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Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

compellingsciencefiction.com

51–60 of 85 posts

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#51

Don't let the ridiculous paranoia on this thread discourage you. Writers you actually want to publish will look at your terms and submit. 99.99% of the people with "concerns" don't have anything you'd publish anyway. Looking forward to your launch!

I appreciate the encouragement -- I have received some great feedback from this thread!

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#52
post #39

I am a coder by day, but I'm nearing completion of a full length novel (100,000 words) and ready to self-publish on Kindle and possibly Smashwords. I'll have to take a look at this for some other works. I have some other short stories I've been kicking around. I particularly like the bias against dystopian fiction as I feel the same way. I also eschew themes like moral decay in the future, since as humans I believe w…

Draft2Digital is much less of a pain. They'll even handhold problematic manuscripts through the process.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#53
post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The author of The Martian started out publishing it as a serial on his own website. Seemed to work out pretty well.

and not to forget: "fifty shades of gray started" out as a sexy internet fanfiction.

Easily one of the most lucrative IP infringement cases in recent memory as well, but people walked away happy with pockets full of money so no hard feelings.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#54
You may want to check out the HFY subreddit[1]. The skill level varies greatly, but there are some fairly good writers there, and some are 100+ posts into stories. It's often fairly trope-heavy (as is the point), but there are some real gems in there. Looking at some of the curated lists, or the top all-time posts will give you a good idea of the quality.

1: https://www.reddit.com/r/HFY

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#55
post #45
post #39

I am a coder by day, but I'm nearing completion of a full length novel (100,000 words) and ready to self-publish on Kindle and possibly Smashwords. I'll have to take a look at this for some other works. I have some other short stories I've been kicking around. I particularly like the bias against dystopian fiction as I feel the same way. I also eschew themes like moral decay in the future, since as humans I believe w…

Coding (data science applications) is my day job as well! Please send me a note when you self-publish your novel, I'll buy a copy. My email address is in my profile.

Thanks I took a note of it. Once I publish I'll send you a link to a free copy. I've been writing since I was a kid and just recently discovered how enjoyable it is working on this novel.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#56
post #8
post #5

I like the idea, but it's a bit disheartening to submit stories to an unknown organization whose website includes zero details about who the publisher will be or how the stories will be published. I get that it's a "self-funded hobby," but it could just as well be a scam by a nameless, faceless group of con men. Considering the domain is registered anonymously through Amazon, there is absolutely no information availa…

I'm disheartened that my site seems scary to you -- the "we" referenced is myself and some friends who have signed up as slush readers. I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know what information I could publish that would give you confidence in the site. It sounds like I should put up an 'about' page with some information about myself and my readers. For now, here's my linkedin page, to put a face to the face…

As a writer familiar with SF&F short fiction markets, I agree that more information is needed.

Including more biographical information on the website about yourself and any editors making acquisition decisions would help. You don't need to have industry cred already (though that helps), but writers like to know that (a) you're not a publisher/editor known not to pay, has a bad rep, etc. and (b) that you're a real person. It's also very helpful to know how long the magazine is funded for when it's not yet established -- so you have confidence that if you submit and are selected, it won't go under before you get paid.

Also, you should include what the publication format is, what specific rights you'd be buying, whether they're exclusive, etc. You say "first English publication rights" -- I'm assuming you mean exclusive First English Language serial rights? Print or digital? Or would it be nonexclusive? Are audio rights exclusive or nonexclusive? If you have a template contract you plan to use, you could link to it.

You have an expected response time, which is great; consider also including time to payment/publication. If you have formatting guidelines/preferences (i.e. standard manuscript format like Vonda McIntyre's), include those.

You can take a look at the guidelines/sites of established short fiction magazines to see what best practices are -- i.e. Asimov's, Clarkesworld, Analog, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, Daily Science Fiction, etc.

Hope that helps! Always exciting to see more short fiction markets!

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#57
post #5

I like the idea, but it's a bit disheartening to submit stories to an unknown organization whose website includes zero details about who the publisher will be or how the stories will be published. I get that it's a "self-funded hobby," but it could just as well be a scam by a nameless, faceless group of con men. Considering the domain is registered anonymously through Amazon, there is absolutely no information availa…

I write throwaway stories for my own entertainment. I edited one and tossed it down the rabbit hole, about 1500 words. Assuming they are legit I made $80 on less than an hour total of work if they accept my submission, I retain my rights to my work, and voila.

They could steal my shitty work but I guess I would consider that a win as well.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#58
post #8
post #5

I like the idea, but it's a bit disheartening to submit stories to an unknown organization whose website includes zero details about who the publisher will be or how the stories will be published. I get that it's a "self-funded hobby," but it could just as well be a scam by a nameless, faceless group of con men. Considering the domain is registered anonymously through Amazon, there is absolutely no information availa…

I'm disheartened that my site seems scary to you -- the "we" referenced is myself and some friends who have signed up as slush readers. I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know what information I could publish that would give you confidence in the site. It sounds like I should put up an 'about' page with some information about myself and my readers. For now, here's my linkedin page, to put a face to the face…

So you're not a publisher, you're a broker? You buy stories and resell them to other outlets?

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#59
post #39

I am a coder by day, but I'm nearing completion of a full length novel (100,000 words) and ready to self-publish on Kindle and possibly Smashwords. I'll have to take a look at this for some other works. I have some other short stories I've been kicking around. I particularly like the bias against dystopian fiction as I feel the same way. I also eschew themes like moral decay in the future, since as humans I believe w…

with respect, i find the contentions that slavery and overt racism have been wiped out to be highly dubious.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#60
post #58
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm disheartened that my site seems scary to you -- the "we" referenced is myself and some friends who have signed up as slush readers. I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know what information I could publish that would give you confidence in the site. It sounds like I should put up an 'about' page with some information about myself and my readers. For now, here's my linkedin page, to put a face to the face…

So you're not a publisher, you're a broker? You buy stories and resell them to other outlets?

I will be publishing electronically both on compellingsciencefiction.com and through ereader markets like Kindle. I just opened the submissions page yesterday though, so we don't have any published material yet. I have no plans for physical (paper) publishing. I'll be adding more detail to the site this evening based on feedback I received here.
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