If you're a short story writer, and you're ready to take the next step: publication, the videos on this page offer tips and advice on how to publish a short story. Publishing isn't always easy, and requires a great deal more than simply mailing your manuscript to a publisher. To learn more, take some time to review the videos on this page, and when you're finished here, we hope you'll check out our extensive guide on How to Publish a Short Story.

Keep in mind that now short stories are not only published in magazines, but can also be published online, in books, and in audio books. There may be differences in how you would write for each audience. For example in audio books the punctuation and flow of the words is key. In magazines there are those that call themselves literary magazines whose audience would expect excellent writing with full use of writing techniques. On the other hand, popular magazines may emphasize short, easy to understand sentences for a quick read with compelling dialog and stories of interest to the audience.

There are numerous free online resources for finding publishers for your short story. One is featured at the end of the video below. Also, there are many print resources for publishing short stories with perhaps the most commonly used resource linked below. Although your local larger public or college library may have this and other resources, check in advance because you may find that the library cannot afford to keep the latest edition of the book. Bookstores are an advantage here if that is the case, because you can usually find or special order a directory for the current year with all the latest instructions for authors. Follow the most current instructions for authors when you send in your query letter.

For further details check out How To Query A Magazine, How to Write for Magazines, How to Break into Freelance Writing, How to Become a Professional Writer and other resources on or linked to this page. For the quickest and easiest instructions for the basics to get you going check out the video below and START WRITING!

1. Spend some time editing your manuscript of errors
2. Research the market
3. Find a magazine or publisher who is looking for stories in your genre
4. Write a cover letter introducing yourself
5. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your manuscript
6. Wait for a reply
7. Brace yourself for rejection, it happens on many first attempts
8. If you get rejected, start the process over again

Contests can be a focussed way to get started if you are having trouble finding a direction. Do an Internet search for writing contest plus any other word you are interested EG. fantasy, science-fiction, romance, detective, mystery, childrens, literary, brief and so on. The contest may even publish winners in book, magazine, online, or newspaper forms so you do not need to find a publisher in those cases.

Improving your writing is a lifelong journey. How to Improve Your Writing can start you off. Also here are some quick tips: read it aloud to see how it flows. How to Proofread an Article can give you some proofreading tips. Also read other good writing actively - that is, ask yourself how the author did that, and then try that technique in your own writing.

Always keep a notebook handy to jot ideas down in. Do not edit or change them, point form is fine, it is just a place to put free flowing ideas that you can always go back to when your ideas are slow in coming.

Beat writer's block by reading and following How to Beat Writer's Block.

Read and follow the writers guidelines for the publisher you will be sending to. They will appreciate your diligence and research, and it could increase your chances of getting published.