Short story markets

Tburger · Apr 25, 2008

OK - I've turned the first chapter of my novel into a short story and I have a question. I am familiar with many of the magazines out there, web zines and printed, but I haven't had time to read back-issues, etc., for all of them. So I thought I'd ask here: does anyone know of sci-fi mags that are more amenable to publishing military sci-fi than the others? I'd really appreciate any input. It might save me the cost of buying back issues, etc.

waylander · Apr 25, 2008

Depends on how good it is.
The top two that come to mind are Analog and Baen's

www.ralan.com has a pretty comprehensive listing of mags

SPMiller · Apr 25, 2008

Unfortunately, as far as I know, Baen's has been bought up for months.

Gray Rose · Apr 25, 2008

Jim Baen's universe will open for submissions on May 1st.
You should tell us more about your story if you expect our recommendations to be worth something.
Also tell us please if you are only targeting pro markets, or if you would also consider semi-pro and token pay markets.
If you haven't already done so, it might be a wise idea to workshop your story before sending it off.
Good luck,
Rose

Gillhoughly · Apr 25, 2008

Yes, absolutely workshop it before sending it off--especially to Baen.

They're pretty picky and there's a lot of established Names trying to get in on that one. With that level of submissions you want all the help offered!

And hey--you get accepted by Baen? Whoa, they'll want to see the rest of the book!

Cathy C · Apr 25, 2008

Don't forget the be-all-end-all of the market lists too, at the SFWA Paying Markets page.

Tburger · Apr 25, 2008

Thanks for the input from everyone - I'd LOVE to get into Baen's Universe. And given that Baen seems to be a leader in military sci-fi book publishing, it sounds like a logical choice. I read through their submissions guidlines and I would qualify for one of their "Introducing..." slots. But the process looks BRUTAL. :scared:

Gray Rose · Apr 25, 2008

Tburger said:
Thanks for the input from everyone - I'd LOVE to get into Baen's Universe. And given that Baen seems to be a leader in military sci-fi book publishing, it sounds like a logical choice. I read through their submissions guidlines and I would qualify for one of their "Introducing..." slots. But the process looks BRUTAL.

Yes, it is brutal. That's why going to SYW first is probably a smart idea.
check out duotrope.com and ralan.com for more markets.
good luck,
Rose

Tburger · Apr 25, 2008

Thanks Rose - I already put it up twice on SYW, and then had a beta reader tear it apart, so now it looks nothing like what I have on SYW! Is there such a thing as beta readers for short fiction?

Gray Rose · Apr 27, 2008

Tburger said:
Thanks Rose - I already put it up twice on SYW, and then had a beta reader tear it apart, so now it looks nothing like what I have on SYW! Is there such a thing as beta readers for short fiction?

Absolutely, people beta each other's stories all the time.
You can post a request in the beta readers forum, or ask one of the people who already critted for you. You can also repost on SYW.

Melanie Nilles · Apr 27, 2008

Tburger said:
Thanks for the input from everyone - I'd LOVE to get into Baen's Universe. And given that Baen seems to be a leader in military sci-fi book publishing, it sounds like a logical choice. I read through their submissions guidlines and I would qualify for one of their "Introducing..." slots. But the process looks BRUTAL.

Depends on your definition of "brutal". If you feel the story is past the rough draft stage, go ahead and post in the JBU slush and be sure to post a "comments" post in the JBU slush comments section. Thanks to a beta reader here and lots of comments there, I polished up a novelette that went on to be a WOTF honorable mention. I made some more tweaks and have it back in the JBU slush. It's a great way to polish up manuscripts AND that slush can lead to a sale for the "introducing" slot.

Lccorp2 · Apr 27, 2008

Grey Rose--may I please ask where is it that Baen's Universe is accepting submissions from May 1 again? I'm not finding it on the link you provided.

Gray Rose · Apr 27, 2008

Ralan.com

Also here:
http://nancyfulda.livejournal.com/196312.html

She also says what she looks for in her slush.

Lccorp2 · Apr 27, 2008

Ah. Thank you.

Short story markets

Tburger

Wahoowa

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

SPMiller

Prodigiously Hanged

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Tburger

Wahoowa

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

Tburger

Wahoowa

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

Melanie Nilles

What're you looking at?

Lccorp2

How are you gentlemen?

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

Lccorp2

How are you gentlemen?