If you’re a fiction writer looking to monetize your passion, submitting short stories for money is a smart and rewarding path. Whether you’re into science fiction, horror, romance, or literary fiction, countless platforms are willing to pay for your stories—some even handsomely.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best paying markets, submission strategies, contest opportunities, and self-publishing options to help you turn your creativity into income.
🔹 1. Why Submit Short Stories for Money?
- Get Paid to Do What You Love: Writing doesn’t have to be unpaid labor. Many platforms reward creative talent.
- Build Your Author Portfolio: Publishing short fiction boosts your credibility and opens doors for bigger opportunities.
- Discover Your Audience: Submitting to different markets helps you learn what resonates with readers.
- Passive Income Potential: Through self-publishing, your story can keep earning for years.
🔹 2. Best Paying Short Story Markets (2025 Edition)
💰 Top-Paying Magazines
| Magazine | Pay Rate | Genres | Submission Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| The New Yorker | $7,500+ per story | Literary | Very competitive |
| Clarkesworld | $0.12/word | Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Submittable |
| Asimov’s Science Fiction | $0.08–$0.10/word | Sci-Fi | |
| The Sun Magazine | $300–$2,000 | Literary | Mail or online |
| Lightspeed Magazine | $0.08/word | Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Moksha portal |
Tip: Always check each publication’s website for the most current guidelines.
🔹 3. Top Literary Magazines That Pay Writers
For literary fiction lovers, here are respected magazines that pay and have strong readership:
- Ploughshares – Pays up to $450/story; accepts literary fiction with depth.
- Granta – Prestigious, difficult to get in; payment varies.
- Boulevard Magazine – Pays $100–$300; looks for bold literary voices.
- AGNI – $20/page up to $150; serious, high-quality work only.
- Narrative Magazine – Up to $500+; accepts literary and narrative non-fiction.
🔹 4. Genre-Specific Markets
🛸 Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Strange Horizons – $0.10/word
- Apex Magazine – $0.08/word
- Uncanny Magazine – $0.10/word
👻 Horror
- Nightmare Magazine – $0.08/word
- The Dark – $0.08/word
- PseudoPod – $0.08/word (audio fiction)
💕 Romance
- Woman’s World – $800 for 800-word romantic shorts
- Truesubmissions.com – True Romance stories with emotional depth
🕵️♂️ Mystery/Crime
- Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
- Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
(Both pay $0.05–$0.08/word or flat rates depending on length)
🔹 5. Online Platforms That Pay for Short Stories
✍️ Medium Partner Program
- Get paid based on reader engagement
- Best for serialized fiction and niche audiences
📣 Vocal.Media
- Pays based on reads + bonuses
- Focus on genre and pop culture stories
🗞 Simily.co
- Subscription-based fiction platform
- Writers receive revenue from reader subscriptions
💌 Substack
- Monetize via newsletter + paid subscriptions
- Ideal for episodic or personal short stories
🔹 6. Anthologies and Contests That Pay
📚 Paid Anthologies (Updated Regularly)
- Chicken Soup for the Soul – $200 per story
- Flame Tree Publishing – $0.08/word
- Zombies Need Brains – $0.06/word
🏆 Short Story Contests (with Prize Money)
- Writer’s Digest Annual Contest – Up to $5,000
- Bridport Prize (UK) – £5,000 (~$6,000)
- Narrative Prize – $4,000
Tip: Always check if a contest has an entry fee. Legitimate contests often do, but avoid high fees with low reward.
🔹 7. Self-Publishing Short Stories for Income
If you want more control over your earnings:
✅ Platforms to Use
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
- Kobo Writing Life
- Smashwords
- Draft2Digital
🔧 Tips:
- Publish a collection instead of a single short story
- Price smartly ($0.99–$2.99 for shorter works)
- Add professional cover design and editing
Also Read: Jobs for 8-Year-Olds to Earn Money
🔹 8. How Much Can You Make? (Realistic Earnings)
| Platform Type | Estimated Pay |
|---|---|
| Pro Magazine | $300–$5,000/story |
| Online Platforms | $5–$200/month |
| Contests | $500–$6,000/prize |
| Self-Publishing | Varies widely, $0–$500+/month |
Most writers combine methods (e.g., magazine + contest + Amazon) to build sustainable income.
🔹 9. How to Format and Submit Your Short Story
📝 Standard Formatting
- Times New Roman, 12 pt
- Double-spaced
- 1-inch margins
- Word count at top left
- Include name and contact info
📬 Where to Submit
- Submittable – Most literary journals use this
- Moksha – Used by sci-fi markets
- Direct Email – Check submission guidelines
Keep a spreadsheet to track submissions, dates, and responses.
🔹 10. Avoiding Scams & Vanity Publishers
⚠️ Red Flags:
- Charging to “publish” your story
- Overly positive feedback with a paywall
- No visible editorial staff or contact info
✅ Use Trusted Marketplaces:
- Duotrope.com – Paid ($5/month), but extensive listings
- The Submission Grinder – Free and detailed
- Poets & Writers – Includes verified calls for submissions
🔹 11. Useful Resources for Writers
- 📚 Duotrope – Track submissions, discover markets
- 📘 The Submission Grinder – Free alternative to Duotrope
- 📄 Poets & Writers – Market listings + contest announcements
- 📢 Reedsy Contests Directory – Weekly short story contest updates
- 🎓 Writer’s Market (Book) – Annual guide to publishers and magazines
✅ Final Thoughts
Submitting short stories for money is more accessible than ever in 2025. Whether you prefer the prestige of print magazines, the speed of digital platforms, or the control of self-publishing, there’s a path that fits your writing goals. Be consistent, track your submissions, and don’t be afraid to get rejected—it’s part of the journey.
Start small. Keep writing. And remember: every great author began with just one submission.
