Write for Planet Mars Music
Planet Mars Music is always looking for passionate, knowledgeable music writers, photographers, reviewers, and journalists to contribute to our growing publication. Whether you’re a seasoned music writer or an emerging voice with something to say, our Content Contributor Program gives you a platform to reach a dedicated audience of music fans — and in some cases, get paid to do it.
We cover everything from breaking news and album reviews to artist interviews, concert coverage, industry analysis, and opinion pieces. If music is your world, there’s a place for you here.
Write for Planet Mars Music
Planet Mars Music operates two distinct contributor tracks. Before submitting any content, you must register as a contributor and select the track that applies to you.
Track 1 — Community Contributors (Free Submission)
Community Contributors submit content to Planet Mars Music voluntarily, without expectation of payment. This track is ideal for music fans, hobbyist writers, emerging journalists, and anyone who wants to build their byline, grow their audience, and be part of the Planet Mars Music community.
As a Community Contributor you receive:
- A published byline on all accepted articles
- A contributor bio page with links to your website or social media
- Access to our contributor community and editorial feedback
- Consideration for upgrade to Paid Contributor status based on performance
- Press consideration for concerts and events where available
Community Contributors retain no ownership over submitted content once it is accepted for publication. By submitting content under this track, you assign all publication rights to Planet Mars Music as described in the Publication Rights section below.
Track 2 — Paid Contributors
Paid Contributors are approved writers, photographers, and journalists who produce content under a formal arrangement with Planet Mars Music. Paid Contributors may submit pitches for self-initiated pieces or accept assignments directly from our editorial team.
There are two ways to work as a Paid Contributor:
- Pitch and publish: You pitch a story idea to our editorial team. If approved, you write the piece and submit it for review. Upon acceptance and publication, you are compensated at the agreed rate.
- Editorial assignment: Our editorial team assigns you a specific story, review, interview, or feature. You complete and deliver the work by the agreed deadline and are compensated upon acceptance.
Paid Contributor rates vary based on content type, length, and scope. Standard rate guidelines are provided upon approval into the Paid Contributor track. Planet Mars Music does not guarantee a minimum number of assignments or published pieces to any Paid Contributor.
As a Paid Contributor you receive:
- Compensation at agreed rates for accepted and published work
- A published byline on all accepted articles
- A featured contributor bio page
- Access to press credentials for concerts, festivals, and events where available
- Priority consideration for ongoing and recurring assignments
- Potential for exclusive partnerships and branded content opportunities
Content We Accept
Planet Mars Music welcomes submissions across the following content types:
- News: Breaking music industry news, artist announcements, label deals, chart updates
- Album reviews: New releases across all genres with original analysis and critical perspective
- Concert and festival reviews: Live show coverage with or without original photography
- Artist interviews: Original interviews with artists at any level of their career
- Features and profiles: In-depth pieces on artists, scenes, trends, or music history
- Opinion and commentary: Informed takes on music industry issues, cultural moments, and artistic trends
- Photography: Concert, festival, portrait, or editorial photography to accompany written pieces or as standalone photo features
- Playlists and roundups: Curated listening guides, best-of lists, and genre deep-dives
We accept content covering all genres including but not limited to rock, pop, hip-hop, country, Americana, R&B, jazz, electronic, classical, and world music.
Editorial Standards
All submissions — whether free or paid — are subject to editorial review. Submitting content does not guarantee publication. Our editorial team reserves the right to accept, reject, request revisions to, or edit any submission for clarity, accuracy, length, style, and appropriateness for our audience.
All contributors are expected to meet the following standards:
- Content must be original and not previously published elsewhere in any form, including personal blogs, social media, or other outlets, unless explicitly agreed in writing in advance
- Content must be factually accurate. Contributors are responsible for verifying all facts, quotes, and claims before submission
- Content must not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party, including unauthorized use of copyrighted images, lyrics, or recordings
- Content must not be defamatory, harassing, or in violation of any applicable law
- AI-generated content must be disclosed at the time of submission. Planet Mars Music reserves the right to reject AI-generated submissions or require substantial human editorial revision before consideration
- Contributors must disclose any conflicts of interest, including personal relationships with artists, labels, or industry parties covered in submitted work
- Contributors must not accept payment, gifts, or other consideration from artists, labels, publicists, or other parties in exchange for favorable coverage without full disclosure to Planet Mars Music
How to Submit
Community Contributors: Register for a free contributor account using the form below. Once approved, you will receive access to our contributor submission portal where you can upload your piece, author bio, and any supporting materials. Our editorial team will review your submission and respond within 10–14 business days.
Paid Contributors — Pitching a Story: Send a brief pitch of no more than 200 words to editorial@planetmarsmusic.com with the subject line “Contributor Pitch — [Your Name] — [Story Title].” Your pitch should include a one-paragraph summary of the story, why it matters to our audience, and your estimated word count or scope. Include links to two or three previously published clips. Our editorial team will respond within 7–10 business days.
Paid Contributors — Accepting an Assignment: If our editorial team reaches out to you directly with an assignment, you will receive a written brief outlining the story, required word count or deliverable, deadline, and agreed compensation rate. Acceptance of an assignment constitutes your agreement to the terms of that brief and these contributor terms.
Publication Rights
This section governs the assignment of rights for all content submitted to Planet Mars Music under both contributor tracks. Please read it carefully before submitting any content.
Community Contributors — Rights Assignment
By submitting content to Planet Mars Music under the Community Contributor track, and upon acceptance of that content for publication, you irrevocably assign to Planet Mars Music the exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual right to publish, reproduce, distribute, modify, adapt, translate, create derivative works from, and otherwise use the submitted content in any medium or format, whether now known or hereafter developed. This includes but is not limited to publication on planetmarsmusic.com, syndication to partner publications, use in social media, newsletters, promotional materials, and future Planet Mars Music products.
You represent and warrant that:
- You are the sole original author of the submitted content
- The content does not infringe the rights of any third party
- You have the right to assign the rights described above
- The content has not been previously published and is not subject to any conflicting agreement
Planet Mars Music is not obligated to publish any submitted content and may remove previously published content at its discretion. No compensation is owed to Community Contributors for any use of their content under this rights assignment.
Paid Contributors — Rights Assignment
By accepting compensation for content submitted to Planet Mars Music under the Paid Contributor track, you assign to Planet Mars Music the exclusive, worldwide, perpetual right to publish, reproduce, distribute, and otherwise use the accepted content in any medium or format. This assignment takes effect upon your acceptance of the agreed compensation.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following terms apply:
- First publication rights: Planet Mars Music receives exclusive first publication rights. The contributor may not publish the piece elsewhere until 90 days after the original publication date on planetmarsmusic.com
- Republication: After the 90-day exclusivity window, contributors may republish their own work elsewhere provided they credit Planet Mars Music as the original publisher and include a link to the original article
- Photography: All photographs submitted for publication are licensed exclusively to Planet Mars Music for an initial period of 12 months from publication. After 12 months, the photographer retains the right to license the images elsewhere but may not remove them from planetmarsmusic.com
- Moral rights: Contributors retain the right to be credited as the author of their work. Planet Mars Music will not remove a contributor’s byline from published work without consent, except where required by law or where the contributor requests removal
For bespoke arrangements — such as exclusive long-term contributor agreements, co-branded content, or licensing of archival work — please contact editorial@planetmarsmusic.com.
Compensation and Payment
Paid Contributor rates are agreed in writing before work begins and confirmed in the assignment brief or pitch approval email. Payment is made within 30 days of publication via PayPal or direct bank transfer. Payment is contingent on the content being accepted and published.
Planet Mars Music is not obligated to pay for content that is submitted but not published, unless the piece was commissioned with a written kill fee agreement. Where a kill fee applies, it will be stated in the original assignment brief.
Contributors earning more than $600 in a calendar year will receive a 1099 form. All contributors are independent contractors and are solely responsible for their own taxes.
Contributor Program Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: April 13, 2026
- Independent Contractor Status. All contributors participate as independent contractors and not as employees, agents, or partners of Planet Mars Music. Nothing in these terms creates an employment relationship. Contributors are responsible for their own equipment, expenses, and taxes.
- Exclusivity. Planet Mars Music does not require exclusivity from contributors. You are free to write for other publications simultaneously unless a specific exclusivity arrangement has been agreed in writing. Content submitted to Planet Mars Music must be original and must not be submitted to or under consideration by another publication at the same time.
- Accuracy and Corrections. Contributors are responsible for the accuracy of their submissions. If a factual error is identified after publication, Planet Mars Music may issue a correction at its discretion. Repeated factual errors may result in removal from the contributor program.
- Conflicts of Interest and Ethics. Contributors must disclose any personal, financial, or professional relationship with any artist, label, publicist, venue, or other party covered in their submission. Accepting undisclosed payment or gifts from a third party in connection with a submission is grounds for immediate removal from the program.
- Indemnification. Contributors agree to indemnify and hold harmless Planet Mars Music, its officers, directors, and employees from any claims, damages, or legal costs arising from their submitted content, including claims of copyright infringement, defamation, or inaccuracy.
- Termination. Either party may terminate a contributor relationship at any time. Planet Mars Music reserves the right to remove any contributor from the program immediately for violations of these terms, ethical breaches, or conduct that may harm the reputation of the publication. Previously published content may remain on the site following termination unless removal is requested and agreed upon in writing.
- Modifications. Planet Mars Music reserves the right to update these contributor terms at any time. Contributors will be notified of material changes via email. Continued participation after the effective date of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
- Governing Law. These terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Arlington County, Virginia, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
- Contact. For contributor inquiries, pitch submissions, or questions about these terms, contact us at editorial@planetmarsmusic.com or visit planetmarsmusic.com.
By registering as a contributor and submitting content to Planet Mars Music, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Contributor Program Terms.