Well, I’m trying to get started as a writer (and I’m not one yet because no on else has called me so). I’m trying to sell some short stuff, which I hope will lead to longer stuff like real books and all.
Can anyone tell me what magazines might accept stories for print? Please describe what kind of focus it has: fantasy, sci-fi, historical, etc.
I suggest going down to your local library or bookstore and picking up a copy of Writer’s Market. It will list any current publication taking freelance submissions, editorial requirements, contact information etc. You really don’t need any other resource, despite all the terrific advice all the Doper writers will be popping in here to give you.
Good luck!
The current Writer’s Market is probably your best bet. Most libraries should have a copy if you don’t want to buy it.
You might want to buy (or wander over to your library’s reference section and check) a copy of Writer’s Market - it gives a pretty comprehensive list of buyers.
Beyond that - check the periodicals section at your local bookstore - they’ll usually have a section devoted to such magazines.
Ha! That was nearly a triple simulpost.
By the way, smiling bandit, you might want to check out Writer’s Market.
From the three posts above I think you probably get the idea.
It has everything you need. It not only has which magazines buy, but also which buy a lot, what they like, how you need to approach them and even where to find a literary agent when it gets to that point.
Hmm… it seems like I might have heard about this thing called “writer’s market” somewhere and could take a look at it.
Sounds good to me. Hopefully, I can get enough to cover some expenses while I’m doing stuff.
What about literary agents? Are they really worth it?
We have had a number of threads on literary agents.
Some found them not worth the hassle, but I think the majority felt reputable ones did free up the writer to do what he or she does best - write.
Generally speaking, to get a good one, however, you need to have something of a track record.
TV
Virtually no literary agents will handle short fiction unless you are already a hugely famous and successful client. There’s no money in it for them. Agents get 15% of the take. A short story may only generate $50. Postage to a few places can eat that up.
Hardly any magazines that accept fiction will want to deal with an agent in any case.
Writer’s Market has articles in it that deal with these kinds of questions, BTW.
And be aware that every magazine turns down anywhere from ten to 10,000 submissions for every one that they buy. It’s a tough world out there, although I wish you luck.
The book has been titled “Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market” for several years now; there is a separate volume for nonfiction. It’s the best place to start.
If you’re talking about science fiction/fantasy, there are some more specialized lists. There’s Paul Fleming’s Market List (http://home.att.net/~P.Fleming/Sfmarket.html), Ralan (http://www.ralan.com) and Spicy Green Iguana (http://www.spicygreeniguana.com) to start. You also may want to subscribe to Gila Queen’s Guide to Markets (http://gilaqueen.us/), which covers more than just SF, and Speculations (http://www.speculations.com/) for small press stuff.
If you want to workshop your items, you can join Critters (http://www.critters.org).
I used to date a woman that worked for Random House and she said that many publishers won’t give a manuscript the light of day if it’s from a new author w/out a literary agent.