Stories in Women's Magazines

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond to my query. You have given me lots of good advice that I really appreciate.

I tried this a few years ago. I had my stories returned with nice letters, but no thanks. I think it really helps if you have a literary agent. Don't give up though whatever you do. Good luck!

Thanks, Aveline. I've just looked at the PF guidelines and might have a go. Well done for having your own work published.

....submit a story and test the waters then!

I write for the People's Friend. Their guidelines are crystal clear. The stories have to fit in with the ethos of the publication in general and the contents and layout of each issue in particular. Sometimes the word will go out that they're looking for a particular length of story or a story set at particular time of year. They work many months ahead though.
They have staff who will alter wording as required. Obviously, they expect spelling and grammar to be appropriate. Dialogue matters. It should be realistic. If in doubt read your story aloud to see how it sounds.

I agree with the advice about researching your market, in this case the magazine/s you hope to write for. It's absolutely vital. Even a very good story will be rejected if it does not fulfill the particular criteria the fiction editor is looking for. The magazine will know its readers very well, who they are, what they like, possibly even what they eat for breakfast. You don't stand a chance unless your story fits the bill exactly. What Peasblossom says about sentence length, clauses in sentences and commas is perfectly true! I should know, I've been trying (with limited success) for years.

It’s not just the storyline to be aware of.

When you read the stories take note of how long the sentences are and whether they have clauses. Also how difficult the words are, how many syllables.

It’s true! I was asked to rewrite one of mine mor simply. Liked the story but too many commas??

Mills and Boon have a raunchy sub section. Check it out.

Well IMO your stories would make a refreshing change from the 'Mills and Boon' genre you usually get lilydily. Let us know how you get on if you submit one. Good luck.

Just Google Mills and Boon writing guidelines. It's all there.

LadyHonoriaDedlock

You have to write for the market I'm afraid. You need to research the magazines you want to write for; they're all somewhat different but also they are also formulaic. What works for the People's Friend may not work for Take A Break (which used to be the best payer although I don't know if that's still true). Read a lot of back issues of the magazine(s) you want to target to get a feel for what kind of thing they accept.

Do you subscribe to MsLexia? I haven't for a few years now but I think perhaps I should once again. It's specifically a magazine for women who write and as well as accepting stories and poems for publication has lots of competitions and useful articles about matters of interest to writers, including markets. I think you'd have much more scope for the sort of story you want to write.

Think Mills & Boon – it's a notoriously difficult market to crack but if you ask them they will send you a copy of their detailed guidelines. They will be a big help not only in writing for M&B, which isn't to everybody's taste, but for women's magazines in general.

Don't get despondent. Like any writer you will get many rejections and you need to grow a thick skin (if you haven't already got one). Write each one off to experience. It's not unknown for a rejected story to be accepted on a later second submission. Don't scatter-shot magazines: send one at a time and if you get a rejection, sent your story somewhere else taking care to adjust it if necessary to the new magazine's requirements.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for all your advice, I really appreciate it. I have started to read My Weekly, People's Friend and a new magazine SevenDays. They seem to publish similar stories but, as you say, it does give a feel for what they accept. And means I can adapt some of my stories to fit.
I hadn't thought about Mills and Boon. I'll definitely request a copy of their guidelines.
Thanks again, your response really helps.

You have to write for the market I'm afraid. You need to research the magazines you want to write for; they're all somewhat different but also they are also formulaic. What works for the People's Friend may not work for Take A Break (which used to be the best payer although I don't know if that's still true). Read a lot of back issues of the magazine(s) you want to target to get a feel for what kind of thing they accept.

Do you subscribe to MsLexia? I haven't for a few years now but I think perhaps I should once again. It's specifically a magazine for women who write and as well as accepting stories and poems for publication has lots of competitions and useful articles about matters of interest to writers, including markets. I think you'd have much more scope for the sort of story you want to write.

Think Mills & Boon – it's a notoriously difficult market to crack but if you ask them they will send you a copy of their detailed guidelines. They will be a big help not only in writing for M&B, which isn't to everybody's taste, but for women's magazines in general.

Don't get despondent. Like any writer you will get many rejections and you need to grow a thick skin (if you haven't already got one). Write each one off to experience. It's not unknown for a rejected story to be accepted on a later second submission. Don't scatter-shot magazines: send one at a time and if you get a rejection, sent your story somewhere else taking care to adjust it if necessary to the new magazine's requirements.

Hope this helps.

V3ra

I've just downloaded it too lilydily9. You have some excellent reviews ?

Thank you so much! I'm really thrilled with the reviews. I fell in love with my characters and I'm now working on a sequel which I hope to self-publish in the new year. I really hope you enjoy reading the story and really appreciate your support.

I've just downloaded it too lilydily9. You have some excellent reviews ?

Dottygran59

Lilly - is your book about Laura and Brandon? There are 2 with the same title on Amazon. I will buy and read, always looking for new authors.

Hi Dotty, yes that's my one. The main character is Tyler and the story is about his family's New Year's Eve party. Thank you so much for your support.

Lilly - is your book about Laura and Brandon? There are 2 with the same title on Amazon. I will buy and read, always looking for new authors.

It will depend on the type of magazine - I do have some experience in this area. Some mags do want happy endings - it’s what their readers like and expect.

TBH there will be no point in submitting the sort of story the editor is not going to accept. Studying your market first, including buying a few and analysing the sort of stories they want (and will pay for!) would be very necessary research IMO.

I don’t know whether it’s still the case, but one page ‘twist in the tale’ stories used to be very popular with certain weeklies. There was a certain word count limit, which needed to be strictly adhered to.

Just Google magazine guidelines! Don't need to write in. Fiction editors are very busy and inundated with stories.

Sometimes they have competitions for new writers. Woman’s Weekly used to do this. I think you can write in and ask for advice on the kinds of stories they accept.

I've been trying to post this without success now the quote facility is not working. I agree with AGAA4 magazine stories tend to be predictable and bland. There should be some more edgy stories published

My friend has just had her book published.For the last couple of years she has put a chapter up on Facebook each week and people liked it and asked for more episodes. This led to the success.

Elizabeth27

If. you cannot get a magazine to accept them have you thought about using Amazon to self-publish for Kindle, there are many different types of short stories on there.

Yes, I recently self-published a novella called 'New Year's Eve' on Amazon Kindle. I may well opt to put together an anthology of my short stories if they are rejected. Thanks.

If. you cannot get a magazine to accept them have you thought about using Amazon to self-publish for Kindle, there are many different types of short stories on there.

Magazines have submission guidelines. Check them out.

They are a bit predicable, but I suppose that makes them safe.