I was just leafing through the 2008 edition of the reference book, The Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers.
If you write articles with any frequency, you might want to have a look at it.
A number of the listed publications pay by the word for what they acquire, and while it can add up if you have a number of outlets on the string, it won't make you rich.
Still, it's nice getting little checks, say for $100 each in the mail on a quarterly basis, as I do from some magazines to which I contribute.
You'll find this book eye opening in some unexpected ways.
For instance, I glanced at a parenting magazine that would be a perfect market for my articles pertaining to coaching kid-sports.
But then I hesitated after I reached the submission guidelines where I saw this remarkably retro reference.
After you submit your work, it says: "We respond in 6 months.
" SIX MONTHS? Are we back in the days of the 1800's, with the Pony Express, nearly impassable roads, trails teeming with bandits and other obstructions? Is the Donner Party yet to broaden its cuisine in the Sierras? In the Age of The Internet, with instant publication possible through ezines, I start to grow impatient when I haven't received a responsive email in six seconds! How can any industry take six months to reply to a potential vendor or strategic partner, without risking utter embarrassment or humiliation upon discovery? I used to believe the lead-times required by book publishers were slothful-taking nine months to a year to get a book into stores after the manuscript has been completed.
But ink-and-paper publications can rival them for inefficiency.
Fortunately, I only saw a few periodicals that still require, as that one does, MAILED queries.
Bowing to the times, most consider emailed submissions.
Check out various publication directories, and I think you'll find it stimulating and encouraging that there are some paying markets for your labors of love.