Honest question:

[agilebrit]

Okay, so I saw a thing on Twitter today that a publication (which will remain unnamed, because it's part of a larger issue) is opening to subs. They want "well written stories with strong characters." And, I mean, don't we all, right? I like to think that my stories fall well within that demographic.

So, I'm scrolling, and I hit the "What we pay" section.

Five bucks.

...

Well. That's a... less-than-princely sum. And, I mean, I can do math. Wouldn't I be better off tossing it up on Amazon? I'm pretty sure I can get more than 17 people to buy the thing at 99 cents a whack, at which point (assuming a 30% royalty; I think that's what it is at that pay scale) I'm ahead.

So, I guess the question is: Why would anyone actually sub there? Considering the pay scale, it's barely a publishing credit; I wouldn't list it on any cover letter I sent out. I honestly do not get it. I mean, I suppose that everyone draws the line at where they value their story in a different place, and far be it from me to tell anyone where that line should be for them, but for me?

I noped on out of there.

Comments

[tlknighton.livejournal.com]

First, oh yeah, you'd do better putting it up on Amazon. The royalty rate is actually 35%, so it's better than you though.

As for the why, it's because people desperately want to know that their stuff is good enough. They want a "gatekeeper" to tell them they're good enough, and they figure a $5 sale is still a paying gig. I've got a friend who bragged a few years about being in an anthology. I found out a couple month back that all he got were a few copies of the book. He didn't even get $5.

I skipped all that, but I've never been known for following tradition. :)

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned, a "gatekeeper" is anyone willing to throw their hard-earned money at my head for my words. Whether that's an editor at an ezine or an Amazon reader buying it directly, it makes no never-mind to me.

But for five bucks, I'm not going to blow first publication rights. I'll save those for myself. :p

[tlknighton.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

Yet, they get plenty of submissions from people who are pleased as punch for that whopping $5.

*shrugs*

Then there are the people who get shot down by those $5 paying venues. Depressing, isn't it?