Questions about periodicals... - Writers Forum

Shadowa · 12-29-2005, 01:56 PM

This is a sort of broad question, but I'm wondering: can you guys recommend some good periodicals that publish short-stories? And I'm not talking about New Yorker-level magazines--I'm an unpublished writer looking for some ways to get my name out there.
Thanks!
~Shadowa

Icywind · 12-29-2005, 04:38 PM

Actually, I think a contest called glimmer trains is running a contest with a cash prize and publication in their literary magazine.

Here is the url...this site has a large database of currently running contests...and a few have ones with not only big cash prizes, but publication on their magazines.
http://www.proof-positive.com

It would not only be cool to win cash...but be exposed to their readers.

Note...Since there are hundreds of manuscripts flooding a publishers door everyday....the writer has to establish a resume of writing sucess.

A publisher is obviously going to publish a writer who's won numerous writing contests, rather than another writer who "hopes" that their story is good enough

Mike C · 12-29-2005, 04:52 PM

Writing contests are by and large a waste of time and money. It costs to enter, and your chances of publication, let alone winning, are tiny.

Instead just seek out reputable markets to get published. Preferably print, and preferably paying.

www.storypilot.com is a good starting point.

woodcut.evolution · 12-29-2005, 05:11 PM

http://www.duotrope.com/digest/index.aspx
Lists magazines and e-zines that publish anything from amateur to pro level work.

Icywind · 12-29-2005, 06:00 PM

I totally oppose what Mike C. has said.

I mean, yeah if you're going to say this is a waste of time and money and not even try...then are you going to win?

No

A publisher isn't going to accept a manuscript from an unknown newbie.

But if you had a long list of writing contests you've won...like the prestigious Random House Delacorte contest held annually, then yeah...he'd be sure to consider.

I believe you should compete in a contest that's in your genre, and skill.

But if you never take a shot....you'll never make the goal.

Mike C · 12-30-2005, 03:20 AM

Icywind, your sentiment is correct, but you don't know what you are talking about.

There are very few writing contests that are worth entering, that any editor, agent or publisher will take any notice of. maybe 4 or 5 a year, realistically, that are meaningful. OK, so enter those. even assuming you win ONE, you've got one credit.

Submit to magazines. Credits count - some. But this:

"A publisher isn't going to accept a manuscript from an unknown newbie."

is completely stupid. It happens every day. I could list 10 at least first time authors who've got first time publishing deals this year who have never won a contest, and probably 75% of them have never written a short story.

By all means, enter contests that count, but don't bank on them making you a star.

mammamaia · 01-01-2006, 01:12 AM

i'm with mike 100% in all he's said on the subject...

in addition to duotrope, you can get the latest edition of writers market to find all the current venues for short stories, as well as much good advice re all the aspects of submitting work...

love and hugs, maia

Hodge · 01-01-2006, 01:21 AM

Glimmer Train is really cool. High quality publication with no limits on themes or styles and they have several contests for all different lengths of stories (and they don't have that ridiculous 5,000 word cap for short stories; instead it's 8,000). I'm going to send a short story I've been working on to them. Maybe even two. Maybe flash fiction as well.

Mike C · 01-01-2006, 07:00 AM

Glimmer Train is a highly respected magazine, both for the quality of their publication and the quality of their competitions. Only bother entering if you're at the top of your game, because the other entrants are.

Ditto Night Train magazine, extremely high quality publication. I also had the honour of being invited to work as a reader for one of their recent contests; I can confirm that the average quality of entry was extremely high.

Shadowa · 01-03-2006, 08:31 PM

Ah, Mike's a reader! Excellent.

Hey, do you think you could take a look at some of my writing and tell me honestly if you think it would have a chance in a contest like Night Train's?

Mike C · 01-04-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowa

Ah, Mike's a reader! Excellent.

Hey, do you think you could take a look at some of my writing and tell me honestly if you think it would have a chance in a contest like Night Train's?

I honestly have too much on my plate to read anything much right now (or even write!).

My only slightly flippant suggestion would be "If you're not sure, you don't have a chance."

More pertinent, buy a copy. Support the magazine. It's a damned good read and good value too, 230+ pages of some of the best stuff out there. Get to know what they buy.

Icywind · 01-04-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Icywind, your sentiment is correct, but you don't know what you are talking about.

There are very few writing contests that are worth entering, that any editor, agent or publisher will take any notice of. maybe 4 or 5 a year, realistically, that are meaningful. OK, so enter those. even assuming you win ONE, you've got one credit.

Submit to magazines. Credits count - some. But this:

"A publisher isn't going to accept a manuscript from an unknown newbie."

is completely stupid. It happens every day. I could list 10 at least first time authors who've got first time publishing deals this year who have never won a contest, and probably 75% of them have never written a short story.

By all means, enter contests that count, but don't bank on them making you a star.

A publishing house is getting flooded with articles, and manuscripts EVERYDAY.

When you say that you can list 10 authors who are lucky enough to get published....then they were probably accepted by a small publisher that needs writers.

Entering contests, and WINNING can take you from tramp to star.

If you've read the Writer's Market...then you can find HUNDREDS of listings of annual writing contests.

I'm going to enter the ones that fit my genre...and may re-enter the same story to another contest again.

Entering contests isn't a waste of time.......if you want to be accepted in the big leagues....you have to distinguish yourself from the "lucky" authors that got a book published, to ones that strived little by little, and finally succeeding.

mammamaia · 01-05-2006, 01:09 AM

sorry, iw, but i beg to differ... entering IMPORTANT contests and WINNING them may help you to hook a publisher, but it's certainly no guarantee of 'star'dom!... you'd be much better off spending your postage allowance on submitting your work to appropriate publishing venues...

shadowa... i read aspiring writers' work all day every day... if your piece is violence-free, i'll be glad to give you some feedback on its marketability... drop me an email, if i can help...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

Mike C · 01-05-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icywind

A publishing house is getting flooded with articles, and manuscripts EVERYDAY.

Correct. So are contests. Difference is, each contest has one winner. Publishing houses and periodicals print many, many times that, the market is wider, and they don't charge you to enter.

Quote:

When you say that you can list 10 authors who are lucky enough to get published....then they were probably accepted by a small publisher that needs writers.

Don't make assumptions when you know so little, windy. Unless you consider the likes of HarperCollins as 'small publishers". I'm talking about quality publishers who pay real advances. And for your information, all publishers need writers. They'd look damned silly without, don't you think?

Quote:

Entering contests, and WINNING can take you from tramp to star.

So can winning the lottery, and the odds are similar. How many contests have you entered and won, windy? I'm sure you must be speaking from experience to have such a strong opinion.

Quote:

If you've read the Writer's Market...then you can find HUNDREDS of listings of annual writing contests.

I never denied that, but some are scams, and far more are effectively worthless on your trip to stardom. Publishing credits count. Winning the Hick of the Week contest in your local paper doesn't. There are only a small handful of contests that carry any weight whatsoever with publishers. One of the biggest contests, well worth winning, is the Pushcart, and you can't enter it. It's only open to writers of work published in established literary magazines, and your story has to be selected by the editor.

Quote:

I'm going to enter the ones that fit my genre...and may re-enter the same story to another contest again.

By all means, feel free to do so. But as for re-entering, if it's not good enough to win, it's not good enough to win. This is something else you have to learn; getting rejected is part of the process of growing as a witer. Simply resubmitting in the hope that by the law of averages sooner or later you're bound to win SOMETHING can only result in disappointment.

Quote:

Entering contests isn't a waste of time.......if you want to be accepted in the big leagues....you have to distinguish yourself from the "lucky" authors that got a book published, to ones that strived little by little, and finally succeeding.

The funny thing about the lucky authors, windy, is that coincidentally they are also the ones who work hardest. The harder they try, the luckier they get. They rely on that hard work rather than a 'lucky' contest win. There are no short cuts. You just have to write better than anyone else. That's what makes you lucky.