How to Get Published: A Short Story Writer’s Submission Guide

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So, you’ve got this awesome short story, right? You’ve poured your heart into it, agonized over every word, and now it’s done. But then you look at the mountain of literary journals, online magazines, and anthologies out there, and it just feels… huge. Like, how does anyone even get their story seen? I get it. It feels like this big secret, right? But it’s not. I’m going to walk you through it, step-by-step. We’re going to turn that hope you have into a real strategy, because your story deserves to find its readers.

Section 1: Getting Ready – Your Story and You, Polished and Prepared

You know how you wouldn’t just show up to a job interview in your pajamas? It’s kind of like that with sending out your story. Before you even think about hitting that ‘submit’ button, there’s some crucial prep work to do. And it’s not just about making your words shine; it’s about understanding the whole game and setting yourself up for success.

The Brutal Edit: Beyond Just Fixing Typos

Listen, your story isn’t ready until you’ve basically taken a scalpel to it. We’re talking about going way past grammar and spelling here. It’s about pulling it apart, looking at every single word, and making sure it absolutely has to be there.

  • Edit Like a Mad Scientist: Try reading your story out loud. Seriously, do it. You’ll catch all these awkward phrases, repetitive sentences, and clunky dialogue that your brain just skips over when you read silently. Print it out and attack it with a red pen – seeing it on paper just hits different, trust me. I use a “four-pass” method, and it really works:
    • Pass 1 (The Big Picture): Think about the whole story here. Does the plot make sense? Is the pacing good? Do the characters change and grow? Is the theme clear? Does the beginning grab you? Does the middle drag? Is the ending satisfying and earned? For example, if your character suddenly quits their job for no good reason, this is where you’d flag it and go, “Wait, why?”
    • Pass 2 (Paragraph by Paragraph, Sentence by Sentence): Now, get detailed. Are there any clichés? Any fancy, flowery language you don’t need? Are you using too much passive voice? Are your verbs weak? Beef up your language. Instead of “She quickly went to the door,” think about if she “bolted for the door” or “scurried to the door.” It makes a difference!
    • Pass 3 (Word Choice and How it Sounds): Get rid of words you repeat too much. Are you using the right word (like “affect” versus “effect”)? And how does it sound? Read it backward, sentence by sentence, to trick your brain into not just auto-correcting any mistakes. If you’ve used the word “very” five times on one page, it’s time to find stronger adverbs.
    • Pass 4 (Proofreading): This is where you catch the tiny stuff – typos, missing commas, a stray semicolon. After all that work, your eyes might be tired, so get someone else to give it a once-over.
  • Smart Beta Readers (Not Just Your Mom): Don’t just hand it to any friend. Find people who actually get story structure, who can give you real, helpful feedback, and who ideally read in your genre. Give them specific questions: “Does the hero’s decision in chapter 3 feel right?” or “Is the ending clear, or am I leaving too many loose ends?” A beta reader might tell you, “Hey, that huge explanation of alien tech right at the beginning of your sci-fi story totally slowed things down.”

  • Consider a Professional Critique (If You Can): If you’re serious about this, a professional editor can be a game-changer. It costs money, yes, but a good editor sees things you can’t and gives you actionable steps. An editor might suggest combining two minor characters to make your story tighter and more dramatic.

Making It Look Professional: The Industry Standard

Guess what? Editors are swamped. A well-formatted manuscript screams “I’m a pro!” and respects their time. If it looks messy, they might just toss it.

  • Standard Manuscript Format (SMF) – Learn It, Live It:
    • Font: Use 12-point, Times New Roman or Courier New. Never, ever use anything fancy.
    • Spacing: Double-space EVERYTHING.
    • Margins: One inch on all sides.
    • Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (use the tab key, NOT five spaces).
    • Header: Your last name, the story title (or a short version), and the page number go in the upper right-hand corner of every single page. Like: Smith / Star / 3.
    • First Page Info: Your contact info (name, address, phone, email) goes in the upper left corner. Your approximate word count (rounded to the nearest 100 or 500 words) goes in the upper right, below the header.
    • Title: Center your story’s title about two-thirds down the first page. Your name (or pen name) goes centered below that.
    • No Extra Spaces: Don’t add extra spaces between paragraphs. None!
    • File Type: Almost always .doc or .docx (Microsoft Word files). Sometimes .rtf or .odt. Rarely a PDF for initial submissions.
  • Word Count Matters: Most places have strict word limits. A literary journal might want 500 to 5,000 words. Know their range! Don’t send a 12,000-word story to a place that caps at 7,000. It’s just a waste of everyone’s time.

Your Cover Letter: Making a Good First Impression

This isn’t where you try to sell your story’s plot. Think of it as a professional handshake. Keep it short, polite, and to the point.

  • What to Include (and Exclude):
    • Your Contact Info: Your name, address, phone, email.
    • Date:
    • Editor’s Info: The editor’s name and the publication’s address (do your research!).
    • Greeting: “Dear [Editor’s Name],” or “Dear Editors,” if you can’t find a specific name. Never “To Whom It May Concern.”
    • First Paragraph: State the story title, its word count, and that you’re sending it for them to consider. If there’s a specific submission period or theme, mention it. Example: “Please consider ‘The Whispering Pines,’ a short story of approximately 4,200 words, for your Fall 2024 issue.”
    • Brief Bio (1-3 sentences): This is where you mention any relevant writing achievements (previous publications, awards, workshops, degrees). If this is your first submission, you can say that, or just mention where you’re based: “I am a writer based in [City/State/Country] with an MFA in Creative Writing from [University].” A good bio example: “My work has appeared in The Threepenny Review and SmokeLong Quarterly. I was a recipient of the 2023 Pushcart Prize.”
    • Closing: A simple “Thank you for your time and consideration.”
    • Sign-off: “Sincerely,” or “Regards,” followed by your typed name.
  • Big Don’ts for Your Cover Letter:
    • Don’t summarize your story. Let the story do that.
    • Don’t gush. No “This story is revolutionary!” stuff.
    • Don’t explain your story. Again, let it speak for itself.
    • Don’t apologize for anything.
    • Don’t tell your life story.
    • Don’t send it to the wrong editor or publication. Double-check every single time.

Your Bio: What to Say About Yourself (Sometimes Optional)

Sometimes, there’s a separate “bio” field in online submission forms, different from your cover letter bio.

  • Keep it Short: Usually 50-100 words.
  • Focus on Writing: Mention your best publications (2-3 of the most impressive), awards, relevant degrees (like an MFA).
  • A Little Personality (If You Want): A fun, brief detail can make it memorable, but keep it professional. Example: “Jane Doe’s work has appeared in Ploughshares and The Cincinnati Review. She holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and lives in Seattle with her two rescue greyhounds.”

Section 2: Finding the Right Home for Your Story – Research and Strategy

Sending your story out blindly is basically asking for rejections. You need to be smart about this. You wouldn’t try to sell a hammer at a bakery, right? Same idea here – don’t send a super literary story to a horror magazine.

The Art of Targeting: Finding Your People

Every publication has its own vibe, its own style, its own preferences. Your job is to find the perfect match for your story.

  • READ! Seriously, READ!: This is non-negotiable. If you want to publish in The Paris Review, you have to read The Paris Review. Get a feel for the types of stories they publish, the themes, the writing styles. If your story is weird and experimental, submitting it to a place that only publishes traditional stories is probably pointless.

  • Check Out Literary Marketplaces:

    • Duotrope: This is a paid service ($5 a month or $50 a year), but it’s gold. It has a massive, searchable database of journals, magazines, and presses. You can filter by genre, word count, how much they pay, how often they accept stories, how long they take to respond, and tons more. Invaluable for focused searching.
    • Submittable Discover: Less comprehensive than Duotrope for active searching, but Submittable’s “Discover” tab lets you browse publications on their platform by genre, theme, and what they’re currently looking for.
    • Poets & Writers Literary Magazine Database: This one’s free and searchable, but not as detailed as Duotrope. Good for starting your search.
  • Always Read “About Us” and “Submission Guidelines”: These sections on a publication’s website are your secret weapon. They’ll tell you exactly what they’re looking for (and what they’re definitely not), word limits, special themes, formatting stuff, and if they allow simultaneous submissions. For example, they might say, “We like speculative fiction with a literary feel; no high fantasy or space opera, please.”

  • Look at Their Mastheads: See who they’ve published before. This gives you a clue about their taste.

Understanding Publication Levels: Aim Smart

Not all literary journals are created equal. Knowing the “tiers” helps manage your expectations and grow your publishing resume.

  • Tier 1 (Super Hard to Get Into): Think The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Paris Review, Ploughshares. These are the big guns. They offer huge prestige, often pay well, and are incredibly tough to break into. Send your absolute best stuff here, but don’t just focus on them.
  • Tier 2 (Excellent, Mid-Level): Hundreds of highly respected journals, often associated with universities or run independently. Examples: Cincinnati Review, Copper Nickel, SmokeLong Quarterly, Boulevard. Still very selective, but more realistic for new writers. They might pay a small fee or give you free copies of the issue.
  • Tier 3 (Emerging, Online): Smaller, newer, or purely online journals. Many are passion projects. While not as “prestigious” as the upper tiers, they are SO important for building your publishing history. Many don’t pay, but they offer experience and are essential steps on the ladder.

  • Smart Submission Strategy: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Send your best story to 1-2 Tier 1s. Then, immediately send it to 3-5 Tier 2s. And then, 5-10 Tier 3s. This way, you’re maximizing your chances.

Simultaneous Submissions: Friend, Not Foe

“Simultaneous submissions” means sending the same story to a bunch of places at once. This is totally normal and accepted now.

  • The Golden Rule: If your story gets accepted somewhere, you MUST immediately withdraw it from every other place you sent it to. It’s just good manners.
  • How to Withdraw: Most online platforms (like Submittable) have a “withdraw” button. If not, a short, polite email to the editor (mentioning the story title and when you sent it) is fine. Example email: “Dear [Editor’s Name], I am writing to withdraw my submission, ‘The Last Flight of the Albatross’ (submitted on 10/26), as it has been accepted elsewhere. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name].”
  • Why It’s a Must: It can take months, even over a year, to hear back from journals. If you only sent it to one place at a time, you’d be waiting forever for one rejection after another. Simultaneous submissions keep your work moving.

Section 3: Sending It Out – Navigating the Online World

Most submissions happen online now, especially through platforms like Submittable. Knowing how these work is key.

Submittable: Your Main Tool

Submittable is the go-to for online literary submissions. It’s free to create an account, and you’ll definitely need one.

  • Set Up Your Account: Use a professional email address you actually check. Fill out your profile (though not all of it is visible to editors).
  • Finding Places to Submit: Use the “Discover” tab, or just go to a publication’s website – they’ll link directly to their Submittable page.
  • READ THE GUIDELINES (Again!): Even if you’ve already read them, re-read them right before you submit. Guidelines can change.
  • The Form:
    • Required: Your name, email, story title, word count, your cover letter (you’ll usually paste it in or upload it), and your manuscript (upload this).
    • Optional: Bio, address, phone number.
    • Categories: Many forms ask you to pick a category (Literary Fiction, Speculative, Flash Fiction, etc.). Pick the best fit.
  • Fees (Sometimes): Some places charge a small submission fee ($3-$5). It helps them cover costs. Think of it as part of the process. If you can’t afford it, look for journals that are free or have “fee-free” periods.
  • Confirmation: You’ll get an email confirming they got your submission.
  • Checking Status: You can log into Submittable to see if your submission is “Received,” “In Progress,” “Declined,” or “Accepted.” Try not to obsessively check, though!

Email Submissions (Rare, but Possible)

Some smaller or newer places might still take submissions via email.

  • Follow Instructions TO THE LETTER: They’ll tell you exactly what the subject line should look like, what attachments to send, and in what order.
  • Professional Email: Your email is your cover letter here. Keep it short, formal, and professional. Your story goes as an attachment.

Payment and Rights: Know What You’re Signing

Before you submit, understand how the publication pays (if at all) and what rights they’re asking for. This is usually in their guidelines.

  • Payment:
    • No Pay: This is super common for smaller journals. You get the credit of being published.
    • Contributor Copies: They send you physical copies of the issue your story is in.
    • Token Payment: A small, flat fee (like $10-$100).
    • Per Word: Payment based on your word count (e.g., $0.05 a word).
    • Bigger, more famous journals usually pay more.
  • Rights:
    • First Publication Rights: Most common. You give them the right to be the very first to publish your story. Once it’s published, the rights usually go back to you.
    • Non-Exclusive Rights: They can publish your story, but you can also publish it somewhere else at the same time or later. Less common for first publication, but used in anthologies that collect already published works.
    • Exclusive Rights: You give them the sole right to publish your story for a certain period (like 90 days or a year). Less common for short stories, more for novels.
    • Copyright: You always own the copyright to your work unless you explicitly sign it away (which is rare for short stories and usually a huge red flag).

Keep Track: Your Sanity-Saving Spreadsheet

This is essential. You will absolutely lose track otherwise.

  • What Your Spreadsheet Needs:
    • Story Title
    • Publication Name
    • Date You Submitted
    • Platform (Submittable, Email, etc.)
    • Current Status (Submitted, In Progress, Accepted, Rejected, Withdrawn)
    • Date You Heard Back
    • How Long It Took (Days/Months)
    • Notes (e.g., “personalized rejection,” “super fast response,” “crazy long wait”)
    • Did it cost money to submit? (Y/N)
    • Did they pay you? (Y/N, and how much)
    • Your next target for that story
  • Example Entry:
    • Story: “The Clockwork Heart”
    • Publication: The Fictional Review
    • Submitted: 2024-03-15
    • Platform: Submittable
    • Status: Rejected
    • Heard Back: 2024-06-20
    • Time Taken: 97 days
    • Notes: Standard form rejection.
    • Fee: $3
    • Paid: No
    • Next Target: The Literary Lighthouse

Section 4: The Waiting Game and Rejection – Be Strong and Keep Going

Once you’ve sent it off, the hardest part for many is just waiting. You need patience, but even more, you need to be tough, because rejections are going to happen.

Rejection is Normal: It’s Not About You (Usually)

Getting rejected is a fundamental part of trying to get published. It doesn’t mean your story sucks or that you’re not talented.

  • It’s a Numbers Game: Literary journals get hundreds, sometimes thousands, of submissions for only a few spots. Your story might be amazing, but it just wasn’t the right fit for that specific issue, or they just published something similar.
  • Taste is Subjective: What one editor loves, another might not like at all. It’s just personal preference sometimes.
  • Form Rejections vs. Personalized Ones:
    • Form Rejection: This is a generic, pre-written email. You’ll get these 99% of the time. Do NOT take it personally. It means nothing about your story’s quality; it just means it wasn’t chosen this time.
    • Personal Rejection: This is a rejection with a little note from the editor (“We really liked the writing, but the ending felt a bit rushed,” or “This was very close!”). These are rare, and you should see them as a small win! It means your work stood out in a good way. Do not, under any circumstances, argue or ask for more feedback.
    • “Revise & Resubmit” Requests (R&R): Super rare, but sometimes an editor will ask you to fix something specific and resubmit. This is a HUGE sign they’re interested. Follow their advice exactly.
  • Don’t Argue, Don’t Ask for Feedback: Do not email an editor after a form rejection asking why your story was rejected. Do not try to defend your story. This is unprofessional and can get you blacklisted.

The Power of Not Giving Up: Just Send It Out Again

This is the most important advice: When you get a rejection, treat it as your cue to send that story out again, immediately.

  • Never Stop Submitting: The only way to get published is to keep sending your work out. A story sitting on your hard drive has zero chance of getting published.
  • Have Your Next Targets Ready: Use your spreadsheet to find the next 3-5 suitable publications for that story. When a rejection comes in, update your spreadsheet and send it to the next place on your list within a day or two.
  • The “Rule of 100”: Many successful short story writers aim for 100+ submissions a year. It’s truly a numbers game. The more you send out, the better your chances.

Learning (Carefully) from Rejection

While most rejections are just generic, if you get a lot of rejections for the same story, it might be telling you something.

  • Look for Patterns: If every rejection for a specific story mentions something similar (like “pacing issues” or “characters felt flat”), it might be worth going back and revising it. Get trusted readers to give fresh eyes.
  • Too Many Rejections for One Story: After 15-20 rejections for a single story, you might want to put it away for a bit, re-read it later with fresh eyes, or consider a major rewrite. Or, it might just mean you haven’t found its perfect audience yet. Don’t ditch the story entirely if you still love it, but think about a big overhaul.

The Magical Acceptance: What Happens Next

Oh, that email! It’s pure joy. Validation.

  • The Acceptance Letter: This will usually lay out the terms: when it will be published, if and how much they’ll pay, what rights they want, and any final edits needed.
  • Read the Contract: Make sure you understand the rights you’re giving them. Most journals are straightforward with “first publication rights.” If anything seems weird, politely ask questions.
  • Final Edits: Editors will often suggest small changes or proofreading fixes. Be open to these; they’re trying to make your story even better. You’ll usually get to see the final version before it goes live.
  • PROMOTE!: When your story comes out, share it on social media, email your friends and family, and update your website/bio. Support the publication that believed in you!

Section 5: After Publication – Building Your Author Platform

Getting published isn’t the end; it’s a huge step. Use it to build your presence as a writer.

Getting Online: Your Website and Social Media

Even as a short story writer, having an online presence helps people find you and can lead to more opportunities.

  • Author Website/Portfolio: Doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Just a simple site with:
    • A professional headshot.
    • Your bio.
    • A “Publications” page listing your published stories (with links if they’re online).
    • A “Contact” page.
    • Maybe an “About” page with a bit more about you.
    • You can use free or cheap platforms like WordPress.com, Squarespace, or Google Sites.
  • Smart Social Media (If You Want To):
    • Pick one or two platforms you actually enjoy using (like Twitter/X for literary news, Instagram if you’re good with visuals).
    • Share your publications, retweet other writers’ successes, and engage with the writing community.
    • Don’t just promote yourself; build real connections.

Using Publications for Future Success

Every publication makes your resume stronger.

  • Update Your Bio: Every new publication means you can make your author bio even more impressive. Keep it current.
  • Anthology Submissions: Once you have a few published stories, you become eligible for “reprint” anthologies that specifically look for previously published work.
  • Awards: Publications can nominate your stories for big awards like the Pushcart Prize or Best American Short Stories. Usually, the editor does this, not you.
  • Agent Queries (Long-Term Goal): If you eventually want to write a novel, a strong history of short story publications in good journals makes your agent query letters much more compelling. It shows you can write, revise, and get accepted.

Conclusion: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Getting published isn’t usually a quick win. It takes grit, constant learning, and totally believing in your own writing. I’ve given you the roadmap, from polishing your manuscript to sending it out, how to be smart about who you send it to, how to act professionally, and the rock-solid resilience you need for those rejections. By following these steps, you’ll turn that scary unknown into a manageable process, greatly increasing your chances of seeing your amazing stories find their perfect audience. Now, go forth and submit! Your words are waiting.