How to Write for Fiction Magazines

Make Money With Short Stories and Fiction Writing

Sep 16, 2009

Fiction writers can earn money by publishing short stories, series, and poems in all genres of fiction magazines.

From sci-fi anthologies to literary flash fiction, there are hundreds of opportunities for fiction writers to get published. Most writers start off with little to no pay, but with patience and dedication, it's possible to earn a second income writing fiction.

Here are a few tips for freelance writers seeking print and online magazines that might publish their stories.

How to Find Fiction Magazines

The fastest way to find specific types of fiction publications is through a search engine, such as Google. Whether online or print, most magazines will have a website that will help give the writer an idea of what type of stories they are interested in publishing.

Occasionally, fiction magazines will post a call for submission on job websites such as Craig's List. While some of these publications pay little to nothing, it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't worth trying. Every new writer must build a portfolio of published clips in order to have a better chance at the higher paying opportunities.

Aspiring writers should also consider starting a blog about their work. Blogs are free, fun, and easy to start, and give the writer a professional look when included in a cover letter. Writers can also use their blog to promote their work and connect with others in the fiction writing community.

What Fiction Magazine Editors Want

Before querying a magazine, writers should first research the publication carefully. Many writers are tempted to send lots of queries to several different sources, but this is not time effective. Never query without browsing the magazine and reading the editor's guidelines to see if the story would be a good fit.

While some magazines are open to nearly any type of story, others are more focused. Some may or may not have limits on things like genre and word count. Writers should first examine their story and determine which genre it falls under:

Writers should also take heed of the structure that the magazine uses. Do they favor series, or do they only print flash fiction under 1,000 words?

Of course, most stories are a mix of these genres, and likewise, most magazines aren't completely rigid about only accepting one type. This is why writers should take the time to read a few of the magazines published stories first.

How to Send a Query to a Fiction Magazine Editor

Again, take time to read submissions guidelines and a few articles before contacting the editor. Querying a story a fantasy story, even if it has a romantic plot, to a magazine that loves romances but explicitly states "no magical elements" will not increase chances of publication.

Every editor has different submission requirements. Many publish "on spec", meaning the story must be completely finished before the editor will consider publishing it. Others will accept only a query, which is a summary or pitch of the story idea. Writers should be careful to follow instructions exactly when submitting a query.

Earn Money as a Fiction Writer

All freelance writers start out with a small income, but it is possible to make a decent amount of money writing short stories for magazines. The best way to start is by creating a blog, doing the research, and submitting queries – and of course, writing!

The copyright of the article How to Write for Fiction Magazines in Resources for Writers is owned by Michelle Schusterman. Permission to republish How to Write for Fiction Magazines in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.