SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 48
Download to read offline
10 Tips to10 Tips to
Help YouHelp You
PublishPublish
Your ShortYour Short
StoriesStories
A Presentation
Maybe you have a whole
folder full of short stories
Maybe you have a whole
folder full of short stories
But you just can’t seem to get
them published
Maybe you have a whole
folder full of short stories
But you just can’t seem to get
them published
To help you do just that,
we’ve put together 10 of the
BEST TIPS you will ever get for
publishing your short story…
1.1. Write aWrite a
good covergood cover
letter whenletter when
submittingsubmitting
your storyyour story
Your cover letter is the first
impression you make on the
editor
Your cover letter is the first
impression you make on the
editor
So make sure that you are
successfully selling yourself
and your story
What to write:
•A short introduction
of yourself.
•A summary of your
publication history
•And then a single
paragraph on your
story (this should be
a pitch, not a
synopsis!)
2.2. Don’t justDon’t just
submitsubmit anyany
story tostory to anyany
publicationpublication
It is crucial that you research
and read the magazine or
journal you want to submit to
beforehand
It is crucial that you research
and read the magazine or
journal you want to submit to
beforehand
Make sure your story fits the
tone, style, and genre of the
publication – otherwise you
won’t get published
If you are too lazy to
do publication
research yourself,
you can subscribe to
Duotrope.com
“We have gathered millions
of points of data on the
publications that we list. All
this information is compiled
into useful reports that help
you make smart decisions”
– Duotrope
3.3. Look forLook for
onlineonline
magazines –magazines –
not just printnot just print
publicationspublications
In today’s digital world,
online magazines have
become just as well-
respected as print magazines
In today’s digital world,
online magazines have
become just as well-
respected as print magazines
What’s more: There are far
more online magazines out
there, and its easier to get
published in them
You can also think
about starting to
write for blogs as a
way of building
your reputation
and experience a
bit
This is something
you can mention
in your cover letter
4.4. Show yourShow your
stories tostories to
friends,friends,
colleagues,colleagues,
and peopleand people
whose opinionswhose opinions
you trustyou trust
Sure, you might feel too shy
to let anyone read your story.
But in the end you want to
submit the best story you
possibly can
Sure, you might feel too shy
to let anyone read your story.
But in the end you want to
submit the best story you
possibly can
So get over yourself and let
people read and critique
what you wrote!
If you are still too
shy about your
work, join an online
writer’s community
like
www.writerscafe.org
Here you can post
your work and get
reviews and advice
from thousands of
other writers
5.5. ConsiderConsider
enteringentering
writingwriting
competitionscompetitions
as wellas well
A great alternative to getting
your short story published in a
magazine is to win a short
story competition
A great alternative to getting
your short story published in a
magazine is to win a short
story competition
There are countless
competitions out there – just
do a simple Google search to
find them
Here are some of
the biggest writing
competitions out
there:
•Commonwealth Short Story Prize
•Global Short Story Competition
•Bristol Short Story Competition
•Tom Howard/John H. Reid Contest
•Fiction Desk’s Ghost Story
Competition
•Lorian Hemingway Short Story
Competition
6.6. BeBe
innovativeinnovative
andand
interestinginteresting
Maybe you are a good writer.
But every editor reads
thousands of well-written
short stories every month
Maybe you are a good writer.
But every editor reads
thousands of well-written
short stories every month
Write stories that are
innovative, engaging and
that will stay with the reader
long after they’ve moved on
Read your story
before submitting it
and ask yourself:
“Is this captivating
and interesting
enough to stand
out from other
equally well-written
stories?”
7.7. Read theRead the
submissionsubmission
guidelinesguidelines
and followand follow
them to thethem to the
letterletter
Editors throw out submissions
merely because they don’t
follow simple submission
guidelines or format
Editors throw out submissions
merely because they don’t
follow simple submission
guidelines or format
If you were too lazy to follow
the guidelines –why should
an editor waste time reading
your story?
If you can’t find a
specific
magazine’s
guidelines online,
simply send an
e-mail to the
magazine or
journal and ask for
it
8.8. MoneyMoney
comescomes
second!second!
Sure, you want to start
making money from your
writing, but it is more
important to get published
and start building a
reputation
Sure, you want to start
making money from your
writing, but it is more
important to get published
and start building a
reputation
Money comes later. If you
keep it up, it will come
“Yes, I’ve made a great deal
of dough from my fiction, but
I never set a single word
down on paper with the
thought of being paid for it …
I have written because it
fulfilled me … I did it for the
buzz. I did it for the pure joy
of the thing”
- Stephen King
9.9. KeepKeep
working –working –
keep tryingkeep trying
If your story gets rejected, go
back and rewrite it, or write
something else – something
better
If your story gets rejected, go
back and rewrite it, or write
something else – something
better
It might take a while before
you perfect your style, but the
only way to do it is to
practice
“A professional
writer is an amateur
who didn’t quit”
- Richard Bach
10.10. Don’tDon’t
ever fearever fear
rejectionrejection
Maybe you will only get 1 in
10 stories published – maybe
less. This is normal, so don’t
stress about it
Maybe you will only get 1 in
10 stories published – maybe
less. This is normal, so don’t
stress about it
Just keep submitting stories.
Submit as much as you can!
Harry Potter and
the Sorcerer's Stone
was rejected 12
times before J.K.
Rowling found a
company that
wanted to publish
her book
Bonus Tip:Bonus Tip:
If you wantIf you want
to learn howto learn how
to writeto write
better…better…
You can enrol for one of Skills
Academy’s Writing Courses
Learn how to craft better stories,
and develop new writing skills
You can enrol for one of Skills
Academy’s Writing Courses
Click on the button below to find
out more
You can enrol for one of Skills
Academy’s Writing Courses
Click on the button below to find
out more
OR talk to us on 0800 040 040

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

DEVNET-1148 Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for Developers
DEVNET-1148	Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for DevelopersDEVNET-1148	Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for Developers
DEVNET-1148 Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for DevelopersCisco DevNet
 
state_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_global
state_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_globalstate_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_global
state_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_globalTuan Anh Nguyen
 
Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...
Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...
Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...valentina valentina
 
EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015
EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015
EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015Alain van Gool
 
2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 Manchester
2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 Manchester2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 Manchester
2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 ManchesterAlain van Gool
 
Social Media & Legal Risk
Social Media & Legal Risk Social Media & Legal Risk
Social Media & Legal Risk Endcode_org
 
Improved Applications with IPv6: an overview
Improved Applications with IPv6: an overviewImproved Applications with IPv6: an overview
Improved Applications with IPv6: an overviewCisco DevNet
 
3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient care
3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient care3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient care
3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient carePatientSafe Solutions
 
IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends
IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends
IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends Endcode_org
 
2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van Gool
2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van Gool2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van Gool
2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van GoolAlain van Gool
 
Video becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adapt
Video becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adaptVideo becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adapt
Video becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adaptTuan Anh Nguyen
 

Viewers also liked (17)

DEVNET-1148 Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for Developers
DEVNET-1148	Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for DevelopersDEVNET-1148	Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for Developers
DEVNET-1148 Leveraging Cisco OpenStack Private Cloud for Developers
 
Using advisor chat
Using advisor chat Using advisor chat
Using advisor chat
 
state_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_global
state_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_globalstate_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_global
state_of_app_downloads_and_monetization_2015_global
 
Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...
Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...
Asociacija "Šviesuva", Kaunas, Lithuania: Mokymai "GEROVĖS VISUOMENĖ: KURKIME...
 
EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015
EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015
EU FP7 CarTarDis project overview April 2015
 
Sviesuva sveikatinimas
Sviesuva sveikatinimasSviesuva sveikatinimas
Sviesuva sveikatinimas
 
Sviesuva bredikis
Sviesuva bredikisSviesuva bredikis
Sviesuva bredikis
 
Bcvtvn q1 2014
Bcvtvn q1 2014Bcvtvn q1 2014
Bcvtvn q1 2014
 
2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 Manchester
2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 Manchester2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 Manchester
2015 2-23 Oxford Global 2015 Manchester
 
Social Media & Legal Risk
Social Media & Legal Risk Social Media & Legal Risk
Social Media & Legal Risk
 
Improved Applications with IPv6: an overview
Improved Applications with IPv6: an overviewImproved Applications with IPv6: an overview
Improved Applications with IPv6: an overview
 
3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient care
3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient care3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient care
3 ways fragmented clinical communication is compromising patient care
 
Kaunas bm šviesuva 2014 11 03
Kaunas   bm šviesuva 2014 11 03Kaunas   bm šviesuva 2014 11 03
Kaunas bm šviesuva 2014 11 03
 
IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends
IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends
IAB Online Content Regulation: Trends
 
Projekto pristatymas
Projekto pristatymasProjekto pristatymas
Projekto pristatymas
 
2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van Gool
2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van Gool2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van Gool
2016 09-12 Europe Biobanking Week, Vienna, Alain van Gool
 
Video becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adapt
Video becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adaptVideo becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adapt
Video becomes a fundamental service and the industry needs to adapt
 

More from Skills Academy

Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation
Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation
Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation Skills Academy
 
Studying Without Matric
Studying Without MatricStudying Without Matric
Studying Without MatricSkills Academy
 
Why Study A Short Course?
Why Study A Short Course? Why Study A Short Course?
Why Study A Short Course? Skills Academy
 
6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events Manager
6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events Manager6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events Manager
6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events ManagerSkills Academy
 
Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology
Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology
Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology Skills Academy
 
Why Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons Here
Why Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons HereWhy Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons Here
Why Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons HereSkills Academy
 
What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...
What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...
What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...Skills Academy
 

More from Skills Academy (7)

Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation
Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation
Learn More About Cyber Crime Investigation
 
Studying Without Matric
Studying Without MatricStudying Without Matric
Studying Without Matric
 
Why Study A Short Course?
Why Study A Short Course? Why Study A Short Course?
Why Study A Short Course?
 
6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events Manager
6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events Manager6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events Manager
6 Important Questions To Ask Before Becoming An Events Manager
 
Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology
Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology
Child Development- The importance of Child Development and Psychology
 
Why Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons Here
Why Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons HereWhy Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons Here
Why Should I Study Computers? - Find All The Right Reasons Here
 
What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...
What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...
What Is Distance Learning? - And How Can Skills Academy Help You Study From H...
 

Recently uploaded

Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content ProductionInside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Productionget joys
 
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzersTaylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzersSJU Quizzers
 
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"IdolsArts
 
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ..."Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...RAGHURAMYC
 
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your LifeSalty Vixen Stories & More
 
How the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrence
How the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrenceHow the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrence
How the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrenceJFI Production
 
The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)
The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)
The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)Salty Vixen Stories & More
 
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.pptYoung adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.pptSJU Quizzers
 

Recently uploaded (8)

Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content ProductionInside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
 
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzersTaylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
 
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
 
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ..."Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
 
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
 
How the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrence
How the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrenceHow the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrence
How the fever night scores above your mundane nightlife occurrence
 
The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)
The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)
The Hardest Part About Picking A Show To Watch (Comics)
 
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.pptYoung adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
 

10 Tips to Help You Publish Your Short Stories

  • 1. 10 Tips to10 Tips to Help YouHelp You PublishPublish Your ShortYour Short StoriesStories A Presentation
  • 2. Maybe you have a whole folder full of short stories
  • 3. Maybe you have a whole folder full of short stories But you just can’t seem to get them published
  • 4. Maybe you have a whole folder full of short stories But you just can’t seem to get them published To help you do just that, we’ve put together 10 of the BEST TIPS you will ever get for publishing your short story…
  • 5. 1.1. Write aWrite a good covergood cover letter whenletter when submittingsubmitting your storyyour story
  • 6. Your cover letter is the first impression you make on the editor
  • 7. Your cover letter is the first impression you make on the editor So make sure that you are successfully selling yourself and your story
  • 8. What to write: •A short introduction of yourself. •A summary of your publication history •And then a single paragraph on your story (this should be a pitch, not a synopsis!)
  • 9. 2.2. Don’t justDon’t just submitsubmit anyany story tostory to anyany publicationpublication
  • 10. It is crucial that you research and read the magazine or journal you want to submit to beforehand
  • 11. It is crucial that you research and read the magazine or journal you want to submit to beforehand Make sure your story fits the tone, style, and genre of the publication – otherwise you won’t get published
  • 12. If you are too lazy to do publication research yourself, you can subscribe to Duotrope.com “We have gathered millions of points of data on the publications that we list. All this information is compiled into useful reports that help you make smart decisions” – Duotrope
  • 13. 3.3. Look forLook for onlineonline magazines –magazines – not just printnot just print publicationspublications
  • 14. In today’s digital world, online magazines have become just as well- respected as print magazines
  • 15. In today’s digital world, online magazines have become just as well- respected as print magazines What’s more: There are far more online magazines out there, and its easier to get published in them
  • 16. You can also think about starting to write for blogs as a way of building your reputation and experience a bit This is something you can mention in your cover letter
  • 17. 4.4. Show yourShow your stories tostories to friends,friends, colleagues,colleagues, and peopleand people whose opinionswhose opinions you trustyou trust
  • 18. Sure, you might feel too shy to let anyone read your story. But in the end you want to submit the best story you possibly can
  • 19. Sure, you might feel too shy to let anyone read your story. But in the end you want to submit the best story you possibly can So get over yourself and let people read and critique what you wrote!
  • 20. If you are still too shy about your work, join an online writer’s community like www.writerscafe.org Here you can post your work and get reviews and advice from thousands of other writers
  • 22. A great alternative to getting your short story published in a magazine is to win a short story competition
  • 23. A great alternative to getting your short story published in a magazine is to win a short story competition There are countless competitions out there – just do a simple Google search to find them
  • 24. Here are some of the biggest writing competitions out there: •Commonwealth Short Story Prize •Global Short Story Competition •Bristol Short Story Competition •Tom Howard/John H. Reid Contest •Fiction Desk’s Ghost Story Competition •Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition
  • 26. Maybe you are a good writer. But every editor reads thousands of well-written short stories every month
  • 27. Maybe you are a good writer. But every editor reads thousands of well-written short stories every month Write stories that are innovative, engaging and that will stay with the reader long after they’ve moved on
  • 28. Read your story before submitting it and ask yourself: “Is this captivating and interesting enough to stand out from other equally well-written stories?”
  • 29. 7.7. Read theRead the submissionsubmission guidelinesguidelines and followand follow them to thethem to the letterletter
  • 30. Editors throw out submissions merely because they don’t follow simple submission guidelines or format
  • 31. Editors throw out submissions merely because they don’t follow simple submission guidelines or format If you were too lazy to follow the guidelines –why should an editor waste time reading your story?
  • 32. If you can’t find a specific magazine’s guidelines online, simply send an e-mail to the magazine or journal and ask for it
  • 34. Sure, you want to start making money from your writing, but it is more important to get published and start building a reputation
  • 35. Sure, you want to start making money from your writing, but it is more important to get published and start building a reputation Money comes later. If you keep it up, it will come
  • 36. “Yes, I’ve made a great deal of dough from my fiction, but I never set a single word down on paper with the thought of being paid for it … I have written because it fulfilled me … I did it for the buzz. I did it for the pure joy of the thing” - Stephen King
  • 37. 9.9. KeepKeep working –working – keep tryingkeep trying
  • 38. If your story gets rejected, go back and rewrite it, or write something else – something better
  • 39. If your story gets rejected, go back and rewrite it, or write something else – something better It might take a while before you perfect your style, but the only way to do it is to practice
  • 40. “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit” - Richard Bach
  • 41. 10.10. Don’tDon’t ever fearever fear rejectionrejection
  • 42. Maybe you will only get 1 in 10 stories published – maybe less. This is normal, so don’t stress about it
  • 43. Maybe you will only get 1 in 10 stories published – maybe less. This is normal, so don’t stress about it Just keep submitting stories. Submit as much as you can!
  • 44. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was rejected 12 times before J.K. Rowling found a company that wanted to publish her book
  • 45. Bonus Tip:Bonus Tip: If you wantIf you want to learn howto learn how to writeto write better…better…
  • 46. You can enrol for one of Skills Academy’s Writing Courses Learn how to craft better stories, and develop new writing skills
  • 47. You can enrol for one of Skills Academy’s Writing Courses Click on the button below to find out more
  • 48. You can enrol for one of Skills Academy’s Writing Courses Click on the button below to find out more OR talk to us on 0800 040 040