  Short Stories
This week: This Little Piggy Went to Market Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. My name is Shannon and I'm your editor this week.
Are you procrastinating about submitting your work? It's a scary endeavor, but it's a step all successful writers must take. Knowledge is power, and knowing what you're up against will ensure it's a step in the write direction. |
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This Little Piggy Went to Market:
How to market your stories and eliminate unnecessary rejections
I'd like to start by sharing a statistic with you: everything I submitted prior to joining WDC was rejected, but everything I've submitted since becoming a member has been accepted. I'm not telling you this to boast; it was just an unexpected epiphany that occurred to me as I was writing this newsletter. Maybe it will inspire you to press on--to continue following your heart, despite the rejection slips. I started writing in my early twenties, finally giving up at twenty-seven after receiving one too many rejection letters (I was much more thin skinned back then). Life happened, children were born, I went back to school and got a nursing degree--before I knew it, 15+-years had passed. In April of 2007 the writing bug bit me once again, and I've been hard at it ever since. Now I'm not saying that everything you write will be published simply because you've made the very wise decision to become a writing.com member, but I am saying this site and it's wonderfully supporting and encouraging members will help you to become a better writer if you're diligent, which in turn makes your work more publishable.
I remember the first time I submitted something I'd written. It was terrifying and exciting, and the wait just about killed me. Of course the story was rejected, but the brief notes and recommendations for improvement handwritten in the margins by the editor herself softened the blow.
That was almost twenty years ago. I've added to what I call my "Rejection Collection" since then, but fortunately my acceptance letters outweigh them.
Keeping detailed records is a must. I have an Excel spreadsheet that keeps track of every title I've submitted, where I submitted it, when I submitted it, and a brief description of the editor's response ("rejected" or "accepted"). This allows me to look up all my submissions in one easy-to-find place.
In addition to this I keep individual file folders for each and every story. I write the story's title on the tab, and inside the folder I keep a hard copy of the story itself (you should ALWAYS back up your writing. I recommend not only backing it up on a flash drive, but printing a hard copy for your records. God forbid your computer crashes or your USB drive breaks and you lose everything you've worked so hard on), where I submitted it along with the editor's name (this is very important, as is making sure you spell his/her name correctly), when I submitted it, and the editor's response (the acceptance/rejection letter and a copy of the check if it was accepted). Also inside each file folder is a submission history specific to that story. Although it's never happened to me, I've heard horror stories about writers who unwittingly resubmit a previously rejected story. This not only makes you look unprofessional, it quite possibly (probably) burns your bridges with that particular editor. Keeping a specific submission history on every story will prevent unnecessary embarrassment and keep pertinent information literally at your fingertips.
I don't know about you, but I love to edit. I edit compulsively as I go (not a good idea and a very difficult habit to break, I might add) and always find something in every story I'd like to change--even the "completed" ones. There comes a point, though, when you have to put your foot down and say, "This story is done. I've edited the crap out of it and it's the best it can be." It's at this point that your story is ready for submission, but how do you get to this point?
Everyone has a different routine, but I'll share with you what has worked for me over the years. After the initial draft is complete, I walk away for a couple days so I can see the story with fresh eyes (get in the habit of doing this; you'll be amazed by what you find). After a minimum of forty-eight hours I start by rereading each and every word from the beginning and correcting any noticeable spelling, grammar and/or punctuation errors. It's at this stage that I make changes to the story itself (character name changes if applicable, rearrange scenes, tighten up the dialogue, etc.). Then I do a global search for words that end in -ly (the adverb is NOT your friend). Next, I spellcheck the entire manuscript. Then I start over. I usually do this two, maybe three times, or until I'm satisfied with the result.
Now that your manuscript is ready, how do you go about finding an appropriate market for it? Some people rely on Writer's Market, but I find that by the time the book goes to print and is available on the shelves, it's already outdated. Magazines change editors all the time (one I regularly submit to has had three in the last five years). Some publications change their names or go out of business altogether, and that copy of Writer's Market collecting dust on your bookshelf is not current. A more accurate and up-to-date alternative (and one I personally rely on) is writersmarket.com. Subscriptions are affordable ($5.99/month, $39.99/year, $54.99/2-year subscription, or you can subscribe to Children's Poetry and/or Novel & Short Story markets for $19.99/year), and new members get a 7-day risk free trial.
Know Your Audience! I can't stress this enough. Before you submit, it's imperative to know what that publication usually publishes (it would be a mistake to submit erotica to a magazine that publishes children's sci-fi/fantasy) and how long their stories typically run. Do they accept unsolicited material? Do they prefer a cover letter/query? Fiction or nonfiction? Will they accept email queries/attachments, or do they deal strictly with snail mail? Will they consider new, unpublished, unrepresented writers? Sample copies are a good way to get a feel for a particular magazine. They'll cost you a few bucks, but they're well worth it in the long run.
So you've perfected your story, researched the markets, and submitted your work to the perfect magazine. Now you wait, but it's best to be prepared for what you're waiting for. Whether your story is accepted or rejected, you'll probably receive a simple, informal, nonpersonal form letter announcing the editor's decision, but sometimes your work will be returned all marked up with red ink, and sometimes there are even notes in the margins. The first time you see this it scares the hell out of you. You're left scratching your head, wondering what it all means (I know I did). First of all, it's a good thing! It's always good when an editor takes time out of his or her busy schedule to personally comment on your work, even if it's ultimately rejected. They are called *Proofreader's Marks. Basically they're the editor's way of letting you know what's wrong with your writing (add this here, remove that there). Sometimes the publication will even suggest you resubmit after editing to their specifications. Either way, it's wise to follow their suggestions.
So the first magazine you submitted your work to rejected it. So what! Even Stephen King's been rejected (I think).  Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, fix what's wrong with your story, and submit it somewhere else. No one was born "the most prolofic writer of our time," and everyone has been rejected at least once. Perseverance is what separates the successful writer from the hobbyist. Which one are you?
*Here is an online example of Proofreader's Marks (mouse over each mark for a detailed example), or click here for a downloadable copy.
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Feedback
The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (July 21, 2010)" :
lindamv says, "Great idea to interview a WDC writer - and you came up with the perfect interviewee! A great person with a great attitude to life and to facing difficulties."
Vivian  says, "What an interesting idea and article, Shannon. I enjoyed it very much."
Mara ♣ McBain  says, "Awesome choice of authors, Shannon. Donna is inspiring. Her writing comes so much from the heart that it can't help but move the reader."
NickiD89  says, "Great interview, Shannon -- and thank you PENsive is Meemaw x 3!  for sharing your life and writing experiences with us! Author interviews are big in the blog-o-sphere and I'd love to see more of them here, on WDC. It's fascinating to hear how others approach their craft. Thanks, Shannon!"
Zeke  says, "This woman is incredible. She is an inspiration to all of us wanna be writers. Thank you both for this great interview."
Adriana Noir  says, "Very cool edition! Thanks Shannon and Pensive for a fascinating interview!"
Fyn  says, "Awesome, AWESOME newsletter, and you selected a great person to interview as well! Great reading! And an author to go read immediately! Whooosh! Thank you as well for featuring my Dust Jacket in the editor's picks ... think it is my favorite of everything I've written of late! Kudos to Mark for inspiring it!"
saraiv says, "Thanks again for choosing my idea. The interview was awesome! I loved it. Great choice. Can't wait until your next newsletter!"
Christine Cassello says, "This was good and I would like to hear more stories about the people who write on WDC, especially those who are moderators or at an upper level rank. I'd like to know how they got there."
Thank you ALL for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate your support, your encouragement, and your kindness.
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Please check out "Newsletter Archives" [E] for all my editorials. |
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Short Stories: August 18, 2010 Issue [#3876]
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