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Many thanks to artist, Luana Spinetti
How to Get your Short Story Published
How to Research Magazines
by Hugh Wilson, Volunteer Staff
If you want to write magazine stories, READ stories in magazines until you find some similar to the type you write. I’m not referring to genre as much as style. Analyze the stories until you understand why the editors published them.
Women’s magazines are the biggest market for short stories. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to write romantic stories (although romance writing ranks 25% of the overall market). Today’s female magazines also print humor, cookbooks, science, fiction, crime, and everything in between.
To find what the editor is looking for, research at least two consecutive issues of that market. Submitting without this basic research is wasted time and postage.
Here are some things to look for:
• Story length. If the magazine publishes only 1,000 word stories, that’s what you’ll have to write.
• Study the main character. Is she a thirty-something career woman, a mom with young children, a widowed grandmother? She will be the person that identifies with the reader for that market.
• Know your target audience. When you study a magazine, learn the target audience by studying the comments page, ads, fashion pages, and story characters.
• Tone of writing. Is it light and chatty, structured with metaphors and similes to create imagery, or humorous?
• Beginning and ending. How does the opening paragraph hook you? How does the ending resolve? Always leave the reader satisfied.
Is your story right for that publication? If not, either re-write it or look for a magazine it matches. Hint: successful writers study the market first and write specifically for it instead of writing the article or story and then seeking a market. This is the year for YOU to get a good writing education and start submitting! The recipe for success:
Education + persistence + submissions = success. Whip up a batch today.
The Writer's Thoughts
Educating New Writers
is What We Do Best
by CEO, Deborah Owen
This picture reminds me of new writers. This baby moose was born on a lawn in Naubinway, Michigan. The mama is caring for her baby, nursing it through afterbirth pains and providing security for her young. That's what Creative Writing Institute does. We provide a private tutor for every student. Name another writing school that does that!
The birth of a writer is a painful thing and no one feels it more than the writer. Our tutors will hand feed you, but it's up to you to grow a hard shell, process the food, accept critiques eagerly, and avoid taking offense. Learning writing is a two-way street.
Thought for the Day
by Rev. Albert Dinger
Volunteer Staff
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.
God is with us, but he doesn't always answer the way we want Him to. Yes, you can depend on Him - to do what He thinks best. Find comfort in that. He has three answers: (1) yes (2) no (3) not now. Trust Him.
Good Writers Begin
at
Creative Writing Institute
Creative Writing Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity that operates year round. Every student receives a private tutor. Sign up today and start your class tonight! Your tuition will help sponsor a cancer patient in a free writing course.
Meet "Charlie Faye," our cancer poster lady. Charlie discovered her cancer by accident. After a near death experience, she bounced back to bring us this beautiful smile. Donate here to support a cancer patient like Charlie. Any size gift will help. If you're a cancer survivor and interested in a scholarship, learn more here.
And yes, writing courses are also available
to the public. Your tuition will help
scholarship a cancer
patient.
FREE Writing Evaluation
Learn the truth about your writing skills in this 20-point evaluation. If you don't know where your writing problems are, how can you improve?
Send a 1,000-word short story or article written in past tense, 3rd person (he, she, it). Write EVALUATION in the subject line. Material must be G-rated. For the fullest evaluation, use dialogue.
Submit to Creative Writing Institute's CEO, deborahowen@cwinst.com. Allow two weeks. One evaluation per person. Follow directions.
Testimonies
Be careful when you ask for an evaluation
***
Hi Deb. Wow, that was amazing! I liked what you said... It's not all flattering but it is an honest evaluation. You are so professional! You are one talented person. Lou P.
*** Jeeeez... I think I'm going to spend my life thanking you. This time, it's for a well-placed and much needed swift kick in the seat of the pants. Ari
***
Lynn was very thorough, thoughtful, encouraging, knowledgeable and motivating. The one-on-one class experience is like no other class I've attended. I believe this promotes the desire to learn and helps with follow-through. Lynn gave me such a confidence boost, all the while being candid about my strengths and weaknesses. He was understanding when I had a crazy couple of weeks and allowed flexibility for homework. I so appreciated Lynn's honesty and heart. Linda C.
To receive your free evaluation, place EVALUATION in the subject line and send your entry to deborahowen@cwinst.com. Entries must be G-rated and no more than 1,000 words. For the best evaluation, write your story/article in 3rd person, past tense, and use dialogue and/or quotes.
