I write short stories: confessional type, memoir, romantic, sweet, futuristic, and even one that’s rather sad and has a literary feel. They’re varying lengths from flash fiction to 5-6K. Insight is one such short story, but I’m not talking about my Annie Rayburn work today. I’m referencing Carol Burnside writing. So, short stories…
Does anyone read them? How about books of them?
I’ve been toying with the idea of compiling six or so of my short stories into one volume and selling it as an e-book. Hubby asked me if there was a common theme. Well, no. They’re not even all romances, though now that I think about it, they do all have a theme of love. Searching for it. Losing it. Romantic love. Familial love. Yeah, I could work with that. Here’s what the book would hold:
Winter’s Bride: a rather haunting and literary styled short-short story. Not romance.
Assuming Love: another short-short piece, sweet romance
Cutest Thing in Jeans: A futuristic story told in a tongue in cheek style.
Marinara Magic: A first meeting of neighbors holds the promise of more…
Home for Christmas: Danni and Joseph meet unexpectedly, both recalling a brief, hot liasion during another holiday that killed their casual college friendship. Can they begin again and forget the past, or is ‘home’ right in front of them?
Mr. Dependable: Should friends risk a perfectly good thing for the possibility of more?
So, that’s it. Six short stories totalling over 10K. Does it sound even remotely like something you might buy if priced low, like at $1.99?
CAROL BURNSIDE / ANNIE RAYBURN 
Hi Carol,
I think short stories are like poetry – short stories are read by short story writers, just as poems are read by mainly by occasional poets. Of course, this is a generalisation and not all short story lovers actually get around to writing their own, but one thing I will say about short story lovers – they tend to be very well read in general.
I was talking to a short story hating friend recently about why she doesn’t like them and she said it’s because they feel so disconnected. She might like one, but she’ll dislike the next one. As soon as she’s got into one, it’s over.
Like you, I have enough short stories to publish an ebook or something, but I’ve decided to wait until I’ve got enough of one ‘theme’ to make a related collection – mainly because of what this friend said, and also because when I go to an art gallery to see an exhibition, I like to see a collection of similar style or theme or medium… or work which is *somehow* connected.
That is a personal preference but I hope it’s one answer to your question. I’m sure there are short story readers who don’t mind an eclectic mix of stories. The fact you wrote all of them yourself would surely mean they all share at least one thing in common – your voice!
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Thanks for the input, Stace. Good points for me to consider.
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I would buy your short story collection just because YOU wrote them – even though I typically don’t buy short story collections. That said, I think many people who read the genre would be willing to take a chance on an author whose work they weren’t familiar with at the .99 cent price point. I personally will buy just about anything anyone recommends to me if it’s .99 cents. 1.99 or 2.99 – I have to think about that a little bit harder. It’s not entirely rational, I know, but I’m probably not the only one. But I think it’s a great idea. Hopefully you will get some input from people who know a lot more about this subject than I do. I look forward to finding out what you decide to do!
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Aw, Pam, you’re so sweet! You make a good point about the price factor. I’ll keep that in mind.
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That’s an interesting question, Carol. I have to say that (especially when it comes to romance) readers are usually “set in their ways” as far as genre preferences. In other words, a potential buyer might be turned off by the variety you’d be offering here. Unless, of course, you didn’t market it that way–just marketed it as a collection of “love” themed stories. And then they (the readers) would just fall in love with your writing and forgive you! 🙂
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Oh, that’s sneaky, but I like the way you think. LOL!
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