Opportunity Knocks

An interesting recent development in the 'What's New?' section of duotrope.com:

1) Daily Science Fiction
http://dailysciencefiction.com/submit

New mag, and, while its not specific to flash, its payscale and planned story-per-day format means its going to be extremely flash heavy (is flash heavy an oxymoron?).

I'm curious to see if it can be a sustainable model. Mostly because the only other two daily speculative fiction sites that I know of (Everyday Weirdness and Every Day Fiction) operate at a token payment per day (which is what I would expect), but Daily Science Fiction has listed an 8 cent per word payment.

At 8 cents per word payment, even if you assume an average of 1,000 words per story, thats an operating cost of $80 a day, or $29,200/year. Compare that to a few other pro e'zines:
Strange Horizons: $12,720/yr
Clarkesworld: $15,600/yr
Fantasy Magazine: $10,400/yr

Please note that these numbers are all based on my estimations, and are not specifically stated anywhere. All calculations are based on an average word count of 4k for fiction, and I have included estimated costs for non-fiction and cover art. Not included are any other costs not directly related to author/artist contribution.

Being daily, however, Every Day Fiction can rely on a lot of site/email traffic... so maybe they can make it work through advertising.

Phew. Sorry for that sidetrack. In any event, its a new, pro-payment, largely flash fiction magazine. Opportunity knocks.
 
Hi there,
I tried to submit a short story to "This Mutant Life", following the link at the top of the thread, about six weeks ago. I didn't get any reply.

As they ask in their submissions guidelines, after a month I sent a reminder e-mail, again no reply (that was ten days ago).

Did anybody get an answer from them?
Thanks,

Taramoc
 
It's possible that the venture went under. We allow people to put up info on writing opportunities here, but we can't guarantee them at all.
 
KatG said:
It's possible that the venture went under. We allow people to put up info on writing opportunities here, but we can't guarantee them at all.
Click to expand...

Never expected any such guarantee.

Now that you mention it, I haven't heard from This Mutant Life either.

B5
 
Yes, as B5 says, I wouldn't expect you guys to be responsible for other people's links... I was just fishing for other users experience.

Since B5 confirmed that they are net answering, time to send the story I submitted somewhere else.

Taramoc
 
I received today an email from This Mutant Life. They are alive and well, and they have accepted my story for the July issue!

My first published anything, and it's paid too!

A special thanks to Sterling13 for having put the link to the magazine, and to MrB5 for having started this thread.

Taramoc
 
Same here. Looks like we're both in This Mutant Life. (I think I've been published in Australia more than anywhere else--go figure)

I'll post it in the progress thread when I know the date of publication.

Hmmm-- and I have other super hero stories.

B5
 
Hhmmm...they must like us. :o

They might print a story of mine for their September issue, if I don't get axed between now and then.

Cool! Thanks B5 and Sterling13! :)
 
A story in 1,000 words? Lol last time I wrote a short story for my own pleasure it went beyond 22,000 words. How do you get a proper plot going on - especially of the fantasy variety - in just 1,000 words?
 
Slynt, it can be done. Check the current local flash fiction contest for examples. (And everyone concerned would love it if you'd vote) many of the stories there are fantasy.

It pushes your editing skills to make every word count, and--accoring to me--the story has to be the right size for the word limit, you can afford a twist or a turn in the plot, but not much more. The character count is usually low-no seven adventurers on a quest etc. etc. And it is helpful if the setting is uncomplicated or somewhat familiar.

Of course, any of the above "rules" can be broken.

Hope that answers,

B5
 
I sent something in to This Mutant Life. The chance of being paid in Australian dollars was too good to pass up.
 
Looks like we're going to make an excellent showing in the July issue... I'm excited to receive an actual print copy.

Good to see everyone is submitting... as I've mentioned in the flash fiction contests in the past, I truly believe we are all 'publishable'... just need to keep working at it...
 
Well patience certainly is a virtue -- I'm having a story published in the November issue of This Mutant Life. First thing of mine ever to see print (outside the web, that is).
 
Congrats, Rich! Good to see you in print.


(You really should think about submitting a few more of those excellent flash fiction entries...)
 
I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask, but, what exactly is 'Flash Fiction'? I can see that it is short story style, but does the story have to resolve? I do not know how to phrase my question properly, any info is appreciated.
CDN
 
The "flash" refers to the length, usually 1000 words or less, not the content or style. If you can pull it off at or under the word limit, anything goes.
 
'Flash' is generally defined by less than 1,000 words. You will have some sort of resolution (all stories... generally... do), but the word count does limit some of the things the story can do (over-elaborate descriptions and backstory are usually the first things to go).

For examples, you can check out the entries in the October flash fiction contest voting thread, stickied at the top of this page.

Flash specific magazines (if you're interested):
Flash Fiction Online: http://www.flashfictiononline.com/
Flash Me Magazine: http://www.wingedhalo.com/flashme.html
Brain Harvest: http://www.brainharvestmag.com/
Every Day Fiction: http://www.everydayfiction.com/
Everyday Weirdness: http://everydayweirdness.com/

to name a few.


Also, anyone can enter this site's forum run flash contests, so if you're inclined, be on the lookout for the upcoming November contest.
 
Thank you, Sterling. I am not really a writer, and my stories are out yonder. I respect the ability to make a complete story in less than a thousand words.
I also think I lack that ability! There is a lot of talent here.
CDN
 
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