semi-pro or pro?

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

I have found a great semi-professional market (anthology) that I think fits my story really well. But I am wondering whether or not I should try professional markets first. The anthology's deadline is 80 days from now.

I have never sent out fiction and have no way of judging the level my writing - whether it's pro, or semi-pro, or nothing at all. I do know that in SF/F it is nearly impossible to break into the professional market with a story of novelette length (8,500 words) from a newbie.

I have read my markets and know which three pro places I could send this to. But I don't think I have a chance at F&SF, Strange Horizons is closed to submissions until Dec. 31st, and it seems megalomaniac to think that Asimov's will want my story.

So, what do you think I should do?

Voyager · Nov 11, 2007

Submit, submit, submit. What have you got to lose?

Susan Breen · Nov 11, 2007

When I first started writing short stories, there was a magazine called Housewife Writer's Forum and I had a story that seemed appropriate and I agonized for months over whether or not to send it them--as opposed to the NYer, or whatever. Anyway, I finally did submit my story and got a form rejection. I'm not sure what the moral is there, except that I would just submit as many places as you can.

johnnysannie · Nov 11, 2007

Semi-pro and pro often refer to the rates paid and not necessarily to the level of writing. If the writing is good, no editor is going to turn it down because you're a new writer!

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

johnnysannie said:
Semi-pro and pro often refer to the rates paid and not necessarily to the level of writing. If the writing is good, no editor is going to turn it down because you're a new writer!

Thanks Susan and Johnysannie.

I have no idea if my writing's any good, and my themes are weird enough so that not every market will want it.

benbradley · Nov 11, 2007

Gray Rose said:
I have found a great semi-professional market (anthology) that I think fits my story really well. But I am wondering whether or not I should try professional markets first. The anthology's deadline is 80 days from now.

I have never sent out fiction and have no way of judging the level my writing - whether it's pro, or semi-pro, or nothing at all
....
So, what do you think I should do?

Have you had anyone else read it? It seems kinda long for SYW (are there guidelines for the max size of a work? I forget), but have you posted it or a portion there, or asked for "beta" readers? It seems like this would be a good way to get others' comments of the 'level' of your writing before you <bleep - can't think of a clean way to say what I want to say - perhaps "waste your time"> sending it 'blindly' to the markets.

If others say it's publishable quality, there are good arguments for sending it to the highest paying market first, then if rejected, the next higest paying, and so on.

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

benbradley said:
Have you had anyone else read it? It seems kinda long for SYW (are there guidelines for the max size of a work? I forget), but have you posted it or a portion there, or asked for "beta" readers? It seems like this would be a good way to get others' comments of the 'level' of your writing before you <bleep - can't think of a clean way to say what I want to say - perhaps "waste your time"> sending it 'blindly' to the markets.

If others say it's publishable quality, there are good arguments for sending it to the highest paying market first, then if rejected, the next higest paying, and so on.

Part of it is on SYW, and I've got very useful crits.
You can take a look if you want.
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82000
The revised version has since been revised, and revised, and revised.
I have wonderful betas, and they like the story. Some even love it.

Which proves what exactly?

astonwest · Nov 11, 2007

Gray Rose said:
I have no idea if my writing's any good, and my themes are weird enough so that not every market will want it.

Keep submitting. I submitted to one place which explained why they rejected it. I worked on that aspect of the writing in my next story, submitted it back to them and had it accepted.

Not sure if the semi-pro and pro markets are the same way (this one was paying, but not to those levels), but...

benbradley · Nov 11, 2007

Gray Rose said:
Part of it is on SYW, and I've got very useful crits.
You can take a look if you want.
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82000
The revised version has since been revised, and revised, and revised.
I have wonderful betas, and they like the story. Some even love it.

Which proves what exactly?

Don't think it proves anything, but it rather strongly suggests that you should be submitting the thing. Yes, I read the excerpt. When and where is it being published, huh?

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

astonwest said:
Keep submitting. I submitted to one place which explained why they rejected it. I worked on that aspect of the writing in my next story, submitted it back to them and had it accepted.

Thanks, Astonwest! I hope to get feedback.

benbradley said:
Don't think it proves anything, but it rather strongly suggests that you should be submitting the thing. Yes, I read the excerpt. When and where is it being published, huh?

Ben, you are too sweet. Thanks!
I am sending it off tomorrow despite the last-minute panic attack. If I don't, please kick me.

waylander · Nov 12, 2007

F+SF turn their submisisons around really fast so I would send it there. You will certainly get a reply from them before the antho deadline.

BTW: If you sell to F+SF with your first submission we will have to kill you!

Momento Mori · Nov 12, 2007

Given that the anthology's deadline is still 80 days away, my suggestion would be to check Duotrope for any markets that you think would be a good fit, which offer professional/semi-pro rates and which have an average response time of around 70 days.

If you get a response before that time and it's an acceptance, then you've got a sale and don't need to worry about the anthology.

If you get a rejection, then you see how many days are still remaining until the anthology deadline and see if there's another market you can submit to before then. That way, you've always got the anthology you think would be a good fit lined up, but you're keeping your other options open.

MM

ETA:

I agree with waylander - if you get in at F+SF, we will have to kill you. But we'll do it in a polite way.

Gray Rose · Nov 15, 2007

No chance, Waylander and Momento.

And that's good, because I want to live!
Sent it somewhere else first. Let's see if I get a form rejection :0

semi-pro or pro?

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

Voyager

Ribbed for your pleasure.

Susan Breen

johnnysannie

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

benbradley

It's a doggy dog world

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

astonwest

2 WIP? A glutton for punishment

benbradley

It's a doggy dog world

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!