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Short Story Writing: Master the Art of Short Fiction
Rating: 4.9 out of 5(5 ratings)
43 students

Short Story Writing: Master the Art of Short Fiction

Write flash fiction, vignettes, anecdotes, and novelettes — from craft fundamentals to publication
Created bySteve Alcorn
Last updated 5/2026
English

What you'll learn

  • Write compelling short fiction in every major form — flash fiction, vignettes, sketch stories, anecdotes, and novelettes
  • Master story structure using the three-act framework and nine checkpoints
  • Create memorable characters through action, dialogue, and contradiction
  • Control pacing with the scene-and-sequel technique used by professional authors
  • Write vivid prose using metaphor, sensory detail, and active verbs
  • Edit your work with a professional manuscript checklist
  • Market your stories to literary magazines, anthologies, and contests
  • Self-publish your own short story anthology on Amazon KDP

Course content

3 sections • 22 lectures • 1h 27m total length

  • Introduction3:16

    Welcome to the course. An overview of what you'll learn, why short fiction matters, and how this course is structured.

  • The Short Story Family3:59

    The different forms within short fiction — from flash fiction to novelettes — organized by length. Understanding these forms helps you choose the right container for your ideas.

  • Flash Fiction4:18

    Writing complete stories in under 1,000 words. Core techniques: twist endings, epiphanies, circular stories, and the iceberg approach. Where to publish flash fiction.

  • Mini Sagas, Drabbles, and Feghoots4:06

    Micro-forms with strict word count rules. The 50-word mini saga, the 100-word drabble, and the pun-driven feghoot. Powerful exercises in precision.

  • Vignettes3:42

    Brief scenes that evoke mood and character without traditional plot. The most lyrical short story form, built on language, imagery, and sensory detail.

  • Sketch Stories3:51

    Character portraits — detailed studies of a person with rich psychological depth. How selective details reveal essential truth about a character.

  • Anecdotes4:26

    Short narratives that recount a specific experience, often with a punchline or revelation. The oldest storytelling form and the building block of memoir.

  • Novelettes4:25

    The longer end of short fiction: 7,500 to 17,500 words. Room for secondary characters, subplots, and complex settings without the commitment of a novel.

Requirements

  • No prior writing experience required — beginners welcome
  • A desire to write and willingness to practice
  • A computer or device for writing

Description

Short stories are the fastest way to become a better writer.

In a novel, you can hide behind subplots and meandering descriptions. In a short story, every word has to earn its place. That constraint is what makes short fiction the best laboratory for developing your craft — and why so many successful novelists started by writing short stories.

In this course, USA Today bestselling author Steve Alcorn guides you through the entire world of short fiction. You'll explore six distinct short story forms — flash fiction, mini sagas and drabbles, vignettes, sketch stories, anecdotes, and novelettes — and learn what makes each one unique.

Then you'll master the craft itself: story structure, character building, viewpoint and tense, dialogue, setting, and the techniques that make prose memorable. Every lesson includes practical guidance you can apply to your own writing immediately.

Here's what sets this course apart: it doesn't just teach you how to write — it teaches you how to think like a short story writer. You'll learn to find the right container for your ideas, to recognize when a story wants to be 500 words or 15,000, and to deliver a satisfying reading experience at any length.

The course also covers the business side: how to submit to literary magazines, enter contests, find paying markets, and self-publish your own anthology.

22 lessons. From first idea to finished story to publication. Whether you're a brand-new writer or an experienced author looking to sharpen your skills, this course will make you a better storyteller.

Who this course is for:

  • Aspiring writers who want a structured introduction to fiction writing
  • Novelists who want to sharpen their prose by practicing short-form fiction
  • Writers interested in submitting to literary magazines, anthologies, and contests
  • Anyone who loves reading short stories and wants to learn to write them

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