Good Places to Submit Stories

[Cajunthomas]

I'm a new kid on the block here - on writing in general but also WOTF. I have self published two stories (Amazon, CreateSpace, Smashwords) and I am working on others (though anyone reading this post likely understands that when one starts writing, one is unlikely to stop!). At the same time I would like to get paid for stories!

So I wanted to ask you more experienced bunch - can anyone provide a good list of places to submit to? I've been trawling through posts here (and Google) and found:

1. Analog Science Fiction
2. Lightspeed Science Fiction & Fantasy
3. Interzone (its a UK one).
4. DarkPlaces.co.uk

Being in the UK, online submissions make me all warm and cozy on the inside so I would not mind if you'd mention if any you list accept e-submissions! I saw a few mentions of places with bad reputations but the authors left out the names of the publications.... If anyone has a warning for known black holes or crooks, it would be mighty helpful to know of them!

Thanks a bundle!

[izanobu]

Asimov's
Clarkesworld
Daily Science Fiction
Strange Horizons
Beneath Ceaseless Skies
Intergalactic Medicine Show
Apex
Shimmer


These are the ones I can think of that pay at least 5 cents a word and take e-subs. All are professional and reliable to my knowledge.

[MontyApollo]

You can also use the search function at The (Submission) Grinder to find markets too.

Some additions to Annie's list that I have submitted to include:

Penumbra
Waylines Magazine
Grantville Gazette: Universe Annex

I personally did have some problems with Penumbra, but it looks like many people here submit without problems.

A few days after the closing deadline for one of their issues I got an email basically saying "Hey, we just found your submission in our spam box. No one read your story. This probably won't happen again because we marked your email as 'not spam' after we found it." It just seems to me if they are going to bother checking their spam box, it would seem logical to do it on the closing date, not several days after.

[MJNL]

I second the Submission Grinder--great way to find markets and keep track of your submissions.

[Ishmael]

I personally did have some problems with Penumbra, but it looks like many people here submit without problems.

A few days after the closing deadline for one of their issues I got an email basically saying "Hey, we just found your submission in our spam box. No one read your story. This probably won't happen again because we marked your email as 'not spam' after we found it." It just seems to me if they are going to bother checking their spam box, it would seem logical to do it on the closing date, not several days after.

Monty, was that your first submission to Penumbra or had they heard from you before? I ask because, as noted elsewhere, I have stopped receiving any of their first round in / out messages, with which I had become familiar. This happened after I sent them a query to which they did not respond and I'm wondering whether I've also found my way to being classified as SP*M. Problem is, how does someone who has been so classified manage to query what's going on?

[MontyApollo]

Monty, was that your first submission to Penumbra or had they heard from you before? I ask because, as noted elsewhere, I have stopped receiving any of their first round in / out messages, with which I had become familiar. This happened after I sent them a query to which they did not respond and I'm wondering whether I've also found my way to being classified as SP*M. Problem is, how does someone who has been so classified manage to query what's going on?

It was my first submission, and my only submission so far. I tend to write too long for their requirements.

You might try using an alternate email address to get hold of them. I think it was a Yahoo address that got me bounced.

[LDWriter2]

One place I like for markets is ralan.com Good list of categories and usually up to date.

You can't track your submissions but I don't mind for I keep track myself. Usually that is.

[sarasvati]

Lightspeed is closed until next year and Apex is currently closed as a new editor comes on board.

I just sent my semi into Fantasy & Sci Fi mag but they only take paper subs, I was kindly sent US stamps by another author. All of the above are good, though Shimmer has a very particular style so it's best to read the mag first. Nightmare is Lightspeed's horror sister.

[Cajunthomas]

Thanks a lot guys, that a great list of resources to get started with!

[E.CaimanSands]

Lightspeed is closed until next year and Apex is currently closed as a new editor comes on board.

I just sent my semi into Fantasy & Sci Fi mag but they only take paper subs, I was kindly sent US stamps by another author. All of the above are good, though Shimmer has a very particular style so it's best to read the mag first. Nightmare is Lightspeed's horror sister.

Sarasvati, F&SF will reply to overseas writers by email if you ask them nicely so no need to scrounge US stamps. You still have to send them a paper sub though.

Or better, you can do what I did last time -- arrange a swap with a US writer! (Assuming you're in a country that has a SF mag or two, I'm not sure where you are...)

[sarasvati]

I'm in Australia, most (all?) of our places take online subs, and don't pay as well as overseas markets unfortunately! (Although I'm happy with semi-pro really... actually, I'm happy with "yes we'll publish this and give you a free copy!")

[austinDm]

I heard from a friend this week that Interzone is now taking e-subs.

[ThomasKCarpenter]

I heard from a friend this week that Interzone is now taking e-subs.

WOOT!!!!

[preston]

I heard from a friend this week that Interzone is now taking e-subs.

Thanks, Austin. That's a good market. That makes F&SF one of the last hold-outs.

[hazlett]

I heard from a friend this week that Interzone is now taking e-subs.

It's probably because they got a submission from E.CaimanSands that was really from me. They likely threw up their hands and said "OK, this is starting to get ridiculous. Screw it. We'll take email subs."

[hazlett]

I heard from a friend this week that Interzone is now taking e-subs.

It's probably because they got a submission from E.CaimanSands that was really from me. They likely threw up their hands and said "OK, this is starting to get ridiculous. Screw it. We'll take email subs."

And I forgot to add that F&SF will probably be next since they got a submission from me that was really from E.CaimanSands.