Well, the traditional horror publishers are a good bet. They have the resources to market and distribute your stories widely. For example, Cemetery Dance Publications is well - known in the horror community. Additionally, there are some niche horror websites that accept short story submissions and pay for them. And don't forget about audiobook platforms. You can sell the rights to your horror short stories to be made into audiobooks.
Online literary magazines are great. They often look for fresh and diverse short stories. Some well - known ones include 'Electric Literature' and 'The Sun'. Another option is anthologies. There are many themed anthologies that accept submissions from freelance writers. Self - publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing can also be a good market if you build up an audience.
Some of the best markets to get paid for short horror stories include well - established horror publishers. For example, Cemetery Dance has a great reputation for publishing high - quality horror and compensating their authors. Then there are horror - themed websites that run on ad revenue and pay their writers based on the traffic their stories generate. Additionally, don't overlook local or regional horror markets. Sometimes, small local presses or literary magazines in areas with a big horror fan base are willing to pay for good short horror stories.
One way is to search online for horror - specific publishers. There are many websites that list publishers interested in horror genres. Also, check out horror magazines. They often publish short horror stories. Another option is to look at anthologies. Some anthologies are dedicated to short horror stories and are always looking for new submissions.
One good market could be indie horror magazines. They often look for unique and edgy content like body horror short stories. Another option is online horror platforms that specifically target horror enthusiasts. Some small press publishers that focus on horror genre also provide good markets as they are always on the lookout for fresh and disturbing stories.
One of the best paying markets for short stories is 'The New Yorker'. They are known for paying well and have a high - profile readership. Their standards are quite high though, so the stories need to be of top - notch quality.
Well, there are a few places. 'Nightmare Magazine' is a great market for horror stories in general, and they do not shy away from body horror. It has a dedicated readership interested in all kinds of horror sub - genres. There are also some niche literary journals that focus on the macabre, like 'The Darkest Woods Journal'. They might be interested in body horror short stories. Additionally, horror conventions often have their own zines or collections where you could submit your body horror short stories.
The best markets for very very short stories include ezines such as 'Daily Science Fiction'. They are always on the lookout for short and engaging stories. Social media platforms can also be considered. For example, Twitter has a growing community of 'Twitterature' where people write and share very short stories. You can also look into self - publishing on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. You have full control over your very short story's publication and can potentially reach a global audience.
Some independent publishers are excellent markets for getting paid for short stories. They may not have the huge budgets of big publishers, but they are often more open to new and emerging writers. For example, small local publishers might be interested in stories with a local flavor. It's also worth considering writing for content mills that pay for short - form content, although the pay may not be as high as other options, but it can be a starting point.
Some of the best markets include established print magazines like 'Harper's Magazine'. They have a reputation for quality content and pay their authors. There are also niche markets like those for young adult short stories. Publishers that focus on this genre often look for new and exciting short stories and are willing to pay. Additionally, self - publishing on platforms like Smashwords and making your short stories available for purchase can be a good market if you can market your work well and attract readers.
One challenge is creating a full - fledged horror experience in a short space. You have to quickly establish the mood, characters, and threat without much room for build - up. Another is avoiding clichés. Since horror has so many common tropes, it's hard to be original in a short story. Also, making the horror believable within a short span can be difficult. For example, if you introduce a supernatural element too quickly without proper setup, it can seem forced.