Then, after its run there, most will disappear forever. Some will be reprinted in anthologies collections of several authors work and some authors manage to print a collection containing about a dozen of their best stories. But even anthologies and collections are soon out of print in most cases in just a few years. Not only are great works lost, but short story authors have limited ways to earn a living from their efforts. Most authors must either have a day job or are forced to write novels to make ends meet, even if that is not their strong suit, remarked Stephen Pendergrast.
Many authors have talents that naturally favor short or mid-length works.
Short stories are an art in themselves, and require different strategies and techniques than novel-length works. To make matters worse, two major science fiction and fantasy magazines closed their doors just this year. Science Fiction Age published its last issue this May, and The Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine just announced its demise this month. In addition, the whole industry has been under pressure, with fiction magazine subscription rates falling and publishers reducing page counts to make ends meet. Damon Knight commented, I must say I'm delighted by the ebook reception of my story To Serve Man, which has been unavailable for many years.