Ray Bradbury Forums
Resources for new writers looking to get published?

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08 January 2006, 01:01 AM
Ameko
Resources for new writers looking to get published?
I've been writing seriously for several years now (since I was 13), and am just now looking into getting some of my short stories published.

I was wondering is anyone knew the names or links to magazines or web sites that publish science fiction short stories. Perferably ones that pay, as college expenses are really beginning to eat away at me.

I tried Asimov's, it was the only magazine I could find with a google search, but my entry was refused early last year, unfortunatly.

Any help at all would be appreciated, thank you.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
A thousand Stories
Left Untold
Is still a Massacre
08 January 2006, 01:38 AM
dandelion
This list http://www.locusmag.com/Links/Portal.html has both online and print zines. To contact them I guess (?) you'd have to look each one up individually online and see if their website gives submission guidelines--although there are some published authors here on the forum who may know better and be able to tell the best way to go about this (?)
08 January 2006, 10:02 AM
Chapter 31
Ameko,

First of all, I’m nobody, but judging from what I’ve seen so far, it would be a pleasure to read anything that you have to say.

Please find listed below, two of the leaders in the field that may be receptive. “Analog” is hard science fiction. “The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction” is less restrictive and might entertain stories ranging from one about a doorknob that takes a journey to the local hardware store to make new friends, to one about a culture that has no doorknobs because it has found that it needs no doors. Both of these sites have links to other magazines and publishers that you may find of interest. Good luck!

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction: http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/

Analog Science Fiction and Fact: http://www.analogsf.com/0601/issue_01.shtml

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chapter 31,
09 January 2006, 08:08 AM
Yestermorrow
I would try going to DNA Publicationsand looking at magazines like Fantastic Stories of the Imagination or Weird Tales. Both are good magazines, and others are listed if your style fits their criteria.
15 January 2006, 05:52 PM
electricgrandmother
Hi Ameko,

Welcome to the wonderful world of publishing Smiler.

In terms of markets, there's several websites out there who have a great listing. If you write speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.) I'd strongly suggest you take a look at http://www.ralan.com, run by Ralan Conley. It's probably the best online resource for spec-fic writers in terms of markets. (He also has a section for humor markets.)

I will warn you, the research required for finding markets to submit your work can be more time consuming than the actual writing itself.

In terms of <i>Asimov's</i>, keep submitting and submitting. You never know what you might send that may catch Sheila's eye.

Good luck!
15 January 2006, 08:46 PM
dandelion
Hey, "E. G."--that's what I wonder. In the "old days" there were print source guides to agents and publishers such as the Writer's Market. Now that EVERYTHING is electronic--are all the sources electronic, too? And how do you go about finding sites even listing them?
16 January 2006, 04:45 PM
electricgrandmother
dandelion:

I'm not quite sure I completely understand your question, so if I don't adequately answer it, please speak up.

Print sources for publications where one can submit one's writing still exist, but, as previously mentioned, there are more and more excellent electronic sources for such things. The beauty of electronic sources is that they're inexpensive for writers to work with and probably more accurate. For example, if a market, such as *SciFiction*, die, a notice can be made at any electronic sites that list the market. Also, the dynamic nature of such a source is very useful for small markets, like small independent press 'zines or anthologies. An editor can send ralan.com (for example, and many do submit their listing to him, as do writers who happen upon news) the information in January for an anthology they'll accept subs for starting in February, ending in April. Ralan will list the market for a few months and when the market closes to subs, Ralan can take down the market. As a result, writers have access to the most up-to-date news (no more sending stories to dead markets or sending a great vampire tale to a market who only accepts zombie stories now, or missing an opportunity that probably wouldn't be listed in a print market guide).

In terms of finding such sites, again Ralan is probably one's best option. He keeps it current. I would also check out http://www.critique.org and click on BlackHoles, which is located on the left side of the screen. Critters is a free online writer's workshop for speculative fiction writers. BlackHoles is the list of spec fic publications' response times. Even though this is for response times, market info is listed. There's several other options, though these really are the best, in my opinion. One could do a google search, e.g. "writing markets", or "speculative fiction markets", or "horror markets", etc.

I'm afraid my information for literary markets isn't the best, though both places do include information for places like *Harper's* and *Atlantic Monthly*.

That help?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: electricgrandmother,
16 January 2006, 04:51 PM
electricgrandmother
I just thought of another source. Orson Scott Card facilitates a forum for writers at http://www.hatrack.com, I believe. (One could search for Hatrack River and find it, or for Orson Scott Card if I'm mistaken.) At the top of the screen is a mention of "workshops". Click on it. The workshop is run by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury, who is a wonderful lady. One has to register to post on the forums, but the registration if free. There are some great people there who can also help you with your questions and may know more than I do. Also, there are places to post requests for critiques for stories, and one can also always post in the appropriate area if one is looking for an online writing group.
07 February 2006, 12:53 AM
dandelion
That sounds like the sort of useful thing for which I am looking. Usenet newsgroups are worse than useless; every troll and idiot with any pretensions of writing gets on there. Here is a source about literary agents: http://www.sfwa.org/writing/agents.htm
08 February 2006, 12:57 AM
dandelion
I found the Hatrack site all right, but MAN is it confusing! For some reason they require separate registrations for every forum there, and I ended up signed up for two before even FINDING the Writer's Workshop! The correct place to register for that is here: http://www.hatrack.com/forums/writers/cgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=agree You must be over 18 to register, which may be one reason the registrations are separate.
08 February 2006, 01:56 AM
N. K. Love
Dandelion, Thanks so much for all the helpful information you provide. And your knowledge of Bradbury's work is so vast!
Perhaps we should refer to you as the board's Encyclo-RAY-dia.
:>