In the UK there's a publication called the "Writers and Artists' Yearbook" - there must be a US equivalent. It lists most of the likely markets for everything: short stories, articles, poetry, novels... Don't do it for the money. It's not worth it. Very few writers, even the successful ones, can make a living from it. Before you submit anything for publication, make sure you understand your legal position. Competitions are good exposure, but it's common to find a clause in the rules that's the equivalent of surrendering your copyright when entering - DON'T do it, unless you are absolutely certain the potential reward is worth it. If the US market works the same way as the UK, what you'll be selling is first publication rights - which means if you've already published it anywhere, including on the web, you're already on difficult ground. Most publishers will want exclusivity. One other thing to consider - it may be obvious, but a lot of prospective writers don't know it - when you submit for publication you have to be prepared for a lot of rejection, no matter how good you are. A lot of it won't be polite. Even when you do get a piece accepted, an editor might tear it to pieces. If you're not prepared for that, it can hurt. A lot. Working with a good editor is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had, but initially it can be a real shock to find out how much more work there is to do on something you thought was as good as it could be.