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Seven Secrets of Publishing Short Stories

Published about 1 year ago • 2 min read

Authors Only

Hey, it’s Shannon!

It’s 23:00. (Why do I always push it until the last minute?)

Anyway—you want the Seven Secrets of Publishing Short Stories, right?

Last Saturday, we hosted an event in the Authors Only Collective that is usually reserved for members but was too valuable not to share. I’ve been trying to help authors understand what Charlie Fish discusses in his presentation for years, but I never compiled everything in one place. Now, I have a resource I can point authors to.

This replay is essential if you want to understand short-fiction publishing and gain a competitive edge. I also included the slides and a link to The Fish List.

And speaking of must-attend events… Finnian Burnett is back with another incredible workshop: 👇🏼

Upcoming Events

Flash Fiction Playground with Finnian Burnett

Enrollment Closes Thursday

If you want a workshop where you'll explore creative forms and techniques that most flash fiction workshops never touch, this workshop is for you.

Flash Fiction Playground covers the full range of craft, from structure and conflict to tension and imagery, but it also opens the door to experimental approaches that stretch what flash fiction can do. You'll try new forms during the sessions with Finnian guiding you through.

You'll leave with new flash drafts and creative tools you didn't have before.

Workshop Details:

  • WHERE: Zoom
  • DATES: April 12 & 26
  • 6 hours of instruction + lifetime access to recordings
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Seven Secrets of Publishing Short Stories with Charlie Fish

Are you fed up with impersonal rejection letters? Charlie Fish, founder and editor of Fiction on the Web, lifts the lid on how literary magazines work and how to navigate them to improve your hit rate for successfully published stories. These seven secrets are guaranteed to give you a new perspective—and an unfair advantage—on publishing your short stories.

Authors Only Collective Spotlight

AOC members celebrated over 500 acceptances in 2025, and we're already at 98 for 2026. Every week, writers who consistently participate in our feedback exchanges report new successes.

This week's newest publications:

Become a Member of the Collective

From “Is this good enough?” to “I know this is ready.”

Post your draft. Get feedback from writers who’ve walked this path. Submit with confidence instead of crossing your fingers.

Our members have published over 585 pieces using this system.

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Authors Only List

by Flash Fiction Magazine

We help thousands of fiction authors learn more about the craft of writing and publishing short stories. Join us every Tuesday for writing tips and articles.

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