  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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Many people ask me for the best way to get their work published. Short stories aren't easy because many of the major magazines that used to have short stories no longer include fiction, or the magazine no longer exists.
One way to gain exposure and possible publication is to enter contests for short stories.
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Short Story Contests
Writing magazines, such as the Writer, Writer's Digest, Poets & Writers, Writers' Journal, and ByLine include lists of contests. Reading such magazines not only helps us become better writers, but they also give us opportunities to find contests that we can enter.
The January issue of ByLine, for example have the following contest:
New Talent Short Story. For guidelines go to http://www.bylinemag.com.
Writers' Journal has several contests throughout the year that it sponsors. Guidelines can be found on http://www.writersjournal.com. Some of the contests for the rest of this year include Horror/Ghost story, Romance, and Science Fiction/Fantasy.
Poets & Writers have several contests listed. A list of some web sites follows:
http://www.newmillenniumwritings.com
http://www.winningwriters.com/tomstory
http://www.pearlmag.com
http://www.writecorner.com
Writer's Digest has a series of contests with upcoming deadlines.
http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/annual/77th/
The Writer has a few contests listed.
http://nelliganprize.colostate.edu
http://gmu.edu/org/sts/contests.htm
Now, check out the web sites for guidelines, choose which one or ones you want to enter. Prepare your manuscript and enter. Be sure you follow the guidelines for each contest exactly.
Let me know how you do.
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Words from Our Readers
Last month's issue continued the discussion about detail in short stories. Some people agreed with my opinion and research; others didn't. Thanks for all the feedback whether for or against.
I Love WDC! Cissy❤ 
I want to thank you for this news letter. It was helpful and informative. It helps for those of us, like me,who are writing short stories,who are new to submitting them, what exactly is the proper way to write a good short story. I haven't submitted a short story as of yet, because I needed advice before I did, so that I would know that I had written one in the write format and the write way. Thank you for all the important information. a new writer. cissyccr
I'm glad any time I'm able to help another writer. Good luck.
SantaBee 
Viv, what a dynamic newsletter. Thanks for featuring my story, "Shadows of the Czar." Two thumbs up.
I was glad to feature your story, Steph.
Peter Yule 
Dear Viv.. Short stories have always been my forte, first as a teller of short stories, usually 2 or 3 at a time and now as a writer. I try to leave detail up to the reader. I develop my characters and there setting, and if they are of a particular size or shape unless it is a part of the story, I leave it to the imagination of the reader. You have read some of my short stories, and I have never left out any needed details. Too much though can be a negative to the reader who wants to get to the action or story line.
The larger problem is finding a good publisher or ready market for short stories. Any help in that area would be greatly welcome. Short stories belong as a part of the heritage of all writers. They don't get the recognition that they deserve. Thanks for giving them some space. Peter Yule
Some of the links in the editorial above may help you get started. I hope so. Book publishers seldom accept story story collections any more because there isn't a large market for them.
Maria Mize 
Vivian, I appreciated your responses to the comments in this article... and agree with you. There is a big difference between "needed detail" and "too much detail." I like the reference to "padding" as well. Thanks.
Padding is the term I learned in school, college, and in many writing workshops. It was also used in textbooks I used in the classes I taught. I think it's rather appropriate when addressing unnecessary material.
Acme
Thank you for highlighting one of my stories. I really have found myself fascinated with the "detail" discussions recently. This newsletter really peaked my interest regarding extraneous description, and stirred my memory. I'm not sure where I heard the following, but I know I can't take credit for it:
... detail must be enough to feed the imagination. I tell you I stand on a street looking up at the ominous door at the front of the house, and then go on to knock and be answered. As I step through it I add it was a blue door with rusting letter-box. You are now re-writing the scene in your imagination, and I have stopped telling you the story.
It can be hard to proof read for these kinds of jolts to the story, but worth it.
Thanks, Acme, for the excellent example of what detail should be.
Thank you for joining me this week. I'll be back next week with more information and ideas for improving short stories.
Vivian |
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Short Stories: March 12, 2008 Issue [#2272]
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