AboutCathy Clamp Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of getting short stories published in magazines, ezines and anthologies I can help with writing a cover letter to an editor and editing the story to suit a request for revisions. I can explain publishing terminology, acronyms and manuscript formatting. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of magazines, ezines and anthology publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication.
Experience I'm a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance Tor/Forge Books. Along with a co-author, I've published fifteen novels (combination of mass market and trade softcover) since 2003, and have contracts for four more books through 2011. I've also published short stories in multiple anthologies, plus regional and national magazines.
Organizations Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America.
Publications Books/Anthologies: Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing; Short Stories: BenBella Books, Running Press, Prairie Times, California Fish & Game, Freya's Bower, Wild Child Publishing, OxCart Press. Many others.
Education/Credentials My educational background is limited to real life experience of publishing novels commercially for the past five years
Awards and Honors USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, RT BOOKreviews Career Achievement Award, Book Buyers Best Award for Paranormal, Romantic Times Best Werewolf Novel, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Best Historical Chronicle Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
Question Alright, how DO I know if I have a good idea?
Answer Hi, Alora!
I saw your question in the question pool, and thought I'd offer to help you out a bit.
The answer is actually pretty easy. EVERY idea is a good one. It's all about what you do with it. See, short stories are slices of time in a character's life. The longer the story, the wider the slice. Pick the right event in that person's life and it can be gripping and fascinating. Pick a slower period and the story will drag a little more. But the story isn't about the idea, it's about the life you've created on paper.
The question then is whether you've got the right character for the story. That's trial and error, because maybe---or maybe not. If you've got an idea for a STORY, then you're probably thinking about the plot more than the character. That's okay, but short stories rely on getting immediately attached to the character, because there's not many words to tell the plot. So, you first need to have a fascinating person and then have something happen to him/her.
If you've got a good person, then every idea about the person will likewise be good. My best advice is that even if you don't use it in the story, CREATE a full backstory on the person before you start. S/he had a life before the story opens and (usually) goes on with their life when it ends. So, who was s/he? What was for dinner LAST night, before the story opens? Are the dishes still in the sink? Who was the last message on the voice mail or who slipped a parchment under the door of the hut? That will determine how the character REACTS to the plot you've tossed at them (are they happy or mad or sad or scared), and it will make or break the good idea.
Does that make sense? Good luck with the story, and feel free to ask any other questions. :)
