Publishers Weekly reports that the Rocky Mountain News has decided to start publishing fiction in its newspaper. Specifically,
original short stories. See story here.
On the surface, fiction might seem no more out of place in a newspaper than comics or the Jumble. And let's not forget that Charles Dickens and others helped boost newspaper readership back in the day with serial novels.
But that's when there was excess space to fill. These days, with, less and less news in newspapers, do you think this is a good use of precious space? Or is it a wise way to attempt to bring readers back into the fold?
Side question: Honestly, when was the last time you read a short story that wasn't a school writing assignment?
And what would you like to see in your daily newspaper that isn't there?
Your thoughts?
On the surface, fiction might seem no more out of place in a newspaper than comics or the Jumble. And let's not forget that Charles Dickens and others helped boost newspaper readership back in the day with serial novels.
But that's when there was excess space to fill. These days, with, less and less news in newspapers, do you think this is a good use of precious space? Or is it a wise way to attempt to bring readers back into the fold?
Side question: Honestly, when was the last time you read a short story that wasn't a school writing assignment?
And what would you like to see in your daily newspaper that isn't there?
Your thoughts?
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It was strange for me, at first, to think of going to a business publication to get my A&E fix, but really, it makes a lot of sense. I am a consumer of art, professional artists are producers and marketers of product with responsibilities to their stake-holders...
Maybe there is a place for short fiction here, too, simply because pretty much everyone is in some form of business and/or is affected by businesses, and at the same time, everyone wants to think of him- or herself as well-rounded. People who don't want to make time to read a whole novel might welcome the chance to read a short story. There's a lot to be said for the completion high, after all.
That said...although I love novels, I rarely read short pieces of fiction unless I somehow know the author in real life - maybe I have heard him speak at a conference, for example - or I loved all of her longer pieces.
I'll be curious to see how others respond.
Hope Baugh
www.IndyTheatreHabit.com
Another source are magazines designed specifically to short stories. I often read Elery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock which are the two major ones for the mystery genre. Those publications have been around for years and years. Today's top writers and impressive newcomers are often seen there.
So I would welcome short stories in newspapers. It seems like you can find news almost everywhere nowadays, but short stories don't have that range yet.