Writers of short fiction can choose to submit their work to anthologies or magazines. Anthologies are one-off collections with a theme. Magazines are regular publications accepting working in specific genres. Your choice may depend on how you write. Some people prefer to write first then find a market. Others prefer to write for the market.

The first group will find it hard to get in an anthology, unless they rewrite aspects to suit the theme. The second group can target either, remembering that they only get one shot at an anthology. Depending on the theme a substantial rewrite might be needed for resubmission to a magazine.

Payment will vary within each type, from a complimentary copy to professional rates. Anyone targeting the later will face greater competition.

Submission Grinder currently has 99 paying markets listed for Science-Fiction, 19 of them being anthologies.

The key thing to remember is that you should always follow the submission instructions, otherwise known as writer’s guidelines.

Paul Williams is a writer of fiction and non-fiction, best known for his study of 333 Jack the Ripper suspects.