How to Write Short Stories (for kid readers)

If you’ve been following along with my guest post, you probably know that I love mysteries, and I love writing for kids. What you might not know is that I didn’t start my writing career in Kidlit. I spent about ten years mostly writing short stories. I still love writing short form—there’s nothing like the satisfaction of writing THE END after just a few writing sessions.

            Aside from writing shorts stories for adult readers, I’ve been lucky enough to get my stories for kids in anthologies, most recently in Mystery Writers of America’s Super-PuzzletasticMysteries and the forthcoming SCBWI anthology The Haunted States of America (my story represents Colorado), out in July of 2024. Short fiction can be a great way to build those hard-earned publication credits. Plus, you learn to work with an editor.

            I try to write at least a few short stories every year despite novel deadlines, mostly for quicker satisfaction (versus novels) and also to exercise that writing muscle that comes with writing short form. You have to be sharp, focused, and get to the point in a hurry.

            I recommend that everyone give writing short stories a try. Here are a few tips to get you on your way:

 

1.     The End is The Beginning.

Start by deciding how you want your story to end, then fill in the plot points and character development along the way. Because you’re writing short form, characters can simply have a realization at the end, but you still need to earn it just like in a novel. A quick outline will make it easier to write.

 

2.     Take Time to Revise.

Short stories need editing, just like any writing. Consider sharing your story with a critique partner for some feedback. If you’re planning on submitting your story to a special market, anthology, or magazine, make sure you read the guidelines when it comes to submission length, topic, and the reader’s age. There are fewer markets for short Kidlit, so you’ll want to do your homework for the best chance of acceptance once you submit your story.

 

3.     Try Stuff Out.

Short fiction is a great way to experiment with genre, voice, and plot. Try out science fiction if you’ve always written mystery. Try third person instead of first (or second person, if you’re feeling fancy). Because your investment in time is much lower, you can take a chance or two.

Most of all, have fun!

When you’re ready to submit your story, you can check out SCBWI’s The Essential Guide for Publishing for Children (free to download from your member portal) for information on magazines and how to submit your work. Watch SCBWI and other writers’ organization newsletters for calls for submissions for anthologies.

 

About Fleur:

Fleur Bradley has loved mysteries ever since she first picked up an Agatha Christie book at the age of eleven. She’s the author of middle-grade mysteries Daybreak on Raven Island and Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking/PRH), the Double Vision trilogy (HarperCollins), as well as numerous short stories, one of which was recently chosen for the annual Best Mystery Stories of the Year anthology. Fleur’s work has been nominated for the Agatha and Anthony Award and has won the Colorado Book Award, among others.

A reluctant reader herself, Fleur is also a literacy advocate and speaks at events on how to reach reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in a small cottage in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies.

You can find Fleur online at fleurbradley.com.

SCBWI Members can submit a short story for "The Haunted States of America"

It's going to be a trade book connecting SCBWI member-takes on spooky state stories!

Here's the project description:

Godwin Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers, in conjunction with SCBWI, is putting together a collection of fifty-two short stories, one for each of the fifty states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Nationally known or relatively unheard of, based in fact or based entirely in local lore, these stories should capture the spooky side of the U.S. All story authors will be chosen from the SCBWI membership.

We’re actively looking for authors from underrepresented communities as well as traditional communities—our goal is to have a diversity of creators and a diversity of tellings. We hope you will put your own spin on the story, your own voice and/or background, to ensure that the story is relevant to our contemporary times. We welcome submissions from both first time and more established authors.

Some guidelines:
•Up to 1,300 words
•For a middle-grade audience (nine- to twelve-years-old)
•Inspired by local/regional events or myths
•Written by someone who has a personal connection to the state featured in their story (i.e., lives in that state currently or previously lived there for at least three to five years)

Get all the details here, and good luck with your submission!

Illustrate and Write On,

Lee

Short Stories and Poetry: A Digital Renaissance Moment?

The decline of print magazines (like the venerable Newsweek, which as of this month is going digital-only) and the rise of e-books can make it seem that short stories and poetry for children and teens have a shrinking market.

But recent changes in publishing signal may a new life for these shorter forms...

A new digital-focused imprint, Harper Teen Impulse launched this month, publishing short fiction for teens.  As reported in Publisher's Weekly,

"The new line launches December 4 with a novella by Sophie Jordan, BREATHLESSS, and a futuristic novella from Scott Westerfeld, STUPID PERFECT WORLD, both selling for $1.99. The company indicates it will publish up to 4 ebooks a month, priced from 99 cents to $2.99.

Harper Children's president and publisher Susan Katz says, "We're seeing short-form content becoming more popular in the digital marketplace, and HarperTeen Impulse allows us to experiment with new concepts and deliver content quickly." 

And this piece in Salon, "Can Books Endure In A 140-character World?" by Julia Ingalls suggests that maybe the short attention span of digital natives (you're a digital immigrant if you remember a time before cell phones and email) creates an opportunity for shorter form narratives, like poetry. 

"Instead of spending five months immersed in Proust, the visual and auditory quality of social media makes it possible to spend five minutes getting your mind blown by a contemporary philosopher. Quality, not quantity, is the key."

These are fascinating times we live and create in!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee