Short stories are one of the exciting ways to narrate; they offer a fine opportunity for writers to hone their skills and entertain readers in a much shorter format.
While novels perhaps represent the most obvious way to make money from fiction, there are plenty of ways in which short story writers can make quite a good income. Here’s how you can start getting paid for writing short stories:
Make money and get paid by publishing fiction – writing short stories
1. Submit to Literary Magazines
There are loads of literary magazines with open arms for a new voice and/or a short story to publish. Some pay upon accepted submission, and many are well-respected in the literary arena. The pay, of course, depends on the budget of the magazine in question, but some pay quite handsomely.
Example Magazines:
- The New Yorker-looking for new authors, though highly competitive and pays well
- Clarkesworld Magazine
- The Threepenny Review
2. Enter Short Story Competitions
Other short story competitions offer cash awards to the winner, and some can even extend publication opportunities. These vary from local to international contests and, in many instances, have rewarding prizes attached. The entry fee for them all varies, although many reputable contests either keep low or no entry fees at all.
Popular Competitions:
3. Self-Publish Short Story Collections
If you have a collection of short stories, consider putting them together in one volume and self-publishing. Amazon’s KDP, Smashwords, and other online platforms will allow you to reach out to literally anyone anywhere in the world. Building an audience does take time, but with continued marketing over time, you could see substantial sales.
Publishing Platforms:
4. Get Published in Anthologies
Dozens of publishers have released anthologies based on themes or genres. The majority of them welcome submissions from multiple authors; this will involve paying the contributors once their work is accepted. These anthologies will prove to be a more stable source of income, especially if your stories fit into any niche genre, like science fiction, horror, or fantasy.
Anthology Publishers:
5. Genre Specific Market Sales
Certain types of fiction-science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance among them-have their own readership. Many genre-specific publications buy short stories, and several of them will pay quite handsomely for a good story or two.
Genre Markets:
6. Writing for Online Platforms
There are several online platforms, blogs, and websites that pay for short stories. These can be all over the map in terms of both payout and niche focus. Many of the modestly paying options offer a fast and easy way to get your work in front of an audience and make money from it.
Online Platforms:
Tip: Keep on republishing at Medium and similar platforms. Sign up for their Partner Program; they will pay you based on views and engagement.
7. Crowdfund Your Stories
With Patreon and Ko-fi, writers can now reach out to readers themselves for funding. Patrons generally pledge a monthly donation in return for access to exclusives, early access to stories, or the behind-the-scenes process involved in your work.
Crowdfunding Platforms:
8. Provide Your Writing Services on Freelance Platforms
The freelancing world of Fiverr and Upwork can introduce any writer to being able to sell short story services, whether by ghostwriting or contributing to creative projects. If you are adept at telling stories from a client’s idea or concept, then this might be your way to go for a good stream of revenue.
Freelancing Platforms:
9. Convert Your Short Stories into Podcasts
The amount of fiction podcasts is growing, and many of those will welcome short stories for submission. Some will pay for submissions in money, although others create value in promotional value. Publishing to fiction podcasts will get your work before an audience while providing more revenue.
Fiction Podcasts:
10. Write to Themed Submissions and Calls for Work
Literary journals and publications often request stories for themed issues. It is anything from holidays such as Halloween down to emotions, locations, and social concerns. Writing to a theme challenges your creativity while often vastly improving the possibility of publication.
Examples of Themed Submissions:
11. Offer Storytelling Services for Brands
Sometimes, brands are interested in unique content for marketing purposes and more specifically would appreciate short fiction related to their products or services. Businesses also hire people to write short stories when working on social media campaigns or branded storytelling targeting their audience.
Example Platforms:
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