Do come in. Please ignore the scattered manuscripts, step over the stacked books and avoid the dog's bone. One has a question, does one? Very well. Ask away, and I shall share my brilliance!

No questions for Professor this month.
He learned of this while sunning on the beach, and
suggested we dig into our archives.
(Such a brilliant professor!)

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
Where would I find a list of publishers that are interested in short stories? How long should these stories be?

The best place to begin one's quest is Duotrope, a database of over 2000 markets. One may scour by genre, length, pay—whatever one's creative mind desires. Scrutinize attractive markets to ensure they indeed publish that which one writes. Of course this endeavor will steal precious time from one's work, but it will save one much heartache in the end.

Word length is a slippery slope that has been known to break the legs of more than one imagination. My advice is to construct one's story, sans all thought of word count, to its logical conclusion. Edit until one has turned a whiter shade of pale. Then note one's final word count, go forth and seek those who publish stories of such length.

If, however, one aspires to appear in particular periodicals, turn this approach around. Seek publishers first, note the word count they request, go forth and construct stories that fit within their guidelines.

Entirely up to the storyteller.

There is also the matter of writing contests, most of which fancy the short story. Winning lifts the spirit, yes, but submitting builds character.

Herewith, contest listings for one's perusal:
ReadingWriters Contest Café
Online Contest Index
Writing Corner 

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
How many pages should be in a chapter?

No set number. Focus on the point of the chapter and bring it to fruition. At times, this may require three pages; at other times, this may require thirty-three. It is worthwhile to note that today's busy readers prefer frequent breaks. Seek to accommodate.

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
When my writing group points out my POV leaps, I see them. But when I'm at home alone, writing, I don't. Is there some rule to doing this properly? I don't think I'm ever going to figure it out.

There, there. Don't become discombobulated. All beginning writers struggle with POV leaps. And now that one has inquired, I am obliged to pass along the storyteller's secret equation: First Draft = First Person. The use of "I" forces one into the shoes of the character. Suddenly the act of expressing others' thoughts or seeing things beyond one's vision becomes an impossibility. As it is in the real world. Of course in a later draft, one might revert to Third Person, but the steady perspective remains. Try it.

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
I still get confused with periods and commas at the end of dialogue. How can I keep them straight?

The confusion stems from the misconception that a complete sentence consistently resides within the quotation marks. This is correct only if one works without attributions: "Tammy is late for the show." If, however, one includes an attribution, it merges with the sentence and extends it beyond the quotation marks: "Tammy is late for the show," said Marie. The period, symbol of a full stop, appears only at the end of a sentence. To place it anywhere else would be similar to slamming on one's brakes in the midst of a car race.

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
My main character has entered a crowd, and I feel dizzy. How do I go about describing that many people?

First, one must establish the importance of the crowd. If the character intentionally faces a group of people, such as popping into a party or a courtroom, he would naturally notice specifics. In these cases, where the pace has slowed, the insertion of facial expressions, attire, mannerisms and overheard conversations would be altogether fitting.

If, however, he simply moves through the crowd, such as chasing a thief through a mall or running toward a burning house, he would not notice those around him. In these cases, where the pace is much faster, the wisest course is to show the crowd as simply a barrier between himself and his goal. Follow his focus.

Ask Professor Write-A-Lot