What do you think?
Rate this book
Let's Write a Short Story
Why do writers have a hard time getting published? However, there’s another Short Stories.Short stories have traditionally been the training grounds for writers learning the craft. Writers like Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, and even Mark Twain didn’t start out writing novels. They learned the art of fiction by writing short stories. Maybe it’s time to stop slaving away at novels and learn how to write and publish short stories.
82 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2012
182 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
J.H. Bunting
9 books246 followersJH Bunting is a bestselling author, novelist, and dad. He leads The Write Practice, an award-winning community of creative writers. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Talia and three kids and enjoys coffee and corpse reviver no. 2s. You can follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting) and find his creative writing under the name Joe Bunting.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 22, 2012
As both a writer and an avid reader of writing-craft books, I know firsthand how rare it is to run across a book that manages to be simultaneously rah-rah inspirational and roll-your-sleeves-to-your-elbows functional. Joe Bunting's Let's Write a Short Story is both. This fast read offers important insights into the "lost" art of the short story, including tips on creating, editing, and submitting. With its handy appendices, listing literary journals and offering submission checklists, this book will give the savvy reader the tools he needs to sit down and write that short story bursting inside of him. Bunting is a jovial guide, but he's also no-nonsense when it comes to personal excuses. My highlighter was constantly in hand as I read. So many gems in such an easy read!
August 20, 2012
Joe Bunting’s Let’s Write a Short Story is the book I wish I’d had in the early 2000s when I first committed to a writing life. Over a decade into that life, I am glad to have Bunting’s encouraging and informative book now.
Bunting’s premise is founded on the structure of many MFA in creative writing programs: practice the short form, and the long form will follow. He invites readers to write and submit short stories on a regular basis. In fact, he uses an excellent Ray Bradbury quote as the book’s epigraph: “Write a short story every week. It’s not possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row.”
For novice short story writers, Bunting includes effective strategies for drafting and editing. His advice provides the more seasoned writer with reminders and new ideas for approaching the familiar form. Throughout the book, Bunting includes writing prompts that I can’t wait to try.
Practical information such as formatting a story for submission is balanced with gentle (but firm) encouragement to write through block and to keep submitting. Perhaps one of the most useful sections of the book for writers at any stage is Bunting’s list of journals and links to submission requirements.
If you’ve been considering writing short stories or if you’re a short story writer in need of a little extra encouragement, invest in this book. It is an excellent edition to any writer’s library.
Bunting’s premise is founded on the structure of many MFA in creative writing programs: practice the short form, and the long form will follow. He invites readers to write and submit short stories on a regular basis. In fact, he uses an excellent Ray Bradbury quote as the book’s epigraph: “Write a short story every week. It’s not possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row.”
For novice short story writers, Bunting includes effective strategies for drafting and editing. His advice provides the more seasoned writer with reminders and new ideas for approaching the familiar form. Throughout the book, Bunting includes writing prompts that I can’t wait to try.
Practical information such as formatting a story for submission is balanced with gentle (but firm) encouragement to write through block and to keep submitting. Perhaps one of the most useful sections of the book for writers at any stage is Bunting’s list of journals and links to submission requirements.
If you’ve been considering writing short stories or if you’re a short story writer in need of a little extra encouragement, invest in this book. It is an excellent edition to any writer’s library.
September 11, 2012
Joe Bunting, known for his untiring encouragement of new writers, doesn’t disappoint with his latest book, “Let’s Write a Short Story.”
“Let’s Write a Story Story” packs inspiration and information that would take months to cull together from other sources and presents it in an easy and accessible style.
Unlike many books on writing, Joe addresses both the craft side (how to write) and the business side (how to publish), and he wraps his recommendations in a compelling argument for why new writers should include short stories as a cornerstone of their career strategy.
Moreover, “Let’s Write a Story Story” is woven with wise insights about how to think like a writer and live like a writer (including the importance of taking time off). In his characteristic way, Joe includes targeted practice exercise and prompts and a wealth of links to other sources.
Although Joe has already shared much of this valuable advice with his online writing community, The Write Practice, this book pulls it altogether and applies it to this one form: the short story.
Joe’s empathy for writers, born of his own experience as an up-and-coming fiction writer, shines throughout the book, leaving anyone who reads it feeling motivated to write and confident to publish.
“Let’s Write a Story Story” packs inspiration and information that would take months to cull together from other sources and presents it in an easy and accessible style.
Unlike many books on writing, Joe addresses both the craft side (how to write) and the business side (how to publish), and he wraps his recommendations in a compelling argument for why new writers should include short stories as a cornerstone of their career strategy.
Moreover, “Let’s Write a Story Story” is woven with wise insights about how to think like a writer and live like a writer (including the importance of taking time off). In his characteristic way, Joe includes targeted practice exercise and prompts and a wealth of links to other sources.
Although Joe has already shared much of this valuable advice with his online writing community, The Write Practice, this book pulls it altogether and applies it to this one form: the short story.
Joe’s empathy for writers, born of his own experience as an up-and-coming fiction writer, shines throughout the book, leaving anyone who reads it feeling motivated to write and confident to publish.
February 27, 2021
I read this book in 2014 and now, while rereading it, I realized that I should have applied it practically to my writing. Instead, I shelved it and moved on to read other books on writing.
What a mistake. I could have had 6 years' worth of (published!) short stories had I even done a single thing advised in this book.
But I obviously wasn't ready then...
But once again I learn, no craft book is going to be truly useful unless we put into practice what we learn. Sounds cliche, but so true.
What a mistake. I could have had 6 years' worth of (published!) short stories had I even done a single thing advised in this book.
But I obviously wasn't ready then...
But once again I learn, no craft book is going to be truly useful unless we put into practice what we learn. Sounds cliche, but so true.
August 20, 2013
I've gone through the book twice now and have picked up a couple nuggets here and there, but for the most part this is for the newbie. The statistics at the beginning of the book made me aware of the fact that the author was/is cognizant of the difficulty we writers face getting short stories published (and that raised the bar for my expectations). He explains why short stories are important to the writer's career (I do agree with the time factor: quicker writing, quicker feedback, quicker publishing once accepted, but the short story form is so very different; I wonder if it isn't risky to compare the two, especially for the novice). I also agree that having a few short stories under your belt is good thing, and that you can capitalize on the published ones to start career-building using social media. He talks at length about manuscript editing, formatting, submitting, and growing as a writer (by using literary techniques and by balancing the elements of a story, and by interrogating your story). These are all sound ideas that were not explored thoroughly enough. I feel like this author is an enthusiastic coach/writer, but I think he rushed to put this book together. The formatting seems amateurish (kindle app on ipad), and the flow is a little lacking. I hope he continues to write how-to books because I do see some hints of brilliance in his enthusiasm.
September 13, 2012
Bunting provides a good overview of the craft of short fiction and encourages writers to submit often and with enthusiasm. This works even though he begins with a soul-crushing outline of the odds against one in getting any given story published by any given magazine.
It could have done with a little more technical insight into the craft, and a little less reiteration of the main theme - submit or die.
It could have done with a little more technical insight into the craft, and a little less reiteration of the main theme - submit or die.
October 12, 2018
Good read, motivational read, practical tips,and good reference material in the appendix
August 22, 2012
I'll cut to the chase: this book made me believe I could actually write short stories.
That's rather significant. I'm an author. I love to write, and I love to read. In my life, however, I've never successfully written a short story.
I didn't even know that description was me. I've written chapters. I've written bits that bloomed into huge books without my permission. I've created half-finished plots with terrific potential, only to watch them die as if they were roses and I had a brown thumb.
Honesty time: I'd really given up on the idea that I could write short stories. I was a novelist, and that was that.
Or so I thought until I read this book.
Joe does make it clear what you're up against. The short story market is tough. It's wicked tough (if you'll pardon my New England-ese), and heading into this with unrealistic hopes will hurt you. HOWEVER, that does not mean there is no hope, or that short stories are out of our league. Quite the opposite.
Joe actually convinced me writing short stories is good for me. How about that for wild?
You want practical advice? Wow, does this book have it.
Joe hits everything from submission practice to "how to show, not tell" tricks. He goes over grammar and description, the psychology of writer's blocks to cover letters. He touches on platform and delves into purpose. He even talks about when to STOP submitting - everything needs a break someteimes.
This book rocks. You can learn more about it at his site, The Write Practice, and as of this review, you can pick it up online at Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Hopefully, you’ll find it as encouraging as I did.
That's rather significant. I'm an author. I love to write, and I love to read. In my life, however, I've never successfully written a short story.
The hardest part of getting over writer’s block is to realize you’re blocked. Once you know
you’re sick, it’s pretty easy to cure yourself.
You just have to allow yourself to write the worst sentence in the world. (Bunting, 85)
I didn't even know that description was me. I've written chapters. I've written bits that bloomed into huge books without my permission. I've created half-finished plots with terrific potential, only to watch them die as if they were roses and I had a brown thumb.
Honesty time: I'd really given up on the idea that I could write short stories. I was a novelist, and that was that.
Or so I thought until I read this book.
Joe does make it clear what you're up against. The short story market is tough. It's wicked tough (if you'll pardon my New England-ese), and heading into this with unrealistic hopes will hurt you. HOWEVER, that does not mean there is no hope, or that short stories are out of our league. Quite the opposite.
Joe actually convinced me writing short stories is good for me. How about that for wild?
You want practical advice? Wow, does this book have it.
Joe hits everything from submission practice to "how to show, not tell" tricks. He goes over grammar and description, the psychology of writer's blocks to cover letters. He touches on platform and delves into purpose. He even talks about when to STOP submitting - everything needs a break someteimes.
This book rocks. You can learn more about it at his site, The Write Practice, and as of this review, you can pick it up online at Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Hopefully, you’ll find it as encouraging as I did.
July 23, 2019
I was intending to call Let’s Write a Short Story a “beginner’s guide” to short story writing, but then I realized that even as someone who’d already won two Writer’s Digest competitions with her short stories, I learned a few new tricks from this book.
You can’t get a full understanding of the practical advice in this book from the table of contents. What you walk away with includes the following:
- 8 reasons to write a short story
- an understanding of what a short story is and isn’t
- 6 ways to avoid the money and time suck that comes with following the traditional “read the magazine before submitting” advice
- 3 reasons to cut backstory (and a primer on how to recognize it)
- an overview of the 5 elements that contribute to a balanced story
- 8 literary techniques of prize-winning stories
- 4 quick editing tips for when you’re flirting with your deadline
- guidelines for submitting your work (and suggestions for what you can do with it once you’ve sold it)
My only real complaint is that this book needed a proofread to catch a few typos and formatting inconsistencies. Beyond that, I had a couple personal preference issues. The examples used for elements that contribute to a balanced story could have been stronger. I would also disagree with the advice that “sounding beautiful” is sometimes enough. If our writing doesn’t have clarity, that’s a flaw we need to fix.
Despite those small things, this book is well worth the price tag. It’s a quick read that will make you excited to start a new story or pull out and rework some of the ones you’ve relegated to a drawer. Of the books I’ve read on short story writing, I can’t think of a better one than this.
You can’t get a full understanding of the practical advice in this book from the table of contents. What you walk away with includes the following:
- 8 reasons to write a short story
- an understanding of what a short story is and isn’t
- 6 ways to avoid the money and time suck that comes with following the traditional “read the magazine before submitting” advice
- 3 reasons to cut backstory (and a primer on how to recognize it)
- an overview of the 5 elements that contribute to a balanced story
- 8 literary techniques of prize-winning stories
- 4 quick editing tips for when you’re flirting with your deadline
- guidelines for submitting your work (and suggestions for what you can do with it once you’ve sold it)
My only real complaint is that this book needed a proofread to catch a few typos and formatting inconsistencies. Beyond that, I had a couple personal preference issues. The examples used for elements that contribute to a balanced story could have been stronger. I would also disagree with the advice that “sounding beautiful” is sometimes enough. If our writing doesn’t have clarity, that’s a flaw we need to fix.
Despite those small things, this book is well worth the price tag. It’s a quick read that will make you excited to start a new story or pull out and rework some of the ones you’ve relegated to a drawer. Of the books I’ve read on short story writing, I can’t think of a better one than this.
August 24, 2012
Joe Bunting gives the readers the tools to write a short story even if they never had planned to write one. He not only gives examples from famous writers but also internet websites where you can submit your short story. He gives tips for the modern writers who do things through the internet.
His site TheWritePractice is clean and provides more tips on writing and promoting short stories. The book readers who might've taken his challenge to finish writing a shorty story after reading this book will find his site very helpful.
If you're scared to submit your work Joe assures us that everything will be okay. He shares his own experience of failing and learning from it. It doesn't matter if you get a rejection letter from a magazine because that rejection letter is good for you, it gives you something to work on. "If you give yourself the freedom to fail, you might actually succeed."
Joe also gives writers the tools to reach out to him, so even if you don't know any short story writers you can always ask him the tough questions that weren't answered in the book.
Overall, the book is a great short read. From reading Let's Write a Short Story I gained a wealth of knowledge about how to write a short story and that short stories aren't dead. His tips are practical and usable in not only writing a short story but also in everyday writing.
"We write so our words, our memories, our very lives outlive the hand that wrote them." ~Joe”
His site TheWritePractice is clean and provides more tips on writing and promoting short stories. The book readers who might've taken his challenge to finish writing a shorty story after reading this book will find his site very helpful.
If you're scared to submit your work Joe assures us that everything will be okay. He shares his own experience of failing and learning from it. It doesn't matter if you get a rejection letter from a magazine because that rejection letter is good for you, it gives you something to work on. "If you give yourself the freedom to fail, you might actually succeed."
Joe also gives writers the tools to reach out to him, so even if you don't know any short story writers you can always ask him the tough questions that weren't answered in the book.
Overall, the book is a great short read. From reading Let's Write a Short Story I gained a wealth of knowledge about how to write a short story and that short stories aren't dead. His tips are practical and usable in not only writing a short story but also in everyday writing.
"We write so our words, our memories, our very lives outlive the hand that wrote them." ~Joe”
abandoned-didnt-care-for-it
September 17, 2016When the Kindle book description contains more than one proofreading errors (...and why you should to; Get start with your writing career today; etc.), I just can't bring myself to want to be "trained" by one who would let that get by. Can't do it.
March 31, 2019
While this book was somewhat informative, but none of the information was new or revelatory. As other reviews have mentioned, this is a decent primer if you're completely new to the idea of writing, but if you've read any other books, blogs, or other resources on the craft of writing, the content of this book probably won't be new. And other than some brief chapters about short story markets, it's more general writing advice than short story advice. It's worth checking out if you're a beginner just starting out on your writing journey.
April 10, 2019
Insightful and practical solutions for those looking to build their author platform fast
This book has some great insights and strategies for using the short story medium for creating or boosting your author platform.
I bought this book because I was burned out on endless revisions on my current novel and was looking for a more immediate solution. I believe short stories to be that solution, and I’m glad to have this book as a helpful guide along the way.
This book has some great insights and strategies for using the short story medium for creating or boosting your author platform.
I bought this book because I was burned out on endless revisions on my current novel and was looking for a more immediate solution. I believe short stories to be that solution, and I’m glad to have this book as a helpful guide along the way.
May 21, 2017
Great advice, tips plus prompts
Well written and structured for easy understanding. Gives strong and new perspective. Lots of good advice, tips and prompts using that advice. Gives info on how to format short story and how to submit. Serious advice for serious writers. Highly recommend.
Well written and structured for easy understanding. Gives strong and new perspective. Lots of good advice, tips and prompts using that advice. Gives info on how to format short story and how to submit. Serious advice for serious writers. Highly recommend.
January 18, 2019
Good, worth it, but not everything i had hoped for
Good, worth it, but not everything I had hoped for. There's a lot of great info in here, especially if you are relatively new to authorship. Still, I was hoping for more advanced techniques on writing short stories.
Still, worth the read and minor expense in my opinion.
Good, worth it, but not everything I had hoped for. There's a lot of great info in here, especially if you are relatively new to authorship. Still, I was hoping for more advanced techniques on writing short stories.
Still, worth the read and minor expense in my opinion.
November 19, 2019
The material and the approach is taken to explain. The ins and outs of writing short stories struck a chord with me.
I have followed some of the tips without realizing it and will incorporate more of them in all my writing. I would recommend this book!
Thanks
Buzz CNN
I have followed some of the tips without realizing it and will incorporate more of them in all my writing. I would recommend this book!
Thanks
Buzz CNN
March 22, 2018
Pretty good
This talked more about writing for literary magazines, but there were a lot of good points throughout. I really liked what he said about showing instead of telling. He gave great advice and how to Help yourself with that part.
This talked more about writing for literary magazines, but there were a lot of good points throughout. I really liked what he said about showing instead of telling. He gave great advice and how to Help yourself with that part.
March 10, 2019
Good basic info
Not much here I hadn't seen elsewhere, but having this info consolidated like he does is a great refresher. If you're new to writing or have some short story ideas, this is a great place to start.
Not much here I hadn't seen elsewhere, but having this info consolidated like he does is a great refresher. If you're new to writing or have some short story ideas, this is a great place to start.
May 24, 2019
Delightful
His encouragement to write and to submit was like having a supportive friend in my corner. Because of this book I submitted a short story for the first time. Thank you Joe
His encouragement to write and to submit was like having a supportive friend in my corner. Because of this book I submitted a short story for the first time. Thank you Joe
May 1, 2019
Great explanation of how to build a short story!
Everything I need to use is inside. How a story works to how build one all inside. The exercises help round out your understanding. Read and re read this again and again. Thank you Joe Bunting
Everything I need to use is inside. How a story works to how build one all inside. The exercises help round out your understanding. Read and re read this again and again. Thank you Joe Bunting
July 23, 2019
To use author's words: it is mostly cherries and not enough icecream. You can find useful nuggets of advice but there's not enough basics, chapters on writing are very short and feel rushed.
Also the whole section how to write like a literary fiction writer came out of nowhere.
Also the whole section how to write like a literary fiction writer came out of nowhere.
August 21, 2019
Good book about the challenges and opportunities for beginning writers to experiment and experience the writing and publishing process using short stories. This is one of the books I will definitely read again.
December 8, 2019
I don't know if anybody will see this book as a good thing if it pointed out my utter failure to write interesting tales, so I went back to writing Bible stuff, which is fine with me if I am feeding souls.
Good book, lots of great ideas and lists of markets and such.
Good book, lots of great ideas and lists of markets and such.
April 22, 2020
Excellent book with detailed recommendations
Even if it's well easy to read-only I would recommend a bit of experience before reading it. I have written a few short stories and flash fiction and his boss makes so much sense. But I would have used it less before
Even if it's well easy to read-only I would recommend a bit of experience before reading it. I have written a few short stories and flash fiction and his boss makes so much sense. But I would have used it less before
August 12, 2020
This brief book is well-rounded with a blend of writing advice, short story structure instruction, and publishing information. Bunting gives prompts throughout and manifests a desire to get you writing.
August 19, 2020
For new writers ... Start here!
This book gave me a host of practical hints on writing but even more helpful was the encouragement to keep writing. And it is all given in a clear, down to earth manner, full of wit, humour, and charm.
This book gave me a host of practical hints on writing but even more helpful was the encouragement to keep writing. And it is all given in a clear, down to earth manner, full of wit, humour, and charm.
January 14, 2022
I love books about writing and I probably overrate them. I enjoyed reading this one. Short and to the point. Short stories have a very different construction and pacing compared to novels. This book helped explain the how to and the why.
April 19, 2025
If you give yourself the freedom to fail, you might actually succeed.
Some useful advice in this book, I found the chapter on editing particularly helpful, but, despite only being 80 pages, it was a bit repetitive at times.
Would recommend as it is a very quick read.
Some useful advice in this book, I found the chapter on editing particularly helpful, but, despite only being 80 pages, it was a bit repetitive at times.
Would recommend as it is a very quick read.
July 10, 2017
Great read packed with information and inspiration
This was more than I expected. Joe touched on all aspects of short story. I highly recommend it, especially for new writers.
This was more than I expected. Joe touched on all aspects of short story. I highly recommend it, especially for new writers.
November 9, 2017
A concise read with actionable tips and excellent references to literary magazines
The book will benefit from more flesh in its structure. More depth on several of the chapters can be helpful.
The book will benefit from more flesh in its structure. More depth on several of the chapters can be helpful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews