Write and publish a short story in a literary magazine, anthology, or reputable online publication.
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Draft, Revise, and Prepare a Submission-Ready Story
4–6 weeks
Write a complete short story (1,500–7,500 words) and put it through at least two full revision cycles. A revision cycle means making structural or craft-level changes — not just proofreading. Share the revised story with at least one reader for feedback before finalising it for submission. The story must be complete with a beginning, middle, and end — not an excerpt or scene.
Proof required
Submit: (a) the final story as a document (Word, Google Doc, or PDF), (b) a brief revision log noting what changed between draft one and the final submission version (minimum 150 words), and (c) one paragraph of feedback from a reader (can be anonymised) that identifies something specific about the story's structure, character, or prose. Word count must be stated.
What gets checked
Revision log shows substantive changes — not just line edits but changes to structure, character, or plot
Reader feedback is specific, not generic praise — 'I wasn't sure why the protagonist made that choice in the middle' is useful; 'it's really good' is not sufficient
Story is complete — it has a clear ending, not a cut-off at an interesting moment
Resources
Reedsy Blog — Short Story Writing Guide
The Submission Grinder — Free Market Listings
Submit to Literary Journals and Receive a Publication Offer
See the Story in Print or in Published Form
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