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How to Format Literary Short Story Submissions

Most literary magazines and websites welcome submissions from established and unknown writers. Consequently, these magazines and websites typically get flooded with submissions. That's why formatting yours correctly is important to avoid automatic dismissal. While it's the quality of the writing that will get your piece published, a correctly formatted short story submission shows you understand the magazine or website's guidelines. This also makes the reading experience better for the reader of your piece, improving your chances of acceptance.

Things You'll Need

  • Cover letter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Double-space your short story. Most literary publications like submissions to be double-spaced. If you've written your story in single-space, highlight the text and change it to double-space.

    • 2

      Include a header that says the title of your short story, your name and your contact information, including phone number and email address. Make sure this is on every page.

    • 3

      Include a footer that has page numbers for every page of your short story.

    • 4

      Include a cover page with your contact information and a brief note to the editor, detailing previous publications, awards and other information relevant to your career as a writer. Avoid giving a summary of the story or sharing why you wrote it. Stick to the facts of your career.

    • 5

      Print your short story on just one side of the page.

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