OC's SRWQ #6: Reality of getting published

[Op_Cit]

This must have been discussed, and yes I'm crippled and don't know how to use the search feature, and I think Amazon is a river in Africa .

There are guides I'm aware of, and a lot of this is discussed, but I'm really interested in bottom line practical stuff or personal experience.

Assuming you read & follow the submission guidelines, pick the appropriate venue for the story etc... What's next? And what's reality?

Will you always get a reply to a submission (even if it is form letter only)?

Do Mags actually pay what they say, or do they lowball new authors below what they indicate?

Is it just me or does it seem like per word payment rates haven't changed in 80 years? (what's the average?)

Is it not worth while/waste of time submitting first stories to more established mainstream magazines?

That is, should you just bite the bullet and go with those cheap ones that don't pay in order to build a resume?

At what point to literary agents come into things? Do you wait for them to call you (after n stories published) , or go straight to them with first time efforts?

How anonymous are pseudonyms? the use thereof, etc.

 

[M Crim]

I'm not an expert but I have published a few things and can answer a few of the questions.

Most of the time after submitting something you'll get a form rejection letter. Unless, they liked the story then I once recieved an email from an editor that had suggestions for my work.

All that I've encountered actually pay what they say they'd pay. I've had several more experienced writers suggest negotiating for more money.

There's always a chance you'll get published in the big name magazines but do some research and find out which ones even except the work of new writers.

Bite the bullet. We all have to start somewhere. It's all about getting clips, some name recognotion and networking.

Hope that helps.
Molly.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

This must have been discussed, and yes I'm crippled and don't know how to use the search feature, and I think Amazon is a river in Africa .
RF: Learn. They're among the modern tools of the trade.

There are guides I'm aware of, and a lot of this is discussed, but I'm really interested in bottom line practical stuff or personal experience.

Assuming you read & follow the submission guidelines, pick the appropriate venue for the story etc... What's next? And what's reality?

Will you always get a reply to a submission (even if it is form letter only)?
RF: No, but you will get one most of the time. It's best to keep track of your submissions. I've rechecked, learned my submission was "misplaced" then had it read and accepted.

Do Mags actually pay what they say, or do they lowball new authors below what they indicate?
RF: Usually, unless they go out of business.

Is it just me or does it seem like per word payment rates haven't changed in 80 years? (what's the average?)
RF: I have no idea what they were like 80 years ago. There is no average. It depends on the publication and the writer.

Is it not worth while/waste of time submitting first stories to more established mainstream magazines?
RF: Lighthing can strike. Why not try? Besides, that way you can casually say, "Oh, the Paris Review passed on that story."

That is, should you just bite the bullet and go with those cheap ones that don't pay in order to build a resume?
RF: Well, if you can't get accepted by the no-pay mags and e-zines, what are the chances of hitting a big payday, especially with fiction?

At what point to literary agents come into things? Do you wait for them to call you (after n stories published) , or go straight to them with first time efforts?
RF: For short stories, you don't want anything to do with them and they'll feel the same about you. Agents are for books (fiction or non-fiction) not short stories. Submit directly to the publication.

How anonymous are pseudonyms? the use thereof, etc.
RF: Because payments are income reported to Uncle Sam, pubs that pay must have a real name and Soc Sec number. The Soviets got the secret to tha atomic bomb. If someone wants to know your real name bad enough, I'd assume it could be done. But as a rule, authors real names are protected.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[R. Richard]

Will you always get a reply to a submission (even if it is form letter only)?

I have received a reply to a submission AFTER SIX MONTHS OF WAITING. This last is not an exageration, it was six months, almost to the day. It was an article submission to a major magazine.

 

[M Crim]

I've heard up to a year and a story of an article being accepted after two years.

 

[Op_Cit]

Re: Re: OC's SRWQ #6: Reality of getting published

I have received a reply to a submission AFTER SIX MONTHS OF WAITING. This last is not an exageration, it was six months, almost to the day. It was an article submission to a major magazine.

OK, I know I should go out and get one of those guides, but heck it's cheap and easy to ask here:

So, is it OK to be sending these stories to more than one publication simultaneously?

I think I remember someone saying they don't cut a check until the magazine gets published. Do they tell you OK before then?