By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Short Stories are like little windows into imaginative worlds, providing captivating narratives and characters in a glimpse. But beyond their literary allure, short stories can also serve as a stepping stone, allowing you to refine your craft and expand your writing portfolio without having to write an entire novel.

Why should you publish short stories?

As an emerging writer, it’s always good to publish any literary work, and short stories offer some unique benefits.

Short stories help build your author brand

Unlike with novels, getting a short piece published by a third party (i.e., something other than self-publishing) doesn’t require getting an agent and then dealing with a major publisher — you can approach a publication or magazine directly and see if they’ll buy your story. Because short stories can be more easily published than novels, they are a great way to “break into” the publishing industry.

As such, publishing short stories can significantly contribute to building your author brand and establishing your presence in the literary world. As you showcase your writing style and storytelling abilities, readers will start to recognize your name and seek out more of your work.

Networking in the writing community

Engaging with the writing community is beneficial for both aspiring and established authors. By publishing short stories, you create more opportunities to connect with fellow writers, editors, and publishers. This networking can lead to opportunities, such as collaborative projects and working relationships (directly and indirectly) with agents and publishers.

Expand your writing portfolio

Short stories are a versatile addition to your writing portfolio. Agents and publishers often look for authors with a diverse range of work, and writing poetry and short stories can showcase your versatility.

How to publish a short story

Steps involved with publishing a short story include preparing your manuscript and finding relevant publications that fit your writing style and genre.

Prepare your short story for publication

Before submitting your short story to potential publishers, ensure that your manuscript is polished and ready for the world to see. Here are some essential tips for preparation.

• Revise and edit. Review your short story multiple times, identifying and correcting any grammatical errors, inconsistencies, or weak plot points. Seek feedback from beta readers or writing critique groups and hire a a professional editor to ensure your work is ready for publication.
• Formatting. Follow the publisher’s submission guidelines when formatting your short story. This is of the utmost importance. You do not want to get rejected simply because you didn’t follow the rules. Typically, a publication requires you use a standard manuscript format, which includes double-spacing, a readable font, and clear headers — but check their guidelines to be sure!
• Synopsis. Some publications may want a synopsis, some may not. Again, follow their instructions. If they do want a synopsis, put as much care into writing your synopsis as you did your story.

Find relevant publications

Finding the right publications for your short story can significantly impact its reach and exposure.

• Research literary magazines and journals. Identify literary magazines and journals that publish short stories in your genre. Look for publications that fit your writing style and themes. Many magazines have specific submission windows, so ensure you submit during the appropriate timeframe.
• Don’t forget podcasts. Some podcasts will pay for short stories.
• Writing contests. Participating in a short story writing contest can be a great way to gain recognition and exposure for your work. Keep an eye out for reputable contests that offer fair judging and meaningful prizes. Poets & Writers has a great resource page for finding contests, grants, and awards.
• Simultaneous submission. Consider submitting your short story to multiple publications simultaneously. Just be sure to check each publication’s submission guidelines to see if they accept simultaneous submissions. Most publications will want to be alerted immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere.

How to protect your work

Protecting your intellectual property is always a good idea. Consider copyrighting your short story before submitting it for publication. Additionally, refrain from submitting your work to publications that require you to give up all rights to your story.

How long should a short story be?

The length of a short story can vary, but there are some general guidelines to consider.

Flash fiction

Flash fiction is extremely short, usually under 1,000 words. It requires concise storytelling and often leaves readers with a punchy, impactful ending.

Standard short story

Standard short stories typically range from 1,000 to 7,500 words. This format allows for more character development and plot complexity.

Novelette

Novelettes are longer short stories, ranging from 7,500 to 17,500 words. They provide more in-depth exploration of themes and characters.

Novella

Novellas are longer still, ranging from 17,500 to 40,000 words. They offer a more substantial narrative and are often published as standalone works.

Again, check publication guidelines. The Georgia Review, for example, does not publish stories longer than 9,000 words.

Create an author website

Create an author website that includes your author bio, showcases your writing achievements, and includes all your published works — including your poems and short stories. This serves as a hub for readers and potential publishers to learn more about you and your writing.

Self-publish your short stories

If you’ve written several short stories, why not publish them in a collection? BookBaby’s Complete Self-Publishing Packages have everything you need to create and sell your short story collection worldwide. And our other author services — including marketing and promotion — will help you reach an audience of readers.

Related Posts
The Power of Self-Publishing: Why It Outshines the Big 5 Publishers
What Is Your Author Brand?
How to Prepare a Manuscript for Publishing
Why Should I Copyright My Book (And How Do I Do It)?
How to Write a Great Author Bio That Will Connect with Readers

This BookBaby blog article How to Publish a Short Story and Grow Your Brand appeared first on and was stolen from BookBaby Blog .