The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers: Writing and Selling Short Stories with Douglas Smith
Episode Release Date: February 10, 2025
Host: Joanna Penn
Podcast Description: Writing Craft and Creative Business
Introduction
In Episode 794 of The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers, Joanna Penn delves into the art and business of writing short stories with renowned author Douglas Smith. Released on February 10, 2025, this episode offers invaluable insights into improving writing craft, navigating traditional and self-publishing avenues, monetizing short fiction, and structuring collections. The conversation is enriched with notable announcements, personal anecdotes, and expert advice tailored for both emerging and established writers.
Simons & Schuster's Bold Move on Blurbs
Joanna begins the episode by highlighting a significant industry shift reported by The Guardian: Simon & Schuster's Sean Manning announced that authors will no longer be required to obtain blurbs for their books. Manning states:
"Expecting authors, agents, and editors to secure blurbs can create an incestuous and unmeritocratic literary ecosystem that often rewards connections over talent."
(00:00:56)
This change is celebrated by indie authors, including Joanna, who appreciates the reduced pressure to solicit endorsements. She reflects:
"It's great that many traditionally published authors won't need to do that. It levels the playing field in a better way for indie authors."
(00:01:20)
James Patterson to Headline Author Nation 2025
Joanna shares exciting news about the upcoming Author Nation 2025 conference, where bestselling author James Patterson will deliver the keynote address. Joe Solari, Managing Director of Author Nation, remarks:
"The next decade of publishing won't be defined by traditional versus independent. It will be defined by authors who think like entrepreneurs."
(00:02:15)
Joanna praises Patterson's entrepreneurial spirit and his influence on modern authors:
"James Patterson is the original authorpreneur. His decision to speak at Author Nation validates what our community has known: the future of publishing belongs to authors who master both craft and business."
(00:02:30)
She emphasizes the value of attending the conference for writers aspiring to run their writing as a business, despite personal reservations about large events:
"Vegas is tough for introverts, but it is so worth going to this conference for many reasons."
(00:03:10)
Maximizing In-Person Sales and Networking
Joanna discusses strategies for selling books at events, referencing an interview from the Novel Marketing Podcast with Sarah Hickner. She underscores the importance of engaging with potential readers:
"Sarah's key takeaway: The person who talks the most is usually the one who feels the best after the conversation. So ask people questions and give them a chance to talk about themselves."
(00:04:25)
Joanna shares her upcoming library event in Bath, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of organizing in-person sales:
"I've worked harder in the last five weeks than I have done in a long time. Even though everything's not perfect, I need to just go and do this. Face a fear."
(00:05:10)
Personal Projects and Embracing New Opportunities
Transitioning to personal news, Joanna updates listeners on her ongoing projects, including the adaptation of her novel Death Valley for the Berlin Film Market. She reflects on her writing process:
"I see like a movie in my head and that's what I write down. So I'm almost completely non-auditory in what I imagine. That's why my novels are very visual."
(00:06:40)
Joanna discusses the integration of AI tools to enhance her creative output, such as using MidJourney for evocative pitch decks:
"AI tools help amplify me and double down on being human."
(00:07:15)
She expresses her enthusiasm for potential collaborations in AI filmmaking and short film adaptations of her work, emphasizing the evolving landscape of storytelling.
Sponsorship: ProWritingAid
The episode features a sponsorship segment where Joanna advocates for ProWritingAid as an essential tool in her writing process. She details how she utilizes the software to refine her manuscripts:
"ProWritingAid knows all the rules of editing and helps you apply them, but of course, you don't have to make the changes."
(00:08:30)
Joanna highlights the benefits of multiple editing passes with ProWritingAid and praises its integration with other writing tools like Scrivener:
"There are useful reports including story strengths and weaknesses, areas for improvement, and other analysis."
(00:09:10)
Listeners are encouraged to explore ProWritingAid through her affiliate link for enhanced editing capabilities.
Interview with Douglas Smith: Mastering Short Stories
Background and Journey into Short Fiction
Douglas Smith, a multi-award-winning Canadian author with over 200 short fiction publications, shares his inspiration for focusing on short stories. Reflecting on the passing of his favorite author, Roger Zelazny, Douglas recounts:
"I started writing that summer and turned out about eight short stories. I joined a writing group, and about a year and a half later, I got my acceptance letter on New Year's Eve."
(00:20:14)
He emphasizes the importance of balancing a professional career while nurturing his writing passion:
"I remained an IT executive. Writing was done in spare time and especially when I started with short fiction."
(00:22:24)
The Value of Starting with Short Stories
Douglas advocates for beginning a writing career with short fiction, citing its benefits in honing craft and providing measurable benchmarks. He explains:
"Short fiction teaches you how to be a writer. It gives you a method to try out different types of stories and build your toolbox."
(00:24:12)
Douglas warns against jumping directly into indie publishing without first refining one's writing through traditional markets:
"If you don't sell to professional markets, it's probably not going to be a very good piece of writing."
(00:25:50)
He further elaborates that short stories allow writers to experiment with various genres and narrative structures more freely than novels.
Defining Short Stories and Market Strategies
Clarifying the terminology, Douglas references the Science Fiction Fantasy Writers Association's definitions:
"A short story is up to 7,500 words, a novelette up to 17,750, and a novella up to 40,000 words."
(00:28:59)
He advises keeping short stories within 3,000 to 5,000 words to enhance marketability, noting:
"The longer the story, the harder it will be to sell."
(00:29:58)
Navigating Short Story Markets and Rights
Douglas outlines the primary markets for short fiction: magazines, anthologies, and audio platforms. He explains the nuances of licensing rights:
"Publishers will license first rights for print, electronic, or audio formats based on their medium."
(00:32:24)
Douglas introduces the concept of occurrence rights and reversion periods, highlighting the flexibility of selling reprints post-reversion:
"After the reversion period, the rights come back to you, allowing you to sell reprints indefinitely."
(00:34:44)
This model contrasts with novel publishing, where rights can be more restrictive and long-term.
Monetizing Short Stories: Earnings and Strategies
Addressing potential earnings, Douglas states:
"Top professional markets pay around 8 cents per word, translating to approximately $400 for a 5,000-word story."
(00:37:15)
He emphasizes the importance of submitting to premium markets initially to maximize earnings and enhance writer credibility. Douglas also discusses balancing direct sales with traditional market submissions, noting that established authors like himself can leverage existing platforms for greater financial returns.
Creating and Structuring a Short Story Collection
Douglas offers comprehensive advice on compiling a short story collection:
- Quality Over Quantity: Ensure all included stories are polished and previously recognized in top markets.
- Strategic Ordering: Place the best stories at the beginning and end to engage readers effectively.
- Crafting Reader Experience: Balance genres, tones, and lengths to create a cohesive and enjoyable reading journey.
He shares:
"The collection is judged on its weakest story, so all included must be top-notch."
(00:43:56)
Douglas also discusses the inclusion of exclusive stories and supplementary material like author notes to enhance the collection's value.
Exploring Audio Versions and Market Trends
The conversation touches on the growing audio market, with Douglas sharing his experiences:
"Audio is a growing market, but narrating and editing require significant investment."
(00:50:49)
He suggests creative strategies for leveraging platforms like Spotify for short story discoverability, such as creating themed playlists to attract listeners.
Publishing Second Editions and Marketing Challenges
Douglas reflects on his process for releasing second editions of his non-fiction works, prompted by evolving market conditions and reader feedback:
"When the first version no longer feels right, or there's more to say on a topic, it's time for a new edition."
(00:54:13)
He acknowledges the challenges in marketing revised editions but highlights the role of established networks and collaborations in successful promotions.
Conclusion
Joanna wraps up the episode by contrasting her approach to short story publishing with Douglas's traditional market perspective. She emphasizes that while their business models differ, the fundamental craft principles remain consistent. Listeners are encouraged to explore diverse paths in writing and publishing, utilizing the insights shared by Douglas to navigate their unique journeys.
Poised for the future, Joanna teases the next episode featuring Marissa Meyer, focusing on maintaining joy and flow in writing amidst the dynamic publishing landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Start with Short Stories: Ideal for honing writing skills, experimenting with genres, and building a professional portfolio.
- Understand Rights and Licensing: Critical for maximizing revenue and maintaining control over your work.
- Target Premium Markets First: Enhance credibility and earnings by submitting to top-tier publications initially.
- Strategize Collection Structure: Ensure all stories are of high quality and thoughtfully ordered to engage readers.
- Embrace Audio Opportunities: Leverage growing platforms for additional exposure, considering the investment required.
- Network and Collaborate: Utilize existing relationships and platforms to effectively market new editions and collections.
Notable Quotes
-
Sean Manning on Blurbs:
"Expecting authors, agents, and editors to secure blurbs can create an incestuous and unmeritocratic literary ecosystem that often rewards connections over talent."
(00:00:56) -
Douglas Smith on Crafting:
"Short fiction teaches you how to be a writer. It gives you a method to try out different types of stories and build your toolbox."
(00:24:12) -
Joanna Penn on AI Tools:
"AI tools help amplify me and double down on being human."
(00:07:15) -
Douglas Smith on Collection Quality:
"The collection is judged on its weakest story, so all included must be top-notch."
(00:43:56)
Resources Mentioned
- ProWritingAid: prowritingaid.com/Joanna
- Author Nation Conference: Authornation.live
- Douglas Smith's Website: SmithWriter.com
Engage with Joanna and Douglas
Listeners are encouraged to connect with Joanna and Douglas through their respective websites and social media platforms for further insights, resources, and community engagement.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and advice shared in the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not yet listened to it.