How to make money writing short stories online

Writing short stories is a passion for many, but it can also be a way to make money. As an author, there are many ways to monetize your writing and make money online by sharing your short stories with a wider audience.

1. Self-publishing on e-book platforms

One of the easiest ways to make money from your short stories is by self-publishing them as e-books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Barnes & Noble Press. These platforms allow you to upload your book in various formats, set your own price, and reach a global audience. Additionally, you can also sell your e-books on platforms like Gumroad, Draft2Digital, and Smashwords.

2. Submitting your stories to online literary journals

Another way to make money from your short stories is by submitting them to online literary journals. Many of these journals pay for the rights to publish your work and offer cash payments or contributor copies. Some examples of online literary journals include Electric Literature, SmokeLong Quarterly, and The Sun. You can also find a list of literary journals that accept short story submissions on websites like Duotrope and The Review Review.

3. Entering writing contests

Writing contests are another great way to make money from your short stories. Many organizations and publications sponsor writing contests that offer cash prizes for the winning stories. Entering writing contests is a great way to get your work in front of a larger audience, and potentially win some money. Some examples of writing contests include the annual Short Story Day Africa Prize, The Bristol Short Story Prize, and The Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition.

4. Selling your stories as part of a collection

Once you have a few short stories published, you can put them together into a collection and sell it as an e-book or print book. This is a great way to make money from your short stories, especially if you have a dedicated fanbase.

5. Licensing your stories for adaptation

If your short story is adapted into a film, television show, or audio production, you can earn royalties from the sale of those products. While it's not easy to have your stories adapted, it's worth considering as it can be a great way to make money from your writing.

6. Monetizing your blog or website

If you have a blog or website where you share your short stories, you can monetize it through different ways like advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts. You can also offer your followers the opportunity to support you with a small donation through platforms like PayPal, Patreon, and Ko-fi.

7. Selling merchandise

Another way to make money from your short stories is by selling merchandise related to your stories. You can create and sell t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags with your story's cover, quotes or illustrations. This can be a fun and creative way to make money from your writing, and it allows your fans to show their support.

8. Offering consulting services

If you have experience in writing and publishing, you can offer consulting services to other writers. You can help them with editing, publishing, or marketing their work, and charge a fee for your services.

Here are some website links that may be helpful for making money from writing short stories online:

1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) - https://kdp.amazon.com/
2. Barnes & Noble Press - https://www.bnnpress.com/
3. Gumroad - https://gumroad.com/
4. Draft2Digital - https://www.draft2digital.com/
5. Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/
6. Duotrope - https://duotrope.com/
7. The Review Review - https://www.thereviewreview.net/
8. Electric Literature - https://electricliterature.com/
9. SmokeLong Quarterly - https://www.smokelong.com/
10. The Sun - https://thesunmagazine.org/
11. PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/
12. Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/
13. Ko-fi - https://ko-fi.com

These websites offer different ways to make money from writing short stories, whether it's by self-publishing, submitting to literary journals, entering writing contests, or offering consulting services. They can help you monetize your writing and turn your passion into a profitable career.

Please keep in mind that some of these websites may not be available in your country and also some of them may have a specific rules and regulations to follow.

In conclusion, making money from writing short stories online can be challenging, as it is a competitive field, and it takes time and effort to build an audience and establish yourself as a writer. However, by exploring the options above, you can increase your chances of monetizing your writing and turn your passion into a profitable career. You can also combine different methods to increase your income. Remember that the key is to be creative and persistent, and to never give up on your dream of