In 2002 "fewer than 25 books of short stories were produced by mainstream UK publishers. And two thirds were by writers from abroad" (Debbie Taylor, Mslexia, Spring 2003). The situation then wasn't as dire as it sounds because small presses were producing books. But things aren't so much better nowadays for authors wanting to publish stories. Here are some notes I wrote for a local group
Resources
To get the full Duotrope you nowadays have to pay. 3 useful lists are
- Tania Hershman's list of Literary magazines in the UK and Ireland that publish short stories
- Christopher Fielden's list of story competitions (now that outlets are limited, competitions take on a greater importance)
- Christopher Fielden's list of international story magazines
Reviews
New outlets
Magazines are closing down faster than they're starting up (even some e-mags have closed down recently). Newish UK paper magazines include
- Structo (over 50 pages of prose in a typical issue)
- Prole (over 90 pages of prose in a typical issue)
- Lighthouse (part of the intention of the journal is to act as a pathway to the publisher, Gatehouse, who are looking to build a catalogue of chapbooks in the coming years)
Salt have recently relaunched the "Best British Short Stories" yearly anthology, which is quite popular. However, it only prints previously published stories.
July 2013's "Writing Magazine" has an article on getting Novellas published nowadays. The article's better on the history of the novella than its future, though it does mention Kindle Singles
There are places online where stories can be downloaded individually for 59p or more, but nothing's become established as far as I know. Of course, you can self-publish an e-collection of short stories.
Flash
Flash is an expanding sector. I keep a list of list of Flash outlets.
We're accepting short fiction at Lighthouse, we may be described as a 'New Outlet' too. Part of the intention of the journal is to act as a pathway to our publisher, Gatehouse, who are looking to build a catalogue of chapbooks in the coming years. Your readers can find out more at http://www.gatehousepress.com/lighthouse
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