not yet mastered the ‘outline’ and tend to have my characters lead me, they too develop when I throw something at them, though I normally have some idea of their morals lifestyle etc.. I suppose I’m lucky in that I can write almost anywhere at home. I cannot write in bars or cafes, but I can observe and squirrel away little affectations at the back of my mind and note it down either there or when I get home. I did a writing course about 4 years ago and someone gave me your site address – I have learned so much from you (and still am learning). and would just like to say a big thank you.

Warm is always ideal, IMO. 😉 Great to hear you’re enjoying the site!

We just bought a house in Germany and I am fortunate to have my own office now. I have space enough for my computer desk on one side, and I have a smaller writing desk under the window. I still like to write with pen and paper and I find that is sometimes easier for me when working on my character’s background and details.

I used to struggle with internet distractions when writing on my Mac. I allow myself three hours in the morning to take care of anything online. I use Apple’s focus modes in macOS to turn off distractions when I launch Scrivener, Omni Outliner, and EndNote. I do the same on my iPhone. I find that helps and still gives me the option to research online if I need to.

Congrats on the move! And, yes, I love options that let me distract myself from distractions. The trouble is I can always turn things back on. 😉

Using a fountain pen and paper releases my creative instincts like yours. No batteries, no cords, no distractions. Just keep a stack of blank writing paper handy, number and date every page, and not the book to which it belongs.

I do not live in Germany, but in the foothills of Colorado, where I look at the mountains all of every day—a good alternative.

What a wonderful post and I love all the comments too. I am going to have to try to write in scene places for inspiration next! My preferred places to write are either: the recliner at home perched with legs crossed, or in the corner of a Starbucks with breaks to people watch.

I get too distracted people watching. I have to do that in its own time!

Mrs Weiland, You mentioned that what on one day is a great place to write, might not be the best place tomorrow. Myself (my opinion), I like routine. To write in an unfamiliar place is very distracting to me and I have a problem concentrating. Different atmosphere, sounds, aesthetics, table and placement, and etc. I write in a favorite coffee shop across the freeway in Albany, Oregon. It is Allanns Coffee. They have a quaint little shop in front called the Beanery. I love it there and go there every day. The shop is huge and not many people go there. (Why, I have no idea.) I find that if there are too many differences in the environment, I spend more time daydreaming those differences than writing. Does that make any sense. Of course, that’s just me. There are probably a thousand people who disagree, and that’s OK. I enjoy your blogs and knowledge. Keep writing.

I’m totally a routine person, and generally speaking I do best when I’m in the same environment every day. But in struggling with massive writer’s block these last few years, in addition to moving twice and having to create new routines in new spaces, I found that what always used to work wasn’t working anymore. I had to get creative there for a while.

Lighting is a must, kind of. My best space during the day is a small room with windows facing north and west. I need a desk lamp to focus on the page. Being on the north side in Colorado, an electric heater is comfortable on cold days.

Privacy is plus and minus. I like to write uninterrupted and arise at four o’clock in the morning before my wife and dog. The fresh mind and results of subconscious development over night flow creatively in a gush. If I am in a location near a TV, my mind is shattered. The demanding programming and sound modifications to grab our attention is destructive in the extreme. I can write well in a restaurant with activity as long as I do not need to interact with people. I worked in an office in a cubicle too long.

I can handle clutter but when there are no distractions, visual or auditory, my mind eventually throws off the shackles and ventures into creative, unexplored spaces. I find Indian drums and flutes playing in the background are compelling but not attention stealing. Quiet good music helps at times, but I have been a musician and anything too gripping pulls me away like the internet does.

Case in point—this post.

Comfort helps. Resources available help, although most of my historical fiction research is Internet-based. Paper drafts, diagrams, and other hard copies are organized into labeled white notebooks.

Places. Many are good, but I usually need more time writing that I can allow outside. I write notes in the dark with a lighted pen that does not disturb my wife. I built a small desk just like Kate’s. I put nothing on it except pen and paper, and reluctantly a laptop occasionally. The surface proclaims “Write on Me”.

Other tools are first, a portable digital voice recorder. I dictate on hikes, in the car, at the gym, and in a comfy chair at home. I use Dragon 15.6 to transcribe the recordings into text. I sometimes dictate directly to the computer or correct manuscripts as well.

No other tools.

Too long a post, I am sure. Thanks to any one reading this far.

I know some people who write best with background noise, like a TV. But I’m like you: I can’t concentrate if there is too much going on around me.

I use Cold Turkey as an internet blocker I have the premium which is a one time expense and enables me to set a sophisticated schedule. I tie a scarf around the door handle when I’m not to be disturbed and I hog the living room in my apartment. My desk is there. I don’t write in the bedroom because my partner needs to use the bedroom, but he doesn’t need to use the living room in the day time. In the past going to resorts out of season (like in ‘the Shining’ mwah ha ha!) has proved to be a good way to write on the cheap. Although I usually choose the mediterranean not ski resorts. A little bit of boredom can be a help when writing. So resorts should be beautiful but boring. Neil Gaiman’s advice is gold. you can write, you can stare but you can’t do anything else.

Haven’t heard of Cold Turkey before. I will have to check it out.

I prefer ambient sounds to music. for some reason the best thing for me is thunderstorms (ocean sounds have a tendency to make me start thinking about what the ideal beach cabin would be- no good at all).

Ah, rainstorms are the best!

I’m thinking of experimenting with dictation onto a windows tablet running Word software which has a speech to text function. there are some walking paths near my home that might be suitable for this, isolated enough to be able to dictate for reasonable spells without being overheard, as I’m self conscious. I’ve got good headphones for it. I might try to jig up something so that I can hang the tablet so that it will sit comfortably 90 degrees to my chest so that I can check that it is doing the speech to text translation sufficiently well. It works holding the tablet in my hands.

I’ve played around with dictation, but never felt comfortable enough that the thoughts just flowed.

Here is what is working for me. I dictate on hikes, in the car, restaurants (a little but it can bother other people). I transcribe to LibreOffice Writer or MS Word. Sony digital voice recorder – ICD-PX470 Sony microphone for recorder – ECMCS3 Lavalier Dragon Dictation Software – https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html (expensive but works well.) Individual Professional is what you want because it transcribes recordings. The Home edition does not transcribe wav or MP3 recordings.

Thanks for including specific tools. I know lots of people find that helpful.

Great Post. I’m already prescribed to you so how do I get the free ebook ? I thoroughly enjoyed reading the post and the comments were the icing on the cake.

Tanya, you can email me here, and I’ll make sure you get it: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/contact/

Parking lot of a grocery store or shopping mall. You still have privacy but also the theatrics of human life. Not ideal for long periods of writing, but if you just want a weird space for a short period, parking lots. For me, they spawn a lot of goofy ideas, then I can do my shopping.

Multi-tasking–I like it! 😀

I have two different types of writing desks ten feet apart. The smaller one is dedicated to reading and scrawling; the larger one, with the roll top, is for typing, using an ergonomic keyboard.

My late father wrote thousands of missives on each of these desks, often by hand, using his trademark blue paper. He never published the novels he once envisioned, nor even his memoirs. But he left his desks to me.

Troy Thompson

I have written in many spaces. Sometimes on late shift at work when the only thing you hear is the fans blowing. A white noise takes over and can put you to sleep if you are not careful. I have taken my laptop to the park but it has to be quite there for me to get anything done. In my house at my desk with head phones playing music that suites the book I am working on. I fall into a state where I am alone. The noise around me disappears into that white noise and the world I live in folds up and my fantasy world unwraps itself.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Novel Outlining
• Storytelling Lessons From Marvel

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Write Your Best Book

Check out my latest novel!

( affiliate link )

Free E-Book

Subscribe to Blog Updates

Subscribe to blog posts rss, sign up for k.m. weiland’s e-letter and get a free e-book, love helping writers become authors.

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2016 · Helping Writers Become Authors · Built by Varick Design

Buy college papers online

Elevate your grades with our effortless help

Offload your college papers to our pristine writers and get an A-level work before your deadline.

Trusted by 1,5M+ happy customers

Our team of skilled academic writers

Our genuine experts are ready to tackle your most intricate college paper requests. Submit your order and get assistance from well-versed writers boasting 3+ years of experience.

Key benefits of our academic assistance

Round-the-clock support.

Our customer support team is here for you 24/7/365. We're ready to provide quality support whenever you need it.

Your confidentiality safeguarded

Your privacy matters to us. That's why we've adopted strict confidentiality policies and encrypted our platform. With EssayPro, your anonymity is bulletproof.

Assistance from top-tier writers

We meticulously select the most adept writers to cater to your college paper needs. Well-versed in various disciplines and citation styles, our pros can deliver an A-worthy paper for you.

On-the-dot delivery & urgent help

Need to buy your college paper ASAP? We've got you covered! Our pros can craft a short paper in under 3 hours at any time of day or night.

Buy papers for college in 3 easy steps

Share your paper guidelines.

Complete the order form to get started. Add all the necessary info about your paper and attach detailed instructions from your professor for maximum precision.

Choose your pro & track the progress

Browse our vast catalog of pristine academic professionals and pick the most suitable expert to ace your paper. Monitor your helper's progress and contact them via our encrypted chat.

Receive your finalized paper

Receive your finalized paper via email. Check out your work and ask for revisions. We offer free edits for 30 days after your paper is completed.

Why do students choose our service? Hear from our customers!

Check out these unbiased reviews and find out what your peers think about our services.

Frequently asked questions

Can i buy college papers online without any repercussions, how do you safeguard my privacy, what makes your platform the go-to choice for students, do you offer any discounts, buy college papers written by skilled academic authors.

Do you want to get a stress-free college experience? Are you weary of mundane assignments and thinking, "Where can I hire someone to write a paper for me?" Then, EssayPro is your go-to choice!

We help students alleviate their academic worries and boost their performance without extra effort. Offload your college paper to one of our adept writers and forget about the painstaking hours spent on research, formatting, and crafting your assignments.

At EssayPro, you can buy college papers regardless of your major, level of study, or the intricacy of your assignment. We've gathered a large team of carefully vetted academic professionals to handle your essays, research papers, term papers, dissertations, and much more. With 3+ years of relevant background and vast knowledge of their field of study, our pros can craft a remarkable academic piece that aligns with your university's standards.

On top of that, our professionals have advanced degrees from top-class universities. Some of our experts are even working college professors. So, when it comes to formatting and referencing, they provide unrivaled support. Whether your paper requires MLA, APA, or Chicago citation, we can handle it all.

Entrust your assignment to our pros and never worry about a thing!

Why should I entrust my college papers to EssayPro?

Thousands of students rely on us for high-quality assistance with their assignments. We help every one of our customers to grow academically without extra stress and effort. What's our secret? A decade-long experience and a combination of unique benefits.

When you place an order at EssayPro, you get an A-worthy academic piece tailored to your needs and a plethora of other perks:

• A team of skilled writers. Whether you need to buy research paper online or are looking to buy term paper , our pros can handle it all! Our well-versed authors specialize in various disciplines and can tackle any assignment.
• ‍ Strict adherence to deadlines. We guarantee timely delivery even if your deadline is just 3 hours.
• ‍ Round-the-clock support. Contact our friendly customer service at any time.
• ‍ Full anonymity. No one will find out about our collaboration.
• ‍ Unlimited revisions. Ask for free edits for the whole 30 days after paper completion.
• ‍ Seamless orders. Place your paper request in just a few minutes.

Ask for our academic help today and check out these perks yourself!

Buy a paper for college and never worry about plagiarism

Are you worried about the originality of your paper? Looking to buy cheap college papers online without compromising on quality? EssayPro has a perfect solution for you. Request our professional help with an authenticity guarantee.

To eliminate any plagiarism threats, we meticulously select our writing staff. Each and every one of our experts is a true master of their craft who underwent a multi-step testing process. This rigorous vetting process allows us to ensure 100% originality and A-level quality of all content we deliver.

When crafting your papers from scratch, our writers consult only credible sources, including limited-access databases. All content is also well-structured, properly formatted, and is based on in-depth research. We also run every paper through plagiarism detectors to ensure maximum authenticity.

On top of that, we provide a detailed originality report with every paper we hand out. You can request a copy of this similarity check absolutely free of charge.

Choose EssayPro to buy college essay and get premium-class academic assistance and guaranteed originality.

Buy college papers from adept writers

Our college essay writing service is a perfect solution to all your academic problems. Whether you're an undergraduate or a Ph.D. student, we'll match you with a professional wordsmiths who'll meet all your essay needs.

We house an extensive team of professional academic writers with rich backgrounds in their fields of study. All of our experts are native English speakers who have been crafting well-structured academic pieces for 3+ years. Moreover, our pros hold advanced degrees, including Ph.D. certificates. This way, we can provide top-class academic support to every learner in need.

Our helpers can tackle a vast array of assignments on various topics. Whether you need a classic essay for your marketing class, a literature review, or a research paper on biology, we've got your back. Our pristine experts can even craft a term paper or a Ph.D. dissertation upon your request.

Each paper is crafted from scratch by a genuine expert in their particular subject. To ensure maximum precision and mimic your unique writing style, our helpers pros study your instructions and sample works. Our experts also conduct thorough research using verified sources and format your paper according to your university's standards.

Take advantage of our expertise today and place an order on our website!

After weeks of deliberating over the right words and fine-tuning your creative nonfiction piece , you’re ready to begin submitting to literary nonfiction journals. The only problem is finding the right home for your creative nonfiction submission. What journals or literary nonfiction magazines should you prioritize submitting your work to?

Find your answer here: we’ve searched the net for great creative nonfiction journals, and any of the following 24 publications is a wonderful home for creative nonfiction—guaranteed.

If you’re looking to submit multiple genres of work, take a look at the best places to submit poetry and the best places to submit fiction , too!

24 Creative Nonfiction Magazines to Submit To

Just like our other guides on the best literary journals to submit to, we’ve divided this article into three different categories:

• Great journals to secure your first publications in
• Competitive journals for writers with previous publications
• High-tier creative nonfiction journals at the summit of publishing

Any publication in the following 24 journals is sure to jumpstart your literary career. So, let’s explore the best nonfiction magazines and journals!

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: Great First Publications

The following eight journals sponsor creative nonfiction from both emerging and established writers, making them great opportunities for writers in any stage of their journey.

1. Sundog Lit

Sundog Lit loves the weird and experimental, and it regularly seeks innovative nonfiction for its biannual journal. All submitted works should be well-researched and play with both form and content. Submit your hybrid content to this great creative nonfiction journal!

2. River Teeth Journal

River Teeth Journal specializes in narrative nonfiction. The journal operates with the motto “Good Writing Counts and Facts Matter,” which captures their preference for well-researched and thoughtfully composed CNF. Literary nonfiction submissions are open twice a year, typically between September and May.

3. Atticus Review

Atticus Review posts daily nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. They publish work that is unabashed and resilient, finding hope in even the toughest of situations. All published works after September 19th, 2020 receive a $10 award from this creative nonfiction journal!

4. Barren Magazine

Barren Magazine publishes nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and photography, preferring works with grit and muster. Each publication of this creative nonfiction magazine includes prompts: for their 17th issue, the prompts are “unorthodox, sensational, kinetic, quixotic, & transcendent.”

5. The Offing

The editors at The Offing look for work that’s innovative, genre-bending, and challenges conventions. The Offing is especially keen to support both new and established authors, making them a welcome home for your creative nonfiction submissions.

6. Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse sponsors emerging and diverse voices in its biannual publication. Submissions for this journal remain open between September and May, and they typically range between 2,500 and 5,000 words. This is a great literary journal to submit to for writers of all styles and narratives!

7. Dogwood: a Journal of Poetry and Prose

Dogwood is a journal of poetry and prose based out of Fairfield University. This annual publication only opens for submissions in the Fall, and each edition includes prizes for top pieces. Literary nonfiction from all walks of life are welcome here.

8. Montana Mouthful

Straight out of the Treasure State, Montana Mouthful seeks “just a mouthful” of fiction and nonfiction. Creative nonfiction submissions should not exceed 2,000 words but should still deliver a cogent, memorable story.

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: Reputable Literary Journals to Submit To

The following literary magazines and creative nonfiction journals can be tough competition, but with a few previous publications under your belt and a special story ready for print, the following journals could jumpstart your literary career. All of these journals have fantastic literary nonfiction examples!

9. Conjunctions

Conjunctions publishes daring works of poetry and prose, living by its motto to “Read Dangerously!” Submitted works should provoke, excite, and linger with the reader. Conjunctions publishes both a biannual magazine and a weekly online journal, both of which house fantastic literary journalism.

10. Black Warrior Review

Black Warrior Review is a biannual literary journal run by the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. This Whiting Awarded journal nurtures groundbreaking literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, with many of its authors going on to win Pushcarts and Best of the Net prizes!

11. Hippocampus

Hippocampus Magazine is one of the best creative nonfiction magazines out there, as it focuses solely on the publication of personal essays and nonfiction stories. Their strictly digital publication is highly literary and has many great creative nonfiction examples and pieces. Despite being a highly competitive journal, both new and emerging writers can find a home at Hippocampus .

12. American Literary Review

The American Literary Review , run out of the University of North Texas, publishes engaging and precise stories and poetry. The journal is currently on hiatus, but read some of its back issues and you’ll understand why it’s a great literary journal to submit to.

13. Fourth Genre

Fourth Genre is a biannual creative nonfiction journal published through Michigan State University. The journal amplifies diverse and powerful voices, seeking stories that are refreshing, earnest, and imaginative. Fourth Genre only publishes nonfiction, so read its back issues for some great creative nonfiction examples!

14. The Cincinnati Review

The Cincinnati Review is interested in literary nonfiction that can “knock your socks off.” Submissions for personal essays are open between September and January; writers can also submit flash nonfiction year-round to its miCRo series.

15. Creative Nonfiction

“True stories, well told” is the motto of Creative Nonfiction , the aptly-named journal of all things CNF. Creative Nonfiction celebrates a diverse range of voices and experiences, championing both new and established essayists. Between its literary publications and its creative nonfiction blog, writers can learn a lot from this journal. Send your creative nonfiction submissions to Creative Nonfiction !

16. Witness

Witness publishes prose and poetry that examines and analyzes the modern day. They seek stories about modern issues and events, often publishing bold and eclectic takes on serious issues. Witness is a more politically-oriented journal, making it a leader in contemporary literary journalism.

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: The Summit of Literary Nonfiction

The following journals are notoriously difficult to publish in, as writers often have to have a name built for themselves in the literary world. Nonetheless, the following publications exist at the summit of CNF, so keep these publications on your radar as top literary journals to submit to.

AGNI , a highly literary publication run at Boston University, publishes fiery, transformative prose and poetry. Creative nonfiction submissions should be polished, inventive, and highly original. Be sure to read their previous publications for an idea of what they look for!

18. The Atlantic

The Atlantic is well-respected for its literary journalism, making it a premier publisher of creative nonfiction. Though many of its published pieces are solicited, The Atlantic is always looking for fresh, bold stories and poetry, so it’s a premier place for nonfiction magazine submissions.

Salon does not present itself as a creative nonfiction journal, but many of its previous magazine issues are highly literary in nature, examining current issues with a sharp, educated lens. If you have nonfiction stories that are both personal and global in nature, Salon accepts queries for articles and editorials, so check them out!

20. The Antioch Review

The Antioch Review is a real page-turner, as their past publications can attest to. This highly literary journal publishes fantastic prose and poetry, and if you have a creative nonfiction piece that’s riveting and influential, The Antioch Review is looking for your creative nonfiction submissions.

21. The Colorado Review

The Colorado Review is a tri-annual publication steeped in history, with original issues featuring poetry and prose from Langston Hughes, E. E. Cummings, Henry Miller, etc. The journal is committed to contemporary literature, seeking voices that are transformative and capture today’s (or tomorrow’s) zeitgeist. The Colorado Review is a fantastic space for literary journalism and will certainly welcome your creative nonfiction.

22. The Virginia Quarterly

The Virginia Quarterly publishes a wide array of literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, promising both ample readership and ample pay. VQR seeks inventive and imaginative stories, and it accepts both personal essays and nonfiction pieces on literary and cultural criticism. Submissions are generally open in July, but keep tuned for any special announcements or brief reading periods!

23. New England Review

New England Review is a quarterly publication of all things literary. The journal is dedicated to publishing both emerging and established voices, though it remains a highly competitive journal for creative nonfiction. NER is a great literary journal to submit to for stories that are engaged, critical, and sparkling.

24. North American Review

The North American Review is the oldest literary magazine in the United States. Since its inception in 1815, it remains one of the best nonfiction magazines to submit to, publishing strong literary voices with imaginative story arcs and moving messages. Nonfiction magazine submissions at North American Review are always spectacular—go check them out!

Tips for Publishing Your Creative Nonfiction Submissions

“How do I get my nonfiction published with so many other voices in the room?” This is a question we hear often, and as writers in the modern day, we can’t help but notice how diverse the publishing world is, and how everything “has already been written.” How can you make sure your story gets published in the right creative nonfiction magazines?

Of course, no story is guaranteed publication, but if you’ve written an earnest, sparkling story with grit, character, and truth, then the right literary journals to submit to are in this list. Additionally, you can boost your chances of success with the following publishing tips:

Start With a Powerful Title

Your creative nonfiction submissions should draw the reader in right away, which means starting with an attention-grabbing title. Your title could be a singular and obscure word, or it could be a long description, or anything in-between—the goal is to stand out while representing your story faithfully.

Here are some great titles we saw from a brief glance at the literary nonfiction examples from Hippocampus :

• Bar Bathroom Graffiti in New Orleans: A One Year Catalog by Kirsten Reneau
• Necrokedeia for Children by Mark Hall
• Ford Motor Company Tells Me About Perseverance by Alexis Annunziata

These titles give you an idea about the story itself while also drawing you in with wit, humor, or obscurity. Literary editors have thousands of stories to read each year; give them something to notice so you can stand out among the rest!

Follow the Creative Nonfiction Journal’s Formatting Guidelines

A surefire way to receive rejections on your literary nonfiction is to ignore the formatting guidelines. Each journal has its own requirements, though they often align with MLA formatting requirements, but be sure you follow the journal’s instructions faithfully, or else they may discard your submission without even reading it.

Read the Creative Nonfiction Magazine’s Past Issues

The 24 publications mentioned in this article are some of the best nonfiction magazines in the world, in part because they adhere so strongly to their tastes and preferences. As such, no two journals are alike, and each publication has its own expectations for the nonfiction they read and publish. Before you submit your creative nonfiction, be sure to read some past publications and gauge whether your essay will fit in with the journal’s literary tastes.

Keep Track of Your Submissions

Many creative nonfiction journals allow simultaneous submissions, meaning you can submit the same piece to multiple journals. However, if one journal accepts your work, you need to notify the other journals that it has been accepted and is no longer available for consideration.

Keeping track of your creative nonfiction submissions in a spreadsheet or personal organizer is essential: if multiple journals publish your story, it could harm your chances of getting published in the future.

Aim High—But Not Too High

Your personal essay deserves to be read, but if you’re only submitting to journals like VQR or The Atlantic, it might never see the light of day. Part of the publishing process means building your publication history and portfolio.

Your literary journalism will one day get published in Salon or the New York Times, but until then, focus on getting recognized in smaller and medium sized journals—and don’t let rejections bring you down, because it’s only up from here!

Fine-Tune Your Creative Nonfiction Submissions with Writers.com

Looking for extra help on writing your personal essay, lyric essay, or hybrid nonfiction piece? The instructors at Writers.com are ready to assist you. Gain valuable insight and diverse perspectives on your nonfiction stories before submitting them to the 24 creative nonfiction magazines we’ve listed.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Sean Glatch

This is a very well written, informative and inclusive article, and I will follow up. The art piece is wonderful.

Here is another market that pays authors https://www.authormag.com/paying-market/

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Urban Book Publishers: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

Urban Book Publishers: Philip Roth: The Biography

Urban Book Publishers: The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country

Urban Book Publishers: The Midnight Library: A Novel

Urban Book Publishers: Eight Hundred Grapes

Urban Book Publishers: The Hate U Give

Urban Book Publishers: The Lost Apothecary: A Novel

Urban Book Publishers: Good Company: A Novel

• Let's Get Started
• Book Writing
• Ghost Writing
• Book Marketing
• Autobiography & Memoir
• Ebook Writing
• Book Editing
• Author Website
• Book Video Trailer
• Article Writing/Publication
• Book Publishing
• Book Cover Design
• Custom Book Illustration
• Professional Audio Book

The Writer’s Journey: Where To Publish Personal Essays

Table of contents:, 1. what is a personal essay , 2. key features of personal essays:, authenticity: , individual perspective: , emotional connection: , 3. how to write a personal essay, choosing a topic: , organizing your thoughts: , adding details: , being honest: , 4. where can you publish personal essays, online literary magazines: , writing communities and blogs: , newspaper and magazine op-ed sections: , literary anthologies and essay collections: , online writing contests: , specialized niche websites: , 5. guidelines for submission:, 6. reading submission guidelines:, word count: , formatting requirements: , theme or topic preferences: , submission method: , rights and originality: , 7. craft an engaging title and introduction:, 8. polishing your essay:, proofreading: , clarity and coherence: , conciseness: , 9. originality and avoiding plagiarism:, 10. adhering to ethics and sensitivity:, 11. submission process and follow-up:, key concepts and profound details, conclusion:.

Just Press Play To Hear The Piece.

While no one can deny the power of personal essays, there are many reasons why you might be looking for a place to publish your own. You may have been asked to submit an essay to a contest or publication and want to know if it meets their standards, or maybe you’re just hoping to get some feedback on your latest writing project.

Whatever your reason is for Essay Publishing, book publishers New York  got you covered! Keep reading for information on where to publish personal essays and what they look like.

Personal essays are a great way for individuals to express their thoughts, experiences, and opinions on a personal topic. Whether a lighthearted tale or a heartfelt reflection, these essays give readers a glimpse into the writer’s mind and emotions.

To ensure that your essay is impactful and engaging, it can be beneficial to seek professional assistance. Ghostwriting services can help you bring your ideas to life and create a well-crafted essay that resonates with your readers. These services enable you to collaborate with an experienced writer who can transform your thoughts into clear and engaging prose.

Moreover, proofreading services can play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of your essay. These services involve meticulously reviewing your essay to identify and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Additionally, professional proofreaders can offer valuable feedback on the overall clarity, structure, and coherence of your writing.

It’s important to find your unique voice and share your personal experiences with the reader when it comes to personal essays. However, don’t underestimate professional assistance’s impact on the final result. 

When writing a personal essay, make sure that the following key features are included in it

Personal essays are all about being true to yourself. You can be honest and authentic, sharing your genuine feelings and experiences.

Each personal essay is unique because it comes from your viewpoint. It’s your chance to share what matters and how you see the world.

These essays often aim to connect with readers emotionally. Whether it’s joy, sadness, excitement, or contemplation, personal essays can evoke various emotions in readers.

By understanding and emphasizing the key features of personal essays, writers can craft compelling pitches to attract publishers’ attention. Pitching to publishers opens doors for personal essays to be published, shared, and appreciated by a wider readership, creating opportunities for meaningful connections and impact.

For Essay Publishing, you first need to know how to write it. Here is how you can write a personal essay in a few steps:

Select a topic, akin to finding a book title by its plot, that is meaningful to you…

. It could be a personal story, an idea, or an experience you want to share. 

Plan how you want to present your story. Consider the beginning, middle, and end of your essay. You also need to plan on formatting for publishing according to the requirements of where you want to publish. When you think through all of this, the process of writing an essay further can be easy.

Use descriptive language, as detailed in how a writer can edit a narrative , to paint a vivid picture for your readers. Include sensory details to make your essay more engaging.

Be true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to share your true feelings and experiences, even if they might feel vulnerable.

When it comes to sharing your work with the world, finding the right platform is crucial. Here are various places where you can consider sharing your stories:

These websites are like treasure troves of interesting content. Places such as “The Sun Magazine,” “Tin House,” and “Narratively” love personal essays. 

They’re on the lookout for captivating stories that touch the hearts of their readers. These platforms aim to collect different perspectives and thoughts, making them perfect for your essays.

Websites like “Medium” and “WordPress” offer spaces for writers for Essay Publishing. They provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your work to a broad audience. 

Additionally, Medium has a Partner Program that could reward you based on how much people enjoy reading your essays.

Consider sharing your essays with the opinion sections of well-known newspapers like “The New York Times,” “The Guardian,” or “The Washington Post.”

These places have lots of readers and discussions. Contributing here allows you to be part of important conversations happening in society.

Some organizations create collections of essays on particular themes. Submitting your work to these collections can get your essays published in print or online, giving you exposure to a wider audience.

Writing contests hosted by websites like “Writer’s Digest”  and “The Writer Magazine” are great avenues for getting your essays noticed. 

These contests often have different themes and offer prizes, making them an exciting way to share your stories.

Depending on the topic of your essay, there are websites dedicated to specific interests. Whether about travel, parenting, mental health, or lifestyle, these platforms cater to diverse topics, providing a perfect space for your unique stories.

Submitting your essays to different platforms requires attention to specific publishing contracts , guides and practices. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to help you ace the submission process:

Before submitting, carefully read and understand the submission guidelines and publisher-author relations of the platform you’re interested in. 

Each platform has its own set of rules, preferences, and expectations for submissions. Pay close attention to details such as:

Ensure your essay meets the specified word count requirements. Some platforms might have a specific range they prefer.

Check for specific formatting guidelines, such as font size, spacing, or file format (e.g., .docx, .pdf).

Some platforms might have themes or topics they’re particularly interested in. Align your essay’s subject matter accordingly.

Note whether submissions are accepted via email, online forms, or submission portals. Follow the specified submission procedure.

Understand the platform’s policies regarding ownership of the content. Ensure your essay is original and not previously published elsewhere.

Capturing the attention of editors or readers starts with an enticing title and introduction. Craft a title, similar to how you’d write a thank you note , that reflects the essence of your essay and compels the reader to delve deeper. 

Your introduction should be engaging, drawing in the audience and setting the tone for the rest of the essay.

Editing and revising your essay are crucial steps before submission. Ensure your writing is clear, concise, and error-free. Here are some tips:

Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues. Consider using grammar-checking tools or seeking assistance from a trusted proofreader.

Ensure your ideas flow logically and are presented coherently. Avoid overly complex sentences or jargon that might hinder readability.

Eliminate unnecessary details or repetitive information. Keep your essay focused on its central theme or message.

Maintain the authenticity of your work by ensuring it is entirely original. Avoid plagiarism by attributing sources correctly if using external references or quotes. Plagiarism can severely impact the credibility of your submission.

Be mindful of sensitive topics or personal information shared in your essay. Respect the privacy of the individuals mentioned and adhere to ethical considerations. Ensure your content does not harm or offend any particular group or individual.

Follow the platform’s submission instructions meticulously. Submit your essay within the specified timeframe, if provided. After submission, be patient. Responses may take time. If allowed, follow up politely if you haven’t received a response within the expected timeframe.

The world of personal essays offers a myriad of opportunities for aspiring writers. From online journals to renowned newspapers, the options are vast. Selecting the right platform involves understanding your essay’s theme, audience, and aspirations as a writer. 

Authenticity, clarity, and adherence to submission guidelines are paramount for Essay Publishing. Lastly, embracing your unique voice makes your essays resonate with readers across the globe.

limited Time offer

50% off on all services.

REDEEM YOUR COUPON: UBP50

Recommended Blogs

Navigating the world of publishing contracts: what authors need to know, 15 best hunting books in 2024: every hunter must read, book publishing trends in 2024, ready to share your story with the world.

Take the next step in your publishing journey and turn your manuscript into a published book.

Get In-depth Consultation Today! Connect Now for Comprehensive Book Publishing Support!

Black friday sign up now to get 50% discount, new year sale sign up now to get 50% discount, signup now to avail the 50% discount offer get a free consultation call, dog man: mothering heights: from the creator of captain underpants.

Dog Man and Petey face their biggest challenges yet in the tenth Dog Man book from worldwide bestselling author and illustrator Dav Pilkey.

Dog Man is down on his luck, Petey confronts his not so purr-fect past, and Grampa is up to no good. The world is spinning out of control as new villains spill into town. Everything seems dark and full of despair. But hope is not lost. Can the incredible power of love save the day?

Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including love, empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of doing good.

Become an author to a best seller

We are here for you. Hire one of our experts and make your dream book come to life.

Philip Roth: The Biography

Appointed by Philip Roth and granted independence and complete access, Blake Bailey spent years poring over Roth’s personal archive, interviewing his friends, lovers, and colleagues, and engaging Roth himself in breathtakingly candid conversations. The result is an indelible portrait of an American master and of the postwar literary scene.

Bailey shows how Roth emerged from a lower-middle-class Jewish milieu to achieve the heights of literary fame, how his career was nearly derailed by his catastrophic first marriage, and how he championed the work of dissident novelists behind the Iron Curtain.

Bailey examines Roth’s rivalrous friendships with Saul Bellow, John Updike, and William Styron, and reveals the truths of his florid love life, culminating in his almost-twenty-year relationship with actress Claire Bloom, who pilloried Roth in her 1996 memoir, Leaving a Doll’s House.

Tracing Roth’s path from realism to farce to metafiction to the tragic masterpieces of the American Trilogy, Bailey explores Roth’s engagement with nearly every aspect of postwar American culture.

The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country

In New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub's riveting thriller, uncovering secrets in the past draws one woman into a killer's web.

On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration. Taking the stage after the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, Gorman captivated the nation and brought hope to viewers around the globe. Her poem “The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country” can now be cherished in this special gift edition. Including an enduring foreword by Oprah Winfrey, this keepsake celebrates the promise of America and affirms the power of poetry.

The Midnight Library: A Novel

A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time.

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting new novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

Over twenty years ago, the heiress Patricia Lockwood was abducted during a robbery of her family's estate, then locked inside an isolated cabin for months. Patricia escaped, but so did her captors — and the items stolen from her family were never recovered.

Until now. On the Upper West Side, a recluse is found murdered in his penthouse apartment, alongside two objects of note: a stolen Vermeer painting and a leather suitcase bearing the initials WHL3. For the first time in years, the authorities have a lead — not only on Patricia's kidnapping, but also on another FBI cold case — with the suitcase and painting both pointing them toward one man.

Windsor Horne Lockwood III — or Win, as his few friends call him — doesn't know how his suitcase and his family's stolen painting ended up with a dead man. But his interest is piqued, especially when the FBI tells him that the man who kidnapped his cousin was also behind an act of domestic terrorism — and that the conspirators may still be at large. The two cases have baffled the FBI for decades, but Win has three things the FBI doesn't: a personal connection to the case; an ungodly fortune; and his own unique brand of justice.

The Hate U Give

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Want more of Garden Heights? Catch Maverick and Seven’s story in Concrete Rose, Angie Thomas's powerful prequel to The Hate U Give.

But with the odds decidedly not in her favor, Amelia knows this feeling can’t last forever. After all, what can?

The Lost Apothecary: A Novel

Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.

Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.

With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.

Good Company: A Novel

Flora Mancini has been happily married for more than twenty years. But everything she thought she knew about herself, her marriage, and her relationship with her best friend, Margot, is upended when she stumbles upon an envelope containing her husband’s wedding ring—the one he claimed he lost one summer when their daughter, Ruby, was five.

Flora and Julian struggled for years, scraping together just enough acting work to raise Ruby in Manhattan and keep Julian’s small theater company—Good Company—afloat. A move to Los Angeles brought their first real career successes, a chance to breathe easier, and a reunion with Margot, now a bona fide television star. But has their new life been built on lies? What happened that summer all those years ago? And what happens now?

With Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s signature tenderness, humor, and insight, Good Company tells a bighearted story of the lifelong relationships that both wound and heal us.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Coming of age in Detroit, she can’t imagine settling for a 9-to-5 job—despite her unusual looks, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records. In early seventies New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. Opal’s bold protest and the violence that ensues set off a chain of events that will not only change the lives of those she loves, but also be a deadly reminder that repercussions are always harsher for women, especially black women, who dare to speak their truth. Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols. Sunny thought she knew most of the stories leading up to the cult duo’s most politicized chapter. But as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens to blow up everything. Provocative and chilling, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev features a backup chorus of unforgettable voices, a heroine the likes of which we’ve not seen in storytelling, and a daring structure, and introduces a bold new voice in contemporary fiction.

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

Type words, put them on the internet.

Write an essay without signing up, or sign up now.

View your posts

Welcome back to the internet

The internet is for connecting with people. Write.as helps you reach them no matter where they live online.

Friends and family can read your words without creating yet another account online. They can read in their browser, via email or RSS, on their e-reader, and on federated platforms like Mastodon.

Starting a newsletter →

Enabling eBook downloads →

Joining the fediverse →

Read this blog →

Focus on your words

Write.as is a pared-down blogging platform — a distraction-free place for you to write, and a clean space for your audience to read.

Instead of content management, we focus on writing. You'll see our editor screen first, every time you open the app. You can write in Markdown or switch to our friendly Rich Text editor. Your work is automatically saved to your browser as you write.

Try it out →

Made for writing

Not complex websites, not e-commerce, not content man­age­ment. Just writing.

Easy publishing

Press "Pub­lish" to send your words to the web, social me­dia, and sub­scri­bers.

You'll never see ads while you're focused on your work, and neither will your readers.

Stay independent

Build a home for your writing, outside of walled gardens and locked-down platforms.

Add your domain name to keep control of your web presence. Make it your own with a custom theme. Then, know you're never stuck here — you can always export your work, or self-host your site with WriteFreely , the open source software that powers Write.as.

Free your thoughts

Built entirely around privacy , we don't track you or gather excessive data, so you can write exactly what you feel.

Create a professional blog next to one written under a pen name. Publicize your work, or keep it quiet. Write anonymously , or create as many identities as you like. On Write.as, you have full control over who knows what about you.

Build a home for your writing

Write.as helps you create a blog, journal, or news­letter that readers will love to read. Create a home for your words, then fill it with writing — by yourself or with others.

$6 per month, billed yearly

For prolific writers. Cus­tomize, build a read­er­ship, and publish however you like.

• Up to three blogs on write.as or your own domain
• ActivityPub integration
• Micropayments
• Unlimited posts
• Unlimited social cross-posts
• Password-protected blogs
• Private blogs
• Publish to Read Write.as
• Rich text editing
• Email subscriptions
• Photo hosting
• Pinned pages
• Full design customization
• Command-line publishing
• Email publishing
• Team support

Start free 14-day trial

Subscribe monthly, yearly, or every five years .

$25 per month, billed yearly

For serious publishers. Gather your team and manage content with our op­ti­mized work­flow.

• Everything in Pro
• One shared blog
• Asynchronous collaborative editing
• Team blog access
• Team photo hosting
• Five team members
• Post signatures
• E-book export
• Priority support

Start free 30-day trial

Subscribe monthly or yearly.

Learn more about us

Write.as is part of Musing Studio , a suite of simple tools for creating and sharing on the open web. You can also gather writing submissions with Submit.as , share photos with Snap.as , and socialize with Remark.as .

Read about our company and our principles , and subscribe to our blog .

TRY OUR FREE APP

Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today.

Craft your masterpiece in Reedsy Studio

Plan, write, edit, and format your book in our free app made for authors.

Guides • Understanding Publishing

Last updated on Jun 05, 2023

Where to Submit Short Stories: 20 Places Accepting Submissions

If you want to get your foot in the door of the publishing world, you should look for outlets open to short story submissions . As an aspiring author, these publications can serve as a training ground where you can learn to appeal to editors, build some credits for your author bio , and grow your fan base. Plus, it’s a chance to get paid for your writing, which is nothing to be sniffed at.

To help you get started, we've compiled 20 publications that accept short stories.

Magazines open to short story submissions

2. The Atlantic

About : Founded in 1875, The Atlantic has been home to some of "the most urgent essays, the most vital literature," publishing works of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Aside from writing an exceptional piece, your key to getting through the door of this venerable institution is to be familiar with what they've already published. Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : Unspecified Word Count : Unspecified Submissions Guidelines : Here

3. Guernica

About : A non-profit magazine operated by a passionate team of volunteers, Guernica has a reputation for literary works that challenge boundaries and pose thought-provoking questions at the intersection of culture and politics. They are open to short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, interviews and more, focusing mostly on themes of “identity, conflict, culture, justice, science, and beyond.” They do not accept flash fiction or serialized longer pieces.  Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : $150 for fiction Word Count : Between 2,000 and 7,000  Submissions Guidelines : Here

FREE COURSE

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

From pacing to character development, master the elements of short fiction.

4. Black Warrior Review

About : Established by graduate students in an MFA Program in Creative Writing , Black Warrior Review releases two issues annually, encompassing a mix of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and comics. Central to their mission is the desire to provide a platform for underrepresented voices 一 if your work ventures into the realm of the strange, unorthodox, or culturally niche, consider adding them to your hit list.  Submission window : December 1st – March 1st | June 1st – September 1st Compensation : One-year subscription + nominal lump-sum fee for all works published Word Count : Up to 7,000 for short stories Submission Guidelines : Here

5. PROMPTED

6. Boulevard Magazine

About : Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Boulevard is a biannual literary magazine publishing contemporary fiction, essays, interviews, and poetry. They are welcoming of unpublished authors, so if your work is ready for its main stage debut, this may be your chance to shine. Note that they don’t accept works of science fiction, erotica, western, horror, romance, or children's stories. Submission window : November 1st – May 1st Compensation : $100 – $300 Word Count : Up to 8,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

7. The Georgia Review

About : Published quarterly by the University of Georgia since 1947, The Georgia Review is a journal that features stories addressing “the evolving concerns and interests of readers from around the world.” They publish short stories of literary fiction , but also works of poetry, essays, and book reviews . Submission window : August 15th – May 15th Compensation : $50 per printed page, up to $800 Word Count : Up to 9,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

🧹 To increase your chances of getting your story published, make sure you polish it to professional standards before submitting it. Reedsy's editors are ready to help you tighten your submissions. 

MEET EDITORS

Polish your book with expert help

Sign up, meet 1500+ experienced editors, and find your perfect match.

8. New England Review

About : An exciting magazine collecting short stories, novellas, poetry, personal essays, travelogues, and other forms of writing, the New England Review champions all genres with the aim of giving readers “a vital snapshot of the literary moment.” They accept stories of up to 20,000 words, though they tend to prefer those under 10,000. The New England Review is particularly interested in translated work, so if your original piece is in a language other than English, consider hiring a literary translator . Submission window : September 1st – November 1st | March 1st – May 31st Compensation : $20 per page ($50 minimum), two copies of the issue, one-year subscription Word Count : Up to 20,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

9. Daily Science Fiction

About : Daily Science Fiction (DSF) is an online platform that publishes science fiction short stories every single day and distributes them to their email list. They look for character-driven science fiction, fantasy, and slipstream narratives, though they value originality and craft above all else. They’re also open to publishing flash series composed of three or more tales, connected by a shared theme. Their submission window is ongoing, but its worth noting that they do occasionally go on pause.  Submission window : Ongoing outside of December 24th – January 2nd Compensation : 8 cents per word Word Count : 100 – 1,500 Submission Guidelines : Here

10. The First Line

About : Offering an opening sentence to use as a starting point for their stories, The First Line challenges writers to craft a unique piece from a shared beginning. They accept short fiction of all genres, as well as essays and poetry. Each of their quarterly issues shares a distinctive first line between all their stories, making it a great place to showcase a writer’s unique lens and style. Submission window : February 1st (Spring), May 1st (Summer), August 1st (Fall), November 1st (Winter) Compensation : $25 – $50 Word Count : 300 – 5,000 Submission Guidelines : Here

FREE RESOURCE

Story Submissions Tracker

Stay organized on your journey to find the right home for your short stories.

11. The Incandescent Review

12. The New Yorker

About : Founded in 1925, The New Yorker is an eclectic journal that has published countless iconic works from authors like Edmund Wilson, J.D. Salinger, and Alice Munro, just to name a few. But don’t get discouraged: they’re open to rising writers too. They accept short fiction, essays, poetry, and satire, all sent via email as PDF attachments. In the event that your submission is successful, you will be notified within 90 days.  Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : Unspecified Word Count : Unspecified Submission Guidelines : Here

13. North American Review

About : As the oldest literary magazine in America, the North American Review boasts a storied history that has seen them print works from American titans like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edith Wharton, and Flannery O'Connor. Their magazine features short stories, creative nonfiction , nonfiction, and poetry on all kinds of subjects. However — as their title would suggest — they have a particular fondness for stories grounded in North American experience and identity, exploring issues such as the environment, class inequality, and sexuality. As per their website, they also love stories that “start quickly and have a strong narrative arc.” Submission window : November 2nd – May 1st Compensation : Unspecified Word Count : No set word limit Submission Guidelines : Here

☝️ Make sure you double-check the formatting requirements on the magazine's website before submitting. Use our free manuscript template as a starting point, then adjust it as needed.  

Manuscript Format Template

Get your manuscript ready for submission to agents and publishers.

14. One Story

About : Where most literary magazines work hard to curate sympathetic collections of stories, One Story has taken the opposite approach: each of their issues contain just a single piece of short fiction. With a steadfast mission to ensure that short stories and budding authors never fade into literary obscurity, they seek out literary fiction that resonates with their audience as standalone works. Accepting submissions based on almost any subject matter, their focus is on finding work that’s crafted in a way that leaves the reader satisfied. Submission window : January 15th – May 31st | September 3rd – November 14th Compensation : $500 Word Count : 3,000 - 8,000 Submission Guidelines : Here

15. Ploughshares

16. Story Magazine

About : Released three times a year, Story is a print magazine dedicated to diverse and high-quality short fiction stories, some of which have been reprinted in prestigious anthologies such as The Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, and The O. Henry Prize Stories. This outlet accepts both flash fiction and long stories, with no formal guidelines regarding style or genre. For the impatient writers out there, note that their average response time is around five months.  Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : $10 per page Word Count : Between 2,000 and 25,000 Submission Guidelines : Here

17. Vestal Review

About : If you’re a flash fiction writer, Vestal Review may be the ideal platform for you. This magazine seeks captivating stories of any genre and style, so long as they remain with a concise 500-word limit. They value narratives that, despite their brevity, can transport the reader from point A to point B. Oh, and they love a story that makes them laugh. Submission window : February 1st – May 31st | August 1st – November 30th Compensation : $75 Word Count : Up to 500  Submission Guidelines : Here

18. The Threepenny Review

About : The Threepenny Review has been publishing quarterly issues since it was founded in 1980. It features short stories of fiction, memoirs, poetry, and personal essays, reaching a readership of over 10,000 devoted readers. If you’re interested in submitting, they recommend browsing through their Reading Room to get a sense of the writing they prefer. Note that their response time can vary from two days to two months. Submission window : January 1st – May 1st Compensation : $400 Word Count : Up to 4,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

19. Zoetrope: All-Story

20. The Antioch Review

About : Currently on a hiatus. The Antioch Review stands as a revered institution among independent literary magazines, boasting an impressive legacy of over 75 years. Over the course of that history, the Review has consistently published essays, fiction, and poetry from both emerging talents and established writers. They feature only three short stories per issue, selecting the most thought-provoking, pertinent, and skillfully crafted ones. Submission window : September 1st – May 31st Compensation : $20 per printed page and two copies of the issue Word Count : Up to 5,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

💡 If you want to learn what makes a good short story, and its essential elements, watch this workshop by writer Shaelin Bishop. 

More resources to nail your short story submissions

While these publications are some of our favorites, there are hundreds of other places you can submit your writing. Search for them here:

• The Best Writing Contests of 2023
• The Best Literary Magazines of 2023

Or maybe you’re still working on your writing, and are not quite sure if it’s ready to send out to the world yet. If that’s the case, here are a few resources to help:

• Browse editors who work on short fiction
• Check our guide to writing a short story
• Find out how many words go into a short story

And finally, perhaps you’re still at step one: you haven’t started writing yet and are waiting for inspiration to strike. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered there as well:

• How to Start Creative Writing
• 200+ Short Story Ideas
• 100 + Creative Writing Exercises
• 700+ Creative Writing Prompts
• 25 Creative Writing Examples to Inspire You Today

Best of luck with your submissions! We hope you’ll get published by a magazine you love, and that it'll be the first step of a long and successful literary career.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

Meet short story editors

Perfect your story for submission with help from an experienced editor.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

You're writing your first blank slate!

Here are the most important things when writing blank slates.

• First: Bookmark this page ( + d). Each time you need to write something down, click the bookmark and just start typing!
• Style your slates with markdown . Here's an example and the result when viewed
• To save, press " + s" at any time or click "save" in the bottom right
• To save as a Google Doc, press " + g"
• To download as a PDF, press " + p"

Style your notes with Markdown

• Titles: #This will be a title (##this is a sub-title)
• Bold ( + b): **this will be bold**
• Italics ( + i): *italics*
• Link: [click here](https://source-url.com)
• - this starts a list
•     * sub-list item 1
•     * sub-list item 2

Keyboard shortcuts

• + s: Save your note
• + g: Save as Google Doc
• + p: Download as a PDF
• To publish as a blog, just use a #title at the top and then "publish" on the view-note screen
• Markdown Info Close

Create a user or save note as a guest? Hint: guests can not access their notes on other devices and will lose notes if they clear their cookies.

• signup with google signup for permanent user continue as guest
• signup for permanent user continue as guest

• Your Writing Skills Are Needed NOW! If you find yourself constantly dreaming of breaking free from the daily grind at your J-O-B…and you’re ready to turn your love of writing into a full-time career… Then you need to see the brand-new briefing we put together for you.
• Monday Morning Jumpstart: Your First Client In today’s Monday Morning Jumpstart, AWAI Director of Training, Jade Trueblood, and AWAI Learning Chief, Pam Foster shares a secret that will help you find and land one!
• LAST CHANCE: $147 Today, $479 Tomorrow If you’ve had a secret desire to write a book but haven’t been able to get started…do not let this amazing resource slip through your fingers.
• Read More News …

Yes, there are well-paid careers in writing The Barefoot Writer is Your Resource for Landing Freelance Writing Jobs

Learn How Your Fellow Writers Have Successfully Launched Freelance Work-at-Home Gigs

At AWAI, we’ve helped a lot of people eager to leave the work-a-day world move up to very different (and far more rewarding) lives as successful freelance writers.

These folks no longer have jobs in the traditional sense: They have no bosses, no commute, and no place to be at any given time.

Many are retirees and stay-at-home moms who now are able to generate a substantial extra income in just a few hours a day.

They make their own schedule … and leave plenty of time for things they enjoy most: family, hobbies, travel, you name it.

And many tell us they’re making far more money than they ever did working a “regular” J-O-B — anywhere from $50,000 on a part-time basis … to upwards of $100,000, $250,000 and $500,000 a year!

Here’s a way for you to join them … to “ease in” to the writer’s life without having to make any kind of big commitment.

It’s an invitation to join a very special group of people who can help you learn what it takes to earn a six-figure income as a writer, while enjoying the kind of lifestyle most people only dream about.

We call this group The Barefoot Writer’s Club, and as a member you’ll learn how to make a great living with a career in writing, as well as:

• The best ways to make money as a writer …
• Which writing opportunities are the easiest to break into and which ones pay the most …
• What kinds of skills you need to land the best-paying gigs …
• How to start a career as a well-paid writer …
• How to find clients …
• What you can expect from clients, and how to ensure your projects always run smoothly …
• And so much more!

Plus for a limited time, when you join The Barefoot Writer, you’ll receive 7 free special reports:

Your Ticket to a Better Life Today: Just $249.00 $49.00

You get all this — and more surprises — for the discounted price of just $249.00 $49.00 .

You can become a Barefoot Writer. Your journey starts today.

The Barefoot Writer : $249.00 $49.00

Order Today!

For More Information, click here …

Share this Page:

Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   LinkedIn   Email

• Microsoft /
• Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft Places uses AI to find the best time for your next office day

Places is a new app that integrates into microsoft 365 and is designed to help with flexible and hybrid working..

By Tom Warren , a senior editor covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech. He founded WinRumors, a site dedicated to Microsoft news, before joining The Verge in 2012.

Share this story

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Microsoft is attempting to solve the hassle of coordinating with colleagues on when everyone will be in the office. It’s a problem that emerged with the increase in hybrid and flexible work after the recent covid-19 pandemic, with workers spending less time in the office . Microsoft Places is an AI-powered app that goes into preview today and should help businesses that rely on Outlook and Microsoft Teams to better coordinate in-office time together.

“When employees get to the office, they don’t want to be greeted by a sea of empty desks — they want face-time with their manager and the coworkers they collaborate with most frequently,” says Microsoft’s corporate vice president of AI at work, Jared Spataro, in a blog post. “With Places, you can more easily coordinate across coworkers and spaces in the office.”

Microsoft Places includes a dedicated location plan section where you can set and share the days you’ll use the office and view which days your co-workers are proposing to head in. Managers can set up priority days for in-office plans, so if there’s an important event or a team day, everyone knows about it. This location data will then be fed into Outlook calendars, so you know when events are taking place in the office and when you’ve elected to head in.

Later this year, Microsoft also plans to integrate this entire experience into Microsoft Copilot. You’ll be able to ask the AI assistant “which days should I go in this week?” and you’ll get a list of suggestions based on in-person meetings, when your co-workers are planning to be in, and any team days or events. “You will be able to ask Copilot to adjust your schedule based on this information — changing your work location to the office on recommended days and rescheduling in-person meetings,” says Spataro.

Microsoft Places will also have a finder feature that makes it easier to book meeting rooms or shareable desks, and this will all be accessible in Outlook, too. You’ll even get reminders in your calendar if you forget to book a room or desk for your in-office days. Later this year, this end-to-end booking experience will also be available in Copilot, so the AI assistant will automatically find and book meeting spaces for your meetings.

The Microsoft Places location data will also feed into other Microsoft 365 apps. If you’re working in Teams, you’ll see colleagues are marked as nearby if they’re also in the office, and you can type @nearby to notify people who are in the office about an impromptu conversation or just to arrange lunch.

Microsoft will also allow real estate and facilities management employees to access a space analytics feature of Microsoft Places later this year that shows how widely used a building is and which days are the most popular with employees. IT admins will also be able to better manage and adapt spaces or improve meeting rooms and shared huddle rooms. The dashboard appears to be focused on building and room analytics, rather than offering managers another way to track individual employees.

Microsoft Places will eventually be part of Microsoft Teams Premium , which is currently offered at an additional $7 per user per month thanks to promotional pricing. (It’s usually $10 extra.) Teams Premium also includes an AI-powered intelligent recap feature, watermarking to deter leaks, and many other additional features . You can sign up for the Microsoft Places preview program right here .

OpenAI releases GPT-4o, a faster model that’s free for all ChatGPT users

Verizon, at&t, and t-mobile’s ‘unlimited’ plans just got a $10m slap on the wrist, the dji pocket 3 is almost everything i wanted my iphone camera to be, the new ipad pro looks like a winner, chatgpt is getting a mac app.

More from Microsoft

How to type special characters on a Windows PC

Microsoft Word just fixed its default paste option

Gaze upon Dell’s leaked Qualcomm X Elite-powered laptops

Microsoft’s new Xbox mobile gaming store is launching in July

• Rome Tourism
• Rome Hotels
• Rome Bed and Breakfast
• Rome Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Rome
• Rome Restaurants
• Things to Do in Rome
• Rome Travel Forum
• Rome Photos
• All Rome Hotels
• Rome Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Rome
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Rome Visit Review April 24 - 28 2024 - Rome Forum

• Europe    
• Italy    
• Lazio    
• Rome    

Rome Visit Review April 24 - 28 2024

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Lazio forums

For reference Rome was our last stop on our way home after visiting Turkey and Croatia.

I do want to make it very clear this is our experience visiting Rome.

It was a disappointment. I realize the crush of tourists doesn't happen until a bit later there were so many people. Every single place was packed. Every train and bus was packed. It doesn't help there is construction right outside the Colosseum but again - so many people. We had a tour organized to see the Forum and the Colosseum and were quite pleased with the tour. The group was on the smaller side and the guide was good. The area where all the guides and tourists meet up is a bit of a gong show but eventually it all gets sorted. Glad we did the tour. This was the only tour we took.

I don't recall reading anywhere on any forum about the panhandlers that are all around the tourist spots - they are aggressive, do not like taking 'no thank you' as an answer, push their items into your hands and at times block you way. They start off speaking in English then if you don't respond they start switching to a few words in various languages trying to get you to respond - lastly they say they like your hair. This was just as bad as being on a beach in Mexico. They even would stop at your table when you were sitting outside at a restaurant wanting to hawk their stuff - there was just no escape!

I had seen in my research all those quaint and cute tables outside of the restaurants, with the canopies and lights - looks so pretty and inviting. We tried a number of them and it is nothing like what social media shows. You are sitting on a part of the road with a little dirty plastic plant hedge separating you from the vehicles. The vehicles just whiz on by. Not even close to being a good experience and also noisy.

I had read that to experience good food it would be necessary to check out the restaurants away from the tourist areas - we were staying at a hotel that wasn't in the typical tourist zone so going to smaller local restaurants wasn't an issue. However the food was. We had our share of rude waiters, cold dinners and just plain not good food. You have to buy your bread if you want some - which of course we did for 3 euro - only to have it taken away when they gave us the bill. We bought it but couldn't take the couple of extra pieces with us. I'm sure it ended up on another table. The red wine we had was very good though. We ended up having just one good dinner and one exceptional dinner - the rest were disappointing. Our hotel provided breakfast so we did not experience that at a restaurant.

One of the things that bothered us the most was how dirty Rome was. While directly outside the hot tourist spots there wasn't garbage laying about that could most certainly can not be said for about a half block away and further. There was garbage and dog ** everywhere - all over the sidewalks and streets. It was so disappointing and disgusting. We didn't notice any stray dogs so perhaps it just owners that won't pick up after their dog.

We did take a bus and headed south - can't remember if it was the 118 or the 181 just to get out of the city. The bus of course was packed. We managed to have a bit of a walk in the country and that was very nice. Stopped at catacombs before catching the beyond packed bus back to the city. The catacombs were a good thing to see.

Yes, items such as beer, water etc is cheaper farther away from the tourist area shops.

We did a lot of walking in Rome - from up by the train station to Trastevere , Jewish Ghetto, Colosseum etc and everywhere in between and next to.

We had also heard how cat friendly Rome was. We didn't see one cat while we were there and it wasn't for the lack of looking. Our guide at the Colosseum pointed out the cat doors that were put into the security fencing but I doubt they will be used. Not sure how you can be considered a cat friendly city when there are none to be seen - not even strays eating discarded pizza crusts!

The train from and to the airport is certainly efficient and the service was good. We took the metro out to the ends of the line just to see what was there.

If we ever go back or our kids want to go we would certainly recommend to blast off the hot tourist things quickly and then get the heck out of the city into the country.

I hope this review helps out from our perspective.

• New Notice on Parco Archeologico Del Colosseo Website 8:38 pm
• Rome Visit Review April 24 - 28 2024 7:31 pm
• is getyourguide reliable? 6:44 pm
• train travel - which app or web site ? 6:32 pm
• Rome one night stopover 5:37 pm
• Jubilee 2025 3:02 pm
• Recommendation for guided tour of Colosseum 2:32 pm
• Transit Enquiry 1:25 pm
• how to arrive Fiumicino Airport at 04:00 morning from Rome 1:17 pm
• How much for a photo with the gladiators? 11:52 am
• sistine chapel 11:40 am
• Necropolis Scavi reservation 10:14 am
• Ita airways today
• Streaming movies with Roku today
• What is the best location to stay in Rome? 8 replies
• Transportation from Rome to Venice 459 replies
• Roma Pass- Is it Worth Buying? 504 replies
• Beaches in/near Rome 3 replies
• Best area to Stay in Rome 2 replies
• Best time to go to Italy 6 replies
• Weather During December 10 replies
• What to Wear/Fashion a & September Weather in Rome/Tuscany 23 replies
• Low Budget Places to Stay in Rome? 30 replies
• Visiting Italy... where to stay in Rome 13 replies

Rome Hotels and Places to Stay

• When to go to Rome
• Money matters in Rome
• Getting around Rome
• Crime and safety in Rome, including helpful tips
• Passport questions
• Special free events in Rome
• Renting an apartment in Rome
• Rooftop bars and restaurants in Rome
• Day trips from Rome, including Naples/Pompeii, Florence, and beaches
• General information about train travel in Italy
• General Italy travel tips

Dailymotion

Famous Groupies Who Are Completely Unrecognizable Now

Posted: May 13, 2024 | Last updated: May 13, 2024

From marrying rockstar royalty to writing tell-all memoirs. These famous groupies lived a very rock 'n' roll life, so where are they now?

More for You

People Who Had Unhappy Childhoods Usually Develop These 18 Traits

13 TV Characters That Were Killed off When the Actors Who Played Them Passed

Anthony Edwards And Jamal Murray Involved In Heated Exchange After Game 4

The man leading Russia’s war in Ukraine is out in a surprise shake-up hinting at Putin’s true focus

Dunne resigns PGA's Tour policy board, effective immediately

Swedish Butter Cookies

I’m a Real Estate Agent: How I Went From Making $5 an Hour To Owning Over 300 Properties

Jaws actress Susan Backlinie dies aged 77

NBA Fans Roasting Rudy Gobert Following Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 4

13 Framing Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

18 Expenses Rich People Refuse to Spend Money On

Nostalgic Nosh: 18 Old School Foods You’ve Probably Never Tried!

These Are the Tallest Mountains in America

North Dakota Fossil Site Reveals When Asteroid Killed Dinosaurs

Biden is falling into Democrats’ favorite trap

I moved from the US to Ireland. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

Army officer resigns in protest of U.S. support for Israel in Gaza

Goldman Sachs unveils startling S&P 500 prediction

Mark Hamill Has A-Plus Response To Jesse Watters’ ‘C-List’ Ding

Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

• International

The latest on the massive solar storm

By Angela Fritz, Elise Hammond and Chris Lau, CNN

Incredible lighthouse picture from Maine

From CNN's Chris Lau

Among a flurry of surreal images capturing the dazzling auroras is one taken by Benjamin Williamson of a lighthouse in Portland, Maine.

"It's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen, the awe and wonder," Williamson told CNN.

He said he used a long-exposure technique to snap the shot, but did not edit it.

Watch the full interview with Williamson here .

Things could be about to ramp up

If you still haven't seen the aurora, hold on for another 30 minutes to an hour, according to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.

The next wave of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which cause the aurora, is about to arrive, he said.

"Just wait a minute because things are going to start to ramp up here," he said, adding that the increase could arrive "anytime now." "When it comes, get outside, get ready, put your coat on."

For those who are too busy to witness the phenomenon tonight, Myers said the aurora is expected to last three nights.

Why does the aurora last for a weekend?

By CNN's Chris Lau

Generally, it takes just eight minutes for light to travel 93 million miles to the Earth from the sun, but astrophysicist Janna Levin said the energized particles causing the current wave of aurora travel a lot slower, causing the phenomenon to last for the weekend.

"Some of these mass ejections are trillions of kilograms," she said. "They're slower. So they're taking longer, but still hours, maybe tens of hours."

Here's how the solar storm looks in the South and on the East Coast

The aurora was visible across the East Coast and in the South Friday.

Here's how it looked in Chester, South Carolina.

Down in Florida, waves of color swam through the sky.

Up north in New Jersey, a purple-ish haze could be seen in the sky.

Will solar storms get more intense and risky in the future?

The answer is probably not in the short term, according to astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi.

He said scientists study what is constantly happening on the surface of the sun and have found a pattern.

“Geological data shows us that in the past the sun was way more active than it is today. It has cycles where it goes very quiet ... and you have events that show that the solar activity was much, much greater,” he told CNN. “So there's no evidence that we're going to see those big maxima this cycle." 

But the astrophysicist also spoke of a caveat - the limitations of modern science.

“Even though it's predictable in the short term, we still don't quite understand what creates the magnetic fields in the sun,” he said, adding: “That's why NASA has so many satellites looking at the sun.”

In Pictures: Auroras light the sky during rare solar storm

From CNN Digital's Photo Team

A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun are creating dazzling auroras across the globe .

The rare solar storm may also disrupt communications. The last time a solar storm of this magnitude reached Earth was in October 2003, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

See more photos of the aurora from tonight.

Behind dazzling aurora could lie “real danger,” Bill Nye the Science Guy says

The massive solar storm could present “a real danger,” especially with the modern world relying so much on electricity, according to Bill Nye the Science Guy , a science educator and engineer.

Scientists are warning an increase in solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun have the potential to disrupt communication on Earth into the weekend. Solar flares can affect communications and GPS almost immediately because they disrupt Earth’s ionosphere, or part of the upper atmosphere. Energetic particles released by the sun can also disrupt electronics on spacecraft and affect astronauts without proper protection within 20 minutes to several hours.

In comparison to tonight's event, Nye drew comparisons with another incident in 1859, known as the Carrington Event, when telegraph communications were severely affected.

“The other thing, everybody, that is a real danger to our technological society, different from 1859, is how much we depend on electricity and our electronics and so on,” Nye said. "None of us really in the developed world could go very long without electricity."

He noted that there are systems in place to minimize the impact, but “stuff might go wrong,” stressing that not all transformers are equipped to withstand such a solar event.

“It depends on the strength of the event and it depends on how much of our infrastructures are prepared for this the sort of thing,” he said.

Bill Nye breaks down significance of the solar storm | CNN

This post has been updated with more details on solar flares' impact on electronics.

Here's where clouds will block the view of the northern lights in the US

From CNN's Angela Fritz

After an incredibly stormy week, most of the Lower 48 has clear skies to see the northern lights. But there are some areas where clouds and rainy weather are spoiling the view.

A deck of clouds is blocking the sky in the Northeast, from parts of Virginia into Maine, as an area of low pressure spins off the East Coast.

In the Midwest, the aurora will be hard to see through thick clouds in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan — including the Upper Peninsula — and Illinois.

A stripe of clouds is tracking across Texas, including Dallas-Forth Worth, and into Louisiana.

And in the Southwest, patchy clouds across the the Four Corners region could make the northern lights difficult to spot.

Aurora seen at least as far south as Georgia

Barely visible to the naked eye, the aurora can be seen in Atlanta in the 10 p.m. ET hour. 

It is easier to see through photographs using a long exposure. The photos below, taken by CNN's Eric Zerkel and Emily Smith, used 3- and 10-second exposures.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.