This week: Persevere, Produce, & Publish in 2025 Edited by: Shannon  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week.
Keep reading for your chance to claim an exclusive trinket! |
“True literature can exist only where it is created, not by diligent and trustworthy functionaries, but by madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers, rebels, and skeptics.” ~ Yevgeny Zamyatin
If you’ve got a short story sitting on your hard drive or a half-finished draft that just needs a little love, 2025 is a great year to send it out into the world. There are so many amazing magazines, contests, and platforms open to submissions right now, and the good news is: there's something for everyone, whether you're into literary fiction, flash pieces, or speculative storytelling.
Let’s talk about where to submit and how to give your story the best shot at finding a home.
📍 Start with the Classics
Some magazines have been around forever, and for good reason: they publish top-tier work and can really boost your visibility as a writer.
Take The New Yorker, for example. Sure, it’s a moonshot - they receive thousands of submissions - but if you’re aiming high, it belongs on your list. They accept unsolicited short stories up to around 10,000 words, and they pay extremely well. You submit directly through their website, and then ... you wait.
If you’re looking for something still prestigious but a little more approachable, try Ploughshares. They publish a wide range of literary fiction and have specific reading periods (June through mid-January). They pay $45 per printed page, which isn’t too shabby, and they’re open to both emerging and established voices. Click here to check it out.
Another beloved publication is The Sun magazine. Their sweet spot is emotionally rich, personal, literary fiction—nothing too experimental, but deeply human. You can submit year-round, and they pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000 for accepted work. Plus, they’re known for being friendly to first-time contributors.
And then there’s One Story, which is unique because each issue features - you guessed it - just one story. They’re looking for work between 3,000 and 8,000 words, and if accepted, you get $500 and 25 contributor copies. Reading periods are a bit specific, so keep an eye on their windows: January through May, and then again in early fall. You can read the submission guidelines and submit your story here.
🔍 Want Something a Bit Quicker or More Experimental?
Online journals and newer magazines are fantastic options, especially if you're writing flash fiction or like to play with genre.
Flash Fiction Online is a great home for stories under 1,000 words. They publish monthly and pay $80 per piece. It's one of the few pro markets focused exclusively on flash, and they have a loyal reader base. Right now they are calling for FamPunk submissions, and you can submit here.
If you’re into speculative fiction with a philosophical or eerie bent, check out The Deadlands. Every story they publish revolves around death in some form — sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorical. They accept up to 5,000 words and pay 10 cents per word, which is on the higher end for fiction. Submissions are open for just one week each month, so timing matters.
Another gem is Craft Literary. They publish literary fiction with a strong focus on the “how” of writing, and they often include author notes about the story’s process. If you enjoy thinking deeply about your craft, this one might be a great fit. Submit your story here.
🏆 Feeling Brave? Try a Contest!
Contests are a fun way to get your work out there, and they often come with decent prize money.
The Bridport Prize is one of the most well-known international competitions for short stories. Based in the UK but open globally, they accept up to 5,000 words and offer prizes up to £5,000. The deadline is May 31, 2025, so there’s still time to polish and submit.
Closer to fall, the Zoetrope: All-Story contest opens for submissions. The entry fee is about $30, but the exposure is real: winners are considered by top literary agents, and the first prize is $1,000.
There’s also New Millennium Writings, which runs quarterly. With a $20 entry fee and $1,000 top prize, it’s more accessible and faster-moving. They accept both literary and genre fiction, which makes them a flexible option depending on your style. See their guidelines and submission criteria here.
Another favorite is NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge. The 16th Annual Flash Fiction Challenge starts May 30th. Here's how it works: In the 1st Round, writers from around the world are placed randomly in groups and assigned a genre, location, and object assignment. Writers have 48 hours to craft an original short story no longer than 1,000 words in their assigned genre, using the assigned location as a predominant location in their story, and having their object physically appearing at some point. The judges choose a top seven from each group to advance to the 2nd Round where writers receive new assignments and again have 48 hours to write original stories. Judges select the top three writers in each group from the 2nd Round to advance to the Final Round of the competition, where writers will receive their final assignment of the competition. Feedback from the judges is provided for every submission, and there are thousands in cash and prizes for the winners. If this sounds fun, make sure to join and get ready for May 30th!
I entered the competition in 2016 and made it to the final round. If you are interested in participating, I thought it might be helpful to see an example of what is expected of you in this competition. You can read my first round entry here: "Sleeping Dogs Lie" [18+]
✏️ A Few Smart Submission Tips for 2025
If you're submitting this year, keep a few basics in mind:
 Always read a few stories from the publication before sending yours in. You'll get a feel for their voice, tone, and what kind of storytelling they gravitate toward.
 Don’t skim the guidelines - actually read them. Things like word count, formatting, and file type matter more than you might think. If a journal says 5,000 words max, don’t send 5,012 and hope they won’t notice.
 Keep track of where you’ve submitted and when. Tools like Submittable, Duotrope, or even a humble spreadsheet, can help you avoid double submissions or missed deadlines.
 Finally, be patient and persistent. Rejection is part of the game. Most stories that get published were rejected multiple times before they landed somewhere. Revise when you need to, but don’t be afraid to keep putting your work out there.
💬 Final Thought
Short stories might be small, but they carry big impact, and there's a hungry readership out there for sharp, honest, and original work. Whether you write speculative flash or slow-burning literary pieces, 2025 is full of doors waiting to be knocked on. So dust off that story (or start a new one), do your research, and submit with confidence.
You’ve got this!
Have you considered submitting your work to a printed or online magazine? Have you entered an online writing contest that pays its winners? Every registered author who shares their ideas and/or creative endeavors relating to or inspired by this week's topic will receive an exclusive "Published!" trinket. The image used to make this month's trinket was created by yours truly. I will retire this month's limited-edition trinket in July when my next short stories newsletter goes live.
“The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon.” ~ Robert Cormier
Thank you for reading.
|
I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. I occasionally feature static items by members who are no longer with us; some have passed away while others simply aren't active members. Their absence doesn't render their work any less relevant, and if it fits the week's topic, I will include it.
Thank you, and have a great week!
|  | Witch Trials (13+)
A short story about the Salem Witch Trials, written for a contest. Please R&R!!
#876320 by spidey  |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
The following is in response to "Anatomy of a Crime" :
~  ~
Annette writes: I used to read a lot of "lone hero" stories like those by Raymond Chandler. Interestingly, when I came to writing, I ended up preferring the ensemble piece.
~ ~
S 🤦  writes: Thanks for a nice, succinct list of the different sorts of crime fiction. I have recently taken a look at a true crime, and then doing a fiction story "based on" or "inspired by" the true crime. It's been interesting to work that way, and, I have to say, rather difficult. But a nice challenge for all that.
~ ~
Ichabod Crane-writing-reading.   writes: I enjoyed this newsletter. Thanks for sharing. I did same thing with a poem. Wrote it. Copied it to a couple of AI detectors and both said it was 100% AI. No way. Wrote it with pencil and paper, no corrections. I don't trust any of those AI detectors. I think my story comes close to meeting your Newsletter information. "Homicide in South Bunker" Take a look if you get a chance.
~ ~
BIG BAD WOLF is Merry  writes: Always a crime somewhere.
~ ~
Amethyst Angel 💐  writes: This is probably my all time favorite of what I’ve written, because it takes a grim subject I had stuck in my head for years, and takes a character who could have been the antihero and turns him into a well voiced hero… and this was my first attempt at first person PoV  It probably needs work, but I’m very happy to have it in my port. "Whose Side Are You On?" [13+]
~ ~
Jeff  writes: I love crime fiction, particularly those narratives that keep you guessing about what's going to happen. If you can effectively combine elements of both the mystery and thriller genres, you'll have me hooked, guaranteed. 
And as for your AI comment... yeah, your experience with the AI checkers is one of the things that makes it so complicated. The examples of "was this solely written by generative AI" are the obvious ones. The less obvious cases are the "did you use AI to finesse this a bit" and then, of course, the "such and such checker says you had AI do this whole thing for you." It's definitely a new challenge!
~ ~
Soldier_Mike  writes: Here's a story you may find interesting: "Snakes Alive, Son!"
~ ~
sindbad  writes: Hi. This is a fascinating dive into the anatomy of a crime story, Shannon! Your experience as a nurse and data analyst in correctional facilities must give you a unique perspective on the kinds of stories that could emerge from those walls. It's interesting how you connect the realities you've witnessed with the elements that make crime fiction so compelling.
I particularly appreciate the breakdown of the different subgenres and the emphasis on crafting believable characters, even the villains. The idea of a multi-dimensional antagonist with inner conflicts is definitely more engaging than a simple "bad guy." And your points about building suspense through pacing, varied viewpoints, and the strategic placement of clues and misdirection are spot on. The "Eureka!" moment you describe is so satisfying for a reader.
The importance of setting the scene and creating a specific atmosphere is also well-articulated. A vivid setting can truly enhance the mood and even act as a silent character in the narrative.
Finally, your thoughts on wrapping up the story are crucial. That sense of closure (or a compelling cliffhanger for a series) can really make or break a reader's experience. Leaving lingering uncertainties can be powerful, but as you say, it's a delicate balance.
It sounds like you have a lot of insightful material for your own writing! The "Fiction Noir" trinket is a great incentive for the Writing.Com community to share their crime stories. I'm curious to see what kind of narratives are inspired by this week's topic.
~ ~
dragonwoman writes: "The Rain in Spain" revolves around a woman's body found drowned in a rain barrel. Was suicide based on the unenending rain or something else?
~ ~
Detective writes: I have two stories posted on here that involve crime. Both are currently short stories, though one really reads more like a chapter. I have plans to expand both stories.
~ ~
Damon Nomad  writes: One of my favorite genres and you covered it well. I like your anecdote about what you got from AI detection. You mention the closing and in particular avoiding predictable endings is important in this genre, it you can’t cheat with some outrageous twist. I think I did a pretty good job in a recent story when there are two twists the main characters. Dudley and the Damsel "Dudley and the Damsel"
~ ~
Rainy Day Sox  writes: This newsletter reassured me that crime writing doesn't have to be as intense as I worried.
~ ~ |
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
Short Stories: May 07, 2025 Issue [#13118]
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
