Say “science writing,” and most people think of popular authors like Malcolm Gladwell, whose 2005 book Blink demystified rapid cognition, or science journalists like Ed Yong, who won the Pulitzer Prize (among other awards) for his coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article focuses on this type of science writing—the kind that bridges the gap between academic research and everyday readers.
But freelance science writing goes beyond what you find in newspapers, magazines, and blockbuster books. It can also include drafting grant proposals, preparing research papers, compiling technical documents, writing trade magazine articles, or authoring academic books about science.
Dr. Marina Hurley, who delivers workshops in Writing Clear Science, says the common thread among all these activities is that the topic relates to science and “the information presented has been gathered, analyzed, and critiqued using accepted scientific methods.”
“Any assumptions, ideas, predictions, or suggestions must not be presented as though they are scientific fact,” she writes on her website.
Why Should You Consider Science Writing?
Taking on science writing for newspapers, magazines, or websites can complement the other writing work you already do.
Adding this specialization lets you diversify your skills, income, and audience. It also encourages you to immerse yourself in intellectually stimulating topics.
Writers who enjoy research-driven storytelling or want to contribute to public understanding of critical issues—like climate change or health—may find it especially rewarding.
Those in the adjacent field of science communication may even influence public opinion or help inform policy. (For more on the differences between science communication and science journalism, read this.)
How Do You Start Science Writing as a Freelancer?
Some science writers stumble into the field by accident.
Several I know transitioned into science writing during their pursuit of a degree in marine biology, after completing a PhD in parasitology, or while working in public relations and marketing.
My first Cosmos freelance writing science assignment happened after I toured Singapore Airlines’ catering department during a freelance travel writing assignment. I learned about why food and drink taste different at altitude, did more research, and interviewed experts on the topic. That first story led to ongoing assignments with both print and online publications.
How can I get my first science article published?
There’s no single path to science writing. But there’s room for everyone. Here’s a handful of tips for breaking in.
Discover your freelance niche.
First, as in all forms of freelance writing, it can pay to find your science writing niche/s.
Getting as granular as, say, genomics or infectious diseases, can be advantageous when editors are keen to assign a story to someone who’s deeply immersed in a particular subject, according to Helen Pearson, writing in the National Library of Medicine.
However, always be willing to stretch your wings should other opportunities present themselves. (To read more about breaking free from the shackles of a niche, read this.)
Start small to kick off a science writing career.
You might be dreaming of bylines in Discover or Scientific American, but editors of top tier publications are unlikely to assign features to untested writers.
Focus instead on building a portfolio by starting a blog and posting about what fascinates you personally, whether that’s astronomy, oceanography, or the latest research on climate change.
Writing a blog provides useful practise in targeting an understanding an audience—whether it’s comprised of physics buffs like you, or professionals in a related field, or high school teachers looking for resources to supplement their earth sciences lessons.
It’s not necessary for your blog to take off and reach thousands (although it might).
Rather, its presence demonstrates that you can communicate effectively about complex subjects—and it provides a solid track record of publication behind you.
Be a joiner.
Joining a professional association such as the National Association of Science Writers (in the US) or the Science Journalists Association of Australia can provide a way to access events, build networks, gain mentoring, and learn about new opportunities.
Similarly, signing up for training with The Science Talk or Writing Clear Science, or even completing a specialist science journalism degree is as much about connecting with like-minded others (including potential employers) as it is about the course content.
Internships with media outlets, museums, or laboratories can provide additional entry routes into a freelance science writing career.
Following science journalists (such as Sarah Kaplan) on X/Twitter or subscribing to their newsletters (such as this one by Ed Yong) is another way of discovering hot topics and possibly even open freelance jobs and opportunities for science writers.
How can I sustain my science writing side hustle?
Research different publications that publish science stories.
Familiarizing yourself with the newspapers, magazines and online platforms that publish science stories is essential if you want to maximize your opportunities for publication.
Mainstream media outlets like The New York Times, The Australian and The Guardian often run science stories aimed at general readers. Freelance science writers might be able to break into those pubications with a great article pitch.
Specialist publications like Scientific American, New Scientist, and Popular Science are written for science enthusiasts, while magazines like Astronomy are written for those with niche interests.
While not focussing exclusively on science, publications such as Smithsonian Magazine also run science-related articles on research breakthroughs, natural history, space exploration and environmental issues.
Trade publications such as Consulting-Specifying Engineer and Architectural Products may also have openings for freelance science writers.
But online platforms such as Live Science and Quanta Magazine (or the online versions of related print publications, as with Cosmos) offer the bulk of opportunities for freelance science writers today.
Pitch, pitch, and pitch again.
Pitching is a key skill for freelance science writers—and all freelance writers—but first you need to come up with compelling ideas.
(Read Steal my 5 Favorite Ways to generate saleable story ideas for some tips on how to do this.)
The Association of British Science Writers says that science writers’ “bread and butter” is reporting new results from journals and conferences, so that’s a good place to start searching for story leads.
Press releases distributed by companies, universities, funding bodies and scientific publishers are other potential story sources, but bear in mind that their purpose is promotional in nature.
General news stories can also provide starting points, if you look for the science angle. For example, the recent California wildfires have sparked multiple stories, like this one in the BBC, on how climate change is contributing to natural disasters.
Even seemingly mundane daily activities can serve as inspiration for science stories. For instance, I wrote this Cosmos story about a cane toad busting project I participated in, after needing to protect a new puppy from the poisonous amphibians.
Editors receive hundreds of pitches from freelancers every day, so it’s crucial to make yours stand out.
You can do this by reading—and strictly adhering to—the detailed submission guidelines for freelance writers many publications make available on their websites.
For example, Discover has a comprehensive breakdown of different segments of the print magazine as well as what they’re seeking in each.
Have sufficient flexibility to write in different formats as a science writer.
Science writing encompasses a variety of formats, each with their own purpose and style.
Being able to present your work in many different ways can help you cast a familiar subject in a fresh light, present information in the most effective manner, and maximise the amount of words you’re able to sell from a single interview, research paper or field excursion.
Some of the most common formats found in science writing include the following:
· News stories: These short, timely pieces report on recent events, discoveries or events, such as this story on the health risks associated with loneliness.
· Features: This type of freelance example includes more in-depth articles which explore a topic in detail. These often incorporate interviews, narrative storytelling, or personal experience, like this story I wrote on Growing a personalised cure.
· Profiles: This allows a freelance science writer to highlight the work and personality of a scientist or researcher. The New York Times has a collection of such profiles.
· Trend stories: Explore emerging patterns or shifts in science and technology, like this ‘Five Key Trends in AI and data science for 2024’ story published in MIT Sloan Management Review.
· Explanatory articles: Here is where science writing breaks down complex concepts or phenomenon for a general audience like this piece on ‘Sinking Cities’ for Stuff.
FAQs
Do you need a specific degree to do freelance science writing?
As a freelance science writer, it’s easy to be intimidated when so many people around you have PhDs—or maybe that’s my imposter syndrome showing.
Seriously, though, do you need scientific training to become a freelance science writer? The consensus is that while a degree in science or journalism doesn’t hurt, it’s certainly not necessary.
Scientific training can prove useful, says Aneri Pattani, writing at The OPEN Notebook (which has some great resources for aspiring science writers).
“But for every benefit the years spent earning a science degree may bring—from gaining technical knowledge to understanding a scientist’s daily life and avoiding common science interpretation errors—there’s a potential drawback, too.”
Though her article is from 2018, it’s a comprehensive and still-relevant read about the pros and cons of scientific training.
What does science writing pay?
You’re probablly wondering, Is science writing one of the highest-paying freelance niches of 2025?
The fees for science writing stretch from nothing (yes, really) to at least USD 2 per word, according to this database published by science writer Robin Lloyd.
Those which pay the highest fees include Harvard Public Health, Scientific American and The Atlantic.
Those which don’t pay at all (though they do offer edit your story) include Solar Today Magazine, Massive Science and The Conversation.
However, most science writing outlets pay within the mid-range.
A range of factors determine the final fee you’ll receive.
Such factors include whether your story is destined for print, or digital-only publication, whether you’re considered a subject matter expert (they typically earn more), the type of story (with op-eds usually attracting flat fees), and whether the story was solicited or not.
A writer’s willingness to negotiate can also influence what you’ll earn. According to Lloyd, writers should always ask for a higher fee than what a publication initially offers.
