Learn How To Submit Short Stories

By Jerry Murray


Anyone who has dreamed of writing for a living will find that the internet has many offerings. These include working with local news sites to writing for blogs or creating social media posts for business. Many of these entities offer a flexible schedule and paid work experience. Some aspiring writers will submit short stories to be used in a number of ways.

The web offerings are much different than traditional publishers, as short and long stories are accepted for publishing in different mediums. Most opportunities can be found in engine searches that deal with story publishing. There are also online writing groups and forums can have leads and offer advice on the submission process.

After gathering a small number of prospects, it is wise to go over what is required, legal matters and compensation. One thing to consider is whether the writing niche is congruent with the current demand. By writing down a few plot ideas, followed by a summary draft, may work best. If a query letter is requested, having a general idea will also be helpful to the editor.

Often finding a productivity style can be a challenge for the new writer, as well as some who are established. Some wordsmiths jot down ideas as they come to mind while others desire structure by using an outline for each scene or chapter. Either way, or a combination of ways, may work for someone who is finding their writing voice at the same time.

Originality is the best path for an emerging writer if they want to develop their individual voice early. Inspiration may come from personal experiences or real events that can be made into a story that audiences will appreciate. Writers that go with a real life event or time period may want to change names of characters and the location to prevent conflicts, or possibly a lawsuit.

For the imaginative, coming up with characters based on public personas can be just as exciting. Sometimes people can identify with those who live awesome lives and appear to be the envy of many. It may be important to keep the details congruent with the type of personality involved. For instance, a woman that is perceived as a gold digger is not likely to volunteer long hours at a public school because they want to. However, if volunteering at a nonprofit organization places them in close contact with eligible wealthy men, this is worth noting.

Sometimes writers tend to get so wrapped up in the process that they may go overboard with the number of words written. The finished content may be broken up as a series or used as a teaser for promotional purposes. It can also be helpful in case the shortened version is not accepted for immediate publication.

There are often multiple uses for a good story, as the some can be used to sell or cross promote other goods. Something that makes audiences feel good may be used as a way to bring online audiences to a particular site or as a way to engage. Often people seek things that help them to live vicariously and when this idea is linked to another product that may provide joy or convenience, stories can go a long way.




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