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Writing Short Stories

Level: Professional Development

By successfully completing this course, you will:

  • Gain skills and knowledge in Writing Short Stories to expand an existing practice, as a foundation qualification towards further studies, or for personal interest
  • Be awarded the BSY Professional Certificate of Merit
  • Be eligible to become a member of AHCP (Association of Complementary Practitioners)

You can study this course from the comfort of your own home; in your own time and at your own pace; with helpful support and encouragement from our friendly tutors.

Course overview

There are very few things more enjoyable than telling and writing stories – and getting paid for it too! It is very, very easy to start, and editors are eager to buy short stories for cash. This course will teach you how to structure and write saleable short stories, present your work properly, and even provide the name and addresses of publishers who will pay several hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds for your work! You need no previous experience and no special writing ability – if you have the imagination, this course can show you how to make short story writing both profitable and enjoyable too.

Syllabus

  • Lesson One
    • The Basics of Good Short Story Writing
      • Introduction
      • The Market for Short Stories Today
      • What Subjects should you Write on?
      • And What Not to Write!
      • How to Get and Develop Ideas
      • Syndication for the Short Story Writer
      • Worldwide Sales for the Short Story Writer
      • Summary
  • Lesson Two
    • How to Write the Saleable Short Story
      • Introduction
      • What Makes a Saleable Short Story?
      • How to Structure a Short Story
      • Short Story Writing Made Easy:Using a Story Plan
      • How Long Should a Short Story Be?
      • Short Story Style: The Essential Points
      • Editing your Short Story: Polishing and Refining your Work
  • Lesson Three
    • Short Stories Subject by Subject
      • Most Popular
      • Summary
  • Lesson Four
    • Writing for Children
    • Writing for Radio
      • Selling to the Radio Stations
      • Summary
  • Lesson Five
    • Marketing and Selling your Work
      • Introduction
      • Researching the Market
      • Making Valuable Business Contacts
      • Types of Short Story Writing Assignments
      • Finding the Best Publisher
      • Making a Proposal
      • Summary
  • Lesson Six
    • How to Approach the Market
      • Introduction
      • How to Develop a Good Relationship with Editors and Producers
      • How to Present your Work Professionally
      • Submitting your Work: Important Points
      • Writing an Anthology
      • Writing for Serialisation
      • How to Deal with Rejection
      • Summary
  • Lesson Seven
    • Essential Information for Short Story Writers
      • Introduction
      • Payment Terms: Flat Fees and Royalty Arrangements
      • Payments: What to Expect
      • Contracts
      • Copyright
      • Public Lending Rights
      • Illustration and Photography
      • Building a Writing Business
      • Writers’ Organisations
      • Summary
  • Lesson Eight
    • Contact File: Markets
      • Introduction
      • Publishers: Books and Magazines
      • BBC Radio Stations

Practical training

No practical training is required to complete this course.