To clarify, they paid me $50. Back in 2000 BC. You are *so* right. No writer should ever pay to be published.

My friend was arguing that publishing, even for free was the important part. I'm thinking the quality of the publishing, the venue, is equally important. If you are publishing for free/reduced dollars, what kind of exposure will it get you? If the publication is good, if you are doing it for charity or recognition, or if you are getting in on the ground floor of something good, I can see publishing for a lesser fee.

But you have to consider your street cred.