What markets exist for the short story writer? Consider researching online sources, magazines that fit your style of writing, anthologies (especially those published by university presses,) and small press publishers. If you are just starting out as a writer, it is important to build your writing credits and to get tied in to your local writing community.

Potential Markets

Online Markets: These include paying and non-paying opportunities. The popular StoryMash provides writers with an opportunity to earn money through advertising revenue while contributing to collaborative fiction. If you write for children, Stories For Children, an online magazine, accepts submissions from freelance writers. This is a non-paying market, though contributors get a by-line and the possibility of being published in an annual anthology. Viatouch, another online market, pays a small fee for accepted works of fiction suitable for school-aged children. FreelanceWriting.com is a website that provides resources for writers looking for writing opportunities, and is also worth a look.

Magazines: Local newspapers and magazines often accept short story submissions, though payment is small. This is a good way for new writers to break in to the market and build a publication history. Check "weekly reader" type news magazines that are distributed free in front of markets and other business establishments. In doing magazine research, there are a few things to consider:

1. Check the cover. This will give you a feel for the type of material that the magazine or publishes. Decide whether your writing style is a fit.
2. Read the table of contents. This will tell you what the magazine publishes. If you see only non-fiction titles, then it likely doesn't accept short stories.
3. Check the masthead. Compare the names of the magazine's staff to the article by-lines. If most of the articles are staff-written, then the magazine likely doesn't accept unsolicited work from freelance writers.
4. Check the magazine's website. Look for submission guidelines and understand what they are looking for.

Anthologies: I belong to a local writer's group that publishes an anthology. It's a good way to get your work read by a larger audience, even if you don't get paid for your work. Check local universities to see if they publish an anthology, and find out when their call for submission is issued. The Writer magazine often publishes these calls for submission in their "market listings" section.

Publishers: One of the best resources for finding out what the trade is looking to publish is the 2008 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market publication. This book gives you the basic information you need to find out who is publishing what, and what their basic submission guidelines are. It lists contests, magazine and book publishers. After you've identified potential markets for publication, consider the following:

1. Do a website follow-up. Websites are generally much more accurate than what appears on the printed page of the Writer's Market books. Get current submissions guidelines.
2. Check book publisher's catalogs. The current catalogs of a book publisher will give you an idea of what the publisher likes. You can decide whether or not your work is a fit.
3. Estimate the number of books published by a book publisher per year. This is more important for the small publishers. If you don't see anything with a current year publication date, it's possible that this publisher isn't looking for anything new, or might have some difficulties that you don't want to get involved in.
4. Check for entry fees for contests: Not all contests are scams, but do your homework before spending money to enter contests.
5. Do your homework: Before sending your work off, check online resources such as Editors and Preditors to see if agents, editors and the like are on-the-level.

Connect With Your Local Writing Community

Above all, don't forget to tie into local writer's communities. Check to see if your community has a writing group, if not, check the web. NaNoWriMo is an online group that supports the "write a novel in 30 days" activity every November. It's a great way to network with other writers. Check local colleges and universities to see if they have writing classes offered to the community. One of my first paying writing credits came from a contact I made through a writing class.

Understanding the needs of the fiction marketplace can help you target the right market for your short stories or other creative works. In today's competitive market, it is important to do your homework, make sure you follow submission guidelines, and to continue to practice your writing to further develop your voice.