I am looking to send a short story to a publisher, what are the first steps I should take to do so?

Question

And when I say first steps, I mean second, third and fourth. To call my self an amateur is an understatement, I will take all the advice I can get!

Answer 1

First of all, you DO NOT need a literary agent for short stories. No one will represent you if you only have short stories. Secondly, DO NOT copyright your work because then any literary journal that may want to publish you will not be able to make any changes (such as correcting typos!). More than likely they will automatically reject your story once they see the copyright symbol. It also makes it tricky when you make revisions to your story (which as you grow as a writer, you will undoubtedly feel the need to do.)

Make sure your manuscript follows these basic format guidelines:

12 pt font (TNR), double space. Your name and contact info should appear on the top left-hand corner of the first page. In the top right of the first page your word-count should appear. Each page after should be numbered with your last name and the title at the top of each page. Your story should start halfway down the first page. This is pretty standard format for for legitimate magazines and some will reject your story before they have read it if it is not in the correct format. You can also find books that tell you how to format your work if you are still not sure.

A great source for beginning writers is Byline Magazine. They will usually give you some advice on how to improve your story if you submit to them and they have some good articles to help you out.

Start out by going to your local library and spend some time reading stories out of several literary journals. Pick out a couple magazines that you think matches the tone and quality of your story and take note of their submission guidelines. Follow them explicitly! Not every magazine has the same guidelines. If your library doesn't have a good selection, check out www.clmp.org. They are a great source and will lead you to a lot of legitimate literary journals.

Best of luck! Remember, publishing takes time, don't get discouraged by the rejections. Eventually you'll find the right home for your story.

Answer 2

I recommend you send your manuscript to a literary agent that represents the type novel you've written. Follow all the guidelines on their website and, if possible, get the book, "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript" by Cynthia Laufenberg. It is an invaluable tool in learning to address an agent with a query letter and submit your ms.

You can find literary agents in the current issue of the Writer's Market found in your local library or bookstore.

Make sure your manuscript is free of spelling and grammatical errors before any submission. Regardless how well your story is written does not mean an agent will accept it. They have countless reasons why they may not take your submission.

Furthermore, sending your manuscript to yourself via the U.S. Post Office to prove copyright is archaic and unnecessary. Once you've got your manuscript in a hard copy form, it is automatically copyrighted. Should you wish to register it for copyright, log on to copyright.gov and read all the instructions pertaining to literary works. Such a submission will cost around $30 to $35 and will take about eight months to receive the registered copyright.

Good luck.

Answer 3

As you're learning... the publishers are having a demanding time of it those days with the internet and all. Even authors who've been valuable in the previous are in puzzling straits those days. Write for the exhilaration of writing... and evidently get your paintings accessible, yet do not imagine that extra attempt will convey a miracle. the author's marketplace is amazingly not basic, so don't sense upset... this is no longer you... this is the reality of a poor marketplace.

Answer 4

Publishers just don't take stories unsolicited from amateurs. These days, if you are a first timer, your chances are nill. Most writers have agents representing them.

There are different ways to publish, I suggest you check out Dan Poynters website to see his expert opinion.

It is best to first join a writing group for critique and take writing courses.

Answer 5

Copyright information is at: http://www.copyright.gov/forms/

List of short story publishers:
http://www.topicsites.com/publishers/short-story.htm#Short%20Story%20Book%20Publishers

It helps to get a trusted beta writer to go over it and be sure everything is publisher-friendly, then send it to one of the publishers listed. Most publishers are very honest and will not plagarize your work, but there's that outside chance that a company slipped through the cracks to get their name on an accredited list. Just choose carefully, and if something doesn't seem right, ask questions.

Good luck to you!

Answer 6

Go to the library and find "The Writer's Handbook".

research to determine which publication might be willing to accept your story.

it also will advise you the procedures you need to follow in submitting it and whether or not they have websites for further information

Answer 7

copyright it. any way possible, copy it and send it to yourself standard mail and do not open it.....