websites that pay you to write short stories

Top 30 Websites That Pay You To Write Short Stories

Looking for websites that pay you to write short stories ? You're in the right spot.

Turn your love for storytelling into cash and skill gains, quickly and easily.

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List of 30 Websites To Get Paid to Write Short Stories Online

Penpee is a unique platform that pays you for every page of your short story that gets read. Ideal for budding authors looking to make money online.

• Genre : Any
• Pay Rate : Paid per page read. Writers earn 40-75% of the revenue from each credit spent by readers.
• How it Works : Upload your short story. Earn as users read and turn each page.

As one of the largest platforms for readers and writers, Wattpad isn't just for honing your craft. They offer a Paid Program to select writers based on factors like originality and market value.

• Genre : Various, including fiction, fanfiction, and more.
• Pay Rate : Payment upon selection for the Paid Program.
• How it Works : Publish your stories and get invited to the Paid Program based on the quality and appeal of your work. Earn after your story is selected and published.

3. Smashwords

Smashwords is a leading eBook distributor that lets you sell your short stories on multiple platforms.

• Pay Rate : You keep 60% to 85% for the e-book sale.
• How it Works : Upload your eBook, set your price, and earn money from sales across various eBook stores.

4. Archive of Our Own (AO3)

AO3 is a fan-favorite for fanfiction but also accepts original work. While it doesn't pay directly, it's a strong platform for building a fan base.

• Genre : Fanfiction, Original Work
• Pay Rate : None, but good for exposure
• How it Works : Publish stories and build your audience, which you can then monetize through other means like Patreon.

Medium's Partner Program allows you to earn money based on reader engagement. A go-to for many types of writers.

• Genre : Various
• Pay Rate : Varies (Based on claps and reading time)
• How it Works : Publish stories under the Partner Program, and earn based on how many people read and engage with your stories.

6. Clarkesworld Magazine

If you are looking to enter the realms of sci-fi and fantasy, Clarkesworld is your go-to platform. This award-winning magazine is highly respected in the speculative fiction community.

• Genre : Sci-Fi, Fantasy
• Pay Rate : $0.10 per word
• How It Works : Submit your short stories through their online portal. After an editorial review, if accepted, you will be paid via PayPal or check.

7. One Story

One Story is true to its name; they publish one great story per issue. It's a standout place for writers seeking to make an impact with literary fiction.

• Genre : Literary Fiction
• Pay Rate : $500 for a single submission
• How It Works : Send your work during open submission windows. If accepted, you'll get a one-time payment and your story gets published in their monthly issue.

8. The Sun Magazine

If you have a poignant story or essay, The Sun Magazine offers a platform that values personal and provocative works.

• Genre: Essays, Fiction
• Pay Rate: Up to $2000
• How It Works: Submit manuscripts by mail. If selected, your work will be published and you'll receive payment based on their current rates.

Agni is where poetry meets prose. It’s an ideal platform for writers who excel in blending the lyrical with the literal. It also pays for writing essays or short stories.

• Genre: Poetry, Prose, Essay
• Pay Rate: $10 per page for an essay or short story
• How It Works: Submit your work through their website. If accepted, you will be paid and published in their biannual print magazine.

10. Flash Fiction Online

For writers skilled in crafting complete stories in fewer words, Flash Fiction Online is a great fit. They seek crisp narratives that make a quick impact.

• Genre: Flash Fiction
• Pay Rate: $80 for original fiction and 2 cents per word for reprints.
• How It Works: Submit stories that are between 500-1000 words long. If your work is accepted, you'll receive payment via PayPal.

11. Threepenny Review

One of the leading platforms in the literary world, Threepenny Review is known for its high-quality content.

• Genre: Fiction
• Pay Rate: Flat rate, typically around $400 per story
• How it Works: Submit your work through their online portal or email. If accepted, payment is made upon publication.

12. Analog Science Fiction And Fact

A giant in the science fiction scene, Analog is where many writers have found a home for their Sci-Fi tales.

• Genre: Science Fiction
• Pay Rate: Around 8-10 cents per word for stories up to 20,000 words
• How it Works: Submit your manuscript via email. It often takes around 2-3 months for a decision. 

13. Boulevard Magazine

Boulevard is a well-regarded platform for both fiction and non-fiction, often featuring emerging writers.

• Genre: Fiction, Non-Fiction
• Pay Rate: $100-$300 for prose
• How it Works: Submissions are usually open from October to May. You can submit it online or via post. 

14. Carve Magazine

Carve has earned its name as a top platform for short stories across various genres.

• Genre: Fiction and Nonfiction
• Pay Rate: $50 for nonfiction and $100 for fiction
• How it Works: Submit your story online. If selected, you'll be paid upon publication. 

15. Ploughshares

Known for its literary excellence, Ploughshares is a go-to platform for serious writers.

• Genre: Fiction and nonfiction
• Pay Rate: $25 per printed page, up to a max of $250
• How it Works: They have both online and print options for submission. If accepted, you will be paid upon publication. 

16. Strange Horizons

If you have a flair for speculative fiction, Strange Horizons could be the right platform for you. It's an online magazine that has been paying writers for nearly two decades.

• Genre: Speculative Fiction
• Pay Rate: Varies, generally around 10 cents per word.
• How it Works: You can submit your short story online. If accepted, you'll be paid via PayPal. Keep in mind the magazine's specific guidelines for speculative fiction.

17. Apex Magazine

Apex Magazine focuses on the darker sides of science fiction and fantasy. A monthly publication, it's great for authors who experiment with these genres.

• Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
• Pay Rate: 8 cents per word up to 1,000 words for new fiction, and 5 cents for reprints.
• How it Works: Submit your story through their online portal. Payments are usually made through PayPal.

18. Asimov's Science Fiction

A giant in the world of science fiction, Asimov's is known for publishing some of the genre's best works. Named after the legendary Isaac Asimov, this magazine is a go-to for sci-fi writers.

• Pay Rate: 8-10 cents per word for short stories up to 7,500 words, and 8 cents for each word over 7,500.
• How it Works: Manuscripts can be sent via mail or online submission. Payment is generally made upon acceptance.

19. Craft Literary

Focused on the art of fiction, Craft Literary is an ideal spot for authors who take a detailed, craft-based approach to their stories.

• Genre: Fiction, Creative nonfiction
• Pay Rate: $100 flat rate for flash fiction; $200 for original short fiction and creative nonfiction.
• How it Works: Submit your work online. If your story is accepted, payment is made via PayPal.

20. Daily Science Fiction

As the name implies, Daily Science Fiction is a haven for science fiction writers. The site publishes a new story every weekday.

• Genre: Sci-Fi
• Pay Rate: 8 cents per word
• How it Works: Online submissions only. Payment is made upon publication through PayPal.

21. Fireside Magazine

Fireside Magazine is a leader in publishing both fiction and non-fiction stories with a focus on quality and diversity. They're known for paying their writers well.

• Genre: Various, including Speculative Fiction
• Pay Rate: 12.5 cents per word
• How it Works: Submit your story during open submission periods. If accepted, you'll go through an editorial process before getting paid. 

22. The New Yorker

The crown jewel for many writers, The New Yorker offers a broad spectrum of topics and genres, but the bar is high.

• Genre: Various, including Fiction, Poetry, Essays
• Pay Rate: Negotiable, varies widely
• How it Works: Submit online or via mail. If your work is selected, you'll be contacted by an editor. 

23. The Iowa Review

Prestigious and well-regarded, The Iowa Review is a literary magazine that seeks unique voices and styles.

• Pay Rate: $0.08 per word for prose
• How it Works: Submissions are generally through Submittable. If selected, payment is made upon publication.

24. Vestal Review

Vestal Review is among the oldest magazines dedicated to flash fiction. They're keen on concise and impactful storytelling.

• Pay Rate: $75 per story, up to $100 for print
• How it Works: Send in your story during open submissions. If accepted, you'll receive payment upon publication.

25. Virginia Quarterly Review

A well-known journal, Virginia Quarterly focuses on various topics, always looking for depth and complexity.

• Pay Rate: For submissions between 2,500 and 3,000 words, the rate is 33 cents per word. For those between 3,000 and 4,000 words, the rate drops to 25 cents per word, and so forth.
• How it Works: Submission windows are limited. If your work is accepted, an editor will get in touch.

BBC is a venerable name in the media world, known for its commitment to high-quality journalism. They also accept fiction for their various programs.

• Genre: Drama, Scripted Content
• Pay Rate: BBC pays £209 for the first two stories, £248 for third to fifth, £282 for sixth to ninth, and £359 for tenth and beyond. Established stories get £426.
• How it Works: Submit your scripted works to specific BBC programs that accept public submissions. If accepted, you'll receive a flat rate payment.

27. The Atlantic

The Atlantic is an American magazine and multi-platform publisher recognized for its deep editorial pieces. It also has a section dedicated to fiction.

• Genre: Literary Fiction, Essays
• Pay Rate: The Atlantic pays $150-$1,600 per task; the exact rate is not listed online.
• How it Works: The Atlantic accepts unsolicited submissions. Payment is usually on a per-word basis.

28. Cricket Media

Cricket Media is a treasure trove for young readers, engaging them with fascinating stories. It's an ideal platform for writers who specialize in children's fiction.

• Genre: Children’s Fiction, Poetry
• Pay Rate: Up to 25 cents per word
• How it Works: Submit your stories or poems through their online portal. If accepted, payment is based on word count.

29. Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine

This magazine is a haven for fans of suspense and mystery, providing a platform for writers in this genre.

• Genre: Mystery, Thrillers
• Pay Rate: 5-8 cents per word
• How it Works: Submit your mystery stories through their online or mail submission system. They pay upon acceptance.

30. Reader’s Digest

Reader's Digest is a household name, famous for its feel-good stories and informative articles. They also pay for story submissions.

• Genre: Various – Real Life Stories, Humor
• Pay Rate: Up to $250 per story between 800 and 1,000 words in length.
• How it Works: Submit your real-life stories or humor pieces through their website. If your work is selected, you'll be paid up to $250.

What Are Short Stories?

A short story is a brief work of fiction that usually focuses on a single event or character. Unlike novels, short stories are compact and aim to evoke a single, unified effect. 

Originating from oral storytelling traditions, they gained prominence in the 19th century with writers like Edgar Allan Poe setting the form's early standards.

Importance in Today's Digital Age

In our fast-paced, digital world, short stories have found new life. They offer bite-sized yet impactful experiences perfect for readers on the go. 

The form has adapted well to digital platforms, making it easier than ever to publish and monetize your work. 

Many online platforms pay writers for quality short stories, spanning various genres and styles.

You can even leverage short stories to build a personal brand or to test out ideas before committing to a longer piece. 

The ability to quickly read, share, and engage with short stories makes them highly relevant in today's content-rich landscape. 

With opportunities ranging from traditional publishers to blog posts and e-books, the sky's the limit for today's short story writers.

Popular Genres in Short Stories To Focus On

Understanding popular genres can help target your short stories for the right audience and platform. Here are some genres that are in high demand:

• What It Is: Stories that involve solving a crime or unraveling secrets.
• Popularity: Highly popular on platforms like Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.
• Discussion : The allure of the unknown keeps readers hooked till the last word.
• What It Is: Focuses on romantic relationships between characters.
• Popularity: Huge demand on platforms like Wattpad and Smashwords.
• Discussion: Romance has mass appeal, and the emotional highs and lows can make for a compelling read.
• What It Is: Deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as space travel and advanced technology.
• Popularity: Genres like Sci-Fi are welcomed on Clarkesworld and Asimov's.
• Discussion: The genre allows for endless creativity and appeals to readers who enjoy futuristic settings.
• What It Is: Features magical elements and takes place in an imaginary universe.
• Popularity: Platforms like Strange Horizons and Apex Magazine often publish these stories.
• Discussion: Offers escapism and the freedom to design a unique world.
• What It Is: Aims to create a sense of fear and terror.
• Popularity: Not as mainstream but has a loyal following. Fireside Magazine is a good platform.
• Discussion: Effective horror stories tap into primal fears and can be quite impactful.

6. Thriller

• What It Is: High-stakes, high-tension stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
• Popularity: Thriller short stories can often be found in general fiction magazines.
• Discussion: The aim is to keep the reader tense and alert, often via plot twists.

7. Non-Fiction

• What It Is: Real stories that can be either personal or factual.
• Popularity: Platforms like Medium and The Sun Magazine often accept non-fiction shorts.
• Discussion: Great for readers who prefer facts over fiction, and can range from personal essays to investigative reports.

How Much Can You Make Writing Short Stories?

Writing short stories can be both a passion and a viable way to earn money. But how much can you really make? 

The answer varies based on several factors such as the platform you choose, the genre of your story, and the quality of your writing.

Factors That Affect Earnings

• Platform: The choice of platform can significantly impact your earnings. Some platforms offer a flat rate, while others pay per word.
• Genre: The genre of your short story can also affect how much you make. Certain genres like science fiction or romance may offer higher pay rates.
• Quality: The better the writing, the higher the pay. Top-notch quality can also open doors to more prestigious platforms.
• Rights: Consider if you're selling exclusive rights, as this could also affect your earnings.

Typical Pay Rates

• Flat Rates: These range from $50 to $500 per story for newer writers.
• Per Word: Rates can go from 5 to 25 cents per word, depending on the platform and genre.

Tips to Increase Earnings

• Multi-Platform Publishing: Don’t limit yourself to one platform. The same story can often be sold to multiple places if you retain your rights.
• Contests: Many writing contests offer cash prizes and can be a good way to earn extra income.

Different Ways to Make Money from Short Stories

1. writing for blogs.

Blogs often seek fresh content. You can pitch your short stories or even serialized fiction to blogs that pay for such work.

• Tip: Use SEO-friendly keywords to attract more readers.

2. Writing for Magazines

Print and online magazines pay well for short stories, often much more than blogs.

• Genres: Sci-Fi, Horror, Mystery, Romance and more.

3. Kindle Books

Self-publish your stories as a Kindle book. Amazon takes a cut, but you get to set your price and even offer the book for free to boost its rankings.

• Tip: Market your book for free using social media or Amazon's own promotional tools.

You can also opt to publish an e-book. Different platforms let you sell your book and you can keep a larger portion of the profits.

How to Get Paid for Short Stories on Amazon

Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offers a robust platform for writers to publish and earn from their short stories. Here's a step-by-step guide to maximize your earnings:

• Sign up for a KDP account on Amazon's official site.
• Make sure your story is well-edited. Consider taking an online proofreading course to polish your work.
• Format the text and layout to meet KDP's guidelines.
• An eye-catching cover can boost sales. Tools like Canva can help.
• Optimize metadata and keywords to make your story easy to find.
• Price your story competitively. Read about passive income ideas for young adults to see how KDP fits into your overall earning strategy.
• Click the "Publish" button. Your story will be live within 72 hours.
• Use social media, blogs, and websites to market your book. Learn skills to earn money online that can help with this.
• Monitor sales via the KDP dashboard.
• Money is sent to your account monthly.

Tips to Maximize Earnings:

• Use Amazon Ads to boost visibility.
• Join the KDP Select Program for extra perks.

In sum, writing short stories can be more than just a passion; it can be a viable income source too.

With platforms ranging from Wattpad to Medium and Kindle Direct Publishing, your words can find a home and a paycheck.

Explore these avenues to turn your love for storytelling into a money-making venture. Happy writing!

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Sell Short Stories For Money (35 HIGH PAYING Sites In 2024)

What if I told you that you could sell short stories for money?

Are you asking: Where can I sell my stories or where to sell stories, or even, how to sell my story online?

Confession: I often write short stories about my little cat 🙂

If you have a flair for writing short stories, I’m going to tell you how you can get paid to write short stories.

Suppose you are worried about how to earn money by writing stories and where can I sell my stories online. Let me ease your mind.

Keep on reading this post and find out how you can earn money by writing short stories online to pay your bills!

You don’t have to worry about being the best writer. As long as you have a great storyline, there is bound to be a publication below that will accept and pay you for it.

Selling stories is an easy way to make money and gain some exposure if you’re looking to create a name for yourself. 

In time, you can even generate enough income from selling stories online to make it into a side hustle .

You just need to take the first step, and I’m here to show you how can you sell short stories for money.

35 Story Writing Sites That Pays Well !

1. Asimov’s

2. the new yorker, 3. the sun magazine, 4. the atlantic, 5. clarkesworld magazine, 6. apex magazine, 7. one story, 8. boulevard magazine, 9. cricket magazine, 10. gray’s sporting journal, 11. bourbon penn, 12. alfred hitchcock’s mystery magazine, 13. reader’s digest, 14. reader’s digest asia, 15. bella magazine, 16. take a break, 17. real people magazine, 18. introvert dear, 19. healthy mummy, 20. the american scholar, 21. virginia quarterly review, 22. apparition lit, 23. smokelong , 24. fantasy and science fiction  , 25. write city magazine  , 26. dark magazine, 27. sand journal, 28. the threepenny review, 29. harper’s magazine, 30. clarkesworld, 31. strange horizons  , 32. longleaf review, 33. lightspeed magazine.

34. Uncanny 

35. Pulp Literature

Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

Where To Sell Short Stories For Money (35 Best Sites)

If you’re wondering ‘where can I sell my short stories online’, start making money from short stories from these 35 sites:

A science fiction magazine that pays 8–10 cents per word.

No introduction is needed, this is possibly the most profitable magazine in the world. They have a huge and loyal readership.

They accept unsolicited works and getting published in their magazine is the winning prize.

The Sun Magazine is another publication that needs no introduction. They will pay writers to write both fiction and non-fiction and also poetry.

Non-fiction and fiction pieces start from $300 to $2,000 whereas poetry ranges from $100 to $250.

The Atlantic is another prestigious magazine that will accept your short stories and poetries. Expect to be paid professional rates if accepted.

A science fiction and fantasy magazine that will pay you 12 cents per word for short stories.

If you have a knack for writing darker fiction, Apex pays up to 8 cents per word up to 7,500.

A literary magazine that publishes stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. They pay $500 for each story.

This literary magazine encourages new writers to submit their work for a payment of $100-$300 .

Sell short stories for money wit Cricket Magazine. This publication has many literary magazines under its wing and caters to young readers up to 14 years old. The payment is a lucrative 25 cents per word .

This outdoor sporting activities magazine publishes short stories that are of high quality and will pay you an average of $600 for a 750 to 1,500-word piece.

This magazine will accept odd and highly imaginative short stories. Payment is 3 cents per word.

This magazine is the leader in short-form crime and mystery fiction and encourages new writers to submit their work. Expect to be paid between 5 – 8 cents per word.

Not a fan of fiction? I got you. You can still sell story online to these magazines that will publish nonfiction stories and pay you for it.

You could have your piece in the world-famous Reader’s Digest. Send them a true story about you, in 100 words or less, and get paid $100 for it.

Reader’s Digest Asia is an extension of Reader’s Digest and they have a couple of categories that they need writers regularly for:

-Inspiring stories or life-changing experiences

800 to 1,000 words for the price of $250 per published stories

-Acts of kindness

100 to 500 words for up to $100

-Anecdotes and jokes  

Around $50 to $100

-Tales of your amazing animals  

Up to 300 words for pay up to $100

Get paid up to $1000 when you share your personal story with Bella Magazine.

Send them a brief outline and someone from the magazine will contact you for further details.

If you sell your story to Take A Break, you could earn up to $2,000.

It’s really easy too, head on to their website where you fill in an online form . You have to send them a brief outline and voila!

Real People Magazine will buy your story for a fee. How much that is, I can’t say.

The magazine does a full interview with you (usually over the phone), asks you to provide relevant details, and pays you a fee that is agreed upon by both parties.

Here’s a really cool one.

Introvert Dear publish articles about introversion. They also look for articles about Highly Sensitive People on their new website, Highly Sensitive Refuge.

If they publish your piece, you could make $75

You can earn $100 by submitting your transformation story to Healthy Mummy!

Tell the readers about your journey and include good quality photos to show your transformation.

 All you super mama’s out there, this is your time to shine even more than you already do.

This is a quarterly magazine that publishes articles on public affairs, literature, science, history, and culture. They pay up to $500 for non-fiction submissions.

This reputable literary magazine accepts non-fiction pieces such as personal essays, memoirs, and literary journalism. They will pay around 25 cents per word.

Here Are More Websites That Pay You To Write Short Stories

Where can I post my stories and get paid for my short stories under the fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres? Look no further than Apparition Lit.

This site accepts submissions for poems and short stories ( 1000-5000 words) every quarter of the year. They only accept one submission at a time.

Apparition Lit pays $0.05 per word , with a minimum of $50 for short stories and $50 per poem.

Submit your stories to Apparition Lit here.

If you are looking for where to publish short stories online for money, you can send your submission to SmokeLong . They pay $100/story upon publication in their quarterly issue.

They accept short stories of flash narratives, fiction, non-fiction, or a hybrid of up to 1000 words.

Fantasy and Science Fiction are among the many short story publishers that pay for fiction stories. 

They prefer character-oriented stories in any genre, anything from science fiction, humor, fantasy, horror, or even humor. 

Your stories can be up to 25,000 words. Fantasy and Science Fiction pay 8 to 12 cents per word on acceptance.

Write City Magazine is a Chicago Writer’s Association (CWA) publication where you can submit stories for money.

They pay $50 for CWA members and $25 for non-members for stories no longer than 1800 words.

Your short stories can be fiction or creative non-fiction, but they need to follow specific story elements listed in their submission guideline .

The Dark is an online magazine that publishes monthly horror and Dark Fantasy stories.

You can submit your short story online to the magazine, as they welcome submissions from all writers. 

Original fiction stories are paid 5 cents per word on publication. Stories can be up to 6000 words.

So, if you have a talent for writing horror stories that are not graphic or violent horror, sell your story online to The Dark magazine.

If you are looking for story writing platforms that pay for authors who bring a fresh and underrepresented perspective, then you can write stories for money with SAND.

This publisher out of Berlin aims to give authors with underrepresented circumstances a chance to have a voice in the literary and art scene.

You can submit your short stories for submission, but due to their team being made entirely out of volunteers, the response can take up to 6 months . 

SAND pays a rate of 1 to 4.9 cents per word. Thus, you can expect a 3000 -short story to be paid between $30 to $150 . 

The Threepenny Review publishes quarterly journals with short stories, poems, and essays. 

They are open to accepting submissions for their journals up until April each year.

You can get paid for short stories through online submissions and mail manuscripts. Accepted stories are paid $400 . 

The recommended length for a short story is 4000 words.

If you are looking for magazines that pay for short stories, Harper’s Magazine accepts submissions for non-fiction and fiction manuscripts to be published in their magazine.

You can get paid, on average, $0.70 a word, and all submissions and queries must be sent by mail to:

Harper’s Magazine

666 Broadway, 11th Floor

New York, NY 10012

Ever wanted to make money with short stories about science fiction and fantasy? Do you love to geek out about the science behind science fiction?

Selling a short story filled with sci-fi and fantasy is possible with Clarkesworld Magazine. The magazine publishes monthly fiction and non-fiction stories and articles under the science fiction and fantasy genre.

You must be wondering how non-fiction can exist in a science fiction genre. 

The magazine accepts articles about the reading experience and the writing process of science fiction.

What won’t make the cut are things like your experiences of alien abduction O_O (this was literally from their guideline) or any sci-fi convention reports.

The pay rate is 12 cents per word for fiction pieces between 1000-22,000 words. For non-fiction, the rate is 10 cents with a 2500 word limit.

If you are looking for more story writing websites that pay for science fiction pieces, try submitting your short stories to Strange Horizons.

This weekly online magazine publishes stories, reviews, poetry, and more on speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, slipstream, and fantastika )

For fiction pieces, the rate is 10 cents per word with a word limit of 10,000 , while for non-fiction , payments are between $20 to $150, depending on the type of written contribution.

For those writers who love weird and creative fiction, you can publish stories online for money with Longleaf Review. 

They publish quarterly themed journals online and accept submissions for flash or short fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.

Accepted work will receive $20 ; read the Longleaf Review submission guidelines here .

Wondering where can I sell short stories about mythical creatures, folktales, sword-and-sorcery, and urban tales?

Digital science fiction and fantasy magazines like Lightspeed are one of many websites that pay you to write stories for them.

Lightspeed pays 8 cents a word for your short fiction stories with a word count of 1500-10,000 .

34. Uncanny 

If you can write new or classic speculative science fiction and fantasy fiction stories, you can sell your stories online to Uncanny.

This bi-monthly sci-fi/fantasy online magazine is always seeking stories that evoke strong emotions and challenge their readers’ beliefs.

Their rate is 10 cents per word for original, unpublished speculative fiction stories between 750-10,000 words. 

Submissions are not always open, but you can follow Uncanny’s social media for submission updates. 

35. Pulp Literature 

Pulp Literature magazine publishes digest-sized inexpensive paperback magazines of all genres (they also sell digital copies of the magazine).

How to publish a story online and get paid with Pulp Literature? You can submit your short fiction stories through their submission form. 

It is recommended that the stories are under 5000 words for a higher chance of acceptance. 

Here are Pulp Literature’s rates for short stories:

$0.05 – $0.08 per word for stories up to 5000 words.

$0.03 – $0.06 per word for stories between 5000 and 10,000 words.

$0.02 – $0.04 per word for stories over 10,000 words.

If you are having trouble knowing how to apply to freelance writing websites and how to come across as more experienced, so you can get paid higher.

I can recommend a super-duper freelance writing course I took, which helped me land 3 new clients in 3 weeks .

I spent ages googling FREE information and googling articles (like you are doing now) and I needed to keep my costs down as I wasn’t being paid for my writing just yet.

But I got sick of reading conflicting or confusing information and took the freelance writing course .

It taught me how to pitch to new clients and come across as experienced. Just look at this review:

I also learned how to set up a freelance writing website, where to find jobs, and what to charge.

The  Write to $1K course has a 30-day template you just need to follow to get to your first $1k from writing.

If you are ever going to invest in one writing course – please let it be this one . It’s the most useful thing you can do if you want to know how to be a freelance writer with no experience.

There is no way you will finish the 30 days and not win a new client. Her training is THAT good. And I am not making this up, because I took the course myself.

Make Money From Short Story Writing Contests

You can also make a handsome sum by applying to short story contests.

A few notable publications have these contests, and they’re quite common.

*Disclaimer: The cash prize and or other supplementary prizes listed below are those known to me at the time of writing this article. They are subject to change.

Here are a few short story competitions:

• Harper’s Bazaar Short Story Competition

Harpers Bazaar invites entries of up to 2,200 words.

They have a theme each year and the winner of this year’s competition won a  two-night stay at the historic Grantley Hall in Yorkshire, England, and had their work published in the magazine. 

• Scottish Arts Club Short Story Award

The winner of this contest received $1,260 ! The second prize won $640 and the third prize is $320.

The top 20 were published in the Scottish Arts Club Anthology. Not bad, eh?

Howard Frank Mosher Short Fiction Prize

• Ran by Hunger Mountain, this competition offers its winner a $1,000 cash prize and publication.
• Stories had to be around 8,000 words in length. There was a $20 entry fee. 

I don’t know about you but I might enter one of these competitions myself to make a quick buck or maybe even win a nice trip somewhere.

How To Sell Short Stories On Amazon?

Still not sure how to sell short stories online? I’m going to let you in on a little secret. 

If you’re not too keen on having your pieces published in magazines or stories being bought, you can publish short stories online for money.

That’s right, you can be your own publisher with the help of Amazon. 

Amazon gives you the option to sell digital and print copies of your work. This way, you can publish short stories for money.

The company makes it easy to upload and format your story on its website. 

They print and ship the copies on demand for you, so all you have to do is follow their guidelines and upload your piece.

Easy, and just like that, you’re published. 

Depending on the purchase price you set and the plan you opt for when you decide to self-publish, you can earn anywhere from 35%-70% of the purchase price. 

What’s great about publishing on Amazon is that you don’t have to figure out the logistics of printing and shipping.

There’s a huge demand for ebooks these days.

Specifically, Amazon’s “short reads” section. These are books that have less than 100 pages to them.

Publishing on Amazon also means you make money in perpetuity. 

 When you sell a short story to a publisher, you’ll get a one-time payment.

But with Amazon, you receive the payout from the royalty every time a copy of your story is bought. 

Factor in the fact that your piece will be available on the biggest online marketplace?

That’s a great deal to sell short stories for money if I can say so myself.

What Are Short Stories? 

To understand how to make money selling short stories, we should take a look at what are short stories.

According to various online sources and the encyclopedia, a short story is a short work of fiction or nonfiction that is shorter than a novel or longer than a fable.

So, essentially a piece of literature that typically takes a short amount of time to read from start to finish or one that is self-contained.

Some categories of short stories include but are not limited to:

• Novelettes – A novelette can easily be described as a short novella or long short story. A novelette falls in the range of 7,500 to 19,999 words. 
• Flash Fiction – Is an umbrella term used to refer to very short works of fiction that provide a compelling story and range between 1,000 words or less.

But what makes a good story?

What sets apart Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, and the average writer?

The foundation of a good story can be comprised of 5 key elements:

• A plot: 

Short stories -being so short, only have room for one plot in the storyline. One and a half if you’re going to squeeze in a twist. 

• A theme: 

Short story themes should be clear and impactful.

• Characters:

Great stories have great characters but this can take a long time to develop. Keep your characters exciting and limited.

• A time frame: 

Most short stories can be read in a single sitting or a brief span of time. They focus on a limited amount of time within the plot.

• A setting:  

Where does your story take place?

Is it someplace new to the readers?

Think about how JK Rowling’s Harry Potter took off. It was a completely different world, one unlike any other we’d seen in the literary world.

You should familiarize yourself with this before learning how to sell story online.

So far, we’ve covered what a short story is and what makes a good short story, but who would buy these stories and why?

Before we can sell short stories for money, let’s look into why people would buy short stories.

People buy short stories for numerous reasons. The main one is content.

Publishers, Magazines, Websites, Bloggers, heck anyone who needs content would buy a short story. This is where you should sell your short stories.

Magazines for instance, are made up of hundreds of pieces written by different writers.

They’re always in need of content and by submitting short stories to a magazine, you could make money for your short stories and reach a huge audience.

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Now that you know where to submit short stories for money, let’s get started and make money writing short stories.

Hold your horses, amigos. Before you start anything, it’s always good to look at what sells. 

You can look at what’s selling and hitch a ride on the bandwagon or you could find what’s missing in the market and pave your own way. 

Some of the best selling short read categories are:

  Romance, erotika, thriller, suspense, and scifi-fantasy.

How Much Can I Sell A Short Story For?

This isn’t a get rich overnight scheme, (well not this section at least. I’ll let you be the judge of that a little later on in the article), but you can have a lucrative side hustle or make a decent income by writing short stories for money .

How much you make when you write short stories for money is dependent on the magazine or publisher you pitch to or the short contest you enter (this is the get rich overnight thing I was telling you about).

Each magazine offers different rates for submissions.

Publications will buy a story as a whole or pay you word for word.

Magazines are a great place to submit short stories for money and earn money writing fiction online.

Tips To Succeed Selling Short Stories Online

We’ve learned how to make money writing short stories online, places to sell short stories and even the elements that go into writing a great story.

But that’s not all I have for you, my dear readers.

I want you to succeed, side hustle, or main revenue.

If you want to make money selling short stories, here are some extra tips to increase your chances of making that happen:

• Get some online training to become a freelance writer

I took this awesome course that taught me how to improve my writing, pitch to new clients, where to find jobs, and most importantly, it has a 30-day template you just need to follow to get to your first $1k.

I used this to sell my writing online. You can use this to help you sell short stories for money.

• Play to your strengths:

Choose the right magazines or story selling websites to submit to.

• Stick to the guidelines : 

Most magazines won’t consider your story if you don’t follow this rule.

Be sure to follow the instructions provided by the site to the letter.

Nothing will blow your chances of getting published faster than submitting a story that doesn’t meet the guidelines. 

Pay attention here: some guidelines will specify what can or can’t be in the story (e.g. explicit sex scenes, racial and political issues, religious themes, etc.).

• Research : 

Decide which magazine you’re going to submit to and study it.

Get a feel for their tone and what kind of stories they publish. 

You can also get a good sense of their readership by seeing what kind of ads they place in their magazine. This way you can gear your content towards their readers.

• Join a group :

If you’re interested in fiction opportunities out there, join a like minded support group on Facebook or subscribe to platforms like Poets & Writers to get more ideas of where to submit.

FAQs On Sell Short Stories For Money

Can You Make Money From Short Stories?

Yes, you can make money from short stories.

Many literary magazines and online platforms pay for short story submissions.

A story can make more money than a novel because it pays per word and has proven to hold its value over time.

It also takes less time to write than a full-length novel.

Where Can I Write Stories And Get Paid?

Here are the 21 best sites to write stories and get paid:

• The New Yorker
• The Sun Magazine
• The Atlantic
• Clarkesworld Magazine
• Boulevard Magazine
• Cricket Magazine
• Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
• Bourbon Penn
• Reader’s Digest
• Vestal Review
• Flash Fiction Online
• Clarkesworld
• Reader’s Digest Asia
• The American Scholar
• Introvert Dear
• Virginia Quarterly Review

How To Sell Stories Online?

Some tips to sell stories online:

• Write a great story with an interesting plot
• Find publications that fit your genre and writing style to submit to
• Platforms like Duotrope and Poets and Writers are where to sell short stories online
• Follow submission guidelines to submit your work
• Be patient waiting to hear back from the editors

How To Sell Your Story?

This is how to sell a story:

• Memoirs : Submit your memoir to literary agents or publishers who specialize in non-fiction.
• Personal essays : These are shorter pieces about a specific time or aspect of your life. 
• Film/ TV adaptation : Reach out to producers/ companies to see if they’re interested in adapting your story into a film or TV show.

Who Buys Short Stories?

Many outlets buy short stories to publish on their website and platforms. 

• Magazines & online platforms : Your best chances of being paid are here. Most accept submissions all year round
• Kindle & Ebooks : You can sell your stories directly to readers without going through an agent
• Podcasts like Clarkesworld Magazine are dedicated to telling stories in audio form. 

How Much Do Short Stories Sell For?

How much short stories sell for depends on where you sell the story and who you sell it to.

Publishers usually pay anywhere from 5 – 25 cents per word.

Literary magazines can pay $100 – $1000 for a story, while some online platforms and smaller publications may only pay $5 as a token. 

How To Make Money From Writing Stories?

Here are 9 ways you can make money from writing stories:

• Sell stories to magazines
• Self-publish on Amazon
• Submit stories to contests and anthologies
• Create a short stories blog
• Create a Patreon account
• Sell a collection of short stories online
• Write on Medium
• Ghostwrite stories for other people
• Write short stories for gaming companies

How To Sell Your Story To A Magazine?

Here are 5 steps for selling your story to a magazine:

• Find magazines that might be interested in your story
• Write a strong pitch summarizing your story and why it’s a good fit
• Submit your story according to the guidelines given
• Follow up with the editor after a few weeks
• If accepted, try to negotiate payment

How To Sell My Story For Cash?

Here are 5 ways you can sell your story for cash:

• Pitch your story to reporters or major news outlets
• Submit your story to magazines 
• Self-publish your story as an e-book on Amazon
• Look for websites that pay for short stories like Wattpad
• Negotiate a book deal with publishers or agents

How To Earn Money By Writing Stories?

If you are looking for ways how to earn money by writing stories, here are some of the best ways to make money writing stories.

• Publish on your blog.
• Write for content writing service.
• Make an e-book
• Do freelance writing jobs.
• Submit your pieces to magazines or journals.
• Submit to online publications.

Is Story Writing Profitable? 

Is story writing profitable? Yes, it is possible to get paid by writing short stories or novels. 

You can go with traditional publishing, where you can get advance payment for your book and collect royalties from your published work.

You can also sell your short stories to online publications or magazines.

Start To Sell Short Stories For Money Now!

Many people ask ‘where can I sell my short stories’? There you have it: 35 sites that pay for writing stories.

I hope this article has shown you that you can sell short stories for money as well as how to sell a short story.  

It definitely isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme (I guess it is if you won all the writing competitions you entered). 

But with magazines looking for new content, self-publishing and our need as humans to consume information in short amounts of time, there’s definitely a growing interest in the industry.

People want to read more even though they have less time, and you can solve that problem with your short stories. The people get to read, and you get to make more selling your stories. 

I’d say that’s a win-win situation 🙂 

Related articles on Freelance Writing: 

Is Upwork Good For Beginners? +Tips To Land First Client!

• Upwork Test Answers: Ace The Test With Flying Colours!
• 15 Upwork Tips For Beginners [Personal Experience!]
• Freelance Writing For Beginners-8 Steps to Get Hired
• Freelance Writing Courses That Will Transform You Into A Six-Figure Writer
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Make Money Writing Short Stories: 9 Websites that Pay

• by Michelle
• July 4, 2020
• 28 Comments

Are you good at writing short stories, fiction stories and drama? You’re in luck because in this guide we are going to share some sources where you can make money with your story writing skills.

Writing a novel isn’t the only way of using your hobby to earn cash. There are many opportunities on the web to earn money through writing without being a novelist. You could actually earn enough to have it as your primary source of income.

Previously we covered a list of creative writing websites where you can apply and work as a writer. But this list is going to be different because the main focus here is short stories. This guide is particularly for those who don’t have the time or stamina for writing very long novels and books.

How much do Story writers Make?

Actually it depends on the magazines and publishers you are writing for. Some fiction / drama writers earn as much as $15,000 per month. You can earn a decent amount from a single-story, provided that the publication you wrote for is a popular one. Most of the publications will offer you around $20 to $30 per page. So if you’re writing a story that consists of a number of pages then you can do the math.

Online Magazines that Pay for Short Stories

The websites listed below have opportunities for different genres for writing in English language; so pick a website that suits your style and start earning money doing what you love.

Here are some of the most popular online magazines and publications that pay talented writers for their creative minds:

Agni is a literary magazine that publishes essays and poetry. The company allows any aspiring writer or literary enthusiast to publish their writing in the magazine get paid for the articles accordingly. Agni generally accepts manuscripts between September 1 st and May 31 st .

You can send your manuscript by post or electronically. There is no word limit for your essays but the length of the essay does determine the decision of publishing an essay.

Your short story or essay cannot be of a romance, mystery, horror or science fiction genre as the magazine is interested in personal essays, memoirs, think pieces, short stories and poems.

If these genres sound like you, you can submit your work but you can only submit one story at a time and five poems at a time. Your writing should not have been published previously or featured anywhere. The document must be double spaced and page numbered.

PAYMENT DETAILS

Are you a science enthusiast and love the compelling imagination of science fiction stories? If yes then you have a chance to publish your own imaginative science world. Analog is a leading science fiction magazine that publishes some of the best science fiction work that has an accurate scientific base. It also publishes fact articles in leading research in science.

Analog publishes articles on the basis of merit. It seeks professional and realistic scientific stories. You can also submit an illustration with your work as most writers do, but the illustration should be visually appealing and related to your story.

Fact articles and stories are also an option for this magazine. They only allow up to 6 poem submissions and 4 stories or articles. Remember to include a cover letter with your manuscript that includes your name, publishing history and do check the manuscript format on the website before publishing.

You can submit your work through their online portal.

A world-famous magazine that has published so many stories and articles on different world issues and reached the right audience. Luckily it is open for writers at the moment.

The sun publishes personal essays, stories and poetry and especially those writings that have a flair for political and cultural issues. Although there is no word limit for writings, the magazine hasn’t published anything longer than 7000 words.

You can submit your work online as well as by post. To submit online you can create your ID on the website and use the online portal for work submission.

Clarkesworld

Clarkesworld is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes stories and articles on a monthly basis. The magazine seeks science fiction stories that have a good writing language and that are written in a way that makes it easy to read on-screen. Therefore,  it’s best to avoid long paragraphs. The story should also be suitable for audio. Submissions are only in the English language.

When writing a story for submission, do avoid some of the clichés mentioned on the Clarkesworld website and follow the manuscript guidelines. Your story should be between 1000 to 22000 words and it should be submitted online.

You can also submit non-fiction articles but again, you have to follow the guidelines on the website and avoid topics that will simply do no good for your article. Non-fiction articles should be of 2500 words, maximum. Additionally, you can also submit your artwork if you are a talented artist or illustrator.

One story is a nonprofit literary magazine that allows readers of different ages and backgrounds to publish their stories. The submission period is between 1 5 th January to 31 st May and 3 rd September to 14 th November . The optimum word length for stories is 3000 to 8000 words. You can submit your work online through their portal. The submission format for files is PDF, RTF, TXT, and should be under 500KB. You can write a short story on any theme or subject that you wish.

One story also has a category for teenagers: One teen story , where you can publish your work if you’re aged 13-19. You can opt for either one story or one teen story but not both. Simultaneous submissions are not allowed, and your work should not have been published earlier.

You are required to provide your story name, your own name, and details on the cover letter for your manuscript.

Daily Science Fiction

Daily science fiction is a publication platform that publishes science fiction stories on a daily basis. The platform seeks brilliant and original science fiction short stories.

Yes, the length is a priority for daily science fiction and your story is likely to be published if it’s short compared to another good long story. You can submit stories ranging from 100 to 1500 words.

Your story should be science fiction, but it should not be horror so do follow the guidelines given on the website before submitting it. Stories are submitted through an online form for which the guidelines are provided on the website. You can also send in your artwork on this platform.

Carve magazine accepts short stories, non-fiction, and poetry throughout the year and publishes them on their online platform or their print and digital issue. The magazine looks for writing and poetry that is original and has an emotional depth to it.

There is no specific time for submission, so you can easily submit your work online or by post. The word limit for fiction and non-fiction is 10000 maximum, no minimum, and for poetry, it is 2000 maximum.

Carve seeks literary writing only, therefore it does not publish genres such as horror, mystery, fantasy, etc. Before submitting your work, do include a cover letter. If your writing doesn’t get accepted at Carve but gets published elsewhere, the magazine will publish your writing in their magazine as well and you will get paid.

Penpee is an online reading platform that allows writers to post stories and then earn through their story views. To submit a story, you have to sign up and opt for a membership plan, which consists of a free membership plan and a premium membership.

Writers with free membership can write up to 3000 words per story, with each page of 400 to 600 words. With a paid membership, you can write up to 12000 words. Once your story is posted, you will get credits for the number of reads for a story. Credits are one per page.

You will get 70% credits in a paid membership and 45% in a free membership and then you will earn according to a rate of 2 pence per credit.

The largest readers and writer’s platform is not only for fulfilling your hobby of writing, in fact, you can also earn through it now. Wattpad invites some of its writers for their paid program. The stories are selected based on their originality, creativity, and of course the market value. This opportunity is only available to some of the Wattpad writers.

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28 thoughts on “Make Money Writing Short Stories: 9 Websites that Pay”

I liked the website ‘One Teen Story’ as I’m a teenager. Can you provide me with some technical information about it or about the portal? Maybe even some related information.

Hi. You can follow the link to their website and you will find all the necessary information there.

Is their every country member can join this

Yes, all countries are eligible for most websites.

i wish to joint writing short stories, but i am from Cameroon my country is eligible for this services

While most of the companies allow only the US citizens to apply there are selected companies such as Penpee and Wattpad where you can apply from anywhere in the world.

You mentioned Clarkesworld accepting a word range of 1000 to 2200, but on their website it states 1000 to 22000, not 2200.

Oh thanks a lot for the correction.

Can I write from India.

And if yes than how can I upload my short stories.

Yes, you can write from anywhere in the world. You can visit the websites and apply from there.

Probably I was waiting for such kind of an article. Thank You.

Does Wattpad and Penpee allows children to write?

Penpee and Wattpad both allows children aged 16 and above to join. However if your child is younger I’d suggest make a parent child team, and publish the child’s content (with their consent) with your own account.

Its really informative article, thank so much for sharing 🙂

Information is real worthy.

I really want to upload novels and sell them chapter by chapter, I first started out on Wattpad and have been trying to find ways to get involved with the earning through them but after researching quite a bit, I’ve came across those who write a lot, have tons of views and still not get paid. This is a a bit complicating.

I really want to upload a short regarding social. Which gives adult nd people of india give some lesson ,how to live life with full curiosity. Which help them to improve their lives nd respects other,with helpful nature.

I really want to earn money online through sharing my stories, I write such great stories I hope you can help me in any way

Hello ,I have short stories that I want to sell your them and earn,but also boost my writing skills and creativity,can you recommend a legit app for me,thank you

Hi. Check our upcoming guide about SubStack.

Can I write from Nigeria and get paid?

Can I write From Nigeria?

Yes, some platforms accept writers from all over the world. Please check the platform’s FAQs page before applying.

Can I write from Nigeria

Yes, you can since each website has a payment system of its own choice. It’s recommended to first check if the payment gateway is available in your country.

can I write from Pakistan but I try it and it is not working

Hi, I’d recommend checking if the websites hire in your country. Also please make sure you have an account on the said payment gateway.

Look reliable and can put or hard effort to mass. good wishes to all of my writer friends

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Guides • Understanding Publishing

Last updated on May 23, 2024

Where to Submit Short Stories: 20 Places Accepting Submissions

If you want to get your foot in the door of the publishing world, you should look for outlets open to short story submissions . As an aspiring author, these publications can serve as a training ground where you can learn to appeal to editors, build some credits for your author bio , and grow your fan base. Plus, it’s a chance to get paid for your writing, which is nothing to be sniffed at.

To help you get started, we've compiled 20 publications that accept short stories.

Magazines open to short story submissions

2. The Atlantic

About : Founded in 1875, The Atlantic has been home to some of "the most urgent essays, the most vital literature," publishing works of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Aside from writing an exceptional piece, your key to getting through the door of this venerable institution is to be familiar with what they've already published. Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : Unspecified Word Count : Unspecified Submissions Guidelines : Here

3. Guernica

About : A non-profit magazine operated by a passionate team of volunteers, Guernica has a reputation for literary works that challenge boundaries and pose thought-provoking questions at the intersection of culture and politics. They are open to short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, interviews and more, focusing mostly on themes of “identity, conflict, culture, justice, science, and beyond.” They do not accept flash fiction or serialized longer pieces.  Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : $150 for fiction Word Count : Between 2,000 and 7,000  Submissions Guidelines : Here

4. Black Warrior Review

About : Established by graduate students in an MFA Program in Creative Writing , Black Warrior Review releases two issues annually, encompassing a mix of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and comics. Central to their mission is the desire to provide a platform for underrepresented voices 一 if your work ventures into the realm of the strange, unorthodox, or culturally niche, consider adding them to your hit list.  Submission window : December 1st – March 1st | June 1st – September 1st Compensation : One-year subscription + nominal lump-sum fee for all works published Word Count : Up to 7,000 for short stories Submission Guidelines : Here

5. PROMPTED

6. Boulevard Magazine

About : Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Boulevard is a biannual literary magazine publishing contemporary fiction, essays, interviews, and poetry. They are welcoming of unpublished authors, so if your work is ready for its main stage debut, this may be your chance to shine. Note that they don’t accept works of science fiction, erotica, western, horror, romance, or children's stories. Submission window : November 1st – May 1st Compensation : $100 – $300 Word Count : Up to 8,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

7. The Georgia Review

About : Published quarterly by the University of Georgia since 1947, The Georgia Review is a journal that features stories addressing “the evolving concerns and interests of readers from around the world.” They publish short stories of literary fiction , but also works of poetry, essays, and book reviews . Submission window : August 15th – May 15th Compensation : $50 per printed page, up to $800 Word Count : Up to 9,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

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Learn how Reedsy can help you craft a beautiful book.

8. New England Review

About : An exciting magazine collecting short stories, novellas, poetry, personal essays, travelogues, and other forms of writing, the New England Review champions all genres with the aim of giving readers “a vital snapshot of the literary moment.” They accept stories of up to 20,000 words, though they tend to prefer those under 10,000. The New England Review is particularly interested in translated work, so if your original piece is in a language other than English, consider hiring a literary translator . Submission window : September 1st – November 1st | March 1st – May 31st Compensation : $20 per page ($50 minimum), two copies of the issue, one-year subscription Word Count : Up to 20,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

9. Daily Science Fiction

About : Daily Science Fiction (DSF) is an online platform that publishes science fiction short stories every single day and distributes them to their email list. They look for character-driven science fiction, fantasy, and slipstream narratives, though they value originality and craft above all else. They’re also open to publishing flash series composed of three or more tales, connected by a shared theme. Their submission window is ongoing, but its worth noting that they do occasionally go on pause.  Submission window : Ongoing outside of December 24th – January 2nd Compensation : 8 cents per word Word Count : 100 – 1,500 Submission Guidelines : Here

10. The First Line

About : Offering an opening sentence to use as a starting point for their stories, The First Line challenges writers to craft a unique piece from a shared beginning. They accept short fiction of all genres, as well as essays and poetry. Each of their quarterly issues shares a distinctive first line between all their stories, making it a great place to showcase a writer’s unique lens and style. Submission window : February 1st (Spring), May 1st (Summer), August 1st (Fall), November 1st (Winter) Compensation : $25 – $50 Word Count : 300 – 5,000 Submission Guidelines : Here

11. The Incandescent Review

12. The New Yorker

About : Founded in 1925, The New Yorker is an eclectic journal that has published countless iconic works from authors like Edmund Wilson, J.D. Salinger, and Alice Munro, just to name a few. But don’t get discouraged: they’re open to rising writers too. They accept short fiction, essays, poetry, and satire, all sent via email as PDF attachments. In the event that your submission is successful, you will be notified within 90 days.  Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : Unspecified Word Count : Unspecified Submission Guidelines : Here

13. North American Review

About : As the oldest literary magazine in America, the North American Review boasts a storied history that has seen them print works from American titans like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edith Wharton, and Flannery O'Connor. Their magazine features short stories, creative nonfiction , nonfiction, and poetry on all kinds of subjects. However — as their title would suggest — they have a particular fondness for stories grounded in North American experience and identity, exploring issues such as the environment, class inequality, and sexuality. As per their website, they also love stories that “start quickly and have a strong narrative arc.” Submission window : November 2nd – May 1st Compensation : Unspecified Word Count : No set word limit Submission Guidelines : Here

14. One Story

About : Where most literary magazines work hard to curate sympathetic collections of stories, One Story has taken the opposite approach: each of their issues contain just a single piece of short fiction. With a steadfast mission to ensure that short stories and budding authors never fade into literary obscurity, they seek out literary fiction that resonates with their audience as standalone works. Accepting submissions based on almost any subject matter, their focus is on finding work that’s crafted in a way that leaves the reader satisfied. Submission window : January 15th – May 31st | September 3rd – November 14th Compensation : $500 Word Count : 3,000 - 8,000 Submission Guidelines : Here

15. Ploughshares

16. Story Magazine

About : Released three times a year, Story is a print magazine dedicated to diverse and high-quality short fiction stories, some of which have been reprinted in prestigious anthologies such as The Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, and The O. Henry Prize Stories. This outlet accepts both flash fiction and long stories, with no formal guidelines regarding style or genre. For the impatient writers out there, note that their average response time is around five months.  Submission window : Ongoing Compensation : $10 per page Word Count : Between 2,000 and 25,000 Submission Guidelines : Here

17. Vestal Review

About : If you’re a flash fiction writer, Vestal Review may be the ideal platform for you. This magazine seeks captivating stories of any genre and style, so long as they remain with a concise 500-word limit. They value narratives that, despite their brevity, can transport the reader from point A to point B. Oh, and they love a story that makes them laugh. Submission window : February 1st – May 31st | August 1st – November 30th Compensation : $75 Word Count : Up to 500  Submission Guidelines : Here

18. The Threepenny Review

About : The Threepenny Review has been publishing quarterly issues since it was founded in 1980. It features short stories of fiction, memoirs, poetry, and personal essays, reaching a readership of over 10,000 devoted readers. If you’re interested in submitting, they recommend browsing through their Reading Room to get a sense of the writing they prefer. Note that their response time can vary from two days to two months. Submission window : January 1st – May 1st Compensation : $400 Word Count : Up to 4,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

19. Zoetrope: All-Story

20. The Antioch Review

About : Currently on a hiatus. The Antioch Review stands as a revered institution among independent literary magazines, boasting an impressive legacy of over 75 years. Over the course of that history, the Review has consistently published essays, fiction, and poetry from both emerging talents and established writers. They feature only three short stories per issue, selecting the most thought-provoking, pertinent, and skillfully crafted ones. Submission window : September 1st – May 31st Compensation : $20 per printed page and two copies of the issue Word Count : Up to 5,000  Submission Guidelines : Here

💡 If you want to learn what makes a good short story, and its essential elements, watch this workshop by writer Shaelin Bishop. 

More resources to nail your short story submissions

While these publications are some of our favorites, there are hundreds of other places you can submit your writing. Search for them here:

• The Best Writing Contests of 2023
• The Best Literary Magazines of 2023

Or maybe you’re still working on your writing, and are not quite sure if it’s ready to send out to the world yet. If that’s the case, here are a few resources to help:

• Browse editors who work on short fiction
• Check our guide to writing a short story
• Find out how many words go into a short story

And finally, perhaps you’re still at step one: you haven’t started writing yet and are waiting for inspiration to strike. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered there as well:

• How to Start Creative Writing
• 200+ Short Story Ideas
• 100 + Creative Writing Exercises
• 700+ Creative Writing Prompts
• 25 Creative Writing Examples to Inspire You Today

Best of luck with your submissions! We hope you’ll get published by a magazine you love, and that it'll be the first step of a long and successful literary career.

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