Submission Process
Most publishers and writing contests have specific guidelines for sending submissions. Some will take email submissions and some will not. This kind of detailed information should be located on their website, in their Writer's Market entry, or on their listing at PoetsandWriters.com.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that editors have a very specific notion of who they are as a magazine. Many submission guidelines will describe that vision and also encourage you to read past issues of the publication. Take the time to read past issues! This will be the best indicator of how well your work will fit with the magazine's vision.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that editors have a very specific notion of who they are as a magazine. Many submission guidelines will describe that vision and also encourage you to read past issues of the publication. Take the time to read past issues! This will be the best indicator of how well your work will fit with the magazine's vision.
Submission Jargon Decoded
- Simultaneous Submissions: Refers to sending the same piece of writing to multiple magazines at the same time. Some editors accept them, and some do not.
- SASE (Self-addressed, stamped envelope): If you need to mail your submission, the magazine may request a SASE in order to mail you a response. More and more magazines use email, but you still might see this requested.
- Reading period: Many publishers have certain time frames for accepting and reading submissions.
- Reading fee: Some publishers and editors charge a reading fee for submissions.
- Unsolicited Submissions: This usually refers to a publisher being unwilling to accept work directly from an author. In the case of many major publishers, literary agents supply new manuscripts. Most small publishers and magazines will accept unsolicited submissions.
- Query Letter: A cover letter that accompanies your submission that briefly informs the editor(s) of who you are and an abstract of the work you are submitting. Writer's Market offers examples of good and bad query letters.
Example 1: A lit magazine entry as it would appear on Poets&Writers.org:
Example 2: Guidelines from website for 20x20 Magazine:
And Now You Wait...
The wait time to hear back from magazines varies. Some magazines will respond quickly, others months later, and some only notify accepted authors. It can be hard not to feel discouraged, but try to remember that many writers before you have gone through the same process.