Publishing Short Fiction - Markets

AyJay · Jun 15, 2009

No simultaneous submissions

I've just started trying to get some of my short fiction published, and I'm wondering how other writers deal with journals that have a policy of no simultaneous submissions? Please excuse my naiveté. I assume that some publications don't want to waste their time reviewing pieces that could get snapped up elsewhere. But they also tend to have policies of responding to authors three months or more later, so it leaves the writer idling for quite awhile. I'm pretty much a rule-follower, but would it be reasonable for me to submit a piece to another publication if I haven't heard back from the first in say six to eight weeks?

efkelley · Jun 16, 2009

Generally you want to follow the submission guidelines. If you haven't heard from them after their own elapsed time, then you should be clear to submit elsewhere. You can also send them a note inquiring as to the status of the submission.

My suggestion would be to have four or five works out there circulating through different publications. The more submissions you have out there, the greater your chances of getting an acceptance.

Shweta · Jun 23, 2009

Don't know if this goes here or in suddenly fiction, but NPR is having a 3-minute-long-fiction contest. Which would be flash by some criteria -- they say 5-600 words.

ETA: Mr Shweta tells me they want first worldwide rights -- for submissions, not just winners. I can't even see the terms and agreements page, it won't load, so I hadn't realized

Sorry! Keep that scary criterion in mind.

Gray Rose · Jun 23, 2009

AyJay said:
I've just started trying to get some of my short fiction published, and I'm wondering how other writers deal with journals that have a policy of no simultaneous submissions? Please excuse my naiveté. I assume that some publications don't want to waste their time reviewing pieces that could get snapped up elsewhere. But they also tend to have policies of responding to authors three months or more later, so it leaves the writer idling for quite awhile. I'm pretty much a rule-follower, but would it be reasonable for me to submit a piece to another publication if I haven't heard back from the first in say six to eight weeks?

It would be reasonable to submit only to markets whose guidelines you can honor.

In the beginning of my submitting career, I didn't submit to markets with turnaround time greater than 1.5 months. I remember when waiting for 50 days seemed like an eternity to me. At this time I am happy to submit to markets that will hold my work for over 6 months if it enters the shortlisting process. I am yet to dare markets who hold my work that long without reading it. But then again, I am a rookie.

You can find relative response times on duotrope.com

Most importantly, a writer doesn't idle during that time. A writer writes, workshops, polishes and submits; one story finished? start another.

Or, as an editor I know says often, "read read read, write write write, submit submit submit".

Best of luck!
Rose

seaaircarol · Jun 23, 2009

Shweta said:
Don't know if this goes here or in suddenly fiction, but NPR is having a 3-minute-long-fiction contest. Which would be flash by some criteria -- they say 5-600 words.

Thanks! I submitted a story.

Shweta · Jun 23, 2009

seaaircarol said:
Thanks! I submitted a story.

Really hope I didn't screw things up for you -- did you read the terms and agreements? I couldn't get it to load, and stupidly assumed it would be reasonable, but apparently they want first worldwide rights for everything submitted

Keyan · Jun 24, 2009

Shweta said:
Really hope I didn't screw things up for you -- did you read the terms and agreements? I couldn't get it to load, and stupidly assumed it would be reasonable, but apparently they want first worldwide rights for everything submitted

No no no, not worldwide. That's too limiting:

"by any and all means, uses and media, whether audio, print, audiovisual or otherwise, now or hereafter known, throughout the universe in all languages."

All your entries are belong to us.

seaaircarol · Jun 24, 2009

Hmmm. No, I admit I didn't read the terms. Should have.

So..."first" rights. That would mean that if they were to publish the story or air it, the rights would revert back to the author after? That in itself isn't bad.

But the problem would be that the author would never know when and if they were going to use it, I suppose.

I sent something that I hadn't been able to sell elsewhere, so I don't feel so bad about it.

seaaircarol · Jun 24, 2009

I just read the terms. Unless I'm completely misunderstanding the concept, it seems to me that once the contest is over in July, the author would be free to send the story elsewhere (because by that time they would have used it or not).

Am I missing something?

Shweta · Jun 24, 2009

seaaircarol said:
I just read the terms. Unless I'm completely misunderstanding the concept, it seems to me that once the contest is over in July, the author would be free to send the story elsewhere (because by that time they would have used it or not).

Am I missing something?

I think you could, but only as a reprint? Because first right are already given away.

seaaircarol · Jun 24, 2009

But if they never use it, how can they take first rights?

I don't mind if they publish it or air it, and take the first rights. But to not use it and take first rights? I don't see how they can do that.

Maybe I'm just not getting this.

Shweta · Jun 24, 2009

seaaircarol said:
But if they never use it, how can they take first rights?

I don't mind if they publish it or air it, and take the first rights. But to not use it and take first rights? I don't see how they can do that.

Maybe I'm just not getting this.

I still can't even get the terms & agreements page to load. I'm going off what Mr Shweta told me.

But maybe it's just that TV is a totally different and much more rights-grabbing sort of world?

seaaircarol · Jun 25, 2009

Radio, you mean?

I'm just going to assume that if they haven't contacted me by August, I'm free to use it elsewhere.

johnnysannie · Jun 25, 2009

seaaircarol said:
Radio, you mean?

I'm just going to assume that if they haven't contacted me by August, I'm free to use it elsewhere.

Yes. First rights mean publication rights, not the first look at something. Unless your work is published, then you still have first rights to offer. Once something has been published in any fashion, then you can offer reprint rights....unless you agreed to giving up all rights in which case you can't.

JRTurner · Aug 10, 2009

Just a head's up here:

Echelon Press is hunting for good short stories for electronic downloads. It is a paying market. Thought I'd pass this on to anyone interested.

Here's the link:

http://www.echelonpress.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=4

Short stories are considered 3,000-10,000 words long. Might be a good place to build up a credit, if you're interested.

Warmly,
Jenny

Niki_G · Jan 16, 2010

I don't think anyone's mentioned Fried Fiction yet. If it has been mentioned, I apologize for the repeat. FF is actively looking for short story serials. If selected, you publish your stories in short episodes of 1,000 words or less at your own pace. http://www.friedfiction.com

brainstorm77 · Mar 18, 2010

Cathy C said:
The only GOOD paying market I know of right now is Woman's World magazine--a weekly glossy magazine. But I would love to know if there are any other weekly/monthly magazines that take short romance. Here are the guidelines:

Romantic Short Stories

We buy contemporary romances of 1,100 words. Stories must revovle around a compelling, true-to-life relationship dilemma; may feature either a female or male protagonist; and may be written in either the first or third person. Characters may be married, single, divorced, or widowed; should be down-to-earth (no yuppies or jet-setters); and their dilemma should be poignantly or humorously conveyed. Please think carefully about a story's setting, mood and plot, and tell the story with interesting action and dialogue. (Every sentence, paragraph, and scene of the story should deliver more information about your characters and thei situation and/or briskly advance the storyline.)

We are not interested in stories involving life-or-death matters, nor are we interested in fluffy, flyaway-style romances. When we say romance, what we really mean is relationship--whether it's just beginning or is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The emphasis in our stories is on real life--which is why we do not buy science fiction, fantasy or historical.

We pay $1,000 per romance and retain First North American Serial Rights for six months after publication.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Manuscripts should be double spaced in legible size type.

Where to send manuscripts: Fiction Editor, Woman's World, 270 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632.

How to send manuscripts: (1) You must include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to receive a reply. Manuscripts not accompanies by a SASE will be discarded. Note: A #10 SASE is necessary not just for a response, but for your contract if we purchase your story. (2) Please DO NOT fax or email manuscripts--because such submissions do not include SASEs, we have no means of responding to your submission.

Get to know us: Please familiarize yourself thoroughly with our style before submitting your work.

Be patient: Because we receive a tremendous volume of manuscripts, our turnaround time may range from one to six months. If you still have not heard from us after that time, feel free to re-submit your manuscript. Please do not call or write us to inquire about the manuscript's status.

*************
(YES, you read that right-- $1,000 for 1,100 words! Get those short romances in order and send 'em out! )

Has this info changed since it was posted?

linfred4 · Mar 24, 2010

Hi, JAlpha

I was reading your msg you left on here about how you were looking for AW members to ck your site out about Short Story's Fiction, or we could e-mail you (short fiction manuscripts under 100 words) I am new at this but have been wrint for years. But i am unsure if I feel comforable sending my MS to you that way. Plus my short story's are over 1000words, I have two at 1500words and the other 3 are at 5,000words. But i am more into Novels.

dgiharris · May 13, 2010

For those of us who write lots of short stories and articles

I developed a Spreadsheet for Tracking all of my short stories and articles. It is color coded. I created a generic template that shows how to use the spreadsheet. Within the spreadsheet, just put the cursor over any little red triangle (comments) and a pop-up window will show up with an explanation of the section.

On the bottom of the spreadsheet you will see different tabs for different sections.

I loaded the spreadsheet on an online file storage site: www.box.net

The user name is: dgiharris
email address is: [email protected]
password is: spreadsheet

it is in a folder titled AW spreadsheet (the only folder)

go there, download my excel file and enjoy

Mel...

p.s. Norton says the site is safe http://safeweb.norton.com/report/show?name=box.net

linfred4 · May 13, 2010

Hey, everyone

So, the info for the markets for the short stories are for ppl that are looking for writer that write short stories?
Sorry, i am a little slow today my head isn't working with me.
I just wondering because i have 5 short story's and only two of them i sent off to contests and the other ones i was unsure where to go!

Bubastes · May 13, 2010

brainstorm77 said:
Has this info changed since it was posted?

Maximum word count is now 800 words, and payment is $800.

Publishing Short Fiction - Markets

AyJay

Luv's Conscript

efkelley

ow

Shweta

gone

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

seaaircarol

Frustrated Pluviophile

Shweta

gone

Keyan

ubiquitous

seaaircarol

Frustrated Pluviophile

seaaircarol

Frustrated Pluviophile

Shweta

gone

seaaircarol

Frustrated Pluviophile

Shweta

gone

seaaircarol

Frustrated Pluviophile

johnnysannie

JRTurner

Niki_G

Here I Am!

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

linfred4

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

linfred4

Bubastes

bananaed