Modern Fiction Author FAQ

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This FAQ has been designed to help you understand our publishing process and how it affects you the author.

How do I get started?

Your first step is to register as an author. Do this by clicking on the AUTHORS link at the top of the Modern Fiction website. When prompted to login, click on the link below the login button directing you to create a new account. Follow the on screen instructions to register your account.

Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email. Click the link in the email and you will be able to access your account.

How do I submit a story?

Once you have logged into the author section of the site, click the Submit Your Story button and fill in the blanks. Make sure your story is in a format we can read and less than 1MB in size. The file formats accepted are ASCII text and MS-Word (including Word 2007 docx files).

How many words should my story be?

Your story can be anywhere between 1,500 and 7,000 words. If your story is marginally longer, exceptions will be made for stories that really impress us.

What types of genres do you publish?

Modern Fiction Magazine will print almost any genre provided your story follows our simple guidelines. The full list of guidelines can be found in our Terms and Conditions.

Will you publish a short story series?

If the characters and story line is interesting enough to publish as a series, we will strongly consider doing so. However, your series must have a distinct stand-alone story in each episode.

Will you publish multi-part stories?

If your story is greater than 7,000 words and requires printing across multiple issues of Modern Fiction, it will be treated as a series. Like a series, it is your responsibility to ensure that each episode of the story has a satisfactory ending.

How is payment determined?

Payment is based on story length in addition to the quality of the story. While many submissions are of a quality suitable for publication, some exceptional stories will be rewarded an additional amount. The typical payment for a story in Modern Fiction Magazine is between $50 and $200 Canadian dollars.

Iım not Canadian. Can my story still be published?

Yes. Payment is in Canadian dollars because Modern Fiction is a Canadian publication. However, stories from anywhere in the world can be submitted for publication.

How will I know when the status changes on my story?

As your story makes it through the process of publication, the status will be updated in the author console. Additionally, you will be sent an email every time a status is changed.

What are the statuses associated with a submission?

There are 6 status messages. They are:

• Submitted ­ You have just uploaded your story.
• In Review ­ We are reading your story.
• Declined ­ We have chosen not to publish your story.
• Accepted ­ Your story fits our criteria for publication but is waiting for a time slot.
• In Production ­ Your story is being added to a current issue of Modern Fiction.
• Printed ­ Your story has been printed and distributed.

Why canıt I update my story?

If your story has a status of In Review, Accepted, In Production or Printed, you will not be able to modify your submission. If your story has been declined or not yet reviewed, you may upload a new version of the story.

My story has been accepted. When do I get paid?

Once your story has been accepted, you will be emailed a contract detailing the amount you will be paid for the story. In addition, this contract will contain a content asking you to verify that your story meets all of our terms and conditions. You will be asked to date and sign this contract. Once complete, fax the contract to the number printed on the page.

Once your story has a status of Printed, a cheque will be mailed to you for the amount owing on the contract.

Will I receive a copy of the magazine my story is published in?

Of course. Every author will receive 2 copies of the magazine their story is published in. If you would like additional copies, they can be purchased for $6.95 CDN (plus shipping outside of Canada and USA).

Will every submission be read?

Yes. We read every story sent to us. If we determine that your story is not ready for publication or does not meet our requirements, you will be sent an explanation detailing why your story was declined.

Iım having trouble with the website. What do I do?

If you are having problems with the website, please contact us by emailing admin@modernfiction.net. Please include a detailed description of the problem you are having and we will try to solve it as soon as possible.

I have a question that is not on this FAQ or in the Terms and Conditions. Where do I get an answer?

For any questions not covered, please send an email to faq@modernfiction.net. We will try to answer any question to the best of our knowledge as soon as possible. If your question is suitable to be included in this FAQ, it will be added as time permits.