How to Write Winning Short Stories: A practical guide to writing stories that win contests and get selected for publication

by Nancy Sakaduski

A practical guide to writing short stories that covers the market for short fiction, how to write beginnings and endings, the central conflict, illustration vs. explanation, premise and theme, structure (including pacing, flashbacks, and scenes), setting, characters, dialogue, editing, fact-checking and legal issues, and marketing. The author, who manages an annual short story competition, offers advice on manuscript formatting, submission options, contest entry, and how to get the attention of a publisher or contest judge.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

170 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2015

About the author

Nancy Sakaduski has published 100+ articles and 24 books. She co-wrote Scientific English with Robert A. Day. Most recently, she authored How to Write Winning Short Stories, which is based on her experiences running the Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest and working with dozens of writers to perfect their short stories.

Nancy has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Maryland and an Executive M.B.A. from Loyola College. She currently resides in Chadds Ford, PA, and Lewes, DE.

In 2012 she founded Cat & Mouse Press (http://catandmousepress.com), a small regional publishing company, to create books that are engaging, entertaining, or just plain fun. The company publishes short story anthologies, beach reads, children's books, and regional journals. Cat & Mouse Press also publishes collections of short stories selected by a panel of judges from entries to an annual competition.

AWARDS: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Award for Nonfiction, 1995, for article "Mapping the Mind"; Best Social Studies Book of the Year designation from Society of School Librarians International, 2003 CALIFORNIA COLLECTION. Passport to History: Ancient Greece named best social studies book for the year 2000 by the Society of School Librarians International. The Beach House was awarded a first place for editing in 2014 by Delaware Press Association and a national first place by the National Federation of Press Women. A Rehoboth ABC received a first place for children's fiction in 2014 from Delaware Press Association.

Reviews

[Miguel Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It could have been better.

I enjoyed the brevity of this book, as I read through it in pieces. However, I was hoping more was included without having to look it up, such as short story contests that the author recommends, and a little more on copyediting. I also didn't agree with what part of the author said about writers not editing their own work. But then she also goes on to say that authors should self-edit their own work. The clear explanations were good, and the quotes were a welcome addition to this book. I recommend this book if you're thinking about reading it.

UPDATE: I ended up boosting the score of this book to five stars because I found myself going back to it for information.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Write Winning Short Stories is full of great writing advice. Much of it applies to all fiction writing (well, all long format fiction writing), but the author speaks directly to how writing short stories differs in the application of good writing skills. From the outset, "winning" is very broadly defined. In the end, "winning" depends on your own goals for your short story. The author runs through various facets of "winning" with your short story. Since she runs a writing context for short stories, her choice is appropriate. If you want to write short stories, you'll get plenty of inspiration and instruction here!

[Karen Mead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. I've always been somewhat mystified by short stories as a format. After all, if I'm really interested in the characters or a concept, I'd probably want to write a novel and not just a few thousand words, right? What's the point of dipping into a whole world and then scampering away from it?

Sakaduski not only explains the appeal of short stories specifically, as opposed to other forms of fiction, but made me eager to start writing them. Some of the chapters feature writing advice that's a little generic and doesn't apply to short stories specifically, but the book makes good on the promise of the title.

[Don Wooldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book with a ton of information and ideas for beginning writers. I was looking for information about writing Short Stories in particular. It just didn't deliver on that score. I found the information to be all over the map from specific advice on what contest judges are looking for to turn off your radio while you are writing so you can concentrate. As a writer with a little more experience, I felt like I was wadding through writing 101 and the author never got around to addressing tips, tricks, or issues specific to Short Stories.

[Brentman99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 'm in the process of writing a couple of novels, but really enjoy short stories as well.

While I haven't read a lot of books on how to write a really good short story, I feel that this book will help me in both areas.

There are a lot of great ideas and I particularly feel that the checklists will be of help. I also liked the fact that it was only 170 pages including bibliography and index included.

If you are writing a short story or book, I think that this book could be helpful. I thought it was well worth the money and time spent reading.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good except for layout

The book has got some good tips on a variety of topics on writing short stories, but the Kindle layout is driving me crazy. I'm bouncing back and forth as much as 50 pages at a time, cutting chapters in the middle of sentences. It feels more like 3 stars given the frustration, but it's not the author's fault. (Maybe a bad download? Not sure...)

[Terri Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author Nancy published one of my very first short stories and I have now worked with her several times. Her developmental editing taught me a lot and I've gone on to be published in anthologies and journals. I was thrilled to see she wrote this book, and I still refer to it when editing and entering.

[Angela La Voie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy afternoon read with some handy pointers on writing short stories. Good references on fact-checking and fair use that might be familiar to a journalist but less so to a creative writer. Also a concise primer on general creative-writing tips. The material lends itself well for incorporation into a writer’s existing checklists for revision and copy editing.

[Bob Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with helpful insights.
Fantastic book, filled with lots of helpful and practical tips. Love how the author covered all facets of writing short stories and did so in a way that was thorough, yet concise. Excellent in every way.

[Holli Keel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent advice and tips for writing short stories.

[Adalynd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Enjoyed reading, good information, I liked the checklists best, very helpful to the writing process . It's worth jotting down notes, highlighting as you go.

[Dennis Mitton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers it all

Great book that covers short story writing from the title to conclusion. Readable and actionable. A goldmine of useable advice.

[Becca Chopra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good info for aspiring short story writers.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in writing short stories this book could help you.

[Cassandra Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a lot of great advice on how to give your short story the best chance of being published. I recommend this book to every writer.

[Weldon Burge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb guide to writing short fiction. If you strive to write outstanding short stories, you can't go wrong with this book by your side.

[Jack Clubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[David Hammerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It offers a concise, clear and practical guide to writing short stories. Nancy Sakaduski clarifies key differences between short stories and novels. The book explains the fundamentals of short stories: theme, structure, setting, characters and dialogue. It also discusses editing, legal considerations and marketing. The book suggests ways to change a story’s pace; more details would have been helpful. The book is extremely well written, thereby facilitating a quick read. The layout is visually appealing. I strongly recommend this book to emerging and established authors.

[Jess Schira]

I thought this book was really well done. It provided a great deal of information about constructing short stories, including examples. I was impressed with the checklists at the end of each chapter and will use them the next time I sit down to work on a WIP.

[Purplelion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with useful information that can help you write a great story. My favorite section was the editing process and the distinction between the types that are needed. Highly recommended.

[Krystina Schuler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid book on how to write a story (short or otherwise).