Books
Write It Short, Sell It Now
Short stories and personal essays have never been hotter–or more crucial for a successful writing career. Earning bylines in magazines and literary journals is a terrific way to get noticed and earn future opportunities in both short- and long-form writing.
Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays capitalizes on the popularity of these genres by instructing on the two key steps to publishing short works: crafting excellent pieces and successfully submitting them. You’ll learn how to:
- Develop different craft elements–including point of view, character, dialogue, scene writing, and more–specifically for short stories and essays.
- Recognize the qualities of excellent short works, using examples from recently published stories and essays in major journals.
- Understand the business of writing short, from categorizing your work and meeting submission guidelines to networking and submitting to writing contests.
- Master the five-step process for submitting and selling like a pro.
Featuring advice and examples from a multitude of published authors, Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays is a must-have for any writer’s bookshelf.
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Praise for the book
“At a time when the publishing world appears saturated with how-to books on writing, author and editor Windy Lynn Harris has crafted a guide that truly stands out—an easy-to-read, no-nonsense compendium of original wisdom on the art and science of short prose. Unlike many other volumes on the market, Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays offers insights into two related but distinct challenges—writing successful stories and essays, and marketing those works once they are written. The book abounds with first-rate advice and draws upon numerous practical examples. Harris clearly has mastered the distinct crafts of writing and publishing—and she can help you do so too. If you’re only going to buy one book to launch your career as a writing professional, this is the book.”
“Rooted in the context of the current short-form literary landscape, Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays is more than an excellent source of information. Each page is the best kind of companion—one who helps you out while also cheering you on. Functioning as both a craft book and an informative guide, Harris’s unique collection helps us first to find the most succinct way to put our experiences and ideas on the page, and then how to get our words out into the world. I’m not quite sure how anyone has been able to write effectively in the short form genre prior to this book’s existence.”
“Writers, here it is – the one book you need to start your journey to writing and publishing! Windy Lynn Harris, herself a seasoned writer, is your sure-footed tour guide who teaches you the language of the locals. Part MFA professor, part cheerleader, and always your trusted mentor, Windy draws on her own experience as writer and writing coach to demystify the craft and process of writing and publishing short stories and essays. Beginners can rely on this book to teach them everything they need to know from the basic structure and scope of short stories and essays to where and how to publish them. Seasoned writers will learn more than a few new tricks of the trade. The numerous top 10 tips alone are worth the price of admission. Though there are many books on craft out there, and others on publishing, this book is truly your one-stop shop!”
“Platform, platform, platform — it’s what all literary agents and traditional publishers want from their aspiring authors. But how do you earn those bylines in magazines and literary journals that get you noticed? Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays is the guide for any writer who wants to craft excellent short stories and essays and then see them in print. It’s hard work, but with Windy Lynn Harris as your guide, you won’t even notice the sweat!”