The Grapevine: For Writers

When I opened my mailbox the other day, I was delighted to see a $100 check from Reader's Digest. They had accepted one of my submissions, and my quote appeared in July's "Quotable Quotes."

Fillers are short written pieces, such as reader tips, poetry, or small anecdotes. They offer a quick and easy way to earn a small check. I've been doing it for 15 years; it's easy to jot an email to a publication. Sometimes they pay only a few bucks, and sometimes they pay a hundred dollars or so. But either way, I don't mind. I enjoy it.

So are you ready to write some fillers? Consider writing short jokes or real-life funnies for a place like Readers Digest. You can fill out a form on their site. They also accept "Quotable Quotes," which pay about $100 a pop.

Household tips are always a valuable subject. Magazines like Family Circle, Woman's Day, Family Handyman, Woman's World, and Family Fun pay for these tips. To ensure success, make sure that your tip fits their style. Emails are a fast way to make some progress. Just send a few tips each day.