14 responses to “Literary Short Story Markets”

1. 

   Tracy Fells

   10 November 2015

   Thanks for giving literary short stories a mention, Sally, and for the shout-out for my blog – much appreciated. Literary can be commercial too, though many of the ‘literary’ mags don’t actually pay … There are some valuable prizes in the literary competitions, but this means they can attract literally 1,000s of entries. I just about make enough to buy Wendy a teacake every other month.

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   1. 

      Sally Jenkins

      10 November 2015

      And I bet those teacakes taste delicious because they were hard-earned, Tracy!

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2. 

   susanjanejones

   10 November 2015

   Thanks for the information, Sally. I entered a competition today. Prizes are money and a writing course. I’ll take a look at the others. My writing tutor kept telling us to submit to Granta, but the stories were far removed from my writing. Sometimes it’s good to have a go at something completely different though.

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   1. 

      Sally Jenkins

      10 November 2015

      Yes, Susan, it can be good to get out of your comfort zone. I think my next competition entry will be the Writers & Artists Yearbook – I fancy the Arvon course prize.

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      1. 

         susanjanejones

         10 November 2015

         Yes, I saw that as well. Worth a go. Good luck. It’s thinking of a different idea that will stand out as well that helps I think.

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3. 

   hilarycustancegreen

   10 November 2015

   This looks useful. I still kid myself that I write and submit short stories, but it’s been a few years…

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   1. 

      Sally Jenkins

      11 November 2015

      Nothing to stop you having another go now, Hilary. It can make a nice change from longer stuff and there’s that satisfaction buzz of completing and submitting something.

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4. 

   Keith Havers

   11 November 2015

   Thanks for the links, Sally. There are quite a few to get through there! Might take me a while.

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   1. 

      Sally Jenkins

      11 November 2015

      I have to admit that I haven’t had chance to examine them all in detail either, Keith.

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5. 

   Susan A Eames

   12 November 2015

   Thanks for those links, Sally. I love reading literary stories and I aspire to write them, but it’s not at all easy!

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   1. 

      Sally Jenkins

      12 November 2015

      I don’t think any writing is easy, Susan. Best of luck with theses markets!

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6. 

   Maria Smith (@mariaAsmith)

   16 November 2015

   Hi Sally,

   That’s an impressive list of short story outlets, personally, I haven’t got a literary bone in my body. I’ve tried reading literary fiction, and usually stop after the first few paragraphs. So attempting to write one would be torture!

   There are however, more outlets for shorts than there were a few years ago, although I’m not sure they are getting many submissions, or entries in the case of competitions. I’ve recently heard of a decent competition cancelling their annual competition this year, due to a poor response.

   So folks, if that is a general picture, get subbing, and you’ll stand a better chance of a win, or an acceptance.

   Thanks for sharing Sally.

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   1. 

      Sally Jenkins

      17 November 2015

      That’s interesting, Maria, about comps. not getting enough entries. I often think ‘loads of people will enter that so I won’t bother’ – I’ll have a rethink now!

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7. 

   charliebritten

   16 November 2015

   Thanks for this one, Sally. Very interesting.

   Reply