[Troo]

To go back to the original poster, I would usually agree that if a market doesn't pay, don't submit to it. That said, I publish a quarterly that doesn't pay, and nor does it charge. You have to evaluate the non-paying market to see what else it offers you. Is it kosher? (Elastic certainly is, but I'm talking more generally). Are they going to profit from your generosity? Are you going to gain exposure and experience that you lacked previously?


You also have to evaluate what you want out of publication. Are you in it for the money? For the love of writing? Do you want to see your name in print? Do you want to evoke a response in readers?

Can the non-paying market's goals and yours align in any way?

Non-paying markets are a low rung on a long ladder, but they are a rung nonetheless, and well worth considering. You never know who reads that non-paying magazine, after all...