I'm assuming they mean publishers, but who is (are?) this mysterious trio? And what makes them so special?
How do you personally decide which publishers to try?
Probably this has been answered a number of times, but I appreciate your patience.
Thanks!
They are pro paying markets that have been around forever. Sadly, of them only Asimov's takes E-subs and that only recently. Kind of funny since Analog is also a magazine of science fact, and yet they are so far behind the times.
They are really the "big three" of science fiction though...Asimov's and Analog only take sci fi, no fantasy horror etc...on the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction does.
Edit: As for how to choose where to submit, thats mostly a personal thing and depends a lot on your particular goals. I recomend Duotrope's Digest for searching markets. I don't have a lot of time now but I'd be glad to share my knowledge of terminology and what I've learned about different markets...feel free to email me should you so desire.
[This message has been edited by Merlion-Emrys (edited July 30, 2010).]
Maybe you're thinking of "The Big Three," as in Asimov, Clark, and Heinlein?
ANALOG SCIENCE FICTION & FACT
editor: Stanley Schmidt
publisher: Dell Magazines
ASIMOV'S SCIENCE FICTION
editor: Sheila Williams
publisher: Dell magazines
FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
editor: Gordon Van Gelder
publisher: editor owned and operated
Of course, these are not the only short SF markets that pay pro rate. They're just the ones which have been around the longest, still get the most Name pro writers in them, and earn a lot of awards and award nominations for both editing and fiction.
Whatever that story is, it's not science fiction. I'm not saying the Asimov's will take sword and sorcery, or vampire erotica, but their definition of SF is clearly on the broad side.
Based on what I've read in the magazine, they don't publish high fantasy/secondary-world fantasy.
Not that they're very big---look at their subscription base numbers. Not that they pay very much---compare their rates to what non-SF magazines pay, fiction or non-fiction. Not that they're that professional---again, compare them to other magazines, or, better yet, compare them to SF magazines published back thirty or forty years ago.
I won't speak for Asimovs or SF&F, but it's been my experience that Dr. Schmidt and Co. of ANALOG are the epitomy of professional. Selling to them has been a very pleasant experience. Stan gets first look at all my stuff now, and whether he buys it or not, he always provides specific critique. I've proven to him that I am a commodity worth developing. The budding relationship is one of cooperation.
Again, if you can swallow some pride and knock a chip or two off your shoulders, you can do well with a market. All it takes is using SMF and comporting yourself professionally, plus turning in a half decent story, and the editors will begin to pay attention to you as someone worthwhile.