Initially, I turned to short story contests and submissions as a palette cleanser. I wanted to tighten my writing style by working within the strict constraints of prompts I hadn’t chosen myself. It was an exercise in discipline—a way to ensure my prose remained sharp and my emotional stakes remained high, even when restricted to a few thousand words.
There is a specific kind of restless energy that takes hold of an author while waiting for editorial feedback on a debut novel. You’ve poured 80,000 words into a world, and suddenly, you’re told to… wait.
The “Addiction” to the Short Story Sprint
What started as a training exercise quickly became a bit of an obsession. There is a unique thrill in the short story form; it’s a sprint rather than the marathon of a novel. It allows me to explore those darker, “unhinged” corners of my imagination without committing to a three-book arc.
Over the last few months, I’ve been busy throwing my work into the ring with some fantastic organisations and themes:
- The Ping App: (Which you’ve likely seen me mention before!)
- The Cats Protection League: A bit of a departure, but a lovely challenge.
- Quills and Cosmos: Specialises in speculative fiction by women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other minorities, amplifying voices that are too often overlooked.
- Emerald City Ghosts: Perfect for my love of atmospheric, lingering shadows.
A Highly Emotional Win: The Archived Press
Happily, the week started with the most wonderful news. I received an email confirming that my short story, “What Did You Choose to Keep?”, was accepted for publication by The Archived Press.
This story is, for me, deeply emotional. It’s a study of memory, loss, and the things we cling to when the world starts to fray at the edges. Seeing it find a home was the best kind of validation, but it was the editor’s note that truly caught me off guard. They wrote:
“Your writing carries a presence that stayed with us, and we’re honored to share it with our readers.”
To know that my work “carries a presence”—even across the pond—is exactly why I pushed myself through those “short story sprints.” It proved that those exercises in tightening my style were working. It’s one thing to write words on a page; it’s quite another to ensure they stay with a reader long after they’ve closed the tab.
Want to read this emotion piece? Follow this link to hop on over to The Archived Press, it will open in a new window.
Why the Short Story Form Matters
For those of you who love a morally grey lead or a mythical creature in a domestic setting, short stories are the perfect “taster.” They allow me to test out concepts—like my maternal Shadow or those flickering golden orb guides—in different environments.
It keeps the edge to my writing keen. It forces me to ask: How quickly can I make a reader care? How fast can I build tension before the final sentence?
What’s Next?
As I prepare to launch the fantasy-inspired knitting and crochet patterns next week, I’m realising that my love for “small, intricate things” applies to both my crafts and my fiction.
Have you ever found yourself “accidentally” addicted to a new hobby while waiting for something else to happen? Let’s chat in the comments!
