Whether you’re a long-time or a budding writer, you could make money selling your short stories online. Here are the top 16 places where you can sell short stories!
Do you love to write stories and want to make money from this passion? You’ve come to the right place! Short story writers can make good money from their work, and one of the first steps is finding the best places to sell short stories.
Today, I’m thrilled to delve into a topic close to my heart: writing side hustles. We’ve already explored the world of freelance writing jobs, but what if you’re a writer passionate about short stories? Don’t worry—there’s a thriving market waiting for enthralling short stories!
In this post, I’ll discuss some of the best platforms where you can submit your short stories and earn a living from your craft.
What is a short story?
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A short story is a form of literature intended to be read in a single sitting. It typically focuses on one incident or character and aims to evoke a particular emotion. The plot is often straightforward, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Short stories have fewer characters than novels and can run between 1,000 and 10,000 words.
Why should you sell your short stories?
There are many reasons why you’d want to monetize your passion for creative writing and sell your short stories online:
- Income. If you have a flair for creative writing and want to increase your income doing what you love, then sell your short stories. It’s nice to be rewarded for your hard work and creativity.
- Build your reputation. Contributing and submitting short stories to print and digital publications and other platforms allows you to build your writing credentials and reputation. With a solid reputation, you’ll be able to build your network faster and attract even more publications and literary agents.
- Networking. Several persons come into play when building and maintaining your name in the literary world: publishers, agents, editors, and fellow authors. A solid network allows you to build connections and better cement your reputation in your industry.
- Exposure. Selling your short stories to publications helps your stories to” get out” and reach a wider audience. And having a wider audience means more earning potential and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
How much money can you make from short stories?
There’s no standard rate for selling short stories, and the amount you make can vary wildly depending on many factors. Magazines and publications usually pay writers for submissions, but you’ll later find that their rates can vary so much. Your reputation as a writer and level of experience can also affect how much you make. Also, how you get paid, whether you earn a one-time fee or royalties for subsequent uses (such as adapting your story into a film), can impact your earning potential.
How can you sell short stories?
First, consider your genre. Some magazines and publications work with very specific genres, and you’d want to submit your work where it fits. So, if you’re into science fiction writing, submit your work to places like Flash Fiction Online. Meanwhile, true-to-life stories, and literary pieces that are more emotional, moving, or inspiring have their publications too. In any case, be sure to read and thoroughly understand submission guidelines and that your work meets every criterion.
Apart from these publications, you can also write and sell short stories on your own, by way of self-publishing on Amazon KDP or starting your own blog or website. Additionally, you can join contests or work as a freelance writer.
Best Places to Sell Short Stories
Whether you consider short story writing a serious career path or a part-time gig that can supplement your income, you must determine the best places to sell short stories. Here are the various publications and platforms that pay for short stories.
1. Amazon KDP
Amazon KDP is one of the best places to sell short stories easily. It allows you to be a self-published writer, so you won’t have to jump through the hoops of getting published the traditional way. Plus, you can expose your short stories to a wide range of audiences, as Amazon KDP accepts most genres (unlike traditional publications.) The most significant advantage is that Amazon has a ready-built audience waiting to be tapped, so you don’t have to build your audience base from scratch.
Selling your short stories to Amazon starts with creating an Amazon KDP account, formatting your stories according to Amazon’s guidelines, attaching an appealing book cover, writing the story description, and setting your price. Marketing your short stories to other platforms helps you gain more exposure. As for earning potential, you earn royalties every time your short story is purchased, so think of it as an excellent source of passive income.
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2. Readers’ Digest
One of the world’s widely known publications, Reader’s Digest, also accepts contributor submissions. With tons of readers, it would be nice to have your stories published by Reader’s Digest. They have a section with 100-word short stories that can be humorous or inspiring; each accepted story pays $100.
If you have a short story that sprinkles good vibes and positivity, consider submitting it to Reader’s Digest. Publishing your story on such an established platform can boost your writing portfolio.
3. Duotrope
If you don’t want to spend much time searching publications, consider subscribing to Duotrope. Duotrope is a matchmaker between writers and publishers or literary agents. Although using Duotrope comes with a fee, it also offers fantastic convenience, allowing writers to find suitable publications to sell their short stories.
Duotrope makes selling short stories easier because it has a massive publication database that accepts writer submissions. You can use filters to fine-tune your search or even narrow down publishers that offer the best rates. So, while you’ll have to pay a small fee for this service, many writers swear by Duotrope as a great platform for selling short stories.
4. One Story
One Story is another website worth exploring when you’re looking to sell your short stories. This publication only publishes one story from one author at a time. The submission timeframe might be short, but it’s still worth a shot, especially since you can make $500 and get 25 contributor copies.
When submitting to One Story, remember that they only accept literary fiction between 3,000 and 8,000 words. They seek stories that make readers feel good and confident about themselves. Read all the submission guidelines and ensure you meet them for a greater chance of publication.
5. The Submission Grinder
The Submission Grinder is a market database for writers and poets, allowing them to search publications to submit their work. Think of The Grinder as a search engine dedicated to writers wherein you can search for potential publications that will pay for short stories. The Grinder’s other notable feature is the submission tracker, so you can always track and manage your submissions.
The Grinder offers comprehensive listings for various markets. Users can suggest a market to the database if they have a short story that doesn’t fit existing markets. Rates for short stories can vary, but they are typically between 1 and 4 cents per word.
6. Poets&Writers
Another excellent place to sell your short stories and make money from your literary works is Poets&Writers. This organization allows you to find paid writing opportunities by submitting your work directly to them or finding publications that may accept your short stories. It’s an excellent platform to get published, as it has over 100,000 readers nationwide. You can also join writingclasses and workshops, contests, and apply for grants to develop your writing talent further and make money from it.
7. East of the Web
Another excellent platform for marketing your short stories is East of the Web. Apart from getting half a million readers each month, East of the Web is also flocked by literary agents, publishers, and filmmakers. You can get published on this respected platform even if you are a new writer. Because East of the Web has such high submission standards, it’s best to take your work seriously.
If you’re looking for an excellent place to gain exposure as a writer, East of the Web is the place to be. Once your story is accepted for publication, East of the Web gives you space on their site where readers can access your biography, other short stories, and essential links. However, the pay for accepted submissions is not disclosed on East of the Web’s website.
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8. The Threepenny Review
Among literary magazines, The Threepenny Review is another good option for those looking to sell their stories, thanks to its reputation for publishing high-quality work. This publication accepts a wide range of literary works, including poems, memoirs, and short stories. However, remember that you should only submit pieces not published elsewhere; simultaneous submissions are also discouraged.
You can send your manuscript to The Threepenny Review via mail or their online portal. They accept short stories not more than 4000 words, and will pay $400 per article or story.. Also, remember that The Threepenny Review does not read submissions from April 15 to December 31, so use this time to refine your work and make it as awesome as possible before submitting. Read the rest of the submission guidelines here.
9. Vestal Review
If you enjoy writing flash fiction, consider submitting your work to Vestal Review. Hailed as the “longest-running flash fiction magazine on the plane,” Vestal Review welcomes new and seasoned writers in various genres.
Since Vestal Review accepts flash fiction or short stories, your submission must not exceed 500 words and should not be dragging or static. Vestal Review caters to an audience of over 18, and R-rated content is accepted. However, it must not be gory, racist, or pornographic. Vestal Review pays $75 for all accepted submissions.
10. Flash Fiction Online
Another excellent place to sell short stories is Flash Fiction Online. It accepts 500-1000-word short stories in various genres, from science, fantasy to literary fiction. Remember to make your story dynamic, complete, and engaging.
While Flash Fiction Online accepts simultaneous submissions, you must let them know if your story is accepted and published elsewhere. Your stories must be original, not AI-generated, and must not promote racism, prejudice, or discrimination. Each accepted story pays $100.
11. Barrelhouse
Barrelhouse is a literary magazine that accepts short story submissions from writers. In addition to its print magazine,Barrelhouse offers several opportunities for writers, including a small press and retreat writer’s camp.
When submitting your short stories to Barrelhouse, their general submission guidelines say that you can make simultaneous submissions but must let them know immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Submissions are accepted via Submittable, and they pay $50 for each accepted piece and give you two contributor copies. Although it may take Barrelhouse up to 6 months to review your work, it remains a worthwhile platform to seek publication.
12. Clarkesworld
If you’re especially fond of writing science and fantasy fiction, then Clarkesworld is an excellent place to submit them. Clarkesworld publishes monthly and is reputable and multi-awarded in science and fantasy fiction publishing.
Clarkesworld accepts short story submissions written in English, mainly science and fantasy fiction. Please do not use AI in your work; Clarkesworld may ban you from future submissions. Submissions must also be reader-friendly and suitable for audio. Short stories must be between 1,000 and 22,000 words and earn12 cents per word.
13. Analog
Analog is another publication that focuses primarily on science fiction. Established in the 1930s, Analog is one of the oldest literary magazines on science fiction. Analog is an award-winning publication, making it a fantastic platform to sell short stories and gain more exposure.
If you are inclined to write science literary fiction, consider submitting to Analog. According to its writer’s guidelines, there are no hard and fast rules for submissions, but it would be best to consider aspects of the future and technology while still being realistic. Short stories up to 20,000 words are paid 8 to 10 cents per word, while serials (40,000 to 80,000 words) pay 6 cents per word.
14. Take A Break Magazine
Want to write short stories about you and your life and make money? Sell your short stories to Take A Break Magazine. A UK-based publication, Take A Break Magazine is seeking true life stories for potential publication and is offering payment for accepted submissions. If you have short stories that raise awareness or tribute to loved ones, the magazine would love to read them.
Take A Break Magazine has several other magazines under its belt, and you could have the opportunity to be published in one of them. If you have compelling stories about health problem survivors, miracle babies, surviving an affair, or a crime, you are free to submit those. Submitting directly to the magazine means you receive the payment in full. You can submit your story by filling out a form or calling them directly. If your pitch is accepted, a journalist will contact you and offer you a fee.
15. Bella Magazine
Like Take A Break, Bella Magazine is another UK-based publication that accepts submissions of real-life stories. You must pitch your story to their team and include as many details as possible. If the magazine picks it up, they’ll get back to you for further discussions. It’s important to remember that the story must be original and is exclusive only to Bella.
Now here comes the best part: you can make as much as £1000 ($1248) for your work! That’s a great opportunity to be well-compensated for your talents and be published in such a renowned publication.
16. The New Yorker
One of the most prestigious publications in the US, The New Yorker, is also happy to pay for your short stories. The New Yorker publishes many topics but has a dedicated section for poetry and fiction. This is where you, a short story writer, come in. Because The New Yorker is known in the industry for having such high standards for submissions, getting published there is considered a great accomplishment for any writer.
For fiction, The New Yorker’s submission guidelines indicate that you must submit your work as a PDF file. They also accept submissions by mail, but make sure to keep the original copy as it’s likely the submitted one won’t be returned. They review submissions within ninety days, so if you don’t hear from them after ninety days, it means they won’t be able to publish your work. It is said The New Yorker pays well for submissions, but their website does not explicitly indicate the rate.
Other Things to Sell To Make Money!
Check out these posts for more ideas on what else to sell to make money.
Key Takeaways
We’ve covered the best places to sell short stories, and hopefully, these inspire you to start writing seriously and make good money from your skills and talents.
As I have mentioned, there are many ways to sell short stories. You can self-publish on Amazon KDP or use platforms like Duotrope to find publications that may be interested in your pieces. Or you could pitch directly to magazines and publications.
So, if you’ve always loved writing short stories, it’s about time to gain a wider audience, increase your exposure as a writer, and make money doing something you love. I am always rooting for you!
Have you ever tried selling short stories? How was the experience?