Publications in Print vs. Online Question

[RobertsInferno]

I'm looking to submit some of my short stories for publication. I'd like to build a small bio of publishing credits for myself as a writer, however I wanted to know if it really mattered if my story was published in an online magazine or an in print one.

Does it ultimately matter? Should I submit to all the print publications first before considering online ones?

And lastly, I've looked at Duotrope but didn't find much luck. Does anyone have links to print works accepting pieces of fiction that aren't fantasy or science fiction. One of my stories I feel strongly about is just fiction, sort of a sad story of life.

Thanks!

[Juliette Wade]

I'd say print versus online doesn't matter nearly as much as the reputation of the individual publication. I'd give you more information if I could, but my expertise is all in sf/f, so I can't speak to the question of venues for non-genre work.

[Libbie]

Doesn't seem to matter. I've got two short stories published in online magazines, and I have been doing fine so far with my queries for my novel. :)

Certainly, of course, some of the online magazines carry more reputation power than others. You'll want to do your research, and try to get into the best and most discerning magazines you can manage.

[BrooklynLee]

I'll ditto the others. I come from a journalism background, not as a writer of short stories, but there are publications of all sorts that are online only that stand up as credits that any writer would be glad to list. Similarly, there are print publications that would not be that prestigious, even though they are print. For example -- I don't think any fiction writer would turn up their nose at a story that was printed in McSweeney's. Major names publish work there.

[Bubastes]

Does anyone have links to print works accepting pieces of fiction that aren't fantasy or science fiction. One of my stories I feel strongly about is just fiction, sort of a sad story of life.

Thanks!

Have you looked at the list of publications in the back of Best American Short Stories (e.g., Glimmer Train, Kenyon Review, One Story, etc.)? It sounds like your "just fiction" story may have a literary bent, so that might be the kind of market to check out.

[Linda Adams]

You'll probably hear a lot of different opinions on this. I ran into a published writer who thought any credit was a good credit. But maybe she wasn't thinking about Acme Online Magazine by Joe Writer who couldn't get published so he tossed up an online magazine to publish his work. Something like that probably isn't going to get you any brownie points with agents if you're planning on queries.

Short stories are a tough market. Outside a few genres, there aren't that many opportunities. Don't make the mistake I did--I didn't have any place to submit what I wrote to, so I wrote in other areas. And I can't use any of my credits in my query letter at all because they don't relate at all to what I'll be submitting.

The thing that really got me though was that no one wants to pay writers for their work. All the online magazines said something like "We can't afford to pay you, but we'll put a link to your site and post your bio." In the beginning, when I was trying to get published, I didn't mind this, but later on, I expected to get something for the work I'd done.

[Stijn Hommes]

I can give plenty of help regarding non-SF/F specific publications, but for that to work, I need to know what genre your stories do fit. Size also matters. Some magazines focus on stories under 1000 words. Others prefer longer work. Please share a bit more information so we can give better suggestions.

[RedScylla]

I'm flabbergasted that you "didn't have much luck" on Duotrope. Just about any magazine that runs short stories (print or online) is on Duotrope, from the big names to the small timers. Perhaps you were searching with too narrow parameters. I've subbed a ton of short stories and found that research pays off. Order sample copies, visit the nearest large university library and browse their periodical section. All of the 7 shorts I've sold in the last two years were "just fiction."

[Maryn]

In my own experience, any paying market is a solid credit. If you receive no money, just free copies, membership to a website, links to your own stuff, etc., it doesn't impress anybody.

Even a low-paying market--and there are plenty--says that somebody thought your story was good enough to part with their money. That speaks volumes.

Maryn, paid but often not much

[maestrowork]

I'd say print versus online doesn't matter nearly as much as the reputation of the individual publication.

This.

Also, as long as they're legit publications and (even better) paying market, they're good as credits.

[Libbie]

Word up to the paying market thing. I've made a grand total of $47.00 off my short fiction. :D It still counts. Somebody paid me for my stories.

[OliviaMagdelene]

I'm looking to submit some of my short stories for publication. I'd like to build a small bio of publishing credits for myself as a writer, however I wanted to know if it really mattered if my story was published in an online magazine or an in print one.
It doesn't matter. I agree with others that you should discern whether the publication has a solid reputation. That matters more than anything.
Does it ultimately matter? Should I submit to all the print publications first before considering online ones?
You should submit to everybody you can. The more exposure you get, the better. I also have to disagree about the notion of non-paying exposure not being good credits. I have done more networking through non-paying gigs that end up leading to paying gigs eventually or more exposure for my other works. This is especially true of ghostwriting, which entails confidentiality agreements. Therefore you can't reference the other works you've done in that regard. So who you know comes in handy.
Does anyone have links to print works accepting pieces of fiction that aren't fantasy or science fiction. One of my stories I feel strongly about is just fiction, sort of a sad story of life.
You should have either a Writer's Market (http://www.writersmarket.com/) or a Literary Marketplace (http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp). Although these require subscriptions, you can find either usually at your local library to browse through for free.

I hope this helps you. Well wishes to you in you endeavors.

Respectfully,
Olivia