Want to learn how to sell short stories for money?
Yes — you can earn income from home by selling short fiction.
Short stories are compact, self-contained works that usually range from a few hundred to several thousand words. Although brief, they contain a complete narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and they can span any genre: mystery, adventure, literary fiction, fantasy, humor, and more.
This article outlines practical strategies for turning your short stories into a profitable side hustle. You’ll learn:
- What defines a short story
- Where you can sell short stories
- How to maximize earnings from your short fiction
Best Places To Sell Short Stories For Money
Here are proven venues and approaches to selling short stories, with notes on formats, pay rates, and submission tips.
1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon KDP is ideal for writers who want direct control over publication and pricing. Create a KDP account, prepare a polished and properly formatted manuscript, and design an eye-catching cover using tools like Canva or Amazon’s own cover creator.
Kindle prices often start at $0.99. Enrolling in Kindle Unlimited and selecting the right royalty option can yield up to 70% royalties on eligible sales. KDP also supports global distribution and print-on-demand paperbacks, enabling you to reach a worldwide readership with minimal upfront cost.
2. Clarkesworld Magazine
Clarkesworld focuses on science fiction and fantasy. Submissions are typically accepted for stories between 1,000 and 22,000 words, with payment around $0.12 per word. They publish monthly in web and eBook formats and pay via PayPal or check. Tailor submissions to be readable online and suitable for audio performance.
3. One Story
One Story publishes a single short story each month, favoring well-crafted literary fiction. They accept stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words and pay $500 plus contributor copies. Submissions must be original and previously unpublished; expect a response window of up to three months.
4. East of the Web
East of the Web offers exposure: the site draws significant traffic and gets noticed by agents, filmmakers, schools, and other publishers. The editor looks for complete, satisfying narratives that work well online without requiring a sequel to resolve the plot.
5. Flash Fiction Online
Flash Fiction Online publishes stories of 500–1,000 words across genres like fantasy, science fiction, horror, and literary fiction. Manuscripts must follow their formatting rules (double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman) and must not be AI-generated. Rates can vary, and as of recent reports they paid around $100 per original story.
6. The Threepenny Review
This respected literary magazine accepts fiction, memoir, poetry, and essays. They pay approximately $400 per story and accept pieces of 4,000 words or fewer. They do not print previously published material, so submit only original work.
7. Poets & Writers
Poets & Writers is a nonprofit organization that supports creative writers with a magazine, resources, and a comprehensive contests and grants database. Their listings help you discover relevant competitions and publications, filtered by genre, prize, and fees.
8. The Atlantic
The Atlantic publishes high-quality journalism and fiction. If you plan to submit, study their past fiction to understand tone and length expectations. Submit as a Word document or PDF and follow the submission guidelines closely.
9. Reader’s Digest
Reader’s Digest prints short, emotionally resonant stories and features both an online and print presence. Their submission process is straightforward; include basic contact details when you submit and follow their guidelines for story types and lengths.
10. Medium
Medium allows writers to publish and earn via member reading time. Although it’s known for essays and articles, fiction can perform well if you build an audience and consistently publish engaging pieces. Monetization depends on reader engagement from paying members.
11. Barrelhouse
Barrelhouse is a literary magazine and small press that also runs conferences and retreats. They look for previously unpublished work, typically under 8,000 words, in a clear, readable format. Submitting here can also connect you with a network of writers and publishing opportunities.
12. The New Yorker
The New Yorker accepts fiction from established and emerging writers but is highly competitive. Submissions go to their fiction email and are typically reviewed within ninety days. Review their published short fiction to gauge fit before submitting.
13. Enter short story contests
Contests can offer cash prizes, publication, and recognition. They’re organized by magazines, writing organizations, and publishers and vary in themes, word limits, entry fees, and prize structures. Notable contests frequently change, but examples include The Bridport Prize, Writer’s Digest competitions, The Moth Short Story Prize, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, and The Sunday Times Short Story Award. Use contest databases to find current opportunities and verify submission details before entering.
14. Start your own blog
Running your own blog or website gives you complete control over publishing and monetization. Building readership takes time, but revenue options include ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling subscriptions or eBooks. Use consistent publishing, targeted promotion, and quality content to grow an audience and generate income from your short stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about selling short stories for money.
What are short stories?
Short stories are concise works of fiction that concentrate on a single plot, theme, or set of characters. They typically run from several hundred to a few thousand words and deliver a complete narrative arc within a compact format.
What are common short story genres?
Short fiction can belong to any genre: mystery, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, horror, historical fiction, romance, literary fiction, speculative fiction, and more. Many writers blend genres or experiment with form to stand out.
Are short stories fiction or nonfiction?
Short stories are generally fictional works, crafted to tell imagined narratives. Nonfiction short pieces are usually categorized as essays or memoirs rather than short stories.
How much can I make selling short stories?
Earnings vary widely. Some markets pay modest fees—$25 to $200—while prestigious magazines or contests can pay several hundred to several thousand dollars. Self-published stories on platforms like Amazon can earn significantly more if they gain traction, especially when bundled into collections or promoted effectively.
Do short stories sell on Amazon?
Yes. Amazon KDP is a common route for selling short fiction because it simplifies publication and distribution. Use compelling covers, professional formatting, and targeted marketing to increase visibility and sales.
How do I sell my first short story?
Start by polishing your manuscript: strong structure, engaging characters, and error-free prose. Then research suitable markets—magazines, online journals, contests, or KDP—and follow each outlet’s submission guidelines carefully. Track submissions, be patient with response times, and promote accepted work through social media, a personal website, or newsletters.
How many pages is a short story?
Page count depends on word count, font, and spacing. A 1,000-word story might be roughly 3–5 pages double-spaced; a 10,000–20,000-word novella could be dozens of pages. Always check the target publication’s preferred word limits rather than relying on page counts.
What’s the best place to sell short stories online?
The best venue depends on your goals. Self-publishing on Amazon gives control and scalable income; literary magazines offer prestige and targeted readership; contests can bring recognition and prize money. Consider a mixed approach: submit to journals, enter contests, and self-publish collections or standalone pieces to diversify income streams.
How To Sell Short Stories For Money – Summary
Selling short stories is a realistic way to earn money from your writing, whether you self-publish on Amazon, submit to literary magazines, enter contests, or build an audience on platforms like Medium or your own blog. The keys to success are creating well-crafted, original stories, following submission guidelines, and being persistent.
Pay attention to market fit and formatting, polish your work thoroughly, and diversify where you submit. With consistent effort and strategic promotion, many writers turn short fiction into a steady income stream.
Are you ready to start selling your short stories for money?
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