In history, a common person. Me. You (maybe, unless you’re aristocracy, in which case you probably have money and we need to talk).
In modern times, it is usually derogatory in most parts of the world, meaning an idiot, imbecile, or ignorant person. That’s exactly for whom we exist to provide stories (or publications, or, wait for it…pubs) though.
What’s the point?
The point is we don’t understand why good fiction has become a thing synonymous with well-educated literati (i.e. book snobs) or why those same people are the gatekeepers to reading in America, deciding what gets published. We want to resurrect stories that don’t have their heads stuck up their own asses—to make reading fun again. So, much like the plebs of Roman times, we’re just gonna do things our own damn selves.
Also, reading has become an expensive habit (unless you visit a library on a regular basis—Do you?).
Pubs for Plebs exists to get the best new fiction out for you to read, and to do it in a way that makes it convenient for you to read (i.e. your phone or computer). You already read blogs everyday—add us to the list (just don’t call us a blog).
Do you offer subscriptions?
Not at the moment. We are always interested in exploring new distribution methods though, so if you have a model in mind you think is fair, feel free to propose it in an e-mail.
Do you have an app for my phone?
Not yet. It’s something we’re exploring though. We’ll keep you updated.
What is the difference between Pubs for Plebs and a literary journal?
Well, we’re only online for one thing (currently, that is). For another thing…well, there’s not much difference on the surface, but have you ever tried getting published in The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, or McSweeney’s? It’s good work if you can get it. So is getting a record out on Warner Brothers, Interscope, Capitol Records, etc. (though the positives of going with a major are debatable, but I digress). For the rest of us, we need a place like Dischord Records, Saddle Creek Records, or Mia Kat (Houston represent!)…but, you know, for short stories.
In addition to helping a writer build an audience, the goal is to get that writer paid for their work. Of every ¢99 Featured Story a writer has published, they will receive ¢50 per download (basically a half and half split between the author and publisher). The hope is that by promoting Pubs for Plebs as a hub (or a brand, if you will) known for publishing quality stories, readers will be willing to take a risk on an unknown writer simply because they are published by us, and the regular readership will translate into multiple downloads per story for each writer. It’s not big money, but it’s something, right? And that’s the point. If the major literary magazines of the world aren’t taking you, who else is paying you for your short story?
A word on why we charge ¢99 for certain stories…
Most websites are funded by annoying advertising. We don’t want to have to resort to this in order to keep the site around, yet we’ve had to find a way to generate some income to pay basic costs (and to compensate the contributors).
How do you keep people from sharing the ¢99 stories with others?
We don’t. These digital files are not encoded or protected, so you could pass them along if you desire. While we want as many people to read the work as possible, and thus don’t mind if you want to pass it along, we appeal to your sense of fairness in asking that you’d compensate the writers (which also supports your local artists!) for their work by at least pointing the people you share the stories with to the website so they might pay for downloads in the future, if they are so inclined.
