Can anyone tell me about how you go about getting a sci-fi story published? Short story right now, but novel procedure is also welcome 
Thanks
Go down to your local library and find a book called The Writer’s Market. It’s an annual, so you probably won’t be able to check out the current edition, but previous years editions most likely circulate. This will give you all the information you need with a few articles explaining how to properly prepare your manuscript (hmm, is it still called that? — I gave up my lame attempt at a writing career in the pre-home computer days) and it includes a listing of sf magazines, addresses, names of editors, and a bunch of other things that you’ll find interesting and necessary.
Good luck with your story. Let us know when it’s published.
Writers Market, unfortunately, is almost worthless for science fiction. It dates too rapidly.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has a page on writing that has a large amount of information on the basics.
The Critters Workshop Online Library has a similar range of articles, along with links to the major online market report websites. Critters also provides online workshops so that you can get your story critiqued.
Of course, the real answer to how to get a science fiction (not sci-fi, please) story published is just to write a really, really good story that no editor can resist. Easier said than done, to be sure.