NightWrath:

If a story of yours is accepted by a small press magazine, chances are you won't have to fill out any forms or sign anything. The journal will simply let you know they've accepted your story. You should then send an e-mail back to them confirming that you agree to allow them to publish your piece.

As an independent publisher myself, that's the truest, most sound advice in this thread -- which is good, as it brings us back to this site's focus -- which is the small press. Depending on the scale of the job, a small press often proceeds on a handshake and the tacit understanding that author and press will work on each other's behalf for their mutual benefit.

A mid-sized small press laid out their 'contract' for me recently, which involved no paperwork, just the verbal promise of full artistic control over the book's design and contents; a publication run of 500 copies, third-fourths of which were held by the press and one-fourth of which were given to the author, who can sell them if desired.

They included a small stipend, as well.

Welcome, RRM to the site and for steering this thread back on course! Much appreciated!