There used to be a day when authors could easily publish short stories (and poetry) in magazines and get paid for their work. The checks weren’t always big, but they provided some monetary compensation for the struggling writers who were working hard to hone their craft and build their credits.
Unfortunately, not only have many of these magazines stopped paying contributing authors, but–due to subscription shortages–they have altogether vanished from the market. Every year I received emails or letters from editors notifying me that “Such and Such Quarterly” will no longer be in business.
How will agents and major publishing houses discover new authors? Is the industry changing?
-V. Constellation Chronicles: The Lost Civilization of Aries
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The other thing that’s a shame is the current void of good short stories the Internet hasn’t yet been able to fill. And although most writers write because they love it, they do also need to eat, so self-publishing on blogs that don’t pay cannot possibly be compared to magazines dedicated to short stories. What can writers do to fill this void?
Re: What can writers do to fill this void?
Writers who are serious about their craft, and want to make a living at it, are left with three choices (none of which, I’m afraid, are appealing):
1) They can continue to submit to the shrinking magazine markets and hope they can build enough credits to attract an agent or publisher.
2) They can attempt to bypass #1 and seek an agent or publisher directly without the credits. If they succeed here, it’s like winning the lotto.
3) They can go their own route and create blogs and/or POD books and handle the advertising and marketing on their own. This option is an incredibly time-consuming venture and involves much more than just literary talent. The self-pub writer is stepping into the shoes of the publisher–he/she must understand publishing contracts, editing services, advertising rates, cover designs, book marketing, and a whole host of other issues.
The last option, of course, is never to seek payment for writing, but to do it simply for the pleasure of seeing your story on the page. If you’re content with just a handful of people reading your work, this choice is the most practical–and least painful–one.
-V. (Author of Constellation Chronicles)
A rather depressing number of choices, don’t you think?
I wish I could offer a better picture, but it’s the reality of the market.
We just need to change it
I think that blogging is one way, but somehow we have to create a market niche and writers have to help each other. I am still pondering the question, as I am certain you are, too, so do let me know if you come up with something. I will do the same if you are interested!