| Manuscript Guidelines |
| Payment & Rights |
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Asimov's Science Fiction magazine is an established market for science fiction stories. We pay on acceptance, and beginners get 6.0 cents a word to 7,500 words, 5.0 cents a word for stories longer than 12,500 words, and $450 for stories between those lengths. We seldom buy stories longer than 15,000 words, and we don't serialize novels. We pay $1 a line for poetry, which should not exceed 40 lines. We buy First English Language serial rights plus certain non-exclusive rights explained in our contract. We do not publish reprints, and we do not accept "simultaneous submissions," (stories sent at the same time to a publication other than Asimov's). Asimov's will consider material submitted by any writer, previously published or not. We've bought some of our best stories from people who have never sold a story before. |
| Story Content |
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In general, we're looking for "character oriented" stories, those
in which the characters, rather than the science, provide the
main focus for the reader's interest. Serious, thoughtful, yet
accessible fiction will constitute the majority of our purchases,
but there's always room for the humorous as well. Borderline fantasy
is fine, but no Sword & Sorcery, please. Neither are we interested
in explicit sex or violence. A good overview would be to consider
that all fiction is written to examine or illuminate some aspect
of human existence, but that in science fiction the backdrop you
work against is the size of the Universe. |
| Manuscript Format |
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Manuscripts submitted to Asimov's must be neatly typed, double-spaced
on one side of the sheet only, on bond paper (no erasable paper,
please). Any ms. longer than 5 pages should be mailed to us flat.
Dot matrix printouts are acceptable only if they are easily readable.
Please do NOT send us submissions on disk. When using a word processor,
please do not justify the right margin. If sending a printout,
separate the sheets first. The ms. should include the title, your
name and address, and the number of words in your story. Enclose
a cover letter if you like. All manuscripts must be accompanied
by a self-addressed stamped envelope (if ms. is over 5 pages,
use a 9" x 12" envelope) carrying enough postage to return the
ms. If you wish to save on postage, you may submit a clear copy
of your story along with a standard (#10) envelope, also self-addressed
and stamped. Mark your ms. "DISPOSABLE," and you will receive
our reply only. We do not suggest that you have us dispose of
your original typescript. If you live overseas or in Canada, use
International Reply Coupons for postage, along with a self-addressed
envelope. |
| Our Reply |
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Finally, we regret that it's become necessary for us to use form
letters for rejecting manuscripts, but time limitations are such
that we have no choice. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide
specific criticism of each story. Our response time runs about
five weeks. If you have not heard from us within three months
from the day you mailed your ms., you can assume it was lost in
the mail, and are welcome to resubmit it to us. We do NOT keep
a record of submissions, but if you would like to know if we received
your story or poem, include a self-addressed stamped postcard,
which we will return to you on the day it arrives in the office.
Thanks for your interest in Asimov's and good luck! |
| Our Editorial Address |
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Sheila Williams, Editor
Dell Magazines
267 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10007-2352
E-mail: asimovs@dellmagazines.com
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Manuscript Guidelines
If you'd like your own copy of these guidelines, send us a self-addressed,
stamped business-size envelope (what stationery stores call a
number 10 envelope), and a note requesting this information. Please
write manuscript guidelines in the bottom left-hand corner of the outside envelope. The address
for this and all other correspondence is:
Dell Magazines
Asimov's Science Fiction
267 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10007-2352.
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