Writing short stories can be fun and rewarding. Publishing them, on the other hand, is often a hassle, but the right tools can make the process easier. Reedsy offers guides, professionals, and other resources for that very goal.
Get to know how Reedsy can help you publish your stories, whether in magazines or collections. Decide how you want to share your writing and what tools you’ll need.
Improve Your Short and Flash Fiction Stories
Before you try publishing anything, you should verify your writing is of good quality and ready to be read—and critiqued. If you don’t quite know how to improve, get ideas fromReedsy’s tips for short story writing.
Another way to build your creative writing skill, slowly but steadily, is to start small and work your way up to short stories and even novels. Theflash fiction guide on Reedsygives you the basics of telling a great micro-story.
Most importantly, read as much as you may within and outside of your genre. And while diving into collections orsites for free fantasy short stories, for example, understand what makes such small narratives immersive, enjoyable, and popular. Take these lessons to heart, and transform your voice as an author.
Submit Your Stories to Literary Magazines and Writing Contests
Do you want to share your tales individually or in a group? This determines your best publication strategy. you may start by submitting to contests and magazines, one story at a time, and eventually put together one or several collections.
Focusing on your options for single short stories,Reedsy’s list of top literary magazinescomes in handy. Browse them and decide what fees and platforms suit you the most.
As for creative writing contests, here’swhat to expect when submitting short stories to Reedsy Prompts, a weekly competition with a small entry fee and considerable prizes. If you want more time, money, or exposure, look for bigger contests, both domestic and international.
For extra details, make the most ofReedsy’s guide on publishing short stories. You’ll learn how to approach magazines and contests, as well as the best strategy for producing a pageturner of an anthology.
Publish a Short Story Collection
Traditional publishing is always an option, so explore theshort story literary agents listed on Reedsy. Best case scenario: you find someone on your wavelength that “gets” your stories and knows exactly how to publish and market them.
If that doesn’t work, however, don’t lose hope. Self-publishing is a great choice for story collections, if more strenuous and costly. Once again, the right plan and resources will help you write, design, and launch a successful anthology with minimal trouble.
Your first stop should beReedsy’s short story editors. The right professional will ensure your manuscript is spotless. If you want the collection to look perfect inside and out but don’t feel confident doing it yourself, considerhiring short story book designers on Reedsy, too. Depending on your budget, you can also invest in publicists and marketing tools for maximum exposure.
Reedsy Can Help Promote Your Short Stories Even Before You Publish Them
You should now know how to share your stories with the world. Of course, each publishing path comes with perks and demands—completely manageable with good stories and careful organization.
If you do decide to take the plunge and self-publish, Reedsy has more to contribute, including its Book Editor app and Discovery, a platform for authors to get pre-launch book reviews.
If you research the publishing industry and your options with Reedsy and beyond, publishing your short stories will be that much smoother and more effective.
