050122b

Some publications pay handsomely when they accept your work, some pay a pittance. Some only send you a copy of the magazine. Some pay nothing at all. There is a qualitative difference between sending you a copy, or at least a link to the web page if the venue's online, and nothing. And if nothing's what you can afford to pay, then nothing's what you should publish. Asimov's, by contrast, pays cash and sends a couple of copies [used to, I got none with my last couple of acceptances, but they still pay.]. Cash on the barrelhead helps support you; sending a link to the web page is at least a token bit of respect. Nothing is, well, sweet fuck all. Nothing plus a notice that the book is out and how to buy it is an ad: less than nothing. Not acceptable even in a venue of international reputation. I read a call for subs from one of these outfits today, but will name no names. Respect yourself and your work. Never accept less than nothing as your pay for acceptance.