1. AnonEMoss

    AnonEMoss New Member

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    Publishing Short Stories - Easy?

    Discussion in 'Traditional Publishing' started by AnonEMoss, Aug 15, 2010.

    Okay well, I know it's not easy, but it's got to be a helluva lot easier than publishing a novel.

    I have few really nice short stories, and I've decided I should try to get them published if for no other reason than it would look good in my future queries.

    I have no idea how to go about this...

    Do you guys have a list of the usual places to submit? Like magazines that accept unsolicited queries, or where ever else people publish short stories. I really have no idea.

    All I know is that my writing is solid, and the stories are both entertaining and enlightening. Now I just need to figure out how to let people see them. ;)

    Thanks in advance for your advice! It is much appreciated! (and needed)
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Your primary resource should be Duotrope's Digest.
     
  3. AnonEMoss

    AnonEMoss New Member

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    Thank you my friend, you rock.
     
  4. erik martin

    erik martin Active Member

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    Duotrope's is all right, but when I search on it I tend to get a lot of online publishing. Which is fine, but I don't see many literary journals come up on Duotrope's. Poets and Writers: Database of Literary Magazines and Journals is a complete (or as near to complete as one can be.) listing of all of the literary journals that are out there. Combined with Duotropes and you have quite a few markets at your fingertips.
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. Banzai

    Banzai One-time Mod, but on the road to recovery Contributor

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    It really depends what you're writing. I write genre fiction, and duotrope is great for that.

    And short stories are definitely not an easy option.
     
  6. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    good additional listing, erik!... thanks for posting... i've added it to my tips/info for writing mentees collection...

    hugs, m
     
  7. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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  8. erik martin

    erik martin Active Member

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    Welcome. It isn't as easy to do a specific search as duotropes, but it's a good site nonetheless.
     
  9. izanobu

    izanobu New Member

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    Also, make sure you are familiar with standard manuscript format. Very important when submitting short stories to make sure the formatting doesn't damage the editor's eyes :) Always follow the magazine's guidelines! (most want the full story with a very short and sweet cover letter.)

    Basically if you want to get short stories published, write a lot of them, keep them in the mail (one magazine at a time though, don't sim-sub), and put them back out to some place new if a story is rejected. It really just takes persistence (and good writing) :)
     
  10. AnonEMoss

    AnonEMoss New Member

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    Thanks everybody!

    I'm loving this place, everyone is so helpful!
     
  11. erik martin

    erik martin Active Member

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    I have noticed that it seems like more and more journals and other mags are allowing simultaneous submissions as long as it is noted as such.
     
  12. izanobu

    izanobu New Member

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    True, Erik, but why would you sim-sub? You can't get magazine editors to bid on a story, so why put yourself in the position where you'd have to tell an editor that "no, I've sold that now". Short stories can't get into auction situations, so why bother sim-subbing? Easier for everybody is to just send in one story to one magazine at a time. If you're writing enough stories, this becomes necessary anyway since you'll likely have so many stories out you'll need the markets free for new stuff :)
     
  13. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    the problem with sim-subbing to those who accept such is that it keeps you from being able to submit to any of those who don't...
     

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