Are you writing short stories but not sure how to get them published? Have you been submitting stories to magazines, but getting more rejection slips than sales?

I know. I've been there. I've been publishing short fiction for twenty years, but I collected rejection slips for fourteen years before I sold my first short story. Since then, I've often thought I could have turned those years into months with a good teacher to guide me.

Now I'm also a magazine editor, seeing the business from the other side of the fence. Now I read the short stories. Now I send out the rejection slips. Yes, I reject a lot of stories. Bad dialogue, contrived plot, poor exposition - I've seen it all.

But I also accept stories for publication, and pay the writers who publish them.

I've found that stories are rejected for a handful of very simple reasons, most of which could easily be fixed with a little professional know-how. As more and more manuscripts came in, I thought, "I need an easy way to let writers know what they're doing wrong - a place they can go to learn how to fix these simple mistakes and write a better short story."

This is the place. You'll find all kinds of short story writing help here, from encouragement and inspiration to nuts-and-bolts practical advice - guidelines, lessons, and exercises designed to help you make most of your strengths and improve your weak areas.

Come on in. Have fun. Learn. Improve. Make yourself at home.

Above all - write!

"Dave demonstrates a wealth of insight and expertise valuable for writers at every level. His enthusiasm and 'love for the craft' forms one of the sincerest foundations for personal and creative integrity I've been honored to experience."

- Chris Dunmire, Creativity Portal