I used to think that adding a small fee would encourage writers to be more selective: If it cost $2 or $3, they’d send only their most polished stuff. Then I spent a year reading for a magazine that had both free general submissions and a pricey contest; the writing in the free submissions was far better. This article makes many excellent suggestions!
I.L.P. (and other scammers like them) had a lucrative business going in the pre-Internet era when poets and writers had to subscribe to P&W, The Writer, or Writer's Digest to find out who was open for submissions and also buy The Dustbooks Guide once a year to see the literary markets outlined.
But those outrageous "pay to play" fees are not new, unfortunately.
P.T. Barnum knew there was a sucker born every minute.
Last October I was fooled by Midnight Oil's chapbook contest.
Their fee on Submittable was $20 and I fell for it because Midnight "Snake Oil" claimed they would judge it and announce the winners in November 2022, publish the chapbooks early in the new year.
Well, my ms is still marked as "Received" -- not "in progress" -- and they do not reply to messages!
And Midnight Oil's fees encourage other snake oil salesman types who feel they can charge high fees for the "privilege" of accepting your writing.
One example is Beyond Words.
Take a look at their fees, my friends!
- - One to avoid: Beyond Words [Instagram account says they are based in Germany?] - -
Beyond Words Literary Magazine's chapbook contest (up to 20 pages):
Poetry Chapbook Competition FEE is $39.99
Theme - My Greatest Fear: Poetry & Short Stories (24-Hour Decision) FEE is $17.99
CLEAN: 250-word creative writing challenge FEE is $11.99
The pirate in charge of this literary "3 Card Monte" scheme is: Yashraj Patil.
Owner of Beyond Words Magazine (domain registration from WhoIs.com)
I love this column! So many wise and wonderful points made. I love the "good karma" thing. Whenever we give generously, we're really giving to ourselves. There are no "others" and knowing this changes everything! Thank You for this column!
I used to think that adding a small fee would encourage writers to be more selective: If it cost $2 or $3, they’d send only their most polished stuff. Then I spent a year reading for a magazine that had both free general submissions and a pricey contest; the writing in the free submissions was far better. This article makes many excellent suggestions!
Also adding that literary magazines should also make samples of what they seek free to read instead of forcing writers to buy subscriptions.
I.L.P. (and other scammers like them) had a lucrative business going in the pre-Internet era when poets and writers had to subscribe to P&W, The Writer, or Writer's Digest to find out who was open for submissions and also buy The Dustbooks Guide once a year to see the literary markets outlined.
But those outrageous "pay to play" fees are not new, unfortunately.
P.T. Barnum knew there was a sucker born every minute.
Last October I was fooled by Midnight Oil's chapbook contest.
Their fee on Submittable was $20 and I fell for it because Midnight "Snake Oil" claimed they would judge it and announce the winners in November 2022, publish the chapbooks early in the new year.
Well, my ms is still marked as "Received" -- not "in progress" -- and they do not reply to messages!
And Midnight Oil's fees encourage other snake oil salesman types who feel they can charge high fees for the "privilege" of accepting your writing.
One example is Beyond Words.
Take a look at their fees, my friends!
- - One to avoid: Beyond Words [Instagram account says they are based in Germany?] - -
Beyond Words Literary Magazine's chapbook contest (up to 20 pages):
Poetry Chapbook Competition FEE is $39.99
Theme - My Greatest Fear: Poetry & Short Stories (24-Hour Decision) FEE is $17.99
CLEAN: 250-word creative writing challenge FEE is $11.99
The pirate in charge of this literary "3 Card Monte" scheme is: Yashraj Patil.
Owner of Beyond Words Magazine (domain registration from WhoIs.com)
* * TEL: +1 415-429-1173
Email: < beyondwordslite@gmail.com >
URL: https://www.beyondwordsmag.com/
Anyone else annoyed about outrageous fees?
Yes. And yes and more yes. All the yes.
I love this column! So many wise and wonderful points made. I love the "good karma" thing. Whenever we give generously, we're really giving to ourselves. There are no "others" and knowing this changes everything! Thank You for this column!
Got-dayum! that was awesome! Thank you Jo Gatford!