Short story writers

[TandB]

Any published short story writers out there?

They've been a complete mystery to me until fairly recently (I tend to go on a bit - novel 1 is 140,000 words and novel 2 is up at 100,000 and counting!) but something has clicked and I've finally found that I can put them together, although it's still a case of writing long and editing down.

I've asked my agent about contacts/submissions and she's made various suggestions for the more literary type of story, but I'm actually thinking more about the women's magazine type - probably the longer fiction-special type stories, or possibly serials - I still just don't understand the short, 1000-word type!

Anyone do this sort of work? I'd welcome the chance to bounce ideas off someone with experience in this genre as I'm not sure I'm on the right track at all - it's very different to anything I've done before.

[Punkatheart]

I am published and I have won a few prizes. A short story is not easy, definitely not the novel's poorer cousin. If you want markets, Duotrope are great for listings. Also Tania Hershman and Paul McVeigh - their blogs.

Slightly shrinking market with women's magazine stories. But they do have competitions - very useful to get into publication this way and after, with closed ones that only commission work, the only way. But the cheesier, 'soft' magazines pay pretty well - so they are fairly competitive.

Getting a short story or two or three would be a great way to get your novel noticed too - but make sure that you are careful if you mix genres. Writers have done it - but they usually change their names. Getting into chicklit will be on your CV and if you are a literary writer, it is not looked upon very well. Everyone is so careful with their 'branding' these days.

Good luck!

[TandB]

Thanks for that - I'm a bit hesitant over the whole thing! I've got a couple of completed stories that I should be sending off but I'm a bit worried about my agent coming back with a "Hmmmm. Maybe stick to the 140,000 word limits in future"!

[Punkatheart]

Story wins can raise your profile and any agent will know that.

Go for it!