14 Places To Sell Short Stories For Money

14 Places To Sell Short Stories For Money

Finding a market for your short stories can be both exhilarating and challenging. The demand for well-crafted narratives is high, and several platforms offer opportunities for writers to earn from their craft. Here’s a detailed guide to 14 places where you can sell your short stories and earn money.

Magazines and Literary Journals

Magazines and literary journals are traditional and respected avenues for publishing short stories. These publications often seek diverse voices and unique narratives, providing a platform for both emerging and established writers.

The New Yorker: Known for its high standards, The New Yorker publishes some of the best contemporary short fiction. Although the competition is fierce, getting published here can significantly boost your writing career.

Tin House: Tin House offers a blend of literary and genre fiction. They pay competitive rates and have a reputation for supporting new writers.

Ploughshares: A highly respected journal, Ploughshares publishes a wide range of short fiction and is always on the lookout for fresh, compelling stories.

Online Literary Magazines

With the rise of digital media, online literary magazines have become prominent platforms for short story writers. These magazines often have lower entry barriers and reach a global audience.

Clarkesworld Magazine: Specializing in science fiction and fantasy, Clarkesworld Magazine is a prestigious publication that pays well and reaches a dedicated readership.

Apex Magazine: Apex focuses on dark fantasy and horror. They offer competitive payment and provide a platform for niche genres.

Strange Horizons: This magazine is known for its speculative fiction, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror. They actively seek diverse voices and perspectives.

Self-Publishing Platforms

Self-publishing has revolutionized the writing industry, allowing authors to bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach readers directly. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) enable writers to publish and sell their short stories independently.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): With KDP, you can upload your short stories and sell them as e-books. You retain control over pricing and royalties, making it a viable option for entrepreneurial writers.

Smashwords: This platform offers a wide distribution network, including major retailers like Apple Books and Barnes & Noble. Smashwords provides detailed analytics to help you understand your audience.

Writing Contests

Writing contests are an excellent way to gain recognition and earn money for your short stories. Many contests offer substantial cash prizes and publication opportunities.

The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition: This prestigious contest offers various categories, including short fiction. Winners receive cash prizes and publication in Writer’s Digest.

The Bridport Prize: Known for its high standards, The Bridport Prize awards significant cash prizes and publication in their annual anthology.

Anthologies

Anthologies are collections of short stories by different authors, often centered around a theme. These publications offer writers the chance to be featured alongside their peers and reach new readers.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: This popular series publishes themed anthologies that reach a broad audience. They offer competitive payment and significant exposure.

Best American Short Stories: This annual anthology features the best short fiction published in North America. Being included in this collection can greatly enhance your writing credentials.

Subscription Services

Subscription services like Patreon and Substack allow writers to monetize their work through reader subscriptions. These platforms offer a direct relationship with your audience and a steady income stream.

Patreon: With Patreon, you can offer exclusive content to your subscribers in exchange for monthly payments. This platform is ideal for building a dedicated reader base.

Substack: Substack enables writers to create newsletters and offer paid subscriptions. It’s a great way to share your short stories and other writing with engaged readers.

Freelance Writing Platforms

Freelance writing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide opportunities for writers to find clients looking for custom short stories. These platforms are excellent for building a portfolio and earning money from your writing skills.

Upwork: This platform connects freelancers with clients seeking various writing services. You can create a profile, bid on projects, and build a reputation as a reliable writer.

Fiverr: Fiverr allows you to offer “gigs” or specific services, including writing short stories. You set your prices and attract clients through your profile and reviews.

Writing Residencies and Fellowships

Residencies and fellowships offer writers the time and space to focus on their craft, often providing financial support. These programs can be competitive but offer significant rewards.

The MacDowell Colony: This prestigious residency provides writers with a quiet space to work and a supportive community of artists. Accepted applicants receive a stipend and room and board.

The Stegner Fellowship: Offered by Stanford University, this fellowship provides a stipend and two years of writing support. It’s highly competitive but can be a career-defining opportunity.

University and College Magazines

Many universities and colleges have literary magazines that publish short stories by students and alumni. Submitting to these publications can be a great way to gain experience and recognition.

Harvard Review: Affiliated with Harvard University, this magazine publishes high-quality fiction and offers a platform for emerging writers.

Yale Review: Known for its literary excellence, the Yale Review publishes short fiction from both established and new authors.

Genre-Specific Magazines

Genre-specific magazines cater to readers with particular interests, such as mystery, romance, or science fiction. These publications are always looking for new stories to thrill their audiences.

Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine: A leading publication in the mystery genre, Ellery Queen’s pays competitive rates and has a loyal readership.

Analog Science Fiction and Fact: This magazine focuses on science fiction and pays well for accepted stories. It’s a great platform for writers specializing in this genre.

Crowdfunding Platforms

Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow writers to raise funds for their short story projects. By creating a campaign, you can attract backers who believe in your work.

Kickstarter: Create a campaign detailing your short story project and offer rewards to backers. Successful campaigns can provide significant funding and exposure.

Indiegogo: Similar to Kickstarter, Indiegogo allows you to raise funds for your writing projects and reach a global audience.

Digital Content Platforms

Digital content platforms like Medium and Wattpad offer writers the opportunity to publish their short stories online and earn money through various monetization options.

Medium: Medium’s Partner Program allows writers to earn money based on the engagement their stories receive. It’s an excellent platform for reaching a broad audience.

Wattpad: Wattpad enables writers to share their stories with millions of readers worldwide. The platform also offers monetization options through their Paid Stories and Wattpad Stars programs.

Local and Regional Magazines

Local and regional magazines often seek content that resonates with their community. These publications provide a more accessible market for writers looking to get published.

The Sun Magazine: This ad-free magazine publishes personal essays, short stories, and poetry. It offers competitive payment and a dedicated readership.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine: This publication specializes in mystery and crime fiction and provides a platform for both new and established writers.

Script and Screenplay Competitions

If your short story has the potential to be adapted into a screenplay, consider entering script and screenplay competitions. These contests offer substantial prizes and can open doors to the film industry.

The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting: Sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this competition awards significant cash prizes and industry recognition.

The Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition: This competition offers various categories, including short scripts, and provides winners with cash prizes and industry exposure.

Selling your short stories requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to explore different platforms. Whether you aim for traditional magazines, digital platforms, or self-publishing, there are numerous opportunities to monetize your writing. By targeting the right markets and continually honing your craft, you can turn your passion for storytelling into a profitable endeavor.

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