How to Publish Your First Short Story | tips, shortcuts, best practices

Ready to publish your short stories? Here are twelve tips for maximizing your chances at getting pieces accepted to lit journals, magazines, and anthologies.

Do you want to see a video of me going through the full short story publishing process? Let me know in a comment!

0:00 - Getting Started
0:58 - Preparing the story
1:36 - Submission Guidelines
2:18 - Niche Calls
2:42 - First Publications
3:30 - Mass Submissions
5:13 - Tracking Submissions
5:52 - Publishing Websites
6:14 - Dealing with Rejections
6:49 - Writer Bios/Cover Letters
7:50 - Writing Portfolio
8:33 - Publish Contracts
9:59 - Self-Publishing Short Stories
10:30 - Want a full publishing walkthrough?

📚 B O O K S
STARLIGHT: SHORT STORIES

LITTLE BIRDS: SHORT STORIES

✉️ M A I L
PO Box 125
Manitou Springs, CO
80829

🌎 S O C I A L

🙌D I S C O U N T L I N K S

📸 E Q U I P M E N T

[EmybookwormsCinema]

My dad just got one of his dreams accomplished by having his first short story published in an online journal! It had a workshop for the submitters to critique each other before it was published. So it was a lot of fun for him to be able to talk to other writers.

[DemonTom]

I'd love to know even more on short story publishing for sure! Cheers.

[gloriarussell]

how did I learn new things from this and i like talk to you every day how do u do this i am in awe

[carliewolff]

i’d be interested in the in-depth publishing video!!

[ruthberman]

YES, PLEASE. I'M INTERESTED IN PUBLISHING SHORT STORIES AND HAVE NO CLUE.

[mariamahmed]

I'd definitely watch the in-depth publishing video!

[haileybridges]

OOooh I'd love an in depth video Hannah!!!

[christianvchacon]

I'd be down for the in depth video! Request 1/30

Your new background looks identical to the last but with a book shelf.

[kat_kami]

I think you've definitely reached these 30 requests. I'm late to the game but an in-depth video on the whole process would be very informative and helpful

[dreamersfolly]

Yes to the publication vid!
Also you're amazing!

[AddiRockART]

I’m definitely interested in hearing anything you’d be willing to share about your entire process… it’s awesome to hear from someone who *actually* gets published. (Theory and practice! Yay!)

[sailor.britters]

definitely one of those 30 requests! I'd love an in depth video.

[albertlopez]

Yes make every video of your experience and steps of wiring publishing process. Do it all

[JorimWal]

Digging the new setup, It looks great!

[digvi]

would def be interested in the longer video... this was v helpful!

[dylanstrohl]

You mentioned that project from start to finish for short stories and I’m SO interested to watch it!!

[turtlebright]

Yes, please to the short story publishing process video!

[avikleinman]

The Submission Grinder is a great resource similar to Submittable - tracks average response times, etc. I think it's geared towards spec fic but it might have lit fic too

[heleneo]

I'd love a video of you going through the submission process! That would be super helpful

[synesthetically]

"You'll get so many rejections, so you have to make it fun or you might cry 😁" hahaha Definitely true!