Writing science fiction is nothing more than a hobby for many people, but there is money to be made by publishing those sci-fi stories. While it is difficult for any freelance writer to break into the business and get paid to write, it is possible.
Science fiction is incredibly popular, and there are many ezines and print magazines that publish stories in the genre. Here are a few fiction magazines that offer payment for sci-fi short stories.
Publish Sci-Fi Stories with Asimov's Science Fiction
One of the most well-known sci-fi magazines on the market, Asimov's publishes character-focused works of science fiction both in print and in a variety of electronic forms. Publication with Asimov's counts as one of the requirements for membership with Science Fiction Writers of America.
Asimov's pays new writers $.06 a word up to 7,500 words, and $.05 a word for stories longer than 12,500. Stories in between these lengths are paid a flat rate of $450. Submissions to Asimov's can be made through the mail by following the guidelines on their website.
Publish Sci-fi Stories With Strange Horizons
Strange Horizons is an online magazine that specializes in speculative fiction, a broad term that includes sci-fi and fantasy stories. Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America recognizes Strange Horizons as a professional market.
Stories should be under 5,000 words long. Submissions can be made through their online submission form, and response time is between one month and 70 days. Strange Horizons pays $.05 per word, with a minimum of $50.
Publish Sci-Fi Stories With the Intergalactic Medicine Show
Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show is an online magazine every bit as fun as its name. The magazine focuses on sci-fi and fantasy stories of any length. Publication counts as one of the requirements for membership with Science Fiction Writers of America.
The Intergalactic Medicine Show is a pay-per-issue magazine that is released on a quarterly basis. They pay $.06 a word up to 7,500 words, and $.05 a word for every word thereafter.
Publish Sci-Fi Stories With Clarkesworld
Clarkesworld is an online magazine that specializes in science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories between 1,000 and 4,000 words in length. The magazine is published on a monthly basis.
At $0.10 per word, Clarkesworld is one of the more higher paying options for science fiction writers, although stories beyond 4,000 words are not accepted. Publication counts as one of the requirements for membership with Science Fiction Writers of America. Submissions made be made via their online submission form.
Make Money Writing Science Fiction
Admittedly, it is difficult for a new sci-fi writer to make a lot of money publishing their work. However, once a few stories are published and the credentials begin to build, there is good money to be made in this market. As always with any freelance writer, persistence and hard work will pay off!
For more magazines that pay for fiction, try these Paying Short Story Markets. Often, magazines that publish fantasy are also interested in sci-fi. Check out Paying Fantasy Short Story Markets.
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