While I prefer both reading and writing novels over short stories, there are times when I pick up an anthology--or even try my hand at writing a short story. It's not a story length that comes naturally to me, but writing short stories is a good way to sharpen one's craft. (Though I confess to having several unfinished ones on my flash drive.) I see other authors talking about their short story sales to anthologies. This might be a good way to get your name out there so readers check out your other work. On the other hand, anthologies (at least the ones I've seen submission calls for) generally don't offer professional rates, and they can take time away from novels--which tend to be the mainstay for indie authors. If you don't hear about anthologies in a timely manner, you might miss the submission window. While I might add a couple of short stories to my goal list for 2018, I have so many other projects to complete that I don't want to spend a lot of time on short stories.
How do you feel about short stories, as a writer and/or reader? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
5 comments:
I've been a part of several anthologies and enjoyed the chance to write something shorter. (And since I'm such a slow writer, something I could finish in a reasonable time.) It's a great way to get your name out there. Milo James Fowler started with short stories (I think he's had close to two hundred published) and now has several published novels and an agent.
Short stories are fun every now and then.
I like short stories. There is one odd thing I dislike though and it's the reviews some people leave. Inevitably, they complain the story was too short, clueless that it's supposed to be a short story.
I started as a novelist, but I am starting to spend more time on short stories. The market for them seems to be exploding and there are plenty of anthologies and magazines to submit them too. Even if you don't earn a great deal from the story in its first placing, it is an ad for you author brand and will help to bring readers to your novels. At least...that is my two cents on the matter. :)
That's a lot of stories, Alex!
Agreed, Pat.
Maria, I always label my short stories as such to avoid that problem.
Indigo, I guess there are many ways to build a writing career.
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