14 Places To Sell Short Stories For Money<p>Selling short stories can be a great way to make money, share your creativity, and connect with readers who appreciate your work. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or an established author looking for new outlets, numerous platforms can help you monetize your short stories. Here are 14 places where you can sell your short stories for money.</p>  <h2>Online Literary Magazines</h2> <p>Online literary magazines are one of the best places to start. Many of them actively seek short story submissions and are willing to pay for high-quality content. Notable examples include:</p> <ul>   <li><strong>The New Yorker:</strong> Known for publishing outstanding short fiction, The New Yorker is a prestigious magazine that pays well for accepted stories.</li>   <li><strong>Clarkesworld Magazine:</strong> Specializes in science fiction and fantasy, offering competitive rates.</li>   <li><strong>The Threepenny Review:</strong> Accepts a variety of genres and is open to new and established writers.</li> </ul>  <h2>Print Magazines</h2> <p>Print magazines have long been a traditional market for short stories. Many still maintain a robust readership and are willing to pay for excellent content. Some key publications are:</p> <ul>   <li><strong>Asimov’s Science Fiction:</strong> Focuses on science fiction and pays professional rates.</li>   <li><strong>Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine:</strong> Specializes in mystery and crime fiction, providing a platform for both new and seasoned writers.</li>   <li><strong>The Atlantic:</strong> Although highly competitive, it offers substantial payment for accepted stories.</li> </ul>  <h2>Anthologies</h2> <p>Anthologies collect short stories around a specific theme or genre and often seek contributions from multiple writers. They can be an excellent way to reach new audiences and earn money. Examples include:</p> <ul>   <li><strong>Best American Short Stories:</strong> An annual collection that showcases the finest short stories published in North America.</li>   <li><strong>Year’s Best Science Fiction:</strong> Collects the top science fiction stories of the year, offering a prestigious platform and payment.</li> </ul>  <h2>Competitions and Contests</h2> <p>Writing competitions and contests can be lucrative, offering cash prizes and publication opportunities. Some well-known contests include:</p> <ul>   <li><strong>The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition:</strong> Offers cash prizes and publication in the Writer’s Digest magazine.</li>   <li><strong>The Bridport Prize:</strong> One of the most prestigious short story competitions with significant cash awards.</li>   <li><strong>The Bath Short Story Award:</strong> Provides cash prizes and the chance for inclusion in an anthology.</li> </ul>  <h2>Ebook Platforms</h2> <p>Self-publishing your short stories as ebooks can be a profitable venture. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow you to reach a global audience and set your own prices. Successful self-published authors often build a loyal readership and earn significant income.</p>  <h2>Writing Websites and Communities</h2> <p>Websites and online communities dedicated to writers can be a great place to sell your short stories. These platforms connect writers with readers and often have programs to monetize content. Examples include:</p> <ul>   <li><strong>Wattpad:</strong> Allows you to publish your stories and earn money through their paid stories program.</li>   <li><strong>Medium:</strong> Offers a partner program where you can earn money based on the engagement your stories receive.</li> </ul>  <h2>Freelance Writing Platforms</h2> <p>Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can also be a venue for selling short stories. Many clients seek original stories for various purposes, providing an opportunity to earn money while honing your writing skills.</p>  <h2>Publishing Houses</h2> <p>Traditional publishing houses occasionally seek short stories, particularly for genre-specific imprints or special projects. It can be challenging to break into, but the financial and exposure benefits are significant. Consider publishers like:</p> <ul>   <li><strong>Tor Books:</strong> Accepts science fiction and fantasy short stories for their online platform.</li>   <li><strong>Penguin Random House:</strong> Occasionally publishes collections of short stories and anthologies.</li> </ul>  <h2>Crowdfunding Platforms</h2> <p>Platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon offer a unique way to monetize your short stories. By building a community of supporters, you can fund your writing projects and receive financial backing directly from readers who love your work.</p>  <h2>Audio Markets</h2> <p>With the rise of audiobooks and podcasts, audio markets have become a viable option for selling short stories. Platforms like Audible and specific podcasts dedicated to short fiction can provide both income and exposure.</p> <ul>   <li><strong>Audible Originals:</strong> Accepts short stories for their original content series.</li>   <li><strong>LeVar Burton Reads:</strong> A podcast where the host reads his favorite short stories, offering payment and exposure.</li> </ul>  <h2>Newspapers</h2> <p>Some newspapers still publish short stories, particularly in their weekend editions or special supplements. This can be a good option for writers looking to reach a broad audience.</p> <ul>   <li><strong>The Guardian:</strong> Occasionally features short stories in their weekend editions.</li>   <li><strong>The New York Times:</strong> Has been known to publish short fiction from time to time.</li> </ul>  <h2>Subscription Services</h2> <p>Subscription services like Scribd and Kindle Unlimited offer a way for readers to access a vast library of content, including short stories. By publishing your stories on these platforms, you can earn royalties based on the number of reads.</p>  <h2>Academic Journals</h2> <p>Academic journals, particularly those focused on literature and the arts, sometimes publish short stories. While the pay might not be as high as commercial markets, the prestige and academic recognition can be valuable.</p> <ul>   <li><strong>The Kenyon Review:</strong> A literary journal that publishes short fiction and offers payment.</li>   <li><strong>Ploughshares:</strong> Accepts a variety of short stories and is well-regarded in academic circles.</li> </ul>  <h2>Non-Profit Organizations</h2> <p>Non-profit organizations and literary societies often run competitions, anthologies, and magazines that seek short story submissions. While the pay might vary, these organizations provide important platforms for writers.</p> <ul>   <li><strong>PEN America:</strong> Runs various competitions and programs supporting writers.</li>   <li><strong>The Pushcart Prize:</strong> An annual anthology that showcases the best of small press publications.</li> </ul>  <p>Selling short stories requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to explore various avenues. By leveraging these platforms, you can find the right audience for your work and earn money while doing what you love.</p>

18

Nov

14 Places To Sell Short Stories For Money

Selling short stories can be a great way to make money, share your creativity, and connect with readers who appreciate your work. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or an established author looking for new outlets, numerous platforms can help you monetize your short stories. Here are 14 places where you can sell your short stories for money.

Online Literary Magazines

Online literary magazines are one of the best places to start. Many of them actively seek short story submissions and are willing to pay for high-quality content. Notable examples include:

  • The New Yorker: Known for publishing outstanding short fiction, The New Yorker is a prestigious magazine that pays well for accepted stories.
  • Clarkesworld Magazine: Specializes in science fiction and fantasy, offering competitive rates.
  • The Threepenny Review: Accepts a variety of genres and is open to new and established writers.

Print Magazines

Print magazines have long been a traditional market for short stories. Many still maintain a robust readership and are willing to pay for excellent content. Some key publications are:

  • Asimov’s Science Fiction: Focuses on science fiction and pays professional rates.
  • Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine: Specializes in mystery and crime fiction, providing a platform for both new and seasoned writers.
  • The Atlantic: Although highly competitive, it offers substantial payment for accepted stories.

Anthologies

Anthologies collect short stories around a specific theme or genre and often seek contributions from multiple writers. They can be an excellent way to reach new audiences and earn money. Examples include:

  • Best American Short Stories: An annual collection that showcases the finest short stories published in North America.
  • Year’s Best Science Fiction: Collects the top science fiction stories of the year, offering a prestigious platform and payment.

Competitions and Contests

Writing competitions and contests can be lucrative, offering cash prizes and publication opportunities. Some well-known contests include:

  • The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition: Offers cash prizes and publication in the Writer’s Digest magazine.
  • The Bridport Prize: One of the most prestigious short story competitions with significant cash awards.
  • The Bath Short Story Award: Provides cash prizes and the chance for inclusion in an anthology.

Ebook Platforms

Self-publishing your short stories as ebooks can be a profitable venture. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow you to reach a global audience and set your own prices. Successful self-published authors often build a loyal readership and earn significant income.

Writing Websites and Communities

Websites and online communities dedicated to writers can be a great place to sell your short stories. These platforms connect writers with readers and often have programs to monetize content. Examples include:

  • Wattpad: Allows you to publish your stories and earn money through their paid stories program.
  • Medium: Offers a partner program where you can earn money based on the engagement your stories receive.

Freelance Writing Platforms

Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can also be a venue for selling short stories. Many clients seek original stories for various purposes, providing an opportunity to earn money while honing your writing skills.

Publishing Houses

Traditional publishing houses occasionally seek short stories, particularly for genre-specific imprints or special projects. It can be challenging to break into, but the financial and exposure benefits are significant. Consider publishers like:

  • Tor Books: Accepts science fiction and fantasy short stories for their online platform.
  • Penguin Random House: Occasionally publishes collections of short stories and anthologies.

Crowdfunding Platforms

Platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon offer a unique way to monetize your short stories. By building a community of supporters, you can fund your writing projects and receive financial backing directly from readers who love your work.

Audio Markets

With the rise of audiobooks and podcasts, audio markets have become a viable option for selling short stories. Platforms like Audible and specific podcasts dedicated to short fiction can provide both income and exposure.

  • Audible Originals: Accepts short stories for their original content series.
  • LeVar Burton Reads: A podcast where the host reads his favorite short stories, offering payment and exposure.

Newspapers

Some newspapers still publish short stories, particularly in their weekend editions or special supplements. This can be a good option for writers looking to reach a broad audience.

  • The Guardian: Occasionally features short stories in their weekend editions.
  • The New York Times: Has been known to publish short fiction from time to time.

Subscription Services

Subscription services like Scribd and Kindle Unlimited offer a way for readers to access a vast library of content, including short stories. By publishing your stories on these platforms, you can earn royalties based on the number of reads.

Academic Journals

Academic journals, particularly those focused on literature and the arts, sometimes publish short stories. While the pay might not be as high as commercial markets, the prestige and academic recognition can be valuable.

  • The Kenyon Review: A literary journal that publishes short fiction and offers payment.
  • Ploughshares: Accepts a variety of short stories and is well-regarded in academic circles.

Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations and literary societies often run competitions, anthologies, and magazines that seek short story submissions. While the pay might vary, these organizations provide important platforms for writers.

  • PEN America: Runs various competitions and programs supporting writers.
  • The Pushcart Prize: An annual anthology that showcases the best of small press publications.

Selling short stories requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to explore various avenues. By leveraging these platforms, you can find the right audience for your work and earn money while doing what you love.