Of course, there are market reports. However, even those can be out of date or uninformed about a particular market, especially if the publication is small or new. Generally, it's safe to deal with a publisher whose publication is in its umpteenth issue or it's listed as being in good health in a market report. It's not so safe dealing with a brand new publication when so many fail to even get born. Don't let that stop you, though.
New publications are an excellent place for new writers to break into publishing.
Though the rewards are few, the opportunities for exposure and learning they offer more than compensate. Still, you need to know how to take their pulse so you don't waste your efforts on another victim of the publishing industry. The following hints might save you some time and energy, not to mention postage. First off, if the publication has a web page on the Internet, check the date of the last update. If the web page is over four months old, then the chances are slim that the publication is in good health unless it simply put up the page to give strictly the guidelines and mailing address.