The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
Writing And Selling Short Stories With Douglas Smith
Feb 10, 2025
Douglas Smith, a multi-award-winning Canadian author with over 200 short stories published globally, shares invaluable insights on writing and selling short fiction. He emphasizes how honing short stories can elevate your writing in various genres. Smith discusses the importance of understanding different publishing markets, exploring avenues like magazines and anthologies. He also sheds light on rights issues and the nuances of licensing, providing practical strategies for new writers to successfully navigate the evolving landscape of short fiction.
01:00:39
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Quick takeaways
- Writing short stories sharpens a writer's craft by allowing exploration of genres and techniques without the commitment of a novel.
- The elimination of book blurb expectations by publishers fosters a merit-based environment, benefiting indie authors and prioritizing content quality.
Deep dives
The Value of Short Stories in Craft Development
Starting with short stories can significantly enhance a writer's craft. Writing short fiction allows authors to explore various genres, perspectives, and storytelling techniques without the commitment of a full-length novel. This experimentation helps writers build a toolkit of skills that are essential when transitioning to longer forms. Such practice also establishes benchmarks to measure progress, as getting short stories published in professional markets indicates a level of quality that can be beneficial for an author's future career.
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