Publishing short stories?

Question

I'm a teenager, but write short stories with serious themes such as self-realization, global warming, things like that. Does anyone know a company that I could talk with about publishing my stories? Also, I'm looking for any experienced writer to look at my work and give suggestions. I really just need someone to take a look at my work and help me with editing/revising/improving.

Answer 1

For a new author looking into publishing short stories, local or school newspapers, magazines (sometimes they have contests), those are your best bet.

Check with your local library, they often have free writers' resources like a professional to look over your work.

Best of luck =)

Answer 2

find the most recent copy of Writers Market--your library should have it. It has many legitimate markets, and might be able to help you find a writers' group (how to find one, anyway). If you know a responsible person with a good grasp of grammar & spelling, have them review it for those things, as well as general readability. The WM as I recall has info on formatting a submission, and the individual publishers will let you know in their listings if there is any different requirements.
Just remember--you do not pay an anthology or magazine to publish your stories. If they accept it, they will pay YOU.
When you find some that fit your needs, try to get a sample copy--either straight from the publisher or from the store, so you can really see if they are the right market for you. When I was toying with short fantasy stories (can't write short--gave that up), I went to a magazine store in Chicago & bought 1 of every journal they had in that genre. Ended up discarding half, but then I was sure, if I could write a short story, where I would send it.

Answer 3

If you're a myster writer, check out Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine (and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine). They're based in New York, but are known worldwide.

Answer 4

A second recommendation for http://absolutewrite.com/forums, where there's more professional advice than anyplace else--and people who know scams when they see them. (Jenna has "retired" with a new baby, but Mac is just as good.)

For instance, you'll learn there that theft is extremely rare. The trick is to send your manuscript only to places which you've checked out as legitimate before submitting. The members will tell you how and where to check.

AW's Share Your Work boards, sorted by genre, offer excellent feedback without making you feel foolish for any weaknesses or mistakes critics note.

Answer 5

No publishing company nowadays publishes short stories anymore.

As a teenager, you wouldn't be able to get in--unless you told them that you were 10 years older and operating under a different surname.

But that be lying. :0P

So...?

I could take a look at some of your writing if you wish. But be warned: I tell it like it is.

Answer 6

If you're seriously into writing, check out http://www.absolutewrite.com - the forum there is excellent and Jenna is a many-times published author (she runs the forum). They can help with anything from writing style to finding a publisher to alerts about publishers and/or agents who are scam artists.

Answer 7

Listen to me carefully-

DO NOT, for anything, let anybody see your work, even if they claim they are experienced. It would be so easy for them to steal your ideas, and it's your word against theirs.

If you want to look for publishers, I strongly suggest researching the libraries and the Writer's Market books.

Answer 8

Check the link below. Provides various magazine and book publishers and their guidelines.