How to Write for Sensational Tabloids

Writing for sensational tabloids might force you to take a hit to your pride, but they honestly pay better than most other "mainstream" magazine markets. Sensational tabloids are newspaper-like publications that run stories about a variety of topics, most of which are speculative. The words "hard journalism" doesn't apply here, but you can make a decent buck if you know where to find stories.

Read the Sensational Tabloids

You can't write a for a market with which you are unfamiliar, so start picking up the sensational tabloids on your way out of the supermarket each week. You'll start to get a feel for how the stories are composed and which stories make headline news. You'll also notice that different sensational tabloids publish different types of stories; some are focused on celebrity gossip while others like to explore the paranormal. How you pitch a tabloid will depend on the type of content they prefer.

Submit the Article; Don't Query

Since sensational tabloids tend to print stories as soon as they happen -- or are perceived to have happened -- you shouldn't waste your time by writing a query letter. By the time the editor responds and you submit your story, it will be old news and useless to the tabloids. Instead, write up a story as quickly as you can and submit it (by e-mail if possible).

Include Photographs

Sensational tabloids wouldn't be worth nearly as much if they didn't include those eye-catching photographs that make you say, "I'll hate myself for looking, but I have to anyway." Most tabloids won't even consider purchasing an article from a freelancer who doesn't have exclusive photographs enclosed, so get used to taking your camera with you wherever you go. After all, you never know when you might spot Tom Cruise doing something shady or a UFO hovering overhead in broad daylight.

Get to Know Your Editor