Do ignore me at the beginning when I say it's the 19th of September. It's definitely October :)

This week I had the pleasure of talking to horror author Beverley Lee about writing short stories and getting them published in anthologies. Beverley has published four books so far and has been featured in several anthologies this year alone, and she shares her top tips in this episode.

Want to write short stories for anthologies?

• Do your research - if you have a fantasy story, don't submit it to a pure horror listing
• Write to the brief - if it's asking for graveyards, make your short story about graveyards
• Set a goal - find one or two anthologies you want to submit to, and get writing or you'll fall down the submission rabbit hole.
• Not used to writing short stories? Here are some prompts for you:

1. Write a short story that includes a scarecrow in a graveyard. (thanks, Beverley!)
2. Write about an object that has personal meaning to you.
3. Scientists announced they've discovered the secret to immortality. Write a petition letter to save the event of death. 
4. Write down as many cliches and aphorisms as you can think of. Go back and star the ones you actually say. (not the kind of prompt we were expecting, but I promised to include it, so here you go!)

Keep your story under 6,000 words. Have fun!

Writing prompts 2-4 are from the book 642 Things to Write About by the San Francisco Writers Grotto.  Disclaimer: this is an affiliate link)

Find places looking for submissions on:

The Horror Tree
Cemetery Gates Media
Kandisha Press

We also mentioned Forest App,  a productivity timer I use to stay focussed.

To find out more about Beverley, check out her Instagram, her Twitter, and her website.

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