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Post by Sundrinker on Jan 2, 2024 21:03:12 GMT -6
After bringing it up many times, ScintillaMyntan finally convinced me to submit a story to a magazine. Last night I decided to give a serious look into it. I was kind of shocked to discover that there were a lot of them out there. It feels, in a way, like a niche thing yet it's pretty lively? I've never really been interested in the literary world before. Although, thinking back, I frequented a number of people in college that were into writing but I can't remember anybody *ever* bringing up wanting to be published in a literary magazine. Heck, it didn't even come up in that creative writing class I participated in. Anyway, I'm rambling. So, do you read any literary magazines? Any one you'd recommend? Did you try getting published in one before, etc. What's your overall experience? |
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Post by Alatariel on Jan 3, 2024 9:59:09 GMT -6
After bringing it up many times, ScintillaMyntan finally convinced me to submit a story to a magazine. Last night I decided to give a serious look into it. I was kind of shocked to discover that there were a lot of them out there. It feels, in a way, like a niche thing yet it's pretty lively? I've never really been interested in the literary world before. Although, thinking back, I frequented a number of people in college that were into writing but I can't remember anybody *ever* bringing up wanting to be published in a literary magazine. Heck, it didn't even come up in that creative writing class I participated in. Anyway, I'm rambling. So, do you read any literary magazines? Any one you'd recommend? Did you try getting published in one before, etc. What's your overall experience? I try to read some of the big name ones to know what the market wants/expects right now. Like Apex, Clarkesworld, Asimov's, Uncanny, Strange Horizons... I've sumbitted to many and been accepted at one. A small press but they paid so that's neat. Many of the small ones don't pay. I won't submit to those. Art should be compensated. It's ridiculous to run a business and expect the people who do the work to make it happen to do it for free. No other industry is like that. Anywhoo...all my rejections are generally kind, one encouraged me to submit again in the future and went into details about how much they liked my story but they already bought a story that was the same general theme and they were specifically looking for two more stories with different vibes. I'd say just keep submitting. I use Duotrope to find magazines and submissions. |
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jan 3, 2024 15:52:02 GMT -6
Hey, Alatariel - Is Duotrope still subscription only? I fled as soon as they took the database away for free. If it IS still sub only, there's the Subscription Grinder by Diabolical Plots. It's not fancy, but it is free to use and stays up-to-date and allows one to log all their submissions like Duotrope. Grinder is an apt name, honestly, because sometimes the constant searching for zines and subbing to them can feel like a grind, but that comes with the job. Cannot be avoided. Even the pros have to do it (when their work isn't being solicited). As far as literary zines go, I sold a literary flash some years ago to two different non-genre zines, and the first folded before they published the story (so there's always that risk), but the story sold a second time fairly quickly and ended up in freeze frame fiction. (link to it there) Which was so much better because the first zine, the one that folded, wanted me to change one key piece of the story and it lost a certain feel. But I was ready to do the edits just to get the publication credit. Anyway, fff didn't change a thing.  And you're right, there are a LOT of zines out there, in addition to all the anthologies, themed calls, and contests. A very lively niche bunch, for sure. Literature is alive and well, if relegated to the fringes (feels like). Working with lots of different zines, if they're reputable, has had a similar feel for me, with a few ups and downs scattered in. The standard feel is submit story --> get polite, cool form rejection --> move on. The ups being the personal rejections that give feedback when I didn't expect it, and the acceptances, of course. The downs being those snarky editors who tell you why they rejected your story in less than kind terms when a form rejection would've been more professional. ("I got tired of that plotline 40 years ago!" Yes, he really responded with that.) And when you write a story particularly for a themed anthology, and they reject it. That always hurts. But then someone else buys it, and it feels like vindication. (Take that, old editor who was tired of my plotline!)  * The trick is to KEEP SUBMITTING. As soon as you get a rejection (and give yourself a couple days to mourn and get over it), find another zine that fits the bill and sub the story again. Or, better, have a second and a third zine lined up and ready to go, b/c the odds of acceptance are usually very slim. Most zines have a rejection rate of 95% or more. * The trick to PERSISTING is to keep in mind that publishing is a business, and rejections should never be taken as a personal hit. |
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Post by Alatariel on Jan 4, 2024 12:32:22 GMT -6
RAVENEYE yea it's subscription based now, $5 a month. I subscribe but should probably be using it more, but I'm not mad about it. Totally understand those who don't wanna pay, though. No worries! Glad there's a free option. I do like all the filters on duotrope and the option to save magazines and track your submissions/rejections/acceptances.
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on Jan 9, 2024 9:55:38 GMT -6
I have a question. When I look for a magazine to submit to, I always check whether they're free to read online. I searched for Pushcart-winning magazines on Submission Grinder for maybe aiming high with that school pictures day story from Legends 2022, and almost all of them charge for back issues or only have a couple free stories per edition. Am I being unreasonable for avoiding them? If I got accepted, I'd be proud of myself, and then disappointed that I can't just send people the link to read my story and that my story is trapped in some stuffy paid publication bought by a handful of MFAs.
But then I guess that's what reprints are for? Should I aim for one of these publications and then, in the unlikely case it's accepted, I find a free online place that takes reprints? Is that realistic, aside from the getting accepted part? I want to have the validation of my work being accepted somewhere with high standards, but I also just want my story to be easily accessible.
As for reading litmags, I've enjoyed stories from Unstuck — I actually did pay for that one — Shimmer, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies. I recently found a flash fiction website called Bombfire that looked like fun, but I need to get around to reading some of it. Any recommendations for publications for low fantasy with a focus on character and symbolism, while also being decidedly fantasy with serious attention to the fantastical element or worldbuilding?
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jan 9, 2024 18:12:11 GMT -6
I have a question. When I look for a magazine to submit to, I always check whether they're free to read online. I searched for Pushcart-winning magazines on Submission Grinder for maybe aiming high with that school pictures day story from Legends 2022, and almost all of them charge for back issues or only have a couple free stories per edition. Am I being unreasonable for avoiding them? If I got accepted, I'd be proud of myself, and then disappointed that I can't just send people the link to read my story and that my story is trapped in some stuffy paid publication bought by a handful of MFAs. But then I guess that's what reprints are for? Should I aim for one of these publications and then, in the unlikely case it's accepted, I find a free online place that takes reprints? Is that realistic, aside from the getting accepted part? I want to have the validation of my work being accepted somewhere with high standards, but I also just want my story to be easily accessible. As for reading litmags, I've enjoyed stories from Unstuck — I actually did pay for that one — Shimmer, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies. I recently found a flash fiction website called Bombfire that looked like fun, but I need to get around to reading some of it. Any recommendations for publications for low fantasy with a focus on character and symbolism, while also being decidedly fantasy with serious attention to the fantastical element or worldbuilding? Good questions! I'll try to address them as best as I can. * Am I being unreasonable for avoiding them?Maaaaaybe? Selling subscriptions is one of the ways these zines stay open and pay their authors, so while it IS disappointing that we can't just throw copies (or links) to our friends/family/coworkers/etc. these zines do usually pay the authors in one or two free copies, which you can SHOW to friends/family/coworkers/etc. and urge them to buy their own copy. BUT, yes, the viewership is surely smaller than we would like when we just want our stories out there for everyone/anyone to enjoy. * But then I guess that's what reprints are for? Should I aim for one of these publications and then, in the unlikely case it's accepted, I find a free online place that takes reprints? Is that realistic, aside from the getting accepted part?Absolutely! I see no reason why this wouldn't be a viable plan. And I crossed through those bits because I believe many of your stories and poems are marketable and worth subbing. * Any recommendations for publications for low fantasy with a focus on character and symbolism, while also being decidedly fantasy with serious attention to the fantastical element or worldbuilding?I wouldn't fret too much over the minute details of theme/symbol/etc. (unless it's a themed publication) Since it's usually the overall genre and sometimes the mood/style/etc. of a story that zines ask for, I'd just submit a piece based on the overarching things like that--and let the editors decide whether the rest of the package works for them and how they would define it. In other words, don't overthink it. If a zine says they want character-driven fantasy and you've got a character-driven fantasy (whether it's low, high, epic, slipstream, magic realism, whatever), then chances are, that zine is a good place to sub to. Let the editors do the work of deciding if the story is right for them. When you read a zine's guidelines, about page, any sample works they have posted, etc. you can get a pretty darn good feel for the niche they're trying to fill. Or whether they just want a broad general take on genres X, Y, and Z. Chances of publication are slim for EVERYBODY in any given issue of any given zine, so don't let that stop you either. |
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on Jan 9, 2024 19:43:46 GMT -6
Thanks. And thanks very much for the encouragement. I would even prefer these magazines don't pay but have their stories up for free. I've now submitted that story to two up-there publications without paywalls, but if those fall through, I'll try that route. * Any recommendations for publications for low fantasy with a focus on character and symbolism, while also being decidedly fantasy with serious attention to the fantastical element or worldbuilding?I wouldn't fret too much over the minute details of theme/symbol/etc. (unless it's a themed publication) Since it's usually the overall genre and sometimes the mood/style/etc. of a story that zines ask for, I'd just submit a piece based on the overarching things like that--and let the editors decide whether the rest of the package works for them and how they would define it. I meant for reading, not for submitting to! |
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jan 10, 2024 10:55:34 GMT -6
Thanks. And thanks very much for the encouragement. I would even prefer these magazines don't pay but have their stories up for free. I've now submitted that story to two up-there publications without paywalls, but if those fall through, I'll try that route. * Any recommendations for publications for low fantasy with a focus on character and symbolism, while also being decidedly fantasy with serious attention to the fantastical element or worldbuilding?I wouldn't fret too much over the minute details of theme/symbol/etc. (unless it's a themed publication) Since it's usually the overall genre and sometimes the mood/style/etc. of a story that zines ask for, I'd just submit a piece based on the overarching things like that--and let the editors decide whether the rest of the package works for them and how they would define it. I meant for reading, not for submitting to! Bahahahaa!! Oooooh! Nope, can't help with that one.  |
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jan 12, 2024 10:25:28 GMT -6
Since it was mentioned in this thread ... I tried to go to my account on Submission Grinder and learn that out of nowhere, the site has closed down. Permanently? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I am devastated! That site saved us from having to pay a subscription at Duotrope, and now there's no longer any other option! Accept to either pay or go back to my old (inefficient) spreadsheet system.    Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?????? ==================== Edit: Breathe, Raveneye. Latest updates indicate there's merely a service outage and the site is working to fix the issue. Will it come back???? Now I don't know what to believe. |
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on Jan 12, 2024 12:31:05 GMT -6
Since it was mentioned in this thread ... I tried to go to my account on Submission Grinder and learn that out of nowhere, the site has closed down. Permanently? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I am devastated! That site saved us from having to pay a subscription at Duotrope, and now there's no longer any other option! Just days ago, I noticed a publication's listing didn't match the website. I submitted a correction, and he e-mailed me back, thanking me and saying he fixed it. It sure doesn't seem like he intends for it to stay down, or at least earlier this week he didn't— |
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jan 12, 2024 18:29:56 GMT -6
Since it was mentioned in this thread ... I tried to go to my account on Submission Grinder and learn that out of nowhere, the site has closed down. Permanently? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I am devastated! That site saved us from having to pay a subscription at Duotrope, and now there's no longer any other option! Just days ago, I noticed a publication's listing didn't match the website. I submitted a correction, and he e-mailed me back, thanking me and saying he fixed it. It sure doesn't seem like he intends for it to stay down, or at least earlier this week he didn't— oh please oh please, let that be the case. Thanks, Scintilla. |
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on Jan 14, 2024 11:16:28 GMT -6
oh please oh please, let that be the case. Thanks, Scintilla. It's back up. |
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jan 15, 2024 9:47:49 GMT -6
oh please oh please, let that be the case. Thanks, Scintilla. It's back up. Oh thank goodness. I had a mini apoplexy over that one.  |
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