Guides

Selling short fiction

Three guides that use the directory's own data: what markets really pay, how they want stories sent, and which fees and contracts to walk away from.

How short story payment works

Per-word rates, flat fees, pay by the page, first rights, reprints, exclusivity and when the check arrives.

Reading windows, manuscript format, cover letters, simultaneous and multiple submissions, and what happens after you hit send.

Which fees are normal, how to judge a contest before paying to enter, and the contract terms to question.