Let's Write a Short Story: How to Write and Submit a Short Story Paperback – June 1, 2013

This kindlebook of Let’s Write A Short Story by Joe Bunting is an encouraging guide for many people who plan to write short stories for the long-term. Helpful information is also given on various magazine resources and a few websites to turn to for writing mentorship. Another positive benefit to this kindlebook of Let’s Write A Short Story by Joe Bunting; mentorship and encouragement explaining why to write regardless of how the quality of the writing may turn out (similar to a commercial that I had seen online where writer/author David Mamet was referencing similar vital advice related to that topic). I also like the reasons that Bunting gives in relation to why people write. I am fortunate in the fact that my husband and some of my family members and friends are supportive of my writing aspirations. It is just that I enjoy writing as a way to feel more alive even with feeling blessed for what I already have. That reason helps sustain me even when I am publicly judged for what I write from time to time even when I am just coming from the heart while speaking my truth. I just wish that there would have been more details available on what to do if you want to publish under a pen name. The reason for my wish to publish under a pen name has to do with the fact that maybe in a parallel universe, if I looked like the mainstream ideal and acted-personality wise as the mainstream ideal then there would be little risk in me publishing what I plan to write under my real name. I have to refrain from elaborating more yet I have a very good reason on why I must and I intend to attempt publication under a pen name rather than my real name (even though I am logically aware what I am doing by foregoing the goal of submitting a book under my real name and going for a pen name).

It's hard to find something that will tell you what makes a successful short story--how it's different than writing a novel. Perhaps they're not much different other than fewer characters, a single event, and no sub-plots (which is basically what I've taken away from this book).Let's Write a Short Story has a lot of beginning "how to's" on writing, editing, removing writer's block, where and how to submit a short story, a list of literary magazines, and some tips on making your fiction literary. In other words, it has a little of everything.About half this book is on writing/career building and the other half is on short storying. Still, I enjoyed it.

I was taken in quickly by Joe Bunting's work when he stated that I am more likely to get into Harvard than be published in a literary magazine (confidence boost, anyone?). As arduous as being published might be, the rest of the book took the initial sentiment I felt (why bother?) and turned it on its head- write anyway, and submit anyway, and write more anyway.Let's Write A Short Story is a readable and accessible guide that anyone can use to write and submit short stories, even if your last short story was written in high school years ago. It is easy to find anything you need to know with the descriptive table of contents and list format used in each chapter. You get enough technical writing information that you don't have to pull out an old literature text book, but you don't feel like you're back in class. The chapters on submitting your work and building a platform provide clear guidance specifically for the short story writer, which takes the guesswork out of topics you would likely find only for nonfiction or novel writers from other sources.The greatest part of all is Joe's self-described "butt-kicking" that occurs throughout the book. The whole purpose of the book is to get the reader to write a short story. From the beginning, Joe asks that the reader make a promise- to write a short story. "If you can't make that, then this book isn't for you. I would rather you put it down right now." Well, I didn't put it down, so I guess I'm on the hook! But with the resources here and the chance to be in community with other writers through Joe's online writers' workshop, I think I can do it. You can too!