Thursday, June 12, 2014

Submission Fees

The Argument for:

1.  It cuts down on a magazine's slush pile (less "bad" work)
2.  Many magazines are barely afloat
3.  Submitters are way more plentiful than subscribers
4.  Electronic submissions cost less for the writer, anyway

The Argument Against

1.  Writers struggle financially, too
2.  Readers are supposed to support magazines
3.  Submitting is already an act of support (magazines need material)
4.  Fees can hinder submissions from good writers as well as bad

I'm against submission fees.  I can't justify $40 or more a month just to have my work read.  Factoring in most submissions coming back rejected and... yeah.
I am one of the writers who, should a world exist where submission fees are required everywhere, would only post on a blog or not publish at all.  On the other hand, I wouldn't have a publication I couldn't afford without forcing writers to pay.  Maybe that's just me, though.
******************************************
If you're wondering why I'm bringing this up again, here's why.
An editorial taking on the above view can be found here.



4 comments:

  1. I'm so unaware of the things required for magazine publishing. I love what I learn here. I can understand the magazine's reasons for submission fees, but I do find it extremely hard to justify those kinds of fees when, like you said, there are so many rejections. That's just rough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To me, it's kind of like asking your mechanic to help pay for your car because, one day, he'll have the pleasure of working on it.

      Delete
  2. Yes I agree. It's just too much. When I first started writing I entered a few contests with fees. Such a waste! But it's a way for the magazine to make money, so I get why they do it. I am not an advocate for them tho.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand contests a bit more but only consider the ones that give you a subscription or winning book with entry. They should never just take your money for the pleasure.

      Delete