Snapshots of History

Snapshots of History – Stories from the Past

Posted by Sally Jenkins in Markets, Short Story on September 30, 2012

Do you enjoy reading or writing historical short stories?

If so, it might be worth having a look at Snapshots of History. It’s a small magazine that appears twice a year and each issue offers the chance to win £25 (first prize) or £15 (second prize). I won second prize in the latest edition and have been asking the editor, Sally Bland, all about the magazine.

Here’s what she had to say in answer to my questions:

What made you start the magazine?

I have always enjoyed history and also creative writing. I particularly like the idea of capturing a moment or event from a previous period and bringing it back to life. There are quite a few short story publications around, but hardly any which are dedicated to historical writing. Those that are, are often either military history or specifically historical romance. My aim has always been to take a wider range of stories with different themes.

How did you build a following?

I put some adverts in writing magazines, offering free copies of the introductory issue. We got a good response, better than expected, and ran out quite quickly!

Are you a writer?

I wrote the serial in Snapshots (Secrets & Scandals: The Life and Times of Annabella Beaumont) which concluded in the summer issue. I am an aspiring writer so understand the difficulties which other writers face in such a tough industry. I recently finished a part-time undergraduate degree in English and American Literature with the University of Kent, which has been quite a time commitment over six years. I hope now to have more time to dedicate to creative writing.

Is there one particular period in history that receives most submissions?

WWII – I think because it’s such a huge subject and also because it is in living memory (either directly or through stories passed down from parents and grandparents).

Is there a period that isn’t covered that you’d like to receive stories for?

Generally we get quite a good range of stories, though we only occasionally get anything Medieval or from the English Civil War. I don’t know why that is, they are just not popular periods.

So if you fancy dabbling in the past and creating a fictional view of a particular character, event or time period (my story was based around the marriage of Wallis Simpson to Edward VIII) – here is your chance.

Details of how to get hold of the magazine and/or enter the twice yearly competitions are available on the Snapshots of History website.

Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Snapshots of History

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Posted by Sally Jenkins in Competitions, Markets on November 21, 2011

Do you have an interest in history? Have you ever written a story set in the past? Have you ever heard of the publication Snapshots of History?

Snapshots of History is a quarterly journal dedicated to all aspects of historical short story writing. It was set up in 2010 and comprises an ongoing serial, short stories, a members’ corner for information of interest plus a quarterly competition. The best entry receives £15 and is printed in the magazine. Runners up may also be included in the journal. There is a £3 entry fee for non-subscribers. Stories should be between 1,000 and 2,500 words and be set no later than the end of the Second World War – and historical accuracy is important.

An annual subscription to the magazine costs £7.50 or individual copies can be bought for £2.00.

Full details are available here.

Don’t forget that some of the women’s magazines also take historical short stories. Writer Joanna Barnden penned a guest post on the subject for the Womag Writer’s Blog. It contains general advice plus some market tips. Read it here.

Historical Fiction, Snapshots of History

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