Here's a little question for all you authors out there. Readers can chime in too, I suppose --
What format would you prefer The Open Vein to be in:
(a) The current format: bi-monthly, non-paying, 8-12 stories per issue.
or
(b) A paying format (probably around 1/2 cent/word, but maybe a flat payout), released twice a year (maybe 3 times), 6-8 stories an issue.
I'm slowly working my way toward reaching the eventual goal of paying authors for their contributions, although I need to work out a way to generate some revenue first. How much revenue I can generate will determine how much I'd be able to pay and how often I'd be able to publish.
Should I decide to offer payment, obviously the competition will get much more fierce; I'll be very selective, and I'm sure the sheer volume of submissions would increase as well, expanding the playing field.
It's really my intent to help previously unpublished authors snag a credit, but not at the expense of quality writing. And, for those whose great work I decide to publish, I'd ultimately like to be able to compensate them for it, even if it's modest. So, give me some feedback on which kind of zine you'd like submit to and read. I look forward to your responses!
Regards,
Justin Burning, Editor - The Open Vein
6 comments:
Justin,
I think that it's probably the natural progression to go to a paying format, if you think that you're up to the challenge of commerce.
Of course, as with every decision, there are trade-offs. It's unfortunate that you'd have to produce fewer, smaller issues, since that "chance" is such an important part of a writer's growth. I feel like you've been able to attract talented authors already, but it's possible that you'd be able to improve your product with the greater competition and notoriety that would come as a paying market.
In the end, I suppose that I'd vote for changing to a paying format, so long as you could put out a fairly weighty issue at least two or three times per year.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck in your venture.
Justin,
One other thing--you'll probably want to put links to this blog from your Myspace and from your website. I don't know that very many people, even your devoted followers, know that this blog exists.
Well personally, as both a reader and a writer, money to me, isn't an incentive I use for writing a large percentage of the time (though it helps a starving college kid along, lol). To be honest, I shy away from paying publications. Not to be timid, but usually because I know I don't stand a chance and that kind of sucks for someone so new to the game. But whatever you feel comfortable with go for. I do know your zine is pretty new and if it were mine, I'd let it run till I got a few more devout followers. Then start offering the bacon that way your publication has a bit more time to gestate. Just bear in mind that if your fan base starts to slip, pay is usually the way to get them back. Just make sure you're ready for the slush pile rushing your way once you start flashing $$$ in people's faces. But, whatever you do, good luck! Can't wait to read the next issue.
Of course, my eventual goal is to be paid, but like the previous poster, I tend to keep away from paying zines - they seem to like to keep their content 'safer' than the free projects. On the other hand, you know you have a quality publication, and frankly, it already looks like something readers would pay for. If it were me, I'd keep it free for a while - money isn't something that motivates me to write, and I'm sure most of your authors will say the same - with an eye turned toward eventually moving it to a paid publication.
I'd rather The Open Vein stay the same... I'd rather get credit and see the zine out more often than get paid and see it out less.
I appreciate the comments, my loyal inner-circle! People are going to be tired of seeing the names Patrick Tracy, Annick Sever, and Bryan DiTolvo all over the place in The Open Vein. Maybe one day you'll get sick and tired of submitting to me, though ... I probably won't get sick and tired of reading your stories.
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