A general note: The definitions of some of these terms vary greatly from editor
to editor, publication to publication. In those cases, we choose the most
common or standard definition. Editors may have different definitions for these
terms. However, when we read their guidelines, we translate it to reflect the
definitions used here. For example, if an editor is looking for "flash fiction"
between 1,000 - 1,500 words, on this site they will be listed as
accepting "short stories."
| General Terms |
|
| Short Fiction |
Our "short fiction" category is for markets that
publish fiction shorter than novel length (< 40,000 words) in
multiple-author publications (magazines, journals, anthologies, etc.) For
publishers of single-author short fiction collections, see "Novels and
Collections." |
| Poetry |
Our "poetry" category is for markets that publish
poetry in multiple-author publications (magazines, journals, anthologies, etc.)
For publishers of single-author poetry chapbooks and collections, see "Novels
and Collections." |
| Novels and Collections |
Our "novels and collections" category is for markets
and presses that publish single-author novels, short story collections, and
poetry collections & chapbooks. |
| TEMP CLOSED |
This indicates they are not currently accepting
submissions but plan on re-opening. |
| CLOSED |
This indicates they have closed to submissions
permanently without the intention of re-opening. |
| DEAD |
This indicates the publication has been non-responsive
and is believed to be no longer in business. |
| Genres |
|
| We will not define the genres in our list,
since definitions differ widely. Always read a copy of a publication to get an
idea of what they're looking for. |
Action/Adventure |
Cross Genre/Slipstream |
Erotica |
Experimental |
Fantasy |
Historical |
Horror |
Literary |
Magic Realism/Surrealism |
Mainstream |
Mystery |
Romance |
Science Fiction |
Suspense |
Western |
Open to all/most genres |
| Themes |
|
| We will not define the themes in our list,
since definitions differ widely. Always read a copy of a publication to get an
idea of what they're looking for. |
| Open to all/most themes |
For children |
For young adults/teens |
Dark |
| Ethnic |
GLBT |
Humor |
Nature |
| Political |
Religious/Spiritual |
Theme varies |
Other (specific theme) |
| Lengths |
|
Flash Fiction |
Less than 1,000 words. The publisher may restrict
this further. For example, to 100-500 words. |
Short Story |
1,000 to 7,500 words. The publisher may restrict this
further. For example, to 2,000-4,000 words. |
Novelette |
7,500 to 12,000 words. The publisher may restrict this
further. For example, to 8,000-12,000 words. |
Novella |
12,000 to 40,000 words. The publisher may restrict
this further. For example, to 16,000-24,000 words. |
Novel |
Over 40,000 words. The publisher may restrict this
further. For example, to 60,000-80,000 words. |
 Short
Story Collection |
A single-author (or co-author) short story collection. |
 Poetry
Chapbook/Collection |
A single-author (or co-author) poetry
chapbook/collection. |
| Payscale - Short Fiction |
If the publication is outside the USA,
we have converted their payment rates into US dollars. |
Non-paying |
Does not pay in real-world money, but may offer
copies. A 3,000-word story sale would result in US $0. |
Occasional |
Pays occasionally in certain cases, or when their
budget allows. |
Token Payment |
Amounts to less than 1 US cent per word. Sometimes
referred to as an honorarium. A 3,000-word story sale would result in US
$29.99, at most. |
Token to Semi-Pro |
Payment varies between token rates (see above) and
semi-pro rates (see below). |
Semi-Pro |
Amounts to payment between 1 US cent per word and 4.9
US cents per word. A 3,000-word story sale would result in as little as US $30
to as much as US $149.99. |
Semi-Pro - Pro |
Payment varies between semi-pro rates (see above) and
professional rates (see below). |
Professional |
Amounts to payment from 5 US cents per word and up. A
3,000-word story sale would result in anything from US $150, all the way up to
the thousands. Note that some writers' associations may define "professional"
differently. (Some writers' associations require a certain number of
"professional" sales before a writer can join. The term professional does not
imply that the writer lives solely off income from writing.) |
 Plus
Royalties |
Pays royalties based on sales, in addition to any
other payment offered. |
| Payscale - Poetry |
If the publication is outside the USA,
we have converted their payment rates into US dollars. |
|
Non-paying |
Does not pay in real-world money, but may offer
copies. |
|
Occasional |
Pays occasionally in certain cases, or when their
budget allows. |
|
Token Payment |
Pays less than US $5 per poem. |
|
Token to Semi-Pro |
Payment varies between token rates (see above) and
semi-pro rates (see below). |
|
Semi-Pro |
Amounts to payment between US $5 and US $49 per poem. |
|
Semi-Pro - Pro |
Payment varies between semi-pro rates (see above) and
professional rates (see below). |
|
Professional |
Amounts to payment from US $50 per poem and up. Note
that some writers' associations may define "professional" differently. (Some
writers' associations require a certain number of "professional" sales before a
writer can join. The term professional does not imply that the writer lives
solely off income from writing.) |
| Plus
Royalties |
Pays royalties based on sales, in addition to any
other payment offered. |
| Payscale - Novels and
Collections |
If the publication is outside the USA,
we have converted their payment rates into US dollars. |
| ADVANCES |
|
 Non-paying |
Does not pay an advance in real-world money, but may
offer copies. |
 Negotiable
or unknown |
Negotiates an advance or unknown advances. |
 Token |
Pays an advance of less than US $200. |
 Semi-Pro |
Pays an advance of more than US $200 and less than US
$2,000. |
 Professional |
Pays an advance of US $2,000 or more |
| ROYALTIES |
|
 Non-paying |
Does not pay royalties. |
 Negotiable
or unknown |
Negotiates royalties or unknown royalties. |
 <
15% |
Pay royalties of less than 15%. |
 >=
15% |
Pays royalties of 15% or more. |
| Media |
|
Electronic |
Published in digital form. This could include web
pages, PDFs, eBooks, audio files, CD-ROM, etc.
|
Print |
Published in print (ink and paper) form. This could
include glossy magazines, home-printed 'zines, paperbacks, hardcovers, material
produced through print-on-demand services, etc. |
| Submission Type |
|
|
Electronic |
Accepts electronic submissions. This could be e-mailed
submissions or online form submissions. Always check guidelines for any
restrictions with electronic submissions. |
|
Postal |
Accepts postal submissions. Don't forget to include a
SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) so the editor can respond to your
submission. If you are mailing a submission to a foreign country, send
International Reply Coupons instead of stamps or request a response via e-mail
(check the guidelines to see what's appropriate.) |
| Simultaneous submissions |
This refers to the practice of sending a single story
to different publications at the same time. When simultaneous submissions are
allowed, most editors prefer for you to let them know up front, and always
let them know if the piece is accepted elsewhere. When simultaneous submissions
aren't allowed, some editors blacklist writers who get caught sending them
simultaneous submissions. |
| Multiple submissions |
When more than one of your stories or poems are under consideration with a
single publication, you have sent multiple submissions. Very few fiction
publications allow multiple submissions, and when they do, be sure to follow
their guidelines. Some will only accept them if they are sent in a single
package. Many impose length restrictions on multiple submissions. |
| Reprints |
This refers to submitting a piece that has been
previously published. Some editors are lenient when determining if a piece has
been previously published. Others consider pieces that have been posted on
personal websites and on publicly-accessible forums to be previously published. |
| Awards &
"Best of" Annuals |
| We list the following awards & "best of" annuals
for which editors (or outside parties) may nominate work. Please note we may
not have a complete list of publications that nominate or have been honored for
each award. If you think an award should be added to this list,
contact us.
|
|