HOW TO SUBMIT SHORT STORIES: how I got published + how you can too | short story submissions 2022

How to Submit Short Stories | How I Got Published + How You Can Too | Short story submissions 2022

The whole world of submitting fiction was a mystery to me until I started doing more research and took a few classes. Then I implemented what I learned, and I got a short story published! I wanted to give you a walkthrough of what I did so that you can do the same :).

Want to know how to submit a short story for publication? What short story submission platforms should you use? How do you find the right publication or short story contest? How can you find short story submissions for money?

After watching this video, you'll know:

- how to use Submittable, a great (free!) online short story submission platform
- how to find publishers for your short story
- what to expect when you go to submit your short story (think short story submission format + short story submission guidelines)
- how to write a submission cover letter and author bio

-- Find Me At --

#howtosubmitashortstory #howtosubmitashortstoryforpublication #howtopublishashortstoryonline

[meganmaclaine]

Have you submitted a short story before?

[Lulu-voml]

Oh well, I call myself a self-pleasing story writer and love writing stupid emotional stuff. Yet i never really published any stories before. I just enjoy transmitting my story characters into chatbots and other people and play with them. Well after i've seen your video i suddenly have the motives to rewrite my stories until perfect and maybe try publishing... Thanks, i followed

[andrevrd]

So helpful, thank you. I'm on Submittable and never knew you could find publications there. This is going to speed up my life a lot.

[luckyman-]

Hi Megan. I see this video is a couple years old so hopefully, this channel is still active and you'll read this message. I've been on the hunt for anything related to writing and how to get a short story published, and there's no short, straightforward answer to this question. Many companies and people offer their services at a cost, which I'm okay with, but I'm not yet at that stage. I believe my child is very gifted in writing. She's been writing short stories for as long as we can remember, and I always said I would someday try to get her work in front of the right people, this is where I'm stuck. I started searching and have gotten lost, so much info out there. I think what's important for me at this point is for someone to read some of her work and see if there's something there. I believe there is, but having an outsider's opinion, I think would be of more value as I may be biased. If you can point me in the right direction that would be great.

[opiethrice]

I have spent this Saturday submitting photos and short stories. I did enter a few contests, but they were reasonable and i picked the ones i was comfy with. So far I am up to 9 different submissions today. Definitely on a roll!!

[christopherperry]

Hi Megan. Thank you for sharing this video. You have given me a better understanding of how & where to submit a short story and made it WAY less stressful & more helpful for me than others that I've watched on YouTube.

[TheHogsmeade]

Hi. I have written a Sci-Fi novel and pitched it to a literary agent. He said he liked the pitch, liked the first chapter too, and the entire synopsis, only the thing is I don't have any writing credit to my name which he could approach the publishers with. He asked me to publish a short story in any of the reputable magazines, get a writing credit, and then contact him again, he says he will then read the entire book. Now, I have zero background in writing as I live in a 3rd world country, and English isn't even my native language. All I have is my love for stories, and self-taught on how to write. I generally leave out bio sections blank, but all the reputable magazines very rarely publish unpublished writers. What advise would you give me on how to approach and tackle this situation?

[toriw.]

Thank you so much for this video, Megan! I've been considering submitting short stories for publication for a while, but the overwhelming fear of 'how' (and where) stopped me. This video couldn't have popped up on my feed at a more appropriate time. So! Thank you, again. (PS: I hope you're doing well, happy new year!)

[Ruylopez]

Hi Megan, I've been inspired to attempt submitting short stories for publication by your videos! I'm wondering about the legal or moral aspects. I know that it's wrong to self publish and then try and get that same story traditionally published, but I was wondering the ins and out of short stories.

1. If I get a short story published, does that publisher/magazine then own the rights to it and for how long?
2. Could I include that short story in a compilation and self publish or traditionally publish it?
3. What about taking a short story and reworking it into a novella or novel? I would guess as long as a significant portion of it is different or more extensive than the original, it's considered a separate work.
4. Would you recommend (for practice) reworking a sequence/scene of a manuscript into a short story and submitting it, or is that bad form?
5. If my short story is accepted by a magazine/website, can I decline to be published?

My goal would be to get a short story published and/or get feedback to improve my ability and improve my chances of securing an agent with a better writing bio. I'm wondering if saying, 'I wrote a short story based on ideas in this manuscript that got published' to an agent is appealing to them, or a turn off, or would just leave them totally indifferent? I figure that having anything at all published is probably more appealing than nothing, but they are going to offer representation on the strength of the submission anyway, rather than writing bio, right?

[baddnerves]

very inspiring! can you talk about books that inspired your writing? would be nice to learn more about you!

[darinwellnessartist]

Great video Megan! Really helpful information...and delivered so naturally! Thank you for sharing! 🥰

[grtch]

I submitted my first short story. Thank you.

[jameswright]

Absolutely amazing information Megan, thanks for this.

[johnfern]

What's to stop anyone from setting up a magazine and then just collecting fees from the many amateur writers out there. Does Submittables verify the magazine before they can scam everyone out of the fee?

[ghanacryptogurl]

I’m writing a short story collection. The theme is mostly sad but not that sad just based on life and something people can relate to in life. I want to publish on kdp. It’s going to be 10-12 short stories

[BooksForever]

Solid content, delightfully delivered. Thanks for the contribution to a better realm of arts and entertainments.

[ManojYadav-fsr]

I would definitely forward some story in English language or English literature, To publish.

[joshuareyes]

Hi Megan! Lovely video. This really helped a lot as I am planning to submit my first ever short story I’ve written. I’ve always loved writing growing up, though I never pursued it professionally.

Quick question though, do you usually need to format anything? Like spacings, indentions etc?

[romeu_leite]

Hi Megan, quick question. How it looks from a finantial point of view, that first short story publish?
Thank you and keep up the good work!

[constancekoriwa]

Love your presentation, very helpful 😊