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Occupational Reading for Science Fiction Writers

Read the Markets, the Trades, and Everything Else

© Angie Smibert

Jan 28, 2009
Occupational reading, Ian Kahn
If you're serious about writing science fiction, you need to read the professional markets, the trade journals, and science and technology magazines.

Every profession has its occupational reading--that reading you need to do to get ahead (or at least keep up with the rest of the field). Doctors read medical journals. Programmers read tech web sites. Serious science fiction (or fantasy or any other genre) writers are no different. If you want to write professionally, you need to read. Period.

Read the Markets

Most speculative fiction writers are avid readers. Make sure you need to read the magazines you want to submit your work to now—and in the future. This will give you an idea of what the editors are buying, the caliber of the other writers, and trends in the field. And your reading might just give you ideas for your own stories.

For short fiction, the SFWA-qualifying list is a good starting point. The SFWA or Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of American maintains a list of magazines it considers professional markets. (Selling three stories to any of these publications qualifies you to join the SFWA as a full member.) Some of those markets include:

  • Asimovs
  • Analog
  • Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy
  • Realms of Fantasy
  • Jim Baen’s Universe
  • Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show
  • Strange Horizons

Also, pay attention to stories that win awards. SFWA puts out a yearly volume of the Nebula award winners.

Read the Trades

Serious speculative fiction writers read magazines and web sites that cover the business aspects of their genre. Here are a few of the top publications or sites:

  • Locus is the monthly trade magazine for speculative fiction writers. Each issue covers book deals, market reports, award, current magazines, and new books.
  • SFWA Bulletin is the official magazine of the SFWA; however, you don’t need to be a member to subscribe. The Bulletin includes SFWA news plus market reports.
  • Dark Whispers is the official blog of the Horror Writers Association.
  • Ralan.com provides a brief, up-to-date magazine-by-magazine market report, including status and links to guidelines.
  • Gila Queen’s Guide to the Markets is a subscription-based newsletter that’s been detailing science fiction, fantasy, and horror markets for nearly 20 years.
  • The Market Maven is a subscription-based newsletter written by Cynthia Ward, who previously wrote the report for the now-defunct (or severely idle) Speculations magazine. She also writes the market report for the SFWA Bulletin.
  • SFScope.com is an online news site for science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers. (The former editor of the now defunct Science Fiction Chronicle runs SFScope.)

Read the Ideas

If you’re a science fiction writer, you need to read to keep up with scientific and technological developments—and to get new ideas. This reading is purely personal preference. Let your own curiosity and interests lead you. Here are a few magazines and blogs to peruse, though:


The copyright of the article Occupational Reading for Science Fiction Writers in Writing Genre Fiction is owned by Angie Smibert. Permission to republish Occupational Reading for Science Fiction Writers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Occupational reading, Ian Kahn
        


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