Pay to Play The Perils and Perks of Fee-Based Submissions

Pay to Play The Perils and Perks of Fee-Based Submissions I’ve been freelancing full-time since 2009. In that time I’ve entered (and won) many writing competitions. Some have been free to enter, but I’ve also pursued opportunities that include the dreaded phrase â€Å"fee-based submission.† Some writers balk at the idea of reading fees: to them, forking over a check is like throwing money away. In the other camp are writers who actively seek out publications and competitions that charge fees, seeing those markets as both competitive and prestigious. The Drawbacks of Fees Beyond the obvious cost of writing a check, there are other deterrents to consider when applying to a pay-to-play market. The most troublesome, though relatively rare these days, are the so-called â€Å"scam† markets: unscrupulous contest runners who take your money and run, never declaring a winner (or in other cases, canceling the contest and refusing to refund your fee). Always research the market on Duotrope’s Digest or Poets Writers if you’re not certain about the legitimacy of a publication or contest. Another concern is arguably more philosophical than monetary. Many freelancers today refuse to take jobs that pay little or no money as a matter of principle, believing that doing so perpetuates more markets that underpay and devalue writers. For them, paying to have their work read might just leave them in the red. But on the Other Hand Despite some initial wariness, many pay-to-play markets are absolutely worth considering. Often, literary magazines charge a submission fee, which also includes the cost of a subscription to the magazine. This will provide you with insights about what stories the editors prefer, giving you an edge when you send them your next submission. Other times, particularly with competitions, your fee ensures that the judges will give you specific, detailed feedback about your work, which is quite a valuable perk to writers of any experience level. Moreover, if you make a living solely from writing, you may be able to deduct submission fees on your taxes, as they are part of your work-related communications costs (just like manila envelopes or postage). Speaking of literary professionals, your reading fee is just that: a fee that pays for the time it takes an editor to review your work. That fee could be what keeps your favorite magazine (or non-profit) afloat†¦try thinking of your submission fee as a charitable donation. Finally, there’s the strategic advantage of entering a market with a fee hurdle. Because some writers will inevitably turn up their nose at fee-based markets, the field of competitors may be smaller than for a free-to-enter contest. With so many writers eliminating themselves, you’ve got a better chance at taking top honors. Now What? So, when is it acceptable to gamble with your hard-earned money and time to pay someone to consider your work? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Over the years I’ve spent writing, I’ve come to understand that my time is valuable. In essence, all submissions cost you something (time is money, after all.) And even when I’ve entered fee-based competitions and lost, I’ve still been able to find homes for those stories a few months down the line, thanks to feedback I received. Consider this: if you are paying to have your work read