[EnlightenedOne]

Hiya,

As the title says, I've got a few stories together - two done and several more under construction - but I'm not sure of the best way of promoting them. I've been looking around Google for short story competitions or sites that pay for stories but haven't found all that much yet and my browsing time is pathetically limited. Also, I live in a town with no literary society, no fantasy fan clubs, no specialist magazine shops, etc. Could anybody help point me in the right direction? I basically would like some links to good publishers, web-sites, magazines, etc. where first-time authors can promote their stories. They're mostly fantasy with varying degrees of horror in them but I also have a few sci-fi stories as well, if that makes any difference. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

[tracyt1800]

Have you had them critiqued? We have a local writers group in my town where we critique each others work. Not so many scifi/fantasy folks in the group, but you do get a different view of things reading the other material. Everyone says that helps, although I have yet to send anything off for publishing.

You could try the short story magazines. Analog, Asimov's, The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy, etc.

Good luck!

[KatG]

You might want to check out one of our Sticky Threads -- Writers Writing Resources -- for info on useful sites for magazine and publisher info, and possible markets. One good one to check out for magazine markets, print and on-line, is ralan.com.

[Tari]

Has your town got a local newspaper or something. i know it's small but most local papers have some section in their on entertainment or something and you could always send it there. that was one of the first steps i made for my poetry.

There are also online critique groups you could join.

~ Tari

[JamesL]

If you are looking to get your stories published, then check out http://www.ralan.com/ - the most comprehensive guide to fantasy/sci-fi/horror magazines and webzines. You're bound to find plenty of publications that you can submit your short fiction to, and many of them are professional publications.

[EnlightenedOne]

OK, thanks for the sugestions. I'm checking out ralan.com now, but it's a sort of "can't see the wood for the trees" situation but I've got a start at least. Unfortunately my town is a bit of a cultural graveyard so there's no literary groups here but something will show up eventually I'm sure. Wish me luck :)

[Tari]

Good Luck!!! :D