This pitch call is for GuestStack, the creative column inside From the Desk of Amy Suto — a Substack newsletter and writing job board with over 7,600+ readers. Amy is a six-figure freelance writer, author, and helping writers make storytelling their full-time job. From the Desk of Amy Suto is a Substack newsletter and writing job board, including a Monday and Thursday round-up of the best freelance writing jobs and opportunities from around the web, and Featured Jobs where clients reach out to her directly with opportunities for my community of writers.

She is currently commissioning a 250-word poem from a writer, and the rate is $500. The theme is on creative courage. This is a pitch call, so instead of sending a completed poem, share a sentence or two about the concept and include a brief bio. You can read more about what they are looking for, and specific call details in my interview with Amy Suto below.

HOPKINSON: Tell me a little bit about From the Desk of Amy Suto on Substack. 

SUTO: I started my Substack newsletter From the Desk of Amy Suto: Make Writing Your Job because there is so much I wish someone had told me when I was embarking on my journey to become a professional writer. The Substack is my attempt to “pay it forward” when it comes to articles about writing, the writing job board with paid opportunities for writers, and our new guest column GuestStack featuring work from writers in and around the community.

HOPKINSON: How/why was From the Desk of Amy Suto originally started? 

SUTO: I started it initially as just a series of essays about the state of writing. It evolved beyond the essays into a hub of resources when I saw that I could offer much more: I’m lucky to have a steady stream of interested clients who want to work with me or writers in my orbit, and I wanted to share those leads with my community to better help writers and clients get connected. When my writing job board launched at the end of 2024, there was an overwhelming response, and it’s so cool every time a writer emails me and tells me they scored an awesome job from the job board!

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience? 

SUTO: My target audience is anyone who is seriously pursuing freelance writing opportunities and is trying to build a steady income so they can also write creatively or simply make writing their job. I only curate freelance and contract opportunities, as I believe the writer’s life is most fulfilling (and profitable) if you’re able to build a strong freelancing business for yourself.

HOPKINSON: What do you wish you’d see submitted, but rarely comes in? 

SUTO: When it comes to GuestStack — the new guest column and literary space where I’m commissioning poetry, personal essays, and selecting articles to be shared with our audience of over 7,700+ voracious writers and readers — I have targeted pitch calls that go out every so often on the job board. Our current pitch call is for poetry concepts.

HOPKINSON: What are some of your favorite lit mags/journals?

SUTO: I don’t have a favorite one at the moment, as I’ve been on a personal essay reading binge lately and have been raiding the archives of publications like The Cut. Right now I’m working with a writer on polishing her essay to run in our inaugural issue of GuestStack, so I’m revisiting some of my favorite personal essays to see what they really captured in the writing that made it jump off the page.

HOPKINSON: What is your favorite part of being on staff with the From the Desk of Amy Suto?

SUTO: I love writing and curating writing jobs, opportunities, and guest essays and poetry for my Substack. It’s such an honor to be in a position where I can help other writers while also cultivating my own corner of the Internet. 

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions? 

SUTO: Right now, I’m accepting themed submissions, not general submissions. These pitch calls will be posted first on the writing job board before being disseminated across different sites. 

HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you? 

SUTO: They can reach out to me on Substack! I’m not able to respond to everyone, but I do my best to get to as many emails as I can in-between writing and editing sessions.  

• PITCH DEADLINE: April 30, 2025
• THEME(S): a moment of creative courage
• FORMAT: Online
• SUBMISSION FEE: None 
• PAYMENT: $500 commission
  • Other GuestStack opportunities pay a flat fee that usually comes out to $1/word-$2/word (depending on the pitch call and the material type)
• ISSUE FREQUENCY: Monthly, starting in April 2025, but we will likely move to a weekly format.
• SUBMISSION METHOD: Form application (please do not pitch via email)
• SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: Yes
• FORMS: Non-fiction, fiction, poetry, non-fiction articles
• SOCIAL MEDIA:  Instagram, Threads

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