Third Time in Chicken Soup for the Soul — How to Become an Experienced Writer

Experienced Writer

Experienced Writer     Experienced Writer     Experienced Writer

Writing short stories can help a novice writer become an experienced writer.

Writing short stories can lead to being published if you know how and what to pitch. At this point in my career, I write short stories for fun. Above are three titles that include the stories I wrote for Chicken Soup for the Soul.

  1. Available on Amazon (published by Simon Schuster): Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cat Really Did That?: 101 Stories of Miracles, Mischief and Magical Moments
  2. Available on Amazon: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Mom Knows Best: 101 Stories of Love, Gratitude & Wisdom
  3. Available on Amazon: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be You: 101 Stories of Affirmation, Determination and Female Empowerment

I occurred to me that Chicken Soup for the Soul is a great opportunity for writers, and I enjoy sharing the experience. But there are a lot of other resources and publishing opportunities, if you know where to look.

Keep reading to find information and inspiration for getting your own short stories published!

I previously blogged about alternate publishing sources with lots of links to magazines and journals that are open to submissions. Definitely check it out — these venues may jump start your writing career and can help build your portfolio!

Here’s more —

Tips on becoming an Experienced Writer

Write, submit. Write, submit. Write, submit. That’s it in a nutshell. Be sure, though, to check websites for criteria and requirements so your efforts aren’t wasted. Also, note that links change, entities change or close up shop, and the information below may change as well.

Check out NewPages.com for calls for submissions. NewPages.com has news, information, and guides to literary magazines, independent publishers, creative writing programs, alternative periodicals, indie bookstores, writing contests, and more.

View the classifieds on Poets & Writers. Founded in 1970, Poets & Writers is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization serving creative writers. Mission: to foster the professional development of poets and writers, to promote communication throughout the literary community, and to help create an environment in which literature can be appreciated by the widest possible public.

Take a look at Write Jobs which provides remote paying job leads and opportunities for writers since 2010.

Visit Freelance Writing, the most comprehensive hub on the web for both businesses to hire top quality writers, and freelance writers to find high-paying jobs and make money writing.

Try Cathy’s Comps and Calls, free-to-enter writing competitions/contests and calls for submissions, all of which can be entered online.

While your at it, Trish Hopkinson is a great source for calls for submissions.

If you are into poems, The Poetry Kit  is a great resource.

Join Calls for Submissions, a Facebook group for poetry, fiction and art.

Subscribe to Erika Dreifus’ newsletter for fee-free (AND paying) calls and competitions—plus other resources for writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

Click around on Angela Carr’s blog (A Dreaming Skin) — poetry competitions, submissions & opportunities

Contact experienced writer, book editor and author Melanie Saxton for more information.

melaniesaxton@icloud.com