Julie Le Blanc

10/09/2022

How do I submit fiction for publication? Where do I even begin? Will I get paid for my story stories? Which science-fiction, fantasy, and horror magazines are even receiving manuscripts right now, or should I just send a cold email?

I remember when I first started submitting back in pre-Covid 2020 (hereafter referred to as “the yonder times”) and feeling at a complete loss. But it’s been a hot minute since then, and I’ve learned a thing or two about, at the very least, how I go about submitting. Let’s go through it, step-by-step.

Step 1: Read Genre Fiction

Ask yourself, before you even write your story: what kind of stories do I enjoy reading? Narrow down what you enjoy and take a few weeks just reading through some publications that meet the payment guidelines of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), which at the time of writing is 8 cents/word. Is there a style or sub-genre that really speaks to you? Check out the list of SFWA pubs by genre at the bottom of this post.

Step 2: To-Do Lists FTW

Create a dream publication list from the outlets that you read of your favourites: whether because of the type of stories they publish, the type of prose they seem to like, or the kinds of characters, situations, and issues these publications explore. Again, this should dovetail with the kinds of things you like to read and write, yourself.

Step 3: Write and Edit

Maybe you already have some stories that are ready to submit, but if you don’t, this is the next step. Once you’ve got a draft you’re happy with, ask a friend to read it over. If that thought alone makes the bottom fall out of your stomach, leave your story to ruminate for at least one or two weeks. Then read it over yourself, preferably out loud. This is a good way to spot plot holes or even just typos that you missed before.

Step 4: Formatting

Most SFWA-level publications ask for some version of Modern Manuscript Format, specifically as demonstrated by William Shunn. Each pub has their own personalized asks, though: some require manuscripts to be anonymous, some ask for specific fonts and spacing, and some allow multiple or even simultaneous submissions. Do your homework. The last thing you want is to have worked so hard on your story only to have it rejected because you didn’t follow the submission guidelines.

Step 5: No Really -- How do I Submit?

Moksha is the preferred submission system for many SFWA-level pubs, but some have their own proprietary submissions portals or even ask for submissions via email. Again, do your homework.

Regardless of whether you’ll be submitting via a portal or through email, you’ll be asked (most times) for the following:

Name
Email
Title of your work
Word Count
Cover Letter

Most of these are self-explanatory: give them an email that you check regularly, for example, and double check that your story’s word count does not exceed the publication’s limit.

Step 5.1: The Cover Letter

The Cover Letter can give folks trouble. I certainly fell into this trap when I started, and the important thing to remember is: Your Submission Cover Letter is NOT like a Work Cover Letter.

The folks over at Inkpunks have a phenomenal point-for-point guide for writing your fiction cover letter, but the TL;DR version is to include only what’s necessary. I have at times, merely written, “Thank you for your time and consideration”, and called it a day. Didn’t even write my name. Most of the time, though, I follow this formula:

Dear [specific editor]

Thank you for taking the time to look at my story, [title] (XXX words, genre).

[Here’s some relevant information in one sentence that ties me to the story aka this is a space story and I work for the European Space Agency, not mandatory]

[Maybe here’s 1-3 places I’ve been published, not mandatory]

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[your name]

[email]

I encourage you to check out Inkpunks, though. They really set me straight when I was starting.

Step 6. You Submitted a Story! 👏

It depends on the publication, but sometimes you’ll receive a queue number so you’ll easily be able to check in on your story as it goes through the editors’ TBR pile. You’ll need to sit tight, though, because there’ll be no contacting the publication until, usually, 90 days pass. Each magazine should give you an estimate of how long you should wait before contacting them about a submission, and the waits vary wildly. So make yourself a cup of tea, watch Spacesweepers one more time, and prepare for the final part of the process.

Step 7. Use the Submission Grinder

I’m sure some folks have their own systems, and I admit that I do have my own spreadsheet that I use to keep myself on track for different submission windows, but I rely a lot on the Submission Grinder. Diabolical Plots is a genre zine edited by David Steffen, and these are the folks behind the Grinder. It’s such a useful tool; you can monitor when certain magazines open or close, the average response time over the last 12 months, and even find new publications to submit to. It’s got to be one of my favourite corners of the internet, and it’ll help you keep information on your submissions from going missing.

Bonus Advice: Receiving Rejections

It should go without saying but don’t harass the publication if they deliver you a rejection. We’ve all been there, rejections hurt, but that’s a real person on the other side of that email, and you’re being a fartbag. Even if you’d like to respond kindly and thank them again, please don’t. Every editor I’ve ever seen tweeting online has said they appreciate the gesture, but there are so many emails, you’ll just be adding to their workload if you do.

Rejections have been some of the most useful emails I’ve ever received, truth be told. No editor is beholden to you for feedback on your story, but sometimes you might get it, and that’s incredible. A complete stranger has taken time out of their busy day to offer you guidance! Maybe you don’t agree, but even that is useful. Think of it like you’d think of a scientific experiment: even if you don’t get back what you expected, you still got back useful data. Use that to grow as a writer.

If you want to submit your short stories and aren’t sure where to begin, I hope this guide helps! Be prepared for rejections, but try to embrace them as learning opportunities. I’ve heard some folks even set themselves rejection goals, like 100/year, to turn them into a positive metric. You’ll find your way to deal with them, and when you get that email acceptance...

Well. I can’t wait to read your story. 🚀

Resources

Here’s a quick list of some of my favourite speculative fiction publications online to both submit to and read, broken up by genre. This is honestly just the tip of the iceberg, and skews towards the types of publications whose demographics I fit (white, cis/het, alo, female). I've tried to add more, though! What’s your favourite? What did I miss? Let me know in the comments!

SFWA-Qualifying Publications (pay at least 8 cents/word)

Multi-Genre ✨

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

Asimov's Science Fiction

Diabolical Plots

Clarkesworld