Advice on where to submit short stories

Submissions

I can't guarantee you will get published if you submit stories to magazines and competitions, such as those listed below.

But I can guarantee you won't get published if you never submit stories.

There is only one rule when it comes to submissions: never get down-heartened.

The short story market is limited to just a few places.  Hence the odds of publication are automatically low.  The writers who get published regularly are those who get nine rejection letters in a row... and then get an acceptance with their tenth submission.  In many ways it's a lottery.  You have to buy a lot of tickets.

A rejection rarely corresponds to the strength of a story.  Don't be put off by a rejection letter, just submit again.

*   *   *

Magazines

I recommend Cadenza magazine, now edited by Zoe King and Vanessa Gebbie.

QWF magazine is another good one - see www.qwfmagazine.co.uk.  It's aimed at women.  The standard is pretty good.  Take a look at the sample stories. UPDATE: QWF has now moved across the Atlantic - but still worth a look.

Another writing magazine aimed at women is Mslexia, www.mslexia.co.uk

Buzzwords magazine, www.buzzwordsmagazine.co.uk, is now online only.

I used to collate lists of magazines accepting short stories.  It was an ordeal keeping it updated, however, because small publications tend to disappear when the organiser loses interest or runs out of money.  I let others do the work now.

There is a good list of UK magazines at Jacqui Bennett's site: www.jbwb.co.uk/markets.html

And an excellent list of mostly US magazines at www.writersdigest.com/hotmarkets_30_2003.asp

You could also try www.marketlist.com

*   *   *

Competitions

Entering competitions is fun.  It's a hobby for a lot of writers.  If you have confidence in your short stories then send them off into battle.

Getting a writing CV is a great help when it comes to impressing agents and publishers.

And over the years I've won several thousand pounds in prize money.

Entering the Cadenza Magazine competitions is a must for all short story writers.

Here are a few other links if you are tempted:

The Bridport Prize

Fish Short Story Prize

Real Writers/Book Place competition - not currently running a competition

Orange Labyrinth - not currently running a competition

Winchester Annual Writers' Conference

Jacqui Bennett's Competitions

Legend Writing Award

*   *   *

Other sites I like

There is a new website that has just started up, called Save Our Short Stories.  It promises to list potential markets.  You'll find it at www.saveourshortstory.org.uk

John Ravenscroft has a useful website at www.johnravenscroft.co.uk.  His short stories are worth reading and he is involved with Cadenza and other magazines.

I've also enjoyed the websites of these writers: Julia Bryant, Rebecca Tope and Julian Stockwin.

The best writers circle in the UK is Guildford Writers.  You'll see the names of their members on the short list of pretty much every competition there is going.

Hog's Back Writers is another good writers circle.