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We write fiction ourselves and have been published
in small press publications. Also, we edited a small press journal years
ago. We have seen the fiction publishing world from both sides. We know the
joys and frustrations of being writers and the joys and frustrations of being
editors. While we don't purport to be experts, we can offer you some basic
advice to help reduce your frustration when submitting and to help make editors
happier when reading your work.
Do . . .
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Be professional and polite when corresponding with editors,
even through e-mail. This includes using full sentences and avoiding informal
abbreviations such as "BTW", etc. Also, it should go without saying that you
should never respond rudely to a rejection or attempt to enter into a debate
with an editor -- that will get you on their bad side but fast!
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Target your submissions. Sending a story to an
inappropriate market does not increase its chance of getting published. Instead
it keeps the story in limbo longer.
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Read and follow the publisher's guidelines
. Always. No exceptions. Even if you've submitted to the market in the past,
re-read the guidelines. You never know when they might change. Also, if you can
manage it, you should try to read at least one issue of the publication to get
a better idea of what the editor wants.
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Use standard manuscript formatting unless otherwise instructed.
12-point Courier, double-spaced, etc. Why? Most editors find it's easier on
their eyes (and the easier it is for them to read, the more of it they'll
read).
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Keep track of your submissions. Know where you sent what story
and when. That way, you can avoid embarrassing, repeat submissions, and you'll
have a better idea of when it's appropriate to send the editor a query on the
status of your submission. We offer a free online submissions tracker
to our registered users.
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Be wary of markets that offer critiquing or editing services for a fee.
Publishers are in the business of publishing. You have to wonder when they
venture into the dubious world of fiction doctoring for profit. Besides, there
are plenty of excellent, free writers' workshops around.
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Support your favorite publications. Many publications,
particularly small press ones, teeter constantly on the brink of
destruction. Without the support of readers -- and all writers
should be readers -- they can't support themselves, let alone writers.
Subscribe to your favorite magazines, buy books and anthologies that interest
you. The world of fiction (or poetry, if that's your game) will be
better off for it!
Don't . . .
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Post an unpublished story on the web
unless it's in a password-protected forum of some sort. Most publishers
consider works that have been freely available to the public to have been
previously published. You won't be able to sell First Rights on such a story.
If you join an online critiquing group, make sure people need to register
and log in to read your story.
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Pay a fee to enter a contest unless you are familiar with
their reputation and wish to support them.
Following the above suggestions won't guarantee acceptance, but it will put your
odds above most of the slush pile's.
We hope Duotrope's Digest has proven to be a valuable resource for you! If you
have any questions, comments, or suggestions on how to make Duotrope's Digest
better,
let us know.
Also, if you run a website or blog about writing, please consider
linking to us.
Keep writing!
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