I'd rather not waste time submitting to the big mags up front since I have a better chance of getting rejected there and getting published in some easier mags / webZines will help me get experience and published works.
I know this seems vague, but are there any places some of you have had good experiences with? I'm not concerned with getting paid for a while, I'd rather just be published a few times first.
and don't worry, you are going to get rejected. About ten percent of my submissions get published (I think I'm doing pretty good) and that's without a pro-sale.
You could go with quick response's (F&SF, Analog), or ones with good feedback (Clarkesworld). What I suggest is looking at Doutrope or Storypilot
There you go. Give those two a look. That should keep you busy the rest of the day.
Granted if they liked it I guess it wouldn't matter, but still I figured I'd get beaten down a few times before submitting to the big ones.
I'll check out those links. Thanks.
My basic system, and I haven't been published anywhere so take it with a grain of salt, is to find the pro markets that have a palatable response time and are, of course, appropriate markets for my story and start there. Then I go to the semi-pro, and then to the token markets, and so on and so on.
One thing I keep in mind is the response time. Unless you are one hundred percent certain your story is perfect for a market, I don't see a good reason to sub to a pub that has a six month response time.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers,
Anthony
Starting at the top and working steadily down will give you a better idea of where your writing is. Sub toa free webzine that publishes 50% of what it receives (there are such markets around) and what have you learnt about your writing, and what you need to do to improve?
Of course, if all you want is to be published, there's nothing wrong with subbing to the most receptive market you can find (and duotrope can point you in that direction).
It's entirely up to you. If you want to have a publishing credit, then that's easy. But if you want to be a writer, it isn't.
In fact, sales to the semi-pros can be a drawback (you didn't believe in your own work enough to try the pros first?) and most don't even count with the pros as publishing credits, so I wouldn't even recommend listing them to those who have sold to semi-pros when they decide to start submitting to the pros.
Stanley Schmidt of ANALOG has said over and over again that he hates it when writers decide not to send him something because they think he won't be interested. He prefers to have a chance to decide for himself, and other pro editors feel the same.
It goes against my grain to send a manuscript to one or the other, then turn around and send it right back to the same address. Seems a waste of time, effort, postage, and money.
Whether it actually is, rather than what I perceive it to be, is another matter. Both claim independence, certainly, and maybe in fact. (I do have other reasons for submitting to Asimov's rather than Analog. though.)
Does anybody know for sure if one magazine has published a story rejected by the other?
They really are separate (in the same building, but different offices).
I don't know any specific stories about one editor buying something the other has rejected, though I know such things have happened, because that's one reason Stanley Schmidt doesn't want people to not send him stuff because they think he won't like it. He has complained before that something that sold to ASIMOV's or Magazine of F&SF would have been something he would have bought, but the author didn't give him a chance at it.
But at the same time I felt like the pro markets might see it as:
"you think you are so good you can skip the lower rungs of the ladder? You gotta earn your way up here."
All the while my story is not being submitted to a market where it had a chance. I guess I am in no hurry so I can wait.
The other thing is how do I send a letter like:
"So yea I've never been published ANYWHERE else, but what the hell, here you are..."
Obviously the wording would be better, but that's generally the vibe I would be sending. I thought the pro markets want to see people who have already been published.
Here's what I've been using:
quote:
Dear Sir,Please consider my previously unpublished manuscript "Earth Wreck" for publication in Analog. It's science fiction, about 3000 words.
I enclose a stamped, addressed envelope etc etc
Thanks for your consideration.
Yours sincerely,
etc
Let the story speak for itself.
Besides, what's wrong with being previously unpublished? You might be the next Robert Heinlein, and the magazine that first publishes you will be delighted, in years to come, to brag about their discovery.
And, if you truly feel your story isn't ready for the prime markets, why not try and polish it through the next (October) Ready for Market challenge ... ?
Cheers,
Pat
The reason I ask is that almost all the books I've read on the subject say that if you are submitting an unsolicited manuscript, you will automatically be put in the slush pile most of the time(if not every time) with any of the big name publishers or agents.
Also, many of these "How to" publishing books say it might actually be better to start with a smaller publishing house for first time novelists.
Comments?
[This message has been edited by Crystal Stevens (edited September 09, 2008).]
I believe that all unsolicited manuscripts, short stories or novels, go to the slush pile. That's no bad thing, it's just the start of the process. As we've often said elsewhere, the job of the first 13 is to get the slush reader to turn the page.
On starting with smaller publishers for novels, I guess that makes sense because they're more likely to take a risk on a new writer. But, I don't know--I read a nice story somewhere recently about Tom Docherty helping a new writer get published by Tor, so, maybe mileage varies.
Me, I'd go for the best publisher first and work down to the smaller ones--why not, worst that happens is one gets rejected.
Cheers,
Pat
Everyone understand that? LOL
The writer might prefer Option #2---the money is better and the time doesn't matter. But the agent might prefer Option #1---quick sale for quick money.
*****
I never send out a MS with a cover letter. If the story can speak for itself, the letter is redundant. What could you say that wouldn't be "Here is My Story," and the story is right there---that is, if you've remembered to put it in the envelope?
*****
The Analog / Asimov's issue is just one of those things about the Writing Racket that sticks in my craw, that's all. I don't recommend that others follow my practice in this.
I thought I heard they occasionally had passed stories from one to the other, though. Can't remember where I heard it...and it might be just another unfounded Internet rumor.
I know of other magazines that have done this sort of thing, legitimately or otherwise.
The thing is, that if you keep sending stuff to editors, even if they reject it, there is a good chance that they will begin to recognize your name. This can be good or bad, depending on the quality of your work and the professionalism with which you present it.
If your work is close, but not quite, they are likely to begin "pulling" for you, and each time you send something to them, they may hope that "this will be the one" especially if your work improves with time. They may even begin to put little notes of advice on the rejection letter, to help you get closer.
Even if your work isn't all that close, if you send clean and properly formatted manuscripts, and you show improvement, they will watch for you favorably.
What you have to be careful about is not to become memorable to an editor in a negative way. Bad impressions are extremely hard to overcome, so send the best you have that fits what they publish and make it look as clean and professional as possible.
Slush pile, here I come.
Pat