AUTHOR’S GAB, READER TALK.
A LETTER TO YOU, THE READER, SO THAT YOU CAN FINALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT I’M THINKING.
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THIS MONTH: Submission
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“If I don’t book a job, I like to see it not as a rejection, but a redirection to something different.”
— Bella Hadid, model
Dear Reader,
Once, in high school, I decided to get myself a copy of the latest list of magazines and start submitting my poetry to various publications. I remember sitting on the couch, with my first rejection letter in hand. It was disappointing. But, I didn’t let it get me down. I eventually submitted to a contest and won an honorable mention for my poem, “The Quilt”, and won $50 for it. It took persevering through all those other letters though, the ones that didn’t want me, to get to the one that did. I think this is an important lesson to remember as writers, because there will always be publications that don’t want you. But, what’s important is to find the one that does. Thus, I thought I would offer a few suggestions on submission this month and how to go about submitting your writing for publication.
First of all, you’re not going to believe this, but the times I have gotten published it’s mostly been me taking advantage of an opportunity, rather than 100% seeking it out. There was someone I knew, something that was going on or a position I was in. Publishing is the sugar rush we all as writers live for, but it’s also the daily grind. You can’t just expect something is going to fall in your lap. Expect it will, but only if you have all your “rights” together as you seek it out. If everything fits, it will happen. If it doesn’t, or if you’re forcing the issue, you will probably get a rejection letter in your hand or a “no” from your boss or that opportunity will simply slip by. Be prepared for that, but just have all your cards together and look for what is right in front of you. My mom always says to me that you have to look to your right and to your left. Whoever or whatever is running beside you, that is who or what you need to seek out, because it’s what’s most likely to work.
Secondly, you need to find the right place for your work. Where is this lovely thing going to live? Well, that depends on what it is. You can bet a magazine will not take a news article unless it’s a news magazine. Or, a newspaper is not going to take your poem or short story. unless you somehow made it newsworthy. There are several places you can get creative writing published. I recommend you start doing research on what magazines, contests or other venues would be a good fit for your story or poem. Even a contest is a good place to start. In fact, contests are great building blocks for magazine publication, because it shows the work has been acclaimed before it even lands on the publisher’s desk. One thing you don’t want to do is to have that publisher asking themselves, “Who the heck is this and why do I want to publish their work?” This is why it’s important to make yourself known somehow when you finally do decide to submit. Before submitting, however, consider your options and what could be a good fit. Here is a good article to read during the process of considering how and where to submit: http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/how-where-to-get-a-short-story-published.
Thirdly, brush off that rejection letter if you get it and run with the success if you do get it. It’s important to not let rejection get you down and push through until you get the success you want. And, when you finally reap the rewards of success, keep it. Don’t just run off with that one good shot and say that’s it. Resubmit and republish. Make it a habit. Build on the foundation. Otherwise, you’re just a one-shot and the publication just goes on without you. If they like your work, they will probably like it again. And, who doesn’t like a good paycheck to go with it, either? Don’t make people forget about you. Make them remember in a positive way, because you are worth it. And, keep going.
Lastly, ask for advice and read up on how others have gotten published. I personally recommend Writer’s Digest as a good reference. It is full of good tips on publication and what makes a good writer. And, of course, come back and read more Ad Libs, because I will always be here, giving you advice on how to keep writing. But, really, find a good friend, someone who has done this before, ask them who they know and how they got published. It honestly is the best place to start.
Rejection is just a redirection, it’s not the end of the world. Many people are afraid of it, including me, and it hurts when it happens. But, don’t let it get you down. There will be a “yes” and “we want you and your work” in that haystack somewhere. It will be like finding a needle, but the important thing is to know that needle is there and that it is sweet when you find it. Just be sure, when you get it, when it’s the right fit, to keep it, or you will be back to square one. And, nobody likes being back to square one. So, persevere. It’s the only way to build on the submission and success you have. And, always seek out more information, so you never stop growing. The important thing, however, is to keep going. And going. And going. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Find hope, because it’s there.
Think about that. ~
Sincerely, Your Writer,
Jessica A. McLean
The Rose 