Quick Summary for Writers: If you want to get paid for your science fiction short stories, you should aim for SFWA-qualifying pro markets that pay a minimum of $0.08 per word. The top science fiction magazines accepting submissions right now include Clarkesworld, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and Lightspeed Magazine.
As a science fiction editor, I spend countless hours working with authors to polish their manuscripts for publication. One of the most common questions I get from writers—whether they are crafting their debut story or their tenth—is simply: “Where can I actually sell this?”
Writing science fiction is a labor of love, but it is also a craft that deserves financial compensation. You shouldn’t have to give your hard work away for free. Over the years, I have analyzed what the top science fiction magazines are looking for, why they reject stories, and what it takes to land in their table of contents.
In this guide, I am sharing a comprehensive, up-to-date list of the best paying sci-fi short story markets. Whether you write hard sci-fi, space opera, or speculative slipstream, these publishers pay professional rates for high-quality fiction.
What Makes a Market “Pro-Paying”? (Understanding SFWA Rates)
Before you start submitting, you need to understand how the publishing industry categorizes pay rates. As an editor, I always advise my clients to aim for “Pro” markets first.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) sets the industry standard for professional payment. Currently, a pro-paying market is defined as one that pays a minimum of 8 cents ($0.08) per word.
Selling a story to a SFWA-qualifying market does more than just put money in your bank account. It builds your author resume, grants you eligibility to join SFWA as a professional member, and signals to literary agents that your work has commercial viability.
- Pro-Paying: 8 cents per word or higher.
- Semi-Pro: 1 cent to 7.9 cents per word.
- Token Paying: A flat fee (e.g., $10 or $20 per story) or a contributor copy of the magazine.
Top Tier: Pro-Paying Sci-Fi Magazines (The Big Leagues)
These are the most prestigious science fiction magazines in the world. Getting published in one of these can launch a career, but the competition is fierce. Here are the top markets, what they pay, and my editorial take on what they look for.
| Magazine Name | Pay Rate (Per Word) | Word Count Limit | Editorial Focus / Subgenre |
| Clarkesworld | $0.12 | 1,000 – 22,000 | Literary sci-fi, translation, audio rights |
| Asimov’s Science Fiction | $0.08 – $0.10 | Up to 20,000 | Character-driven sci-fi, social sci-fi |
| Analog Science Fiction & Fact | $0.08 – $0.10 | Up to 20,000 | Hard science fiction, scientific accuracy |
| Lightspeed Magazine | $0.08 | 1,500 – 10,000 | Diverse speculative fiction, fast-paced |
| Uncanny Magazine | $0.10 | 750 – 10,000 | Gorgeous prose, emotional narratives |
| Apex Magazine | $0.08 | Up to 7,500 | Dark sci-fi, cyberpunk, weird fiction |
1. Clarkesworld Magazine
Clarkesworld is an award-winning giant in the short fiction space. They pay an impressive 12 cents a word and are highly respected for publishing international authors and translated works.
- My Editor’s Insight: I often tell writers that Clarkesworld is looking for beautiful prose combined with unique, deeply thoughtful concepts. They do not want stories featuring zombies, vampires, or predictable space battles. Your world-building must be flawless, and the writing itself must be literary.
2. Asimov’s Science Fiction
Named after the legendary Isaac Asimov, this digest-sized magazine is a staple of the genre. They pay 8 to 10 cents per word and have published many Hugo and Nebula award winners.
- My Editor’s Insight: Asimov’s strongly favors character-driven stories. The science is important, but the human element (or alien element) must drive the plot. If your story is just a brilliant scientific concept without a compelling character arc, it will likely be rejected here.
3. Analog Science Fiction and Fact
If you write “hard” science fiction, this is your ultimate target. Analog requires stories where the scientific elements are accurate, plausible, and absolutely integral to the plot.
- My Editor’s Insight: When I edit hard sci-fi aimed at Analog, I ruthlessly check the physics and logic. You cannot hand-wave the science here. The conflict in your story should arise from the science, and the resolution should require a scientific or logical breakthrough by the protagonist.
4. Lightspeed Magazine
Lightspeed is a digital magazine that publishes a mix of science fiction and fantasy. They are known for inclusive, forward-thinking narratives.
- My Editor’s Insight: Pacing is everything for Lightspeed. They want stories that hook the reader immediately. You cannot spend three pages doing a slow world-building info-dump. The narrative needs to hit the ground running.
5. Uncanny Magazine
Famous for its “Space Unicorn” mascot, Uncanny pays 10 cents a word and focuses heavily on emotion and gorgeous, stylistic writing.
- My Editor’s Insight: This is the market for deeply emotional, subversive, and character-focused science fiction. If your sci-fi story makes the reader cry or deeply re-examine society, this is the place to send it.
6. Apex Magazine
Apex is the perfect home for sci-fi that bleeds into the dark, weird, or horrifying. They pay professional rates for stories that push boundaries.
- My Editor’s Insight: Don’t send Apex a cheerful, optimistic story about space exploration. They want gritty, strange, psychological, and cyberpunk themes.
Semi-Pro Markets: Building Your Resume
If you are just starting out, getting into the Big Six above can take years of practice. I often recommend that emerging authors also submit to reputable semi-pro markets. While they pay less than 8 cents a word, they are professionally run, highly respected, and a great way to build your publication history.
- Escape Pod: An audio fiction podcast that pays for both original and reprint science fiction.
- Flash Fiction Online: A great market for flash fiction (under 1,000 words) that pays professional flat rates.
- Utopia Science Fiction: Focuses specifically on optimistic, hopeful science fiction. They pay on the semi-pro scale but are a wonderful community.
3 Golden Rules for Submitting Your Story
Knowing where to submit is only half the battle. As an editor, I see brilliant stories get rejected on technicalities all the time. Before you hit send, ensure you follow these three rules:
1. Master Standard Manuscript Format (Shunn)
Never format your manuscript creatively. Do not use strange fonts, colored text, or weird spacing. 99% of publishers require standard manuscript format (often referred to as Shunn format). Use Times New Roman or Courier (12pt font), double space your lines, and put your contact info in the top left corner. A clean manuscript shows you are a professional.
2. Read the Guidelines (And Follow Them)
Every magazine has a page dedicated to submission guidelines. Read it twice. If a magazine says “no time travel stories,” and you send them a time travel story, it will be rejected unread. If they ask for a .doc file, do not send a PDF.
3. Track Your Submissions
Never rely on your memory. Use a free tool like The Submission Grinder or a paid tool like Duotrope to track where you have sent your stories, how many days they have been out, and what the responses are. This is essential for managing simultaneous submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get paid for a short story?
Yes. Professional science fiction and fantasy magazines pay for short stories. The industry benchmark, set by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), defines a professional pay rate as 8 cents ($0.08) per word or higher. Semi-pro markets pay between 1 cent and 7.9 cents per word.
Where can I submit my science fiction short stories?
You can submit your stories directly to science fiction magazines, anthologies, or fiction podcasts. The top-tier professional markets currently accepting submissions include Clarkesworld, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and Lightspeed Magazine. Always check a publisher’s specific submission guidelines before sending your manuscript.
Which publishers pay for short stories?
Most dedicated speculative fiction magazines and reputable genre anthologies pay for short stories. Major pro-paying publishers include Clarkesworld, Uncanny Magazine, and Apex Magazine. To ensure you are submitting to a legitimate, paying publisher, you can cross-reference their pay rates using free submission tracking tools like The Submission Grinder.
Is Your Story Ready for the Slush Pile?
Submitting to paying science fiction markets is a highly competitive process. The magazines on this list receive thousands of submissions a month and publish fewer than 1% of them.
If you are receiving form rejections and aren’t sure why your story isn’t landing, you might need a second set of eyes. A professional edit can help identify pacing issues, smooth out clunky world-building, and elevate your prose. If you are serious about selling your work, learn more about my developmental and line editing services today.