Know The Market

When you are ready to submit your work, it is crucial to know the market and target select publications suited to the piece you've written.  Obviously you don't want to submit a mystery story to a sci-fi magazine, or an essay to a magazine that only publishes poetry.  Those are no-brainers.  What I want to emphasize is do your research, read the publication you wish to submit to, read the submission guidelines, etc.

Let's say you've written a short story.  Buying a sample copy, let alone subscribing to each little and literary magazine is costly.  You still need to read them to see if your story is a fit for that publication.  A literary magazine that prefers cutting edge stories may not want a period piece.  But you would never know that if you haven't read a copy of their publication, and you cannot assume they won't accept a period piece.

You don't have to read the entire magazine, if you don't want to.  Just read at least two stories to get a feel for what they prefer to publish.  Many publications are also online nowadays and have some free content.  You can also visit the local library to read their publication (also free).  There is no excuse for not doing your homework.

Recently, I discovered through reading some free online content of a literary magazine that I did not want to submit my work to them.  There were sloppy, overlooked typos and I did not like some of the sub par (my opinion) content they decided to publish.  Did I want to showcase my work there?  No.  Rejection works both ways.

First, read what kind of work a magazine is interested in publishing.  You can find these on their websites, in reference books like the various guides to markets that Writer's Digest publishes annually, or on independent websites like www.newpages.com.  Even Wikipedia compiles a list of literary magazines for quick and easy access that link to the publications.

Second, keep a file on publications of interest (at least that's what I do).  I print the submission guidelines and the information from New Pages.  I will place a copy of the story, poem, essay, etc. also in that file.  When I get a response (positive or negative), I will put that into the file as well.  If the response comes electronically (email), then I will print that and put it in the file.  You might want to store everything on your computer.  I prefer the old fashioned way.  I just like something tangible I can hold in my hands.

Third, read sample works from the target magazine to see if your work is suitable to their tastes and vice verse.

If everything seems to match, then submit your work.  Most importantly move on and start on your next story.  Don't waste your time waiting around for a response.

The more you know your targeted market, the less time you waste for both you and the editor.