They usually have an air of mystery. Take the Forbidden Forest in the 'Harry Potter' series. It's full of dangerous and unknown things, from centaurs to werewolves. The vegetation can be otherworldly too, like giant mushrooms or sentient vines. And the weather can be extreme, with sudden storms or eternal mists.
They serve as a source of adventure. Heroes often have to journey through these wild places, facing challenges along the way. For instance, in 'The Chronicles of Narnia', the woods and mountains are full of perils for the children to overcome.
Yes, 'Into the Wild' can be considered a work of fantasy fiction. It often takes the reader on a journey into a wild and uncharted realm, filled with elements that are not strictly based on our known reality. There are often strange creatures, magical landscapes, and a sense of wonder that are typical of the fantasy genre.
I don't have specific data on its popularity. However, if it manages to capture the essence of wild places in an engaging way, and if it has a unique storytelling approach, it has the potential to be popular. But it also needs to reach the right audience. For instance, those who love historical fiction combined with environmental themes might be more likely to find it appealing.
One great place is 'Fantasy & Science Fiction' magazine. It has a long history of publishing high - quality fantasy short stories. Another is Tor.com. They are known for promoting a wide range of speculative fiction, including fantasy. And Clarkesworld is also excellent. It has a good reputation for publishing diverse and engaging fantasy short works.
Some places to submit fiction are contests. Many writing contests welcome fiction entries. They can be a great way to get your work noticed. Also, self - publishing platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing can be considered. You can submit your fiction and make it available to a wide audience. Additionally, some universities have their own literary journals that accept submissions from outside writers.