Then, all too often, they give away their product to a nonpaying publication. They fall into three groups on the issue. But there's a principle involved. Name another field where people are expected to work for no pay. Group three is comprised of those for whom writing is a hobby, and they are generally nonchalant about monetary matters.
Payment is nice, but they're satisfied with a few copies of a magazine to give family members.
One can spin an argument either way, for the writers or for the publishers. It's true that most small publishers are on tight budgets and can pay only in copies. On the flip side, they would not have a publication without free material. But writers have expenses, too, so even a few pennies per word is appreciated. Small press publishers struggle with the payment issue.