Writing Excuses Transcripts

Writing Excuses 12.35: Short Fiction Markets, with Spencer Ellsworth and guest host Beth Meacham

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2017/08/27/12-35-short-fiction-markets-with-spencer-ellsworth-and-guest-host-beth-meacham/

Key Points: The short fiction market has grown enormously. Where should you submit? Consider size of the audience, how much you get paid, and how shiny it is to you (attractiveness!). What's most important to you? Express yourself first, don't try to impress the editor or write like someone else. Short fiction teaches you to get the important stuff on the page, and shave off the unimportant stuff. Plus, it's fun! You need to read short fiction to know what's already been done, and then tell a new story. Finally, slap your muse. (aka don't write the easy story, look for a unique new story!)

( The Big 3/4/5/ became 10 or 20? )

[Howard] Who's got our writing prompt?
[Beth] Spencer does.
[Spencer] Okay. So. Since I assume a lot of you came here because you're Brandon Sanderson fans, anyway, and you like long stories, I want you all to think about a long story you really… The type of long story you really enjoy, the type of storytelling you like to see a big book, an epic, an epic of Gilgamesh type thing. Then I want you to sit down and write it in under 4000 words. See if you can communicate the same thing… The kind of thing that you think needs 500 pages, in 4000 words.
[Howard] Outstanding. This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses. Now go write short.