So, I did it. I took the plunge and have started submitting a story to hopefully be bought and published.
I spent a fair amount of time plotting and planning, finding markets that would be amenable to my story. I researched their guidelines. I read samples of their work. Tonight, I sent it out to the first of my selections.
I’m going to start with “pro” markets (markets that are the most high paying but the most competitive–these are also markets that, if accepted, could make me eligible to join the Science Fiction Writers of America). From there, I’ll go “semi-pro” and then to simple “paid” markets. If I get no takers, then I’ll either make some adjustments or publish it here.
I’m hopeful, of course, but also know that it’s a one-in-a-million shot; especially here at first with the “pro” markets. But I’ve started on the path. Now it’s a waiting game. I guess I’ll just pass the time creating new stories.
Shedrick
Serial Distractions 
Good luck! Hope your story lands somewhere in the pro market. I don’t know if you followed John Scalzi’s stuff on paying markets a few months ago, but I’ve decided to only submit to pro markets, the idea being that acceptance in less than pro work doesn’t really tell me how I’m doing. It sounds good right now, but time will tell.
I missed that Scalzi piece, I’ll have to check it out. I was going with the “might as well shoot for the stars and see what happens” strategy. Good thing about working in short stories is that if one doesn’t work I can always make more 🙂
Thanks!