New Guide for Writing Short Stories

LEWES, Del. - Feb. 11, 2016 - PRLog -- Short stories have become popular again and many writers see them as an opportunity to get published in magazines and anthologies or to win contests. Cat & Mouse Press, a small independent publisher located in Lewes, DE, has just released How to Write Winning Short Stories, a book that will help writers craft the kinds of short stories that win contests and get published.

How to Write Winning Short Stories is a concise (170-page) guide that covers the market for short fiction, how to write beginnings and endings, illustration vs. explanation, premise and theme, structure, setting, characters, dialogue, editing, legal issues, and marketing. The author, Nancy Sakaduski, manages an annual short story contest and has worked with dozens of writers to help them perfect their stories and prepare them for publication. The book offers tips on manuscript formatting, submission options, contest entry, and how to get the attention of a publisher or contest judge.

“I noticed some common mistakes in the entries we receive for the short story contest,” said Nancy Sakaduski. “Mistakes that could make the difference between winning and losing, getting published and not getting published. This book is designed to give writers a playbook for success. I tried to make it a useful, yet readable—even entertaining—resource for writers.”

How to Write Winning Short Stories is geared especially for beginning writers and writers who are just learning to write short stories, but even experienced writers will find solid advice and useful tips. Each chapter concludes with a handy checklist for reviewing what was learned and checking stories for possible areas of improvement. The book is available online in both print and e-book formats. For more information, go to: www.catandmousepress.com/shop. The book is $11.95 in print (paperback) form and $7.99 as an e-book.

Cat & Mouse Press produces books and other materials that are humorous, fun, and entertaining. The company also provides resources for writers, including a monthly newsletter, weekly online curated newspaper, and annual writing contest. Cat & Mouse Press is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association and the Mid-Atlantic Book Publishers Association.

         For more information, visit the company’s website or its Facebook page.