The best markets for very very short stories include ezines such as 'Daily Science Fiction'. They are always on the lookout for short and engaging stories. Social media platforms can also be considered. For example, Twitter has a growing community of 'Twitterature' where people write and share very short stories. You can also look into self - publishing on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. You have full control over your very short story's publication and can potentially reach a global audience.
One of the best paying markets for short stories is 'The New Yorker'. They are known for paying well and have a high - profile readership. Their standards are quite high though, so the stories need to be of top - notch quality.
One of the best very short stories is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. The wife cuts off her long hair to buy a chain for her husband's watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's hair. It shows the selfless love and sacrifice in a relationship.
Some independent publishers are excellent markets for getting paid for short stories. They may not have the huge budgets of big publishers, but they are often more open to new and emerging writers. For example, small local publishers might be interested in stories with a local flavor. It's also worth considering writing for content mills that pay for short - form content, although the pay may not be as high as other options, but it can be a starting point.
Online literary magazines are great. They often look for fresh and diverse short stories. Some well - known ones include 'Electric Literature' and 'The Sun'. Another option is anthologies. There are many themed anthologies that accept submissions from freelance writers. Self - publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing can also be a good market if you build up an audience.
Well, the traditional horror publishers are a good bet. They have the resources to market and distribute your stories widely. For example, Cemetery Dance Publications is well - known in the horror community. Additionally, there are some niche horror websites that accept short story submissions and pay for them. And don't forget about audiobook platforms. You can sell the rights to your horror short stories to be made into audiobooks.
Focus on one key idea. For instance, if you want to write about hope, build a short story around a single image like a flower growing through a crack in the pavement.
Often, they play with the reader's perception. The authors use misdirection to make the reader think one thing while the truth is something else entirely. This keeps the reader guessing until the very end, which is what makes these short mystery stories so engaging.
Some of the best markets include established print magazines like 'Harper's Magazine'. They have a reputation for quality content and pay their authors. There are also niche markets like those for young adult short stories. Publishers that focus on this genre often look for new and exciting short stories and are willing to pay. Additionally, self - publishing on platforms like Smashwords and making your short stories available for purchase can be a good market if you can market your work well and attract readers.