Submitting your short story to contests or literary magazines? Here’s the thing most writers won’t tell you:
What gets published isn’t just well-written - it’s well-structured, emotionally sharp, and ruthlessly revised.
That’s hard to do alone. And where I can help.
I'll provide you with a clean, clear, expert perspective — so you can revise with confidence and clarity.
Whether you’re chasing a publication credit or aiming for a top-tier contest, solid feedback can mean the difference between “close” and shortlisted.
What You’ll Get
Line-Level Feedback
You’ll get a marked-up version of your short story with direct comments on:
- What can be tightened or cut
- Word choices that could be stronger
- Formatting or pacing issues (especially for contest submissions)
- Emotional beats or imagery that are landing — or not
- Lines that really work, so you know what to build around
These are practical, actionable edits — not vague praise, not workshop groupthink.
Big-Picture Notes
I’ll step back and look at the piece as a whole:
- Is the story holding together?
- Does the pacing work?
- Are the characters making decisions that matter?
- Is the tension pulling its weight?
- Is the ending doing what it needs to?
If I think it’s close to submission-ready, I’ll include 2–3 potential contests or journals that match your tone and format, along with some custom resources.
Why Me?
- I’ve placed or won in some of the most competitive short fiction contests out there — Bath Flash Fiction, 2x SmokeLong Quarterly, Tadpole Press (1st place out of 1,500+), and more.
- My work spans genres — literary, speculative, horror, crime, satire, surreal, so I know how to read a piece on its own terms.
- I’m published widely in respected journals, and I understand the patterns behind what gets picked up and why good stories often don’t make it.
- I don’t rely on templates or generic rubrics. This is custom feedback, grounded in your actual work.
I’ve reviewed and studied thousands of stories through the lens of submission. I understand what editors are looking for — because I’ve won, lost, and clawed my way through the slush pile myself.
If you’re writing short stories and want practical, honest notes from someone who’s been in the submission trenches, this might be for you.
You can see a more comprehensive list of my achievements here.
Who This Is For
Writers who:
- Want clear direction on how to revise a short story
- Are prepping for submission to contests or journals
- Don’t want to rely on vague writing group feedback
- Have a story they like — but are unsure if it’s submission-ready
- Write literary, speculative, genre-bending, voice-driven, or emotionally complex fiction
Guidelines:
- Word min/max range accepted: 100-3,000 words
- Formats accepted: Microfiction, flash fiction, short stories
Turnaround & Pricing:
- 7-Day Delivery = $50
- 3-Day Delivery = $100
- 2-Day Delivery = $150
- 1-Day Delivery = $200
You’ll receive a structured critique via email — straight to your inbox, by the deadline.
How It Works:
- Click the button below to check out securely through Lemon Squeezy
- Choose your turnaround time
- After payment, you’ll be redirected to a form to upload your story and give context
- I’ll read your story and return a structured critique by your selected deadline
Everything is handled via email and Google Drive. No Zooms. No back and forth. Just thoughtful, grounded feedback on time.
Why This Service?
You don’t need another listicle on how to write a great story. You need a skilled second reader — someone who understands craft, reads with intention, and gives you honest insight.
Workshops aren’t always accessible. Writing groups don’t always go deep. Editors rarely explain why they passed.
This fills that gap. Click the link to checkout below!
Disclaimer
Creative writing is, by nature, speculative. While I can’t guarantee publication or contest placement, what I do offer is deep experience, a critical eye, and insight shaped by real-world success. My goal is to give you the strongest possible version of your story before you submit it— one with clarity, purpose, and a better shot at standing out and rising to the top of the pack.