What are the characteristics of funny publications of short stories?

One key characteristic is diversity. A good science fiction short - story publication will have a range of stories from different authors with various backgrounds. 'The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction' is a great example as it publishes stories from both established and new writers, covering different sub - genres of science fiction. They also have a good balance between hard science - based stories and more speculative ones. Additionally, a decent publication will have a good editorial process to ensure the stories are well - crafted and free of major flaws. 'Analog Science Fiction and Fact' is known for its rigorous editorial standards which result in polished short stories.

Experimental fiction short story publications often have a penchant for the unconventional. They may feature stories with fragmented narratives. For example, a story might jump between different time periods or perspectives without a clear linear progression.

One great option is 'The New Yorker'. It often publishes very funny short stories. The stories in it can be humorous in different ways, like through witty dialogues or absurd situations.

Well, they might have simple language for easy understanding. Maybe the plots are straightforward and engaging, making it accessible for a wide range of readers.

Sure. Certain publications like well-known literary journals and some specific online story platforms offer payment for short stories. However, the rates and requirements can vary greatly depending on the publication.

Some online publications for short stories include 'Clarkesworld Magazine'. It is well - regarded in the science fiction and fantasy community for its short story offerings. 'Ploughshares' has an online presence too and is famous for its carefully curated short stories. 'A Public Space' is another great option. It showcases a variety of short stories that often explore different cultures and voices.

The most obvious benefit is getting paid. It's a form of recognition for your work. You can use the money for various things like furthering your writing career, buying new books for inspiration. Also, it gives your work more exposure as these publications usually have a readership.

There are several horror publications for short stories. 'The Dark Magazine' is a great choice. It publishes high - quality horror short stories that often deal with psychological horror elements. 'Shock Totem' is another publication that has a great collection of horror short stories. They cover a wide range of horror sub - genres, from supernatural horror to more realistic and gritty horror. And don't forget about 'Cemetery Dance', which also features some excellent horror short stories among other horror - related content.

They often involve unexpected elements. In the story of the boy painting his dog, the unexpected action of the boy made it funny. The dog's appearance after being painted was not what one would expect. Also, they tend to have characters with some kind of quirk, like the clumsy magician. Their flaws or unique behaviors lead to humorous situations.

They are brief. Usually, they can be told in just a few sentences. For example, 'Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.' It gets to the funny part quickly without a lot of build - up.