Writing Contest from Amanda’s Blog – repost

This is a repost from Amanda’s Blog.

I said I’d get back to writing today. Let it not be said I have lied to my wonderful readers. While this isn’t about finding an agent, this is about getting published. So, here we go.

I have mentioned my plans to get published in a literary journal. Being totally convinced I can do anything with my writing – well, except for writing a dangling query letter – I have come up with a list of places to attempt to get a short story published. Below, I have added why this is crazy.

Glimmer Train Press: One of the prestigious literary journals in America today. There has been some talk in writer circles if the prestigious is because Glimmer Train is selective about what they publish, or because everyone wants to be published in Glimmer Train. By everyone, I mean everyone who wants to write short stories wants to be published in Glimmer Train. Agents read Glimmer Train to see what is out there. Editors read Glimmer Train. Authors read Glimmer Train. Every month, Glimmer Train holds a contest. There is an entry fee, but the entry fee goes to the prize money. And it isn’t a huge entry fee. This month’s entry fee is $18. Yep, huge fee there. This month’s category is Open Fiction 2,000 to 20,000 words. In case anyone is wondering, I am up to 3,801 words for this month’s competition. It’ll be done in another 1,000 words or so.

The best part about Glimmer Train Press? The rights revert back to you in one year after publication. Let’s say I win. But the winning story was part of my novel that is about four novels down the line. I can always reuse the winning story again in my novel. Or, if I was to write a bunch of short stories and want to publish them in a hardcover book, I could use my winning story from Glimmer Train.

Harper’s Magazine: Seriously, it is Harper’s Magazine, people! Do I need to explain why I would love to be in Harper’s? Yes, this is the same Harper’s Magazine that was around in the 1800s. Okay, so they don’t do contests, but maybe I can get a short story printed in Harper’s and then I’ll use that to get agents to read my query letter. And, Harper’s has a query letter only for non-fiction! Yep, I’ll be thinking of that perfect story for Harper’s Magazine.

Prairie Schooner: This literary journal out of the University of Nebraska is a great place to get short stories published. They also have a novel contest. (Yep, I’m thinking about entering.)

The only problem is y’all might have to buy a bunch of literary mags to read my published works. Then again, y’all are planning on buying my novels when they come out. Right? So, just think of it as pre-buying training. My confidence is back. Let’s get this stuff published.