A book of short-stories; marketable? - WritingForums.com - Writing Forums, Writing Challenges, Critiques and Help for Writers

KyleColorado · 05-11-2006, 05:46 AM

Forgive me if this is a redundant thread..

I'm considering putting aside my desire to write a novel because.. well.. I've found myself disliking being tied down to a long, winding plot. I've also found myself wishing for more and more and MORE characters and settings!

After plodding through my novel, I realized I could tell the whole thing in a few pages, and that I couldn't focus on drawing it out, because my mind was constantly coming up with new stories to tell.

I've concluded that, perhaps I would be better suited to writing a book of short-stories. I know my writing would flourish more this way, which would be good for both the reader's enjoyment, and my own.

My concern is that a book of short-stories will not be as appealing to potential publishers, or readers. Somewhere I heard that novels are more marketable, and I'm imagining agents turning me down when they ask "What's the plot?" and I respond with "It's a book of short-stories."

I guess I'm posting this, looking for encouragement. But more so, honest advice.

Selorian · 05-11-2006, 07:31 AM

A book of short stories would be a hard sell for a first time author, the chances of selling it would be very slim. Publishers usually only accept short stories from established authors like Stephen King and those of that calibre.

Short stories is still a good idea though, because you can send them off to magazines. It is an excellent way of building a list of publishing credentials before trying to submit a novel.

Good luck.

FrankBlissett · 05-11-2006, 10:12 AM

I agree with Selorian on both points.

The best way I could see marketing a short-story collection as a first publication was if you were an established story-teller, appearing at local music fests, etc. In which case, you may be able to successfully self-publish or talk a regional publisher into funding the project.

I wouldn't give up entirely though. Check out local book stores, art gallery gift shops, tourist shops and see if there are any other regional writers who have published collections of shorts. If you find any, try contact the writers and asking their advice on the local market for such collections. It will also give you an idea of what sort of stories are being marketed in your area - ie, over here it seems to be fake humorous memoirs and collections of Chippewa tales.

In the mean time, concentrate on getting published in 'zines - it can only help you to eventually get the attention of agents & publishers for a future collection of shorts (or a future novel).

-Frank

strangedaze · 05-11-2006, 11:25 AM

Actually one of my new favorite authors (Craig Davidson) published a collection of short stories as a first time author, with Penguin, that has been doing well. But he by no means came out of nowhere. Several of his stories have appeared in lit journals all over Canada (he's a canuck). When you've built up some credits for your CV, then you'll have pudding proof that your pieces might have a market and that it's of quality. I wouldn't give up on a collection - I'd just get your work out there, first.

Mike C · 05-11-2006, 11:59 AM

Even if you build your credits with litmags, a book of shorts is a near-impossible sell, unless your credits are the New Yorker, playboy etc. Even then it's not easy.

But why not take a break from the novel, write shorts and get them published in lit mags? If you'regood, you'll build some readership, make a little (emphasising little) money, and improve your writing. And, when you get back to the novel, and start submitting it to agents, you can include list of prior publications.

Every little helps.

KyleColorado · 05-11-2006, 03:13 PM

Thanks, all great advice. It seems the running theme here is to submit my shorts to magazines and the like. I'll see what I can do.

Kudos Selorian, Frank, Strange and Mike

mammamaia · 05-11-2006, 09:26 PM

selorian and mike said it all for me... best of luck with getting your stories in print...

hugs, m

WillyMac · 05-12-2006, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleColorado

Forgive me if this is a redundant thread..

I'm considering putting aside my desire to write a novel because.. well.. I've found myself disliking being tied down to a long, winding plot. I've also found myself wishing for more and more and MORE characters and settings!

Hi,
You could consider applying your short story idea to the educational aspect for students who are learning the English language. I believe there is a big market for short stories, particularly in the Asian region, with Japan, Thailand and China having inexhaustible potential. Have you thought of Self Publishing? This, quite apart from the vanity press, is going to become a very powerful medium for all kinds of works in the not too distant future I think. But even without that, there would be a good market for short stories that are tailored to the student, with a test segment at the back for pertinent questions and answers and such.

Asia Books may well be interested in such a project.

Mac

FrankBlissett · 05-12-2006, 10:39 AM

Having given some though to the issue, I would like to amend my response.

Namely, there have been some best-selling anthologies in recent years. I'm thinking first of the "Chicken Soup" series. Besides these, you can go to the "inspirational" shelf of most bookstores and find other anthologies.

In pondering modern media, I almost wonder if short-fiction isn't in store for a come back. The buzz of electronic marketing a little while ago was making audio excerpts of longer works for download, and since then iPod has opened that stream further. I wonder if a good marketing plan could sell short-fiction through iTunes.

That said, traditional publishing houses are risk adverse, and would need to know a trend is here before putting money into it. IMHO, if we start seeing more serielized novels, then you can be sure there's a market developing for short-fiction too.

-Frank

JP Wagner · 06-15-2006, 02:48 AM

I've seen alot of short story collections out there. The thing is though, most of the stories had been previously published in magazines like everyone else says. I don't think its impossible to get a short story collection but you do need to establish your rep list first at the very least.

Novels arent everything after all. Heh, alot of agents list they represent short story collections, though definatly not from first time authors I'd suspect.

mammamaia · 06-15-2006, 09:15 PM

definitely not!... only a rare few new writers with exceptional material can get a short story collection published and they most likely went straight to the publishers, as agents don't bother with such stuff by unknowns...