The Long and Short of It...

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I primarily write cozy mystery novels, but I started my writing career in the short story world. My first traditionally published work was “Washed up” in the first Virginia is for Mysteries anthology. I just finished a crime story that was a little darker for an upcoming musically themed anthology. I’m at the point in the writing process that includes a hundred revisions and edits before I send that one to the editor.

I like both formats. If you’ve never considered writing a short story, here are some things to think about…

  • Since I write cozy mysteries that have expectations about characters, violence, and language, I get to experiment more with the short stories. Mine tend to be a little darker than my novels.

  • You’re writing in a smaller space, so it takes less time to write than a book. You see a first draft much sooner.

  • You’re writing in a smaller space, and that means every word counts. Most short stories range in the 4k to 6k word count limits. There can’t be extra explanations, a ton of characters, or long sections of dialog.

  • You need to be able to tell your story with a shorter timetable. I think sometimes, it’s harder to write a complete story in a compacted space.

  • Short story anthologies have gained in popularity in the mystery community, and there are quite a few outlets for publishing opportunities. Check out the Short Mystery Fiction Society. It’s a great group of short story writers who put out lots of calls for short stories.

  • If you’re on the East Coast, check out ShortCon. The next one is in June. It’s a great opportunity to network with other writers and attend amazing panels and workshops.

If you’re looking for a new outlet or you’re interested in trying your hand at a mystery, consider a short story.