Short story / flash fiction markets

MarkEsq · 11-27-2009, 08:52 PM

I was wondering if people would like to post links to potential markets for short stories we geniuses write. I'm doing this because I am not alway sure which are worth it.

For example, several of the folks here have had shorts published in A Twist of Noir. Now, I would not have known this to be a reputable, worthwhile endeavor if you guys hadn't bragged about it in the Braggatorium.

Is there a way of telling which are worthwhile (and by "worthwhile" I mean things one would mention to an agent in a query, or an agent would mention when subbing to a publisher).

Am I making sense?

Anyway, here are a couple of links to online organs:

A Twist Of Noir

Thuglit

Big Pulp

Spinetingler Magazine

heyjude · 11-27-2009, 08:55 PM

I have nothing informative or even interesting to say on this topic, but "Thuglit" is my favorite new word.

jeseymour · 11-28-2009, 02:30 AM

http://www.shortmystery.net/markets.html

I'm the markets coordinator for the short mystery fiction society. The website is not always 100% up to date, but if you join the group, you'll get more updates.

http://www.shortmystery.net/joining.html

Come and play.

ToddWBush · 11-30-2009, 07:12 AM

I, like heyjude, have nothing to add. Except to say that I've just started writing short stories and it's an awesome way to take a break from whatever beast of a novel I'm working on at that time.

jeseymour · 11-30-2009, 05:44 PM

I started working on short stories in a serious way about five years ago. I'd finished two novels, had two agents (who couldn't sell the books) and was really frustrated. Mystery author Brendan DuBois came to our library to give a talk and only about four people showed up. I asked him what he would recommend for a struggling author and he said he broke in with short stories. I wrote a post for rec.arts.mystery about how nice he was and it turns out he was lurking, and sent me an email. He offered to read one of my short stories. I sent him "Blackbird," he looked it over and offered some suggestions. I sent it to Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen and it was rejected, but then I sent it to Shred of Evidence, at the time a paying ezine with a good reputation, and Megan bought it. I had also sent it to Thriller UK, a print magazine. They didn't get back to me soon enough, but ended up taking it as a reprint. "Blackbird" started popping up all over the internet, with folks posting links to the story from their blogs, people I didn't even know. It ended up tied for twentieth place in the Preditors and Editors readers poll.

In the past five years I've sold fifteen stories. I say sold, even though most of them didn't earn any money. I still haven't attracted the attention of any agents. However, I think writing short stories is a way to hone the craft. You learn to write short (this has taken me a long time to learn) and that's an important skill.

Forgive my rambling. I'm still a frustrated beginner who can't get an agent. But I do have a few short story credits.

Good Word · 11-30-2009, 06:48 PM

jeseymour, congrats on your short story credits and efforts. Wow! I'm impressed. And really, in terms of what you are doing, no effort is wasted. You obviously have writing talent and skill. Don't give up. I'm looking forward to reading your work sometime. (hint)

ToddWBush · 12-01-2009, 04:55 AM

jessy isn't being truthful at all. She's not a "frustrated beginner". She's a tremendous writer. Go read her stories if you want a great read. I don't let me friends talk like that. :-)

jeseymour · 12-02-2009, 11:38 PM

The Al Blanchard award contest is now open. No entry fee. Up to 5,000 words, by a New England author or with a New England setting. Last year's winner was from New York, but set her story in Meredith, NH.

http://www.crimebake.org/Al.htm

heyjude · 12-03-2009, 09:54 PM

The Rejectionist links to new short story venue. And it pays! It's called Electric Literature.

Um, just a note. The Rejectionist's link appears to wander far afield... you can find Electric Literature's website at www.electricliterature.com. It's not MTS-specific, but this could be a great venue.

Kate Thornton · 12-04-2009, 03:11 AM

Oh, jeseymour, I just realised it's *you*!!
Wavin' wildly at fellow SMFSer!

jeseymour · 12-04-2009, 03:51 AM

Hi Kate! My yahoo groups are set to my real name.

Here's another potential market I just heard about over in Crimespace:

http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/2009/1...y-back-in.html

11-27-2009, 08:52 PM	#1
MarkEsq Clever title pending. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In the wilds of Texas. Actually, the liberal oasis of Austin. Posts: 1,449	Short story / flash fiction markets I was wondering if people would like to post links to potential markets for short stories we geniuses write. I'm doing this because I am not alway sure which are worth it. For example, several of the folks here have had shorts published in A Twist of Noir. Now, I would not have known this to be a reputable, worthwhile endeavor if you guys hadn't bragged about it in the Braggatorium. Is there a way of telling which are worthwhile (and by "worthwhile" I mean things one would mention to an agent in a query, or an agent would mention when subbing to a publisher). Am I making sense? Anyway, here are a couple of links to online organs: A Twist Of Noir Thuglit Big Pulp Spinetingler Magazine __________________ My blog: D.A. Confidential.

11-27-2009, 08:55 PM	#2
heyjude Making my own sunshine AW Mod Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gulf coast of FL Posts: 1,888	I have nothing informative or even interesting to say on this topic, but "Thuglit" is my favorite new word. __________________ Christian Vegetarian Association www.all-creatures.org/cva/default.htm M/T/S Feb. Challenge: 8244 words

11-28-2009, 02:30 AM	#3
jeseymour AW Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: seacoast New Hampshire Posts: 360	http://www.shortmystery.net/markets.html I'm the markets coordinator for the short mystery fiction society. The website is not always 100% up to date, but if you join the group, you'll get more updates. http://www.shortmystery.net/joining.html Come and play. __________________ http://jeseymour.com Coming in December of 2010 from Mainly Murder Press - Lead Poisoning - Things go wrong when a mob troubleshooter retires to New Hampshire to live with his family.

11-30-2009, 07:12 AM	#4
ToddWBush Hotty Toddy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 751	I, like heyjude, have nothing to add. Except to say that I've just started writing short stories and it's an awesome way to take a break from whatever beast of a novel I'm working on at that time. __________________ M/T/S Contest Progress: 19,550 words M/T/S January Contest Champion WIP Rick Frost & the Sword of Calibum: 23,676 words Rick Frost & the Alaskan Adventure: 41K, on query "I believe in a strong military, the Dukes Of Hazzards, and that chicken fried steak and gravy taste better than a cheerleader on game day." - Larry the Cable Guy

11-30-2009, 05:44 PM	#5
jeseymour AW Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: seacoast New Hampshire Posts: 360	I started working on short stories in a serious way about five years ago. I'd finished two novels, had two agents (who couldn't sell the books) and was really frustrated. Mystery author Brendan DuBois came to our library to give a talk and only about four people showed up. I asked him what he would recommend for a struggling author and he said he broke in with short stories. I wrote a post for rec.arts.mystery about how nice he was and it turns out he was lurking, and sent me an email. He offered to read one of my short stories. I sent him "Blackbird," he looked it over and offered some suggestions. I sent it to Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen and it was rejected, but then I sent it to Shred of Evidence, at the time a paying ezine with a good reputation, and Megan bought it. I had also sent it to Thriller UK, a print magazine. They didn't get back to me soon enough, but ended up taking it as a reprint. "Blackbird" started popping up all over the internet, with folks posting links to the story from their blogs, people I didn't even know. It ended up tied for twentieth place in the Preditors and Editors readers poll. In the past five years I've sold fifteen stories. I say sold, even though most of them didn't earn any money. I still haven't attracted the attention of any agents. However, I think writing short stories is a way to hone the craft. You learn to write short (this has taken me a long time to learn) and that's an important skill. Forgive my rambling. I'm still a frustrated beginner who can't get an agent. But I do have a few short story credits. __________________ http://jeseymour.com Coming in December of 2010 from Mainly Murder Press - Lead Poisoning - Things go wrong when a mob troubleshooter retires to New Hampshire to live with his family.

11-30-2009, 06:48 PM	#6
Good Word E=MC2 AW Mod Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,924	jeseymour, congrats on your short story credits and efforts. Wow! I'm impressed. And really, in terms of what you are doing, no effort is wasted. You obviously have writing talent and skill. Don't give up. I'm looking forward to reading your work sometime. (hint) __________________ www.wordmountain.com

12-01-2009, 04:55 AM	#7
ToddWBush Hotty Toddy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 751	jessy isn't being truthful at all. She's not a "frustrated beginner". She's a tremendous writer. Go read her stories if you want a great read. I don't let me friends talk like that. :-) __________________ M/T/S Contest Progress: 19,550 words M/T/S January Contest Champion WIP Rick Frost & the Sword of Calibum: 23,676 words Rick Frost & the Alaskan Adventure: 41K, on query "I believe in a strong military, the Dukes Of Hazzards, and that chicken fried steak and gravy taste better than a cheerleader on game day." - Larry the Cable Guy

12-02-2009, 11:38 PM	#8
jeseymour AW Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: seacoast New Hampshire Posts: 360	The Al Blanchard award contest is now open. No entry fee. Up to 5,000 words, by a New England author or with a New England setting. Last year's winner was from New York, but set her story in Meredith, NH. http://www.crimebake.org/Al.htm __________________ http://jeseymour.com Coming in December of 2010 from Mainly Murder Press - Lead Poisoning - Things go wrong when a mob troubleshooter retires to New Hampshire to live with his family.

12-03-2009, 09:54 PM	#9
heyjude Making my own sunshine AW Mod Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gulf coast of FL Posts: 1,888	The Rejectionist links to new short story venue. And it pays! It's called Electric Literature. Um, just a note. The Rejectionist's link appears to wander far afield... you can find Electric Literature's website at www.electricliterature.com. It's not MTS-specific, but this could be a great venue. __________________ Christian Vegetarian Association www.all-creatures.org/cva/default.htm M/T/S Feb. Challenge: 8244 words

12-04-2009, 03:11 AM	#10
Kate Thornton Still Happy to be Here. Or Anywhere Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 2,193	Oh, jeseymour, I just realised it's you!! Wavin' wildly at fellow SMFSer! __________________ Kate Thornton Still Writing Short Stories It Doesn't Take a Genius - my blog

12-04-2009, 03:51 AM	#11
jeseymour AW Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: seacoast New Hampshire Posts: 360	Hi Kate! My yahoo groups are set to my real name. Here's another potential market I just heard about over in Crimespace: http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/2009/1...y-back-in.html __________________ http://jeseymour.com Coming in December of 2010 from Mainly Murder Press - Lead Poisoning - Things go wrong when a mob troubleshooter retires to New Hampshire to live with his family.

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