It can be hard to exactly pinpoint what prevents a story from rising out of the slush pile and eliciting an enthusiastic “yes” from an editor, but there are some pitfalls writers make that happen all too frequently.
I’ve been editing for a long time–for nonfiction for decades, and for short fiction for part of that. During that time, I’ve seen common problems that writers make in their short stories. From an overly ambiguous beginning to an ending that falls flat, many passed-over stories share a few key issues that need addressing.
So, how to improve your short story to get to an editor’s “yes”? Here are a handful of tactics and strategies that can make your story shine brighter and improve the odds of catching an editor’s attention. I offer this as a brief guide to help you review your own work and see if any of these areas can be strengthened.
As January comes to a close, I am thrilled to share news that MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER hit the #1 best-selling rank on Amazon a week ahead of its release! Thank YOU to everyone who supported this weird western horror adventure! It really means the world.
“KC Grifant comes out guns blazing with MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER –a devious action-packed adventure set in a very weird version of the Old West. Fast, furious, and a hell of a lot of fun!“
-Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of SON OF THE POISON ROSE and RELENTLESS
“This fun, imaginative, and confident series opener will be a massive crowd pleaser for general audiences, especially for those who enjoy a wide range of popular weird western offerings.”
Along with other authors, I will be reading an excerpt from MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER at Strange Worlds, Strong Women. Pre-register here: Pre-register: https://strongwomenstrangeworlds.weebly.com.
I joined the excellent Hidden Gems podcast to discuss how to write–and publish–a short story. The discussion includes tips on how to create a strong plot and well-developed characters, the finances of short stories, and much more. You can listen here: https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast/episode-54/.
To receive monthly email updates, sign up here and, as always, happy reading!
It’s October, the best month! When when the “Halloween People” come out to play and when the pumpkin spice flows freely. I hope you’re finding fun and spooky ways to celebrate.
Read on for book updates, my first reading of the season and a new article on Weird West writing tips.As always, I hope your bookshelves have been full and your reading time uninterrupted!
New article! 5 Tips For Writing a Horror Weird Western
KC Grifant 