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pb4ou
6/12/2007, 01:02 PM
Does anyone know how to get a short story published? I have a couple of short stories that I have written a couple of years ago and I want to publish them.

I talked to a guy on the phone with some publishing company and their company at least needs at least 24 pages in a doc or pdf format to even consider the idea.

Should I try and publish the two stories I have which are only about 2 pages, or keep writing some and put it all together to make 24 pages worth of stuff?

Discuss...

:pop:
Melo
6/12/2007, 01:05 PM
If youre set on getting your things published with that company, than your only option is to write 24 pages worth of stuff, isnt it?

What genre of writing is it?
sooner_born_1960
6/12/2007, 01:06 PM
Will they accept 24 one-page stories, or do they want 24 pages per?
Viking Kitten
6/12/2007, 01:08 PM
Are you trying to make money off these stories? You need to go pick up a current Writer's Market. Barnes and Noble carries them. You need to figure out who is in the market for the type of writing you are doing and pitch to them. Don't even consider paying someone to publish this for you. Self publishing is a joke. If you are writing for the sheer joy of writing, just start a blog.
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 01:10 PM
If youre set on getting your things published with that company, than your only option is to write 24 pages worth of stuff, isnt it?

What genre of writing is it?

Both are Children's Fiction stories. But one leans more toward Sci-Fi and the other one is just fiction.
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 01:11 PM
Will they accept 24 one-page stories, or do they want 24 pages per?

They said that it didn't matter as long as it was 24 pages, at least.
Melo
6/12/2007, 01:12 PM
You could try looking for some different sci fi magazines and such. Maybe might even have some online magazines and such. And couldnt you do the same with children's magazines, or something?
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 01:15 PM
Are you trying to make money off these stories? You need to go pick up a current Writer's Market. Barnes and Noble carries them. You need to figure out who is in the market for the type of writing you are doing and pitch to them. Don't even consider paying someone to publish this for you. Self publishing is a joke. If you are writing for the sheer joy of writing, just start a blog.

Actually, yes I wouldn't mind making money from it. One of my goals is to write a fiction novel but I'm not quite ready to do that just yet. I want to graduate first, then work on it later. But as for short stories, I would like to publish them and sell them as short children books. They could easliy fill the pages for a small children's book about 10 pages.
Viking Kitten
6/12/2007, 01:16 PM
There is also a Writer's Market specifically for fiction writers. (http://www.amazon.com/Novel-Short-Story-Writers-Market/dp/1582974306/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-0794899-2550006?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181671989&sr=8-2)
royalfan5
6/12/2007, 01:17 PM
You could try looking for some different sci fi magazines and such. Maybe might even have some online magazines and such. And couldnt you do the same with children's magazines, or something?
or Porn magazines. It worked for Kilgore Trout.
Mjcpr
6/12/2007, 01:21 PM
Actually, yes I wouldn't mind making money from it. One of my goals is to write a fiction novel but I'm not quite ready to do that just yet. I want to graduate first, then work on it later. But as for short stories, I would like to publish them and sell them as short children books. They could easliy fill the pages for a small children's book about 10 pages.

20 if you double spaced it and increased the margins.
Viking Kitten
6/12/2007, 01:22 PM
Use 24 point font. That'll show 'em.
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 01:23 PM
20 if you double spaced it and increased the margins.

:P
sooner_born_1960
6/12/2007, 01:26 PM
Just add pictures every couple of lines. Dr. Seuess made billions doing it that way.
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 01:33 PM
I'm not that good of an artist. I may have to recruit Picasso. :D
leavingthezoo
6/12/2007, 02:33 PM
Does anyone know how to get a short story published? I have a couple of short stories that I have written a couple of years ago and I want to publish them.

I talked to a guy on the phone with some publishing company and their company at least needs at least 24 pages in a doc or pdf format to even consider the idea.

Should I try and publish the two stories I have which are only about 2 pages, or keep writing some and put it all together to make 24 pages worth of stuff?

Discuss...

:pop:

unless you're submitting to magazines, short stories are hard to sell unless you have a complete collection that will all make sense in the same book. (underlying theme, etc.) even then, a lot of publishers still won't touch short stories. i don't know why. i personally prefer short stories.

the exception would be if you are submitting to a publisher for a book that includes multiple short stories from multiple people like the chicken soup for the soul books.

(remember- publishers are like anyone else- they want to invest in something that will have a return, and two stories aren't going to be as convincing as say... 20 stories. - a history of writing, and a potential to continue writing are part of the equation.)

um, i'm guessing. :D
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 03:02 PM
unless you're submitting to magazines, short stories are hard to sell unless you have a complete collection that will all make sense in the same book. (underlying theme, etc.) even then, a lot of publishers still won't touch short stories. i don't know why. i personally prefer short stories.

the exception would be if you are submitting to a publisher for a book that includes multiple short stories from multiple people like the chicken soup for the soul books.

(remember- publishers are like anyone else- they want to invest in something that will have a return, and two stories aren't going to be as convincing as say... 20 stories. - a history of writing, and a potential to continue writing is part of the equation.)

um, i'm guessing. :D

That's good stuff.

Thanks y'all. I'm gonna get that book that VK suggested.
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 03:19 PM
Well, I just ordered the book. I hope it's worth it.

Just think....pb4ou...... a novelist?

Maybe someday.

:les: You all better buy mah books!!!

;)
Viking Kitten
6/12/2007, 03:31 PM
You might also want to register your copyright with the U.S Copyright office (http://www.copyright.gov/) and then circulate your stuff around to friends to get feedback on it.
Petro-Sooner
6/12/2007, 03:40 PM
I did a bunch of research papers in school. I would print them off either at home or in the school's computer lab. In my eyes I'm published. :texan:
pb4ou
6/12/2007, 03:51 PM
You might also want to register your copyright with the U.S Copyright office (http://www.copyright.gov/) and then circulate your stuff around to friends to get feedback on it.

Wow, once again thanks.

According to the FAQ's it's 45 dollars per application. That could force me to write a combinition book of short stories and send it in one application. Otherwise it would really add up.