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The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing
Whether you're looking to add short stories to your repertoire as a solo pursuit or in addition to novel writing, The Business of Short Stories covers every aspect from writing to marketing. Learn the dynamics of short story writing, where to focus your editing efforts, how and where to submit, how to handle acceptances and rejections, what to do with reprints, and how to market yourself and your stories online and in person. The information in The Business of Short Stories has been distilled from over a decade of short story publishing experience so you don't have to learn the hard way. You'll find information on submission formatting, cover letters, querying a collection, sending proposals to writing events, how to create a website, SEO, social media, and so much more. This is an invaluable resource for short story writers.
There's never been a better time to get into short stories!
There's never been a better time to get into short stories!
- GenresWriting
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Lawrence
53 books29 followersA fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes in her dungeon when her minions allow, often accompanied by her familiar, Cleo. She writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in several anthologies and magazines, including Space and Time Magazine, Dark Moon Digest, and The Literary Hatchet, and her short story collection Blue Sludge Blues & Other Abominations is now available.
When she's not writing, she's hiking through the wilds of Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings. Though she often misses the Oregon coast, the majestic and rugged Rockies are a sight she could never part with. Besides, in Colorado there's always a place to hide a body or birth a monster. What more could she ask for?
Find her at www.thewarriormuse.com.
When she's not writing, she's hiking through the wilds of Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings. Though she often misses the Oregon coast, the majestic and rugged Rockies are a sight she could never part with. Besides, in Colorado there's always a place to hide a body or birth a monster. What more could she ask for?
Find her at www.thewarriormuse.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 22, 2022
I've been a fan of Shannon Lawrence's work as a reader, and an admirer of hers as an author. She truly is one of the best short story writers out there right now, so when I saw she had this book coming out I bought it right away.
This book is so much more than just another craft book. Lawrence takes you from writing the story, to submitting, to understanding rights--she even walks you through creating an author platform.
The Business of Short Stories is one of those craft books you'll be referencing over and over. I couldn't recommend it more; in fact, I'd say this is a must-have for any author.
This book is so much more than just another craft book. Lawrence takes you from writing the story, to submitting, to understanding rights--she even walks you through creating an author platform.
The Business of Short Stories is one of those craft books you'll be referencing over and over. I couldn't recommend it more; in fact, I'd say this is a must-have for any author.
January 30, 2022
*A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Oh this book came at such a good time! This is right up my alley. I’ve been interested in learning about the publishing industry, with hopes of potentially working there some day. Although this might’ve been intended for authors, this gives me a good idea of what to expect, and for that, I am very grateful. As the author did in her book, this is a book on the business of short stories, so what is written here may not be the same for novels or self-publishing.
I enjoy reading an author’s introduction. It gives an insight to the sentence structures, pacing and even how much I will enjoy the book. From the start, I knew this was going to be easy to understand, and that’s what made me excited to read it. I was able to finish this in about two weeks, which is difficult for me with non-fiction (that’s why you don’t see a lot of it here, oops). And true to it, the content held my interest from start to finish, and the writing style was a joy to read, direct and with subtle personality.
Separated into 8 parts and covering all the stages from Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing. It also covers topics like editing and finding a critique group, formatting, contracts, rights, edits, publishing and options other than Amazon, conferences and conventions… many that expands from typical books of this topic.
While explaining, Lawrence provides clear and fitting examples. She even used screenshots from personal experiences, examples of famous thousand-pages novels and also teaches you to identify how to turn it into a short story. I find that extremely useful, since most of the things I used to write spanned way too long to the point where I lost motivation.
As a reviewer, and just a general enjoyer of all things books, it was very educational. There was a section on formatting that places an importance of formatting, both for the sake of the publisher, reader and reviewers. I’ve experienced a fair share of badly formatted book. As much as I tried to remain objective and focus on the content, I really couldn’t.
Aside from that, this book helped me identify how to narrow my genres, write my reviews more clearly, and also made me reflect on short stories that I’ve read. It helped me learn more about the publishing industry, more about what is it like being an author, and I think this will help many first-time short story authors feel less anxious and know what to expect.
Oh this book came at such a good time! This is right up my alley. I’ve been interested in learning about the publishing industry, with hopes of potentially working there some day. Although this might’ve been intended for authors, this gives me a good idea of what to expect, and for that, I am very grateful. As the author did in her book, this is a book on the business of short stories, so what is written here may not be the same for novels or self-publishing.
I enjoy reading an author’s introduction. It gives an insight to the sentence structures, pacing and even how much I will enjoy the book. From the start, I knew this was going to be easy to understand, and that’s what made me excited to read it. I was able to finish this in about two weeks, which is difficult for me with non-fiction (that’s why you don’t see a lot of it here, oops). And true to it, the content held my interest from start to finish, and the writing style was a joy to read, direct and with subtle personality.
Separated into 8 parts and covering all the stages from Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing. It also covers topics like editing and finding a critique group, formatting, contracts, rights, edits, publishing and options other than Amazon, conferences and conventions… many that expands from typical books of this topic.
While explaining, Lawrence provides clear and fitting examples. She even used screenshots from personal experiences, examples of famous thousand-pages novels and also teaches you to identify how to turn it into a short story. I find that extremely useful, since most of the things I used to write spanned way too long to the point where I lost motivation.
As a reviewer, and just a general enjoyer of all things books, it was very educational. There was a section on formatting that places an importance of formatting, both for the sake of the publisher, reader and reviewers. I’ve experienced a fair share of badly formatted book. As much as I tried to remain objective and focus on the content, I really couldn’t.
Aside from that, this book helped me identify how to narrow my genres, write my reviews more clearly, and also made me reflect on short stories that I’ve read. It helped me learn more about the publishing industry, more about what is it like being an author, and I think this will help many first-time short story authors feel less anxious and know what to expect.
February 7, 2026
The Business of Writing Short Stories is an easy to read, interesting and informative handbook to publishing and marketing any literary endeavour, but particularly short stories. A writer with ambitions to publish their full length novel will find it equally useful. They may even decide to tip their toe into the short story market as well.
The layout is particularly useful. Each chapter is clearly summarised at the start, so you know whether to delve within for the particular answer you seek. It also has a bulleted summary at the end in case, having read the submission requirements just one more time, you think there’s something else you’ve overlooked. I found the detail of submission requirements (including the synopsis required for short stories) very useful — and interesting.
I marked several paragraphs for future use, even before the one near the end in which the author hoped people would find the book useful to dip into for reminders. The analysis of short story v novella was very helpful, and supported some feedback I’d just given!
Yes, four years on, some of the mechanics have changed a little. The chapter on social media is much muddier, and new platforms could be considered. The indie publishing opportunities have expanded, with Books2Read now including Bookshop.org in their ebook linkages… and things will continue to change. But the basics don’t. Uploading your story is much the same even if the software you have to use has a different name.
And you always have to read the submission guidelines just one more time.
Buy this book. It is indispensable.
The layout is particularly useful. Each chapter is clearly summarised at the start, so you know whether to delve within for the particular answer you seek. It also has a bulleted summary at the end in case, having read the submission requirements just one more time, you think there’s something else you’ve overlooked. I found the detail of submission requirements (including the synopsis required for short stories) very useful — and interesting.
I marked several paragraphs for future use, even before the one near the end in which the author hoped people would find the book useful to dip into for reminders. The analysis of short story v novella was very helpful, and supported some feedback I’d just given!
Yes, four years on, some of the mechanics have changed a little. The chapter on social media is much muddier, and new platforms could be considered. The indie publishing opportunities have expanded, with Books2Read now including Bookshop.org in their ebook linkages… and things will continue to change. But the basics don’t. Uploading your story is much the same even if the software you have to use has a different name.
And you always have to read the submission guidelines just one more time.
Buy this book. It is indispensable.
March 5, 2022
The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing by Shannon Lawrence is a comprehensive guide for any author. Lawrence is a professional writer who offers countless examples from her experiences in creating, publishing, and marketing her short stories, collections, and anthologies.
Although Lawrence does not offer legal or accounting advice, she does give information about growing your platform as a writer. She includes advice on how to market yourself as an author in today’s world.
An author needs to do so much more than create stories. Lawrence addresses social media, newsletters, mailing lists, and claiming author accounts on Amazon and other book sites. She offers informative websites and hashtags that can help writers gain a following. I took copious notes.
The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing by Shannon Lawrence is an excellent book and truly belongs in every writer’s library.
Although Lawrence does not offer legal or accounting advice, she does give information about growing your platform as a writer. She includes advice on how to market yourself as an author in today’s world.
An author needs to do so much more than create stories. Lawrence addresses social media, newsletters, mailing lists, and claiming author accounts on Amazon and other book sites. She offers informative websites and hashtags that can help writers gain a following. I took copious notes.
The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing by Shannon Lawrence is an excellent book and truly belongs in every writer’s library.
February 28, 2022
This is a must-have if for no other reason than it's a great reference for writers, aspiring or veteran. I read this book as part of the #ReadWithFey challenge. As a writer, who is also an avid reader of fiction, a challenge to read something to help hone my skill was just what I needed.
I discovered this book by signing up to be part of a blog tour and then purchased my own copy. I devoured it. It focuses on the business of short stories, but so much is applicable to poets, novelists, and writers of other genres.
She takes the reader step by step through the process of conceiving a story, crafting it, querying it, marketing it, and so much more. So glad I read this.
Highly recommended to writers who want to take their work seriously.
I discovered this book by signing up to be part of a blog tour and then purchased my own copy. I devoured it. It focuses on the business of short stories, but so much is applicable to poets, novelists, and writers of other genres.
She takes the reader step by step through the process of conceiving a story, crafting it, querying it, marketing it, and so much more. So glad I read this.
Highly recommended to writers who want to take their work seriously.
April 26, 2022
This book is the definitive work on the business of writing short stories. It has everything you need, from non-nonsense tips on writing short stories, publishing short stories, and marketing short stories. It is jammed full of information, and I recommend it for anyone who wants to write short stories successfully.
I have been writing short stories for over three decades and I wish someone had given me this book back in college, or ten years ago when I started trying to make a business of writing. I highly recommend it as a book for any student of writing, any writer who wants to make a go of it, and anyone who needs a little help going in the right direction with the business side of writing short stories.
Truly an excellent book and a must for any writer's shelf.
I have been writing short stories for over three decades and I wish someone had given me this book back in college, or ten years ago when I started trying to make a business of writing. I highly recommend it as a book for any student of writing, any writer who wants to make a go of it, and anyone who needs a little help going in the right direction with the business side of writing short stories.
Truly an excellent book and a must for any writer's shelf.
March 23, 2022
What a fantastic resource for authors!!
Shannon Lawrence's guide to all things short-stories is comprehensive and informative. The book covers so much information and the friendly, professional style makes it a book many authors will dip into again and again.
This guide will help authors of all types and it's an excellent addition to my craft shelf!
Shannon Lawrence's guide to all things short-stories is comprehensive and informative. The book covers so much information and the friendly, professional style makes it a book many authors will dip into again and again.
This guide will help authors of all types and it's an excellent addition to my craft shelf!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews