New writers should never shy away from publication. Most new writers believe that their stories are good enough for their spouse or family to read, but not sure if they can go further. A writer should always believe that their stories are worth publication.
If you have written a good short story you should try to get it published. You may get paid for your writing and become a published writer. Writing stories for money is a challenge, but it is very rewarding. According to Blythe Camenson’s book, Careers in Writing, (McGraw-Hill, 2008), "Writing fiction is not an easy way to earn money, but if it’s what you love to do, don’t let financial fears stop you. The next bestseller could be yours, but you’ll never know if you don’t try." There are five tips on writing for publication.
Read the Magazine
Buy at least the last three issues of the magazine, don’t just skim through it, like you normally read magazines, but read like a writer. You may get the feeling when you are reading that you can write the story better, and that is a great feeling.
Study the Magazine
Read every story in the magazine making a note about the stories that are similar to the one that you intend to write. How is the story different from yours? Is the story written in first person on third person? How much humor? Is it a mystery or a romance? Who is the protagonist?
Make a Market List
Writer’s Market, is an excellent place to start a market list. Read the directory on each magazine that you want to appear in, noting the rate of pay for a story, what type of story is the magazine looking for, and the contact information. Make a list of four or five magazines you can send the story too, and send the story to the highest paying magazine on your market list.
Write the Story
I know, that this sounds like a lot of work before you write the story, but it is best to read the magazine you want to appear in before you send them your story. It wastes their time and yours if you send your story to the wrong publisher.
Build a Submission List
Make a submission list: a list of each place that the story has been sent. Start the submission list with the name of the story, the magazine name, the editor’s name, and address, rate of pay, date sent, and response. Make sure you keep accurate records of where the story was sent.
Be patient. One day you will receive a letter stating that they have accepted your short story
Sources:
- Camenson, Blythe. Careers in Writing. New York: McGraw Hill, 2008.
