It can be overwhelming for writers looking for short story markets, and without knowing what to look for or where to go, it can take hours to find a single magazine to submit to. Quite possibly the most important skill any writer can be equipped with is the ability to come up with effective Google search terms.
Using Google Effectively
Depending on how well-versed you are with finding short fiction markets, you can either do a broad search or a more specific search. Broad searches will, of course, give you the most results, but you'll also have to spend more time trying to narrow them down to what you're looking for. Specific searches, on the other hand, bring you one step closer to finding a home for your story.
For example, if you've written a horror story, a Google search for horror markets would give you more specific results. Or if you prefer a certain medium, such as online or print, then adding that to your search would also help to narrow down the results.
Market Databases
Arguably the best resource for beginning writers who don't know the market very well (or even for established writers who are looking for new markets) is Duotrope's Digest. It offers an organized, easy-to-use database of several thousand markets for short stories. Also, searches are customizable by many features such as:
- Genre (Literary, Mainstream, Fantasy, Horror, etc)
- Length (Flash Fiction, Short Story, Novelette , Novella)
- Payscale (Non-paying, Token payment, Semi-pro, Pro)
- Media (Online or print)
- Submission Type (Postal or electronic)
It also allows users to narrow down their results to include only markets that accept simultaneous submissions or reprints, as well as several other options. However, the more specific the search, the less markets that will be found.
Writing Forums
The web is simply crawling with myriad writing forums, and nearly all of these have a section dedicated solely to fiction markets. Writer's Forums, for example, has a Writer's Resource section that's there specifically so that magazines who are looking for submissions can post and get the word out to the members.
This method isn't as direct as using Google or Duotrope, but if you're having trouble, it doesn't hurt to check.
Keep Looking
Even if you have trouble at first, don't give up your search. There are literally thousands of markets for short fiction out there who are looking for submissions. While it may be frustrating at times, especially in the beginning, ultimately it'll be worth it to see your name in print.
