Do You Find The Submission Process Stressful?

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author

SylvesterI don’t know about you but submitting my work has become very time-consuming, confusing, and stressful. The sheer number of journals, magazines, and contests from which to choose is overwhelming. Where to start? Which one is the best fit for me?

In the past, I’ve used Duotrope, NewPages, and The Review Review to help narrow my selections, but hell, by the time I get through reading and researching, I’ve missed the deadlines. And, it seems I’m not alone feeling so frustrated with the process.

In the June issue of the Literary Hub, Erika Dreifus discusses the submission process and provides a list of 13 questions to ask before submitting to any literary journal. You can read her article and the questions, here.

Want a way to stay up to date? Get the details on awards, contests, general submissions, and deadlines? Now you can.

Download your free copy of the 2016 Literary Calendar from The Master’s Review. Click to Tweet.

What methodology or resources do you use when deciding where to submit? Share your pointers with us.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, Contently, and Instagram.

13 thoughts on “Do You Find The Submission Process Stressful?”

  1. I must be lazy. I rarely submit to anything. I suppose I go by past experiences in the Music Business where I understood that a shot-gun approach to companies on behalf of artists was pointless. In person presentations only ever bore fruit but getting those face-to-face opportunities depended upon who you knew, being in the right place etc etc. Even when I decided in 2014 that I should look for a publisher I went about it in the same way I would look for a record label for one of my acts. Targeting a handful of publishing companies I sent out my MS and then forgot about it. I didn’t expect anything. One by one I got replies. I think out of 5 submissions I had two rejections and one wanted me to make lots of alterations to the names of the characters and the location of my story, whilst two made me offers. I took my time thinking about it and eventually accepted one which gave me flexibility. I am free to submit short stories or my novels elsewhere if they (my publisher) pass on them, but apart from one or two online magazines I have not really ventured further. I do a lot of online promotion and have had stories published and pod-cast (mostly before getting published) but I am just causing ripples on a huge ocean. Therefore I try not to stress about submitting anywhere. If something takes my fancy I might try, but generally I write. I know for those with a burning ambition for sales and success this is not the answer, but I write for me and if someone likes what I do, then that is wonderful. If it sees the light of day in a book, even better. I like to make money but having worked so hard for so many years on behalf of others, helping them fulfill their dreams, I am a little burned out in that department on my own behalf. I really can’t face throwing mud at the wall to see what sticks. At least there is the option to self-publish for writers if a publisher cannot be found and it is a great way for a writer to have control and reach out to readers in their own unique way, which has to be good. Being published by a major company is very hit and miss. Just like record companies. Getting the deal isn’t the answer or the beginning. Good luck everyone whatever you decide to do and good luck with your submissions to competitions and magazines etc. I enjoy reading what others get up to and of their successes and wish you all the very best. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • This has to be one of my all time favorite replies. It sometimes feels like throwing mud at the wall. I’ll admit, I’ve done less submitting in the last year while working on my novel. You’ve given me a lot to think about. So glad to find you here taking a stroll through the pasture and thanks for joining the conversation.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • I have popped in before, just browsing. Glad you enjoyed my reply. Hope it wasn’t negative. Just spent most of my adult life ‘shopping’ acts and their music and I see so many similarities to book publishing in the music publishing and recording business. I had to seriously think about how I went about it all. Knowing how they most probably worked. Strategic targeting, who you do/don’t know and timing. Plus looking at the market and product to see if there is a niche and if you are too far ahead of the times or running behind the latest ‘fad’..ie: Fifty Shades and similar (not that I think we all write like that! Innovation or making something which has been done umpteen times before, seem now and fresh. How to make one can of baked beans stand out from another I used to call it. Still trying to figure it all. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  3. I do find it stressful, and doubly so if you don’t have a lengthy list of past publishing credits to lean on. When I get back a form-letter rejection notice, it makes me wonder if they even bothered to read my piece, or threw it in file 13.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Lately I’ve been going through my Poets & Writers classifieds, looking up venues online to see if they’re a fit for me. I also have wonderful input on venues from fellow poets. LinkedIn groups also are a rich source of Calls for Submissions.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Tell me your story.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.