Michele Lee

There’s a discussion going on lately about market pay rates (and a silly side discussion about the conspiracy of How Pro Writers are Keeping New Writers Out of the Marketplace, which we will discuss later) and what pay level is “worthy” and “unworthy”. Lots of people have said many smart things, and many thought provoking things, and a few people who I know to be smart and savvy have put things in a way that at best is intolerant of BS (which, btw one fifth of a cent per word is.)

The first thing I think we need to do is define “Worthy” and “unworthy”. See, “worthy” means worthy something to you. And “unworthy” means not worth something to you. Already we see just how damn subjective this publishing thing is because building a career starts with defining what you want. Are you a hobbyist and you just want to be published? Fine, but don’t tell those who are trying to be pros that they’re elistist jerks keeping you down because they have standards and you’re happy with seeing your name in print. Don’t expect them to submit to the lower level zines like you do, and likewise pros keep in mind that no everyone wants to be well published and well paid and build a career.

What I want is a career where I feel relatively sure that I can sell each quality piece I write, eventually. Pretty much one where I’ve proven myself a reliable source of quality and professionalism, where readers want to read my work and publishers are happy to work with me.

So when I submit I have this very much in mind. I submit to the publications that will help me in this process. So it needs to:

1) Make me money.

or

2) Advance my career in some way.

Number 2 encompasses:

A) Getting my story read by an editor who might remember me and invite me to participate in projects later.

B) Have my story included in a critically acclaimed or potentially (or actually) award winning magazine, anthology, etc.

C) Help me build a larger reader base.

My last sale was to Expanded Horizons, which pays $30. Not pro, or even semi pro depending on what length you sell to them. But it is publishing award winning stories. It is centering on an audience I’d like to reach, and this publication is me getting paid and my readers still getting to read the story for free. I get a token payment and I get another free story to promote myself with. Yeah pro payment would rock, but I’m not complaining now.

So clearly my (short story) submissions are focused on largely recognized magazines with an established reader base first. Then magazines with critical acclaim and award nominations or wins, then on money/qualifying for SFWA/HWA, then on what else they might offer. I have (I think) 5 Asimovs rejections. Yeah, that’s 5 rejects, but that’s 5 times my story was read by Shelia Williams (no really it is, the rejects are all personal from her).

If a story has not held up to my top tiers I go to the next goal. And if I gets down to “what else it can offer” that’s when I think about getting paid to have a freebie read, getting to be published with someone I admire, or work with an editor I want to work with, or getting to be part of a neat project concept. And if the market has none of this to offer me, then why should I submit and let someone make money (from magazine or book sales, or website ads) off my hard work when I could just publish it myself on my blog where I know it will get read?

Publishing is a business (I know, you’ve heard that before), but a business relationship is based on two or more arties giving each other something they need or desire. Walmart gives you cut rate Christmas toys. You give them money. It’s important to remember that YOU matter in this submissions game, just as much as the market does. And likewise, if all you are doing is submitting and not supporting you are draining the genre of the gems within.

Tomorrow: The Myth of “Just Write Better”