Publishing a short story, especially for an academic module assignment, can be an exciting yet challenging process. When I began on this journey with my story “The Story of Seraphina,” I had no idea of the intricate steps involved in getting a piece ready for publication. Through careful planning, countless revisions, and a deep dive into understanding the publishing world. Here, I share my reflections on this experience, hoping to offer some insight for fellow writers and students.
First things first, I had to wrap my head around what the assignment wanted from me. The module required us to write and publish a short story. Our module leader suggested finding publications that matched our story’s style and themes. So, I made sure “The Story of Seraphina,” with its themes of self-discovery and empowerment, would fit right in.
“The Story of Seraphina” is about a young girl named Seraphina fighting for her freedom in a world that tries to silence and hold her. Seraphina has a supernatural ability, able to create a burning gas from her hands, and is being held captive in a school which functions more like a prison for people who have these gifts. Drawing from my own experiences and those of women around me, I wanted to create a story that felt real and meaningful. My early drafts were all about Seraphina’s inner struggles and how she navigated the small world around her.
Once I had something solid, I joined a group workshop. Sharing my story with peers and getting their feedback was eye-opening. Some pointed out parts where the plot dragged, others spotted inconsistencies in the characters’ behaviour. It was tough to hear, but it made the story a lot stronger in the end. I ended up cutting an entire side character named Leora!
Next, I had to figure out where to send my story. Jane Friedman, in her book “The Business of Being a Writer,” talks about how publishing a short story can be simpler than pitching a whole book (Friedman, J. 2018). This made sense to me, so I started researching magazines and websites that might like “The Story of Seraphina.” I made a list of potential places, like Clarkesworld and Uncanny Magazine. I checked their submission guidelines carefully to make sure my story fit their vibe.
Understanding who might read my story was key to figuring out where to submit it for further publishing. Alison Baverstock talks about figuring out who might want to read your work (Baverstock, A. 2006), and I took that to heart. I looked at past issues of the journals I was interested in to see what kind of stories they liked. This helped me tweak my story to fit their style.
To up my chances of getting published, I entered a few writing competitions. Winning or even getting shortlisted can really boost your confidence as a writer. Dianne Doubtfire says it’s important to research competitions just like you would markets (Doubtfire, D. 1993)., and she’s right. I intend on entering contests like the BBC National Short Story aware, making sure to follow all their rules to a T.
Even though I was aiming for traditional publication, I kept self-publishing in mind as a backup plan. Jane Friedman talks about how online platforms have made self-publishing more accessible, and that got me thinking. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing seemed like good options if traditional routes didn’t pan out.
This part was tough. Joe Craig says you have to be ruthless when editing your work (Craig, J. 2015), and he’s not wrong. I took a break from my story for a while to gain some distance, then came back to it with fresh eyes. It was hard, but I knew every cut and tweak was making my story better.
Looking back on this whole process, from brainstorming to publication, I’ve learned so much about writing and the publishing world. It hasn’t been easy, but every step has been worth it. My advice to other writers and students is to embrace the journey fully. Understand your audience, seek feedback, and don’t be afraid to revise. Whether you go traditional or self-publishing, stay true to your story and keep practicing your craft.
In the end, publishing “The Story of Seraphina” was as much about the journey as the story itself. It taught me that with hard work and perseverance, getting published is possible. So, to all the writers out there, keep writing, keep rewriting, and never give up on the stories you want to tell and share with the world.
References:
Friedman, J. (2018). The Business of Being a Writer. The University of Chicago Press.
Baverstock, A. (2006). Is There a Book In You. A & C Black Publishers Limited.
Doubtfire, D. (1993). Teach Yourself: Creative Writing. Hodder Education.
Craig, J. (2015) ‘How to Win a Creative Writing Competition – Top Tips.’ The Guardian.
