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About the author and blogger ...

Anne Goodwin’s drive to understand what makes people tick led to a career in clinical psychology. That same curiosity now powers her fiction.
A prize-winning short-story writer, she has published three novels and a short story collection with small independent press, Inspired Quill. Her debut novel, Sugar and Snails, was shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize.
Away from her desk, Anne guides book-loving walkers through the Derbyshire landscape that inspired Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Subscribers to her newsletter can download a free e-book of award-winning short stories.

TELL ME MORE

Do short stories sell? Discuss!

22/11/2019

12 Comments

 
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It’s a year since my short story collection was published, and I’ve really enjoyed having it out in the world. Not only does it look gorgeous, it’s been received more positively than I expected, although that might be down to the fact that my expectations were rather low. As I wrote in a prepublication guest post, Greater than the sum of its parts? Assembling a first short story collection, it wasn’t a long-standing ambition to produce a collection partly because, I assumed, short stories don’t sell. Although mine has sold in very low numbers, I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
Handselling at events over the summer, including at WH Smith’s where I’ll be on my youngest book’s birthday tomorrow, Becoming Someone has done as well as my debut novel, Sugar and Snails, which, as I’m careful to tell prospective buyers, was shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize. I’m sure the cover helps, but my novels are enticingly packaged too. People tell me they like short stories – although a fair number tell me they don’t!
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While, on the one hand, short stories on the theme of identity might come across to some as too general – lots of fiction is about identity, as I wrote in this post for Shiny New Books: Concepts of identity in 9 classic novels and this for the IQ blog: Perspectives on identity in five of my favourite contemporary short stories – it’s perhaps more accessible than trying to summarise a novel. It’s a concept that appeals to writers as well as readers, as evidenced by the wonderful response to my guest post Don’t let your fears prevent you from embracing your identity as a writer at Sherri Matthews’ Summerhouse.
I’ve enjoyed the online and off-line promotional stuff, and would welcome more opportunities to share the literary quiz I developed from the Facebook launch (fortunately the quiz takes under ninety minutes in contrast to the marathon twelve-hour launch). I have even enjoyed making and sharing the videos; somehow “My Beautiful Smile” hasn’t yet had an airing so here it is (sorry it's a bit dark):


Needless to say, I’m chuffed with the positive feedback, both in person and online:

I was delighted to find that every single one of the forty-two stories in Becoming Someone is a hit! Anne Goodwin has such an observant eye for human motivation and behaviour Stephanie Jane, Literary Flits
 
I found myself thinking about the issues of identity more deeply than I have ever before. It is a special ability to crack such a great punch with so few words. Although the stories share a theme they are also unique too and very compelling Marcia, Whispering Stories
 
 
This is a collection of 42 short stories and no two are the same. The writing style for each differed as well, depending on the character. The POV varied and there was even one story where the narrator spoke in first person and wouldn’t give their name. It kept the book interesting and made me wonder what sort of story and character would await me on the next page. Overall, they were all well written. Rachel Poli
 
a varied collection which shows you different aspects of identity and what gives an individual a sense of self. You can dip into it or pick a story to read and can be sure that there will be a thought-provoking look at what it is to 'be'. In short: Powerful writing which examines what makes a person. Books, Life and Everything.
 
 
loved the way the author was willing to play around and try different techniques, including one story in second person. Highly recommended. Dorothy Winsor
 
To call these stories 'psychological studies' might not be quite accurate, but it's close ... All of them share Anne Goodwin's perceptive, sympathetic insights. Our Book Reviews Online
 
Goodwin’s grasp of our social awareness (or lack thereof) and how we deal with trauma, pain, and embarrassment is on full display in these stories, and it reminds us to remind ourselves that, perhaps, there is a better way to treat ourselves and each other. He Writes Words
 
Her stories can be intriguing, confronting, thought-provoking or humorous. Some may haunt you with her incisive glimpse into life in the raw. Others may surprise with a twist in the tale. Norah Colvin
Even so, although I haven’t done the sums, I believe I’ve earned less from the book than from the competitions in which six of the stories were placed. Fortunately, I’m not relying on my writing to put food on the table, but I think I’ll continue trying to flog this one a little longer before publishing another collection, despite having more than enough material.
 
What I am going to do, which will be a new departure for me, is to self-publishing a small e-book of three of my prize-winning short stories to sell cheaply and/or give away for free (via my newsletter) as another way of promoting my fiction overall. Of course, I could have done this years ago, but didn’t think it worth the effort. Who wants short stories, after all?
 
Do you read short stories and do you buy collections? If you’re a writer, do you do better with novels or short stories? Although this post seems more narcissistic than originally intended, it’s not all about me! What’s your experience – do short stories sell?


Although there are several couplings in my collection, and a few happy endings, there’s nothing I’d classify as romance. Which made this week’s flash fiction challenge a challenge! Until I decided to revisit the young woman in “My Beautiful Smile” (as in the video above) and give her a romance. Here’s her 99-word story:
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A blind date with a difference

She didn’t smile all evening. He didn’t look her in the eye. But they both saw the funny side of their blind date.

Their wedding photos were unusual. Authentic: his white stick and her downturned lips ruled out fairytale illusions. They didn’t bother dressing up.

They’d both been rejected. Pitied. Defined by what they lacked. For her, facial muscles. For him, one sense out of five. Now she had a spouse who only saw beneath the surface. Now he had a lover who thought looking overhyped. They ditched diagnoses – Moebius syndrome, blindness – for honesty and humour. A perfect match.

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Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
12 Comments
Charli Mills
23/11/2019 01:13:58 am

Cheers to romance based on honesty and humor! I like this HEA ending for the character from "My Beautiful Smile." I'm happy to hear Becoming Someone has done so well, and I'm less surprised at its success, but only because I know how well aimed your short stories are -- targeted to move minds and jiggle compassion for the unlikely. You take on hard aspects of humans, and humanize us all. Of course, I believe you do this in your novels, too. Congratulations on one year anniversary and good reception!

Reply
Anne Goodwin
24/11/2019 04:18:40 pm

Thank you, Charli, I really appreciate your support and generous words.

Reply
Susan Zutautas link
23/11/2019 05:27:09 pm

I had to look up to see what Moebius syndrome was and now I know :)
All of my blind dates were a disaster and I'm so happy they never ended up having a second date. I really like where you went with this weeks prompt.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
24/11/2019 04:21:10 pm

Thanks, Susan, and sorry I didn’t include a link. I can’t remember how I first learnt about it as I don’t know anyone who is afflicted and I do like to be able to raise awareness!
Sorry your blind dates didn’t work out – I don’t think I’ve ever been on one.

Reply
Norah Colvin
24/11/2019 10:40:19 am

Oh Anne, I really enjoyed reading 'My Beautiful Smile' and enjoyed listening to your reading of the extract, but your flash is perfect. What a wonderful romance when the essence of self is what counts. It's a fabulous HEA for both. What a good idea to ditch those diagnoses.
I would buy your short stories. I have bought and read other books of short stories recently but was a reader of short stories from long ago. O. Henry was my favourite and I quite enjoyed Roald Dahl too, though many of his are rather dark. Poe is another I enjoyed and I'm sure there are others I can't call to mind at the moment. Your book is equally enjoyable and I was delighted to read all the positive reviews. (Thanks for including mine. I'm pleased to have 'done' it. I've still got it on my list after months - wasn't sure if I'd written that review or not.) I like the idea of your trilogy of stories and look forward to your next collection also. Your stories are always memorable. I always know when I have read one or not and rarely need to reread to find out what happens. That's not true of everything I read.
I'm sorry you've had to cancel your 'Meet and Greet'. I hope it's through no fault of your own.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
24/11/2019 04:34:02 pm

Thank you, Norah. I’m afraid I don’t read as many short stories as I ought to but there are some marvellous classics to go back to again and again. And glad you liked my romance which didn’t come easily but I suppose it encapsulates what I think all relationships should be about.
It wasn’t my intention or the manager’s to reschedule the signing session yesterday. Hopefully it will happen before Christmas. I actually didn’t realise that the postponed message would show on this post as I only put it on the ‘events’ page – but it’s something I’ve just discovered about Weebly that images are automatically updated if they have the same name. It happened with some of the images for the flash fiction challenge. I’ve managed to correct some but it would take forever to find and change them all.

Reply
Norah Colvin
3/12/2019 11:40:56 am

There are always new things to learn about blogs. Sometimes I think they have minds of their own.
I think your HEA was very 'you'.

Anne Goodwin
5/12/2019 10:28:51 am

Mine certainly has a mind of its own, but it’s helpful when it can be explained.

I’m glad you recognised me in that happy ever after – these two deserved it but a lot of my characters don’t!

sarah brentyn link
26/11/2019 01:13:33 am

As you know, I love short stories. I've always loved them. (Like Norah.) I actually do have your book (in paperback) and really need to get to that. I know I'll enjoy it as your writing is wonderful.

Happy Book Birthday! 📚🎉

Reply
Anne Goodwin
26/11/2019 01:07:30 pm

Thank you, Sarah, both for buying my book and these kind words. You are the queen of flash fiction and I have your books on Kindle, but I keep reading novels!

Reply
Sarah Brentyn
27/11/2019 04:12:25 pm

I get it. 🤷‍♀️ Novels are awesome. The lure of the novel... It’s tough sometimes to break it of that for short stories or flash or poetry. I think you need to be in a different frame of mind.

Anne Goodwin
29/11/2019 05:16:41 pm

And plenty of room for both.




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    My debut novel shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize
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    Anne Goodwin's books on Goodreads
    Sugar and Snails Sugar and Snails
    reviews: 32
    ratings: 52 (avg rating 4.21)

    Underneath Underneath
    reviews: 24
    ratings: 60 (avg rating 3.17)

    Becoming Someone Becoming Someone
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    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.56)

    GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4 GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4
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    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.44)

    The Best of Fiction on the Web The Best of Fiction on the Web
    reviews: 3
    ratings: 3 (avg rating 4.67)

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    Annecdotist is the blogging persona of Anne Goodwin: 
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