Alright, I’ve got a lot of short stories that I’ve written and I want to do something with them. Should I enter a contest or send them to magazines everywhere. I dont NECESSARILY care about getting oney (but it would be nice). I just want to get published in a somewhat respectable manner. Thanks.
This recent thread should give you some starting points.
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=137057
To clarify, those suggestions also cover short stories. Read a bit about each magazine to see what they publish before you submit. Contests can be good, but realize that some are fronts for vanity presses. They will contact you saying you’ve “won,” but will have to pay money to see it in print. Contests from reputable sources (e.g., magazines) are fine.
What sort of things have you written? Science Fiction? Mysteries? Horror Stories? Romances? It will depend on that to determine the best market for your stories.
Speaking of “market” go down to your local bookstore and purchase a copy of Writer’s Market. It is a rather expensive book but it can assist you in selling your stories to no end (I write it off on my income tax - since the vast majority of my income comes from writing, I can do that). Look in it and see what market is best for your type of fiction. They even have suggestions in the book regarding best bet for sales and best method of contacting editors for new authors.
Steel yourself for rejection. It comes for all writers (I will now have seven follow-up posts from dopers stating that they never have gotten a rejection letter). Just be prepared to adjust your story here and there and then send it off to another market until it sells. The rejection letters hurt, but they are more than compensated when that first acceptance comes and even more so when that first check comes.
If suggestions on ways to improve your piece come with the rejection letters read them and make them. Generally suggestions mean you’re close to getting it accepted.
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