We’re in our final week of the Southbank Writer’s program in Surrey and what a great time it has been. This weekend our writers will take to the podium to read some of their best work before being let loose with their words.

Heidi Greco, who gave us a great class on poetry, has these final words of advice:

Send it out!

No matter how exciting your writing might be, it won’t find publication unless you send it out. And it won’t be accepted once it gets there unless it has the special something that appeals to an editorial board. They’ll be looking for those qualities that make it a match for their particular print or online publication.

Start compiling a list of places that might provide a home for your work. SFU’s library still subscribes to many periodicals. Often, just a look at what’s inside a magazine can help you determine whether it’s for you.

Visit magazine websites, as that’s where you’ll find more examples and – most importantly – specific guidelines for submission. Do they want 3-5 poems? Stories no longer than 2,000 words? Your name on the work – at the top, bottom, only mentioned in a cover letter?

Although many print magazines now accept electronic submissions, not all of them do. And some that do accept e-submissions want the work embedded in a message, not sent as an attachment. Others prefer an attachment. Some even specify a particular subject header. Online magazines are every bit as specific in their guidelines as print ones.

Whatever the process – electronic submission or paper – do it the way they ask you to. If you don’t, your work probably won’t even be considered.

Don’t bug the editorial staff about your work. Many publications take several months to reply.

If your work isn’t accepted (face it, this is the case with most submissions – or magazines would be bigger than phone books), take it as a sign that you should look at the piece again.

Then, when you’re sure the work is the best that you can make it, find another place where it might make a better fit and send it out again.

If you set yourself a goal – and keep it – of always having something (say, three different submissions) ‘out there’ you’ll not only find that the sending out gets easier, it’s likely that your work will be making it into print.

I have been successful in getting published widely in US markets by using the current Poet’s Market guide, as well as searching out submission calls in US market products (e.g., Poetry magazine contains advertising for other reviews). When work has been accepted for publication, get a network going with the editors and they will put you on to new markets. Also, include your e-mail address on all marketing letters sent out, as this will get around as well. Good luck!

Post by Donald Simmers, who has been writing poetry and short stories since age 16. Current work can be found in the Vancouver 125 subTerrain, Poet’s Touchstone (NH), and Prairie Journal (Calgary).

Image courtesy of MS Office Clipart.

It’s important to track your submissions–even in this digital age, things get lost. If the guidelines invite you to inquire by e-mail about your submission’s status, do it politely at the first opportunity. I recently submitted an article to an international magazine, then waited one month into their turnaround period for a decision before contacting them, only to learn that my piece had been lost on some editor’s desk.

Lessons:

1.       Provide a self-addressed, stamped postcard in your submission’s package. It’s a convenient way for the publication to confirm receipt.

2.      Follow up by e-mail at the earliest possible date. If no date, do it at three months.

Post by David Blinkhorn (TWS 2011).

Image courtesy of www.free-graphics.com.