Hi Lukas. Medium isn't very interested in fiction writers at all. So what. Good writers are. Fiction readers are.

Magazine submissions, yes, for exposure, not for pay, and not easily accomplished. I have 6 published pieces and well over 100 rejections. You want hard to justify? Those fat $0.04-0.08/wd payouts are tough to take for your best efforts.

Good writing, even fiction, pays on Medium. I've earned plenty more on fiction here than even the fat one time story payments.

More importantly, it's practice. It's improvement.

I hope you do submit to the contest, be sure to read the rules for qualifying. Thank you.