I just wanted to clarify a few things about what I do here on the blog. When I post markets I have taken the time to check out the website, checked to see if they charge fees, and find out if they're a paying market. That's the first things I look for. The only non-paying markets I post these days are crime markets as that's mostly where my interests lie. I also post the occasional charity anthology or no-fee contests.
If the market is already in business I check to see if they publish on schedule, who they publish, and if the stories have been edited or just slapped up mistakes and all. I read their guidelines, if they're too picky about formatting I usually pass on posting them unless they're a pro paying market. I also check to see if they have any clauses that might harm a writer in some way, but I don't always catch them. If they're going to pay IF they have a successful KickStarter I always mention that fact. Anyone can promise money, but that little loophole means they might not. It's always your decision whether to submit or not.
In most cases I don't know the editors (crime markets are the exception in some cases). I don't have any more information about who's running the market than you do. I can't help you if an editor doesn't respond to your submission or the market goes belly-up. We're all in that boat together.
What I do is pass along market information that I've found and thought might be of interest to other writers as well as myself. I expect each of you to check out the markets yourself and make that final decision to submit after you've done a bit of research about the market.
All I do here is track down markets and post the information. I'm not responsible for what that market/editor does. That said, I'll keep on posting markets as I find them and hope that in some small way I've helped other writers out there find homes for their work.
Thanks for reading.
12 comments:
You do good work, and thanks.
I second Bill's thumbs-up, Sandra! We really appreciate all your hard work in promoting and supporting short crime fiction (and short fiction in general).
Thanks very much to both of you. I love what I do here but sometimes I get emails that create a need for me to explain what I'm doing. :)
Hi Sandra, thanks for doing what you do - I am a regular visitor and find your site extremely useful in helping to keep track of new crime markets. Keep up the great work!
Sandra, you're my first stop every morning. Like everyone here, I'm grateful for all your work, and I hope you continue.
Thanks for spelling out here, though have long since trusted you on all things related to these markets. Always recommend you as the place to go for latest and best info.
Art
Sandra,
I bookmarked your blog a long time ago and consult it daily. I very much appreciate the time and effort you put into helping all of us who write. Knowing what the current markets are is so important for submissions. So if we don't say it enough,
BIG TIME THANK YOU!!
Thank you very much for what you do.
You've helped me quite a bit. I appreciate it.
Sorry to hear you may have been getting some 'grief' lately - try not to listen. The ones who understand what you do are truly grateful for it. I've found some excellent new openings thanks to your hard work. :)
It wasn't exactly grief, Fiona, but a writer who thought I might be able to help him with finding an editor he'd submitted work to. I pointed out a direction he might take to find that editor but thought I should post about what I can and can't do in regards to markets. :)
And once again, thank you for all your support, everyone.
Thanks Sandra,
I have saved a lot of time looking for possible sources for my short stories since I found your site.
You are a great service for struggling writers.
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