Taking the Short Tack: Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short Fiction

by Matty Dalrymple, Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Are you a short fiction writer wondering what opportunities are open to you?

Are you a long-form fiction writer wondering if short fiction is worth the investment of your time?

Short fiction is enjoying a resurgence and provides both independently and traditionally published authors opportunities for creating income and connecting with readers.

Matty Dalrymple and Mark Leslie Lefebvre will show you where those opportunities lie and how to take advantage of them.

CREATING INCOMETraditional Publishing MarketAnthologies & CollectionsMechanics of Indy AnthologiesStandalone e-bookse-book CollectionsSerialsForeign LanguageMarketsAudioPatron SupportGetting UnstuckCONNECTING WITH READERSOffering Your Story for FreeReader FunnelReader MagnetVideoAuthor ReadingsMarket ResearchFlash Fiction and Micro-FictionChapbooksBonus MaterialCustom StoryLocation-based AppsWhen the Reader Is an AgentBEST PRACTICESEditing and ProofreadingCover DesignLinks and QR CodesBeing an Active Member of the CommunityCreate Once, Publish Everywhere

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2020

About the author

Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers ROCK PAPER SCISSORS, SNAKES AND LADDERS, and THE IRON RING; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels THE SENSE OF DEATH, THE SENSE OF RECKONING, THE FALCON AND THE OWL, and A FURNACE FOR YOUR FOE; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including CLOSE THESE EYES and WRITE IN WATER. Matty lives with her husband and three dogs in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and enjoys vacationing on Mount Desert Island, Maine, and Sedona, Arizona, and these locations provide the settings for her work. Matty is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Brandywine Valley Writers Group.

Reviews

[Alicia McCalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough

This book went through the broad range of short fiction for authors. Very thorough and thoughtful. Good food for thought.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an informative read about short fiction and how to make the most out of it. I like how this book dived deeply in the topic of short fiction. Usually this is something that's mentioned in passing or how to use when trying to grow your newsletter for example. I liked how in this book the spotlight was on short fiction. The authors show a big variety of techniques and opportunities you can make use of when writing short fiction and also how to use the same piece of short fiction more than once or for different goals.

I liked how broadly the topic of short fiction is covered. Everything from self publishing to traditional publishing from anthologies to newsletter magnets in covered. As well as a variety of topics like chapbooks, making an audio or video of your short fiction and more that I hadn't thought of yet. I liked how this was written in a way that most authors no matter their goal (money or audience) and no matter how they publish could find something they could use in here.

The way to book was set up worked well with first money focused strategies, then the audience building ones and then some general tips. I also liked how the authors address different resources that can help you and link to these after each chapter as well as collect them at the end of the book.

The only thing that didn't quite work for me is the writing style, not sure why, but it didn't fully keep my attention at times. As it's written by two authors it also was a bit weird how they referred to themselves in third person and we depending on the sentence, which felt a bit off at times. There are covers included in the book of short stories and anthologies they referred to, which didn't quite work for me. In an ebook these take up quite some space and break up the reading.

To summarize: This was an informative read about short fiction. The authors seem knowledgeable and share a broad variety of strategies and ways to utilize short fiction. It was great to read a whole book focused on short fiction as short fiction usually is only mentioned in passing or as a means to an end, while here the spotlight really is on short fiction. I liked how the approach was quite broad and it covers everything from money making to audience building with tips applicable to traditional publishing and self publishing. I had some small niggles like how the writing style didn't fully work for me and the covers included in the book break up the text in a weird manner at time sin the ebook version. All in all I would definitely recommend this if you want to know more about short fiction and how to utilize it.

[Lisa Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any writer who writes short fiction or is considering writing short fiction should read this book. It is extremely well-researched, well-organized, and well thought-out. This book is invaluable for any writer who wants to use their short fiction to generate income and/or to engage readers. No matter what path you're considering taking with your short fiction, this book has what you need. I got so much out of this book and other writers will as well. This is an extremely excellent resource for writers, especially in the digital age. Well done!

[Sacha Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic and informative book. An absolute must read for any author of short fiction wanting to make the best use of their stories. Whether that’s increasing readers, sales or assets. Highly recommended for new authors or seasoned pros alike.

[Consultant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is based on the ebook version of this publication. The authors are both experienced and knowledgeable writers in several genres and formats. They provide a reasonably thorough overview of the market and sources for writing short works. The advice is solid and presented clearly. They claim the novel market is over-crowded but short form offers better opportunities for in-roads and income, especially as the publishing world has evolved on the digital age.

The downside of this publication is that it was produced in early 2020. It cites sources from 2013 and 2018, and references “The Writer’s Market” as the best resource for market options. That series ceased publication after the 2020 edition. Sections that detail pay rates and guidelines are mostly dated at this point. So for general advice this is a valuable guide, but it probably needs an update to stay more relevant to the continued market changes.

[Roger Alix-Gaudreau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful Info and Resources for Short Fiction Authors

This book has a range of useful information, advice, and resources for authors interested in making short fiction a key component of their strategies. Technology changes quickly, though, so readers should double-check any tech resource suggested here, and given the publication date, it doesn’t discuss the implications of AI (no surprise). The book feels somewhat padded with repeated explanations of why the nautical metaphor makes sense (one explanation would have been enough), academic essay style summaries of what the book just told you and what it’s about to tell you, and lots of pictures of the authors’ book covers. Maybe the authors were concerned it would be too short without that stuff, but a short book seems appropriate for the subject matter. Without the padding, I’d have given this four stars.

[Michele Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read on How To Get Your Short Fiction Selling

I read this book in one sitting! It was easy to read, super informative and inspiring. I have experience as a short fiction writer, mostly in traditional markets (just sold my first reprint!) but wanted to see what other options exist. This book offers chunkable and practical step by step information (with plenty of compelling examples from both authors) that will take any writer's career to the next level. You learn about anthologies, chapbooks, audio and geo-location as potential formats for one's short fiction. I really appreciate how the authors emphasized thinking creatively of how to get your work out there in new ways and also the importance of building relationships with other writers. The resource list is invaluable. I don't want to leave potential money on the table and I like the challenge of finding new markets, so will be implementing much of what I have discovered here.

[F. Stephan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it goes to the point without fuss and because it opened my mind with ... possibilities

I have been writing short stories for a year now, adding them in my own anthology and submitting a few of them. But I could do so much more ! I enjoy writing flash fictions and short stories and I am glad I will try to provide them to readers in more ways !

The book is direct, as stated above. A few pages on Mark and Matty's work may not be required, but having read Mark's work already, he didn't need to earn my trust. So I skipped over the passages describing them (sorry !) focus on all the eye-opening discussion.

absolutely worth reading if you enjoy writing shorts !!!

[Marina Pacheco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful, short book on all the ways you can use short fiction for income and self promotion. This is aimed at both trad published and self published authors. Self published or hybrid authors would benefit most from it. It jam packed with useful references and links. It is also a working example of how to self promote and build your own brand and sales.

[L.K. Latham]

Love a business discussion about writing that doesn't sound like a business discussion. If you're an author and you're looking for easy to follow business tactics, this is the book for you. Found out I'm on the right tract with my short fiction, which is good since I don't right much short fiction. I want to make sure each word will move my career forward. Thanks, Matty and Mark!

[Karen Heenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long form fiction is my happy place, but I've learned that short fiction also has its place - I just need to accept that it's a different form and learn to work within its boundaries. Matty and Mark's book is an encouraging, kind-hearted kick in the pants that will make you look at all the different ways you can use short fiction in your writing career.

[Trina Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to the opportunities in short fiction! It's full of practical advice for writers, showing how to make money and connect with readers through short stories. If you're a writer interested in short fiction, this is a must-read.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful resource for writers interested in the short story market with helpful resources. Highly recommend.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has some interesting suggestions on what to do with short fiction. Better if you've never considered writing it before, but still has some use. YMMV.