Submissions

How to Successfully Keep Track of Submissions

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 1 Comment

Charles Canary

Now, that you’re thinking about submitting your work, you need an easy method for tracking all those submissions.

 Why keep track?

  1. Turn around time can vary from a few days to nearly a year. The average response time is more like 2-3 months.
  2. You need a record of who, where and what you submitted to avoid sending the same query to the same publication/editor.
  3. Keeps track of  documents and word counts. We all have more than one version and/or word count and being able to identify the appropriate document is helpful as market guidelines may differ.
  4. And, builds your own statistics regarding response times, acceptance rates, or those offering feedback and critiques.

Resources to Keep Track:

You can find many resources online, some easier to use than others:

  1.  Duotrope Digest –  A huge searchable database, and due to the large membership, statistics are readily available. Information is entered manually. The cost – $5/month.
  2. The Writer’s Database:  A free, online database which functions similar in fashion to Duotrope. Requires manual entries in a smaller database.
  3. Use folders on your computer. Arrange by time, publication, or title. Good labeling is the key to organizing your files.
  4. Or, use a spreadsheet, as I do and NOW, you can too.

Below is my  FREE  gift to you:

My Free Gift to You

An easy and quick submission tracker at your fingertips. Header columns include: Title, Category/genre, Submission Date, Status, Publisher, Website, Reply/Comments and Document links. You can change them to suit your needs. Click the link or image to download your copy today.

Submission Tracker Log Sheet1

Submission Tracker Log

Click image to download

How to Create Documents Links for Your Tracker:

By creating a link to the actual document, you  are able to see the version submitted with a click. To create the hyperlink follow these steps:screenshot

  1. In Word, open the document.
  2. Select Insert, Hyperlink.
  3. Select Document, then select File.
  4. Locate your file in the Finder, select and the link is automatically entered.
  5. Open File Properties and enter the link in the Summary Section under Hyperlink Base.

I hope you will enjoy this gift and find it helpful in keeping track of your submissions. I’d love to hear from each of you and what you think about the tracker.

Happy writing and success on your submissions.

Top 5 Resources for Contests and Submissions

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 3 Comments

CUSTOM STATIONARY-2

In my last post, I mentioned how important submitting  work on a regular basis is to writers. So, it’s only fair I share with you some of my favorite resources for the most up-to-date lists..

 My top 5 sites:

1) Duotrope: No longer free, this service now requires a paid membership. A 30-day free trial is available; after that, the cost is $5/month.

  1. The database lists thousands of markets tailored to your work and/or genre; including, fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
  2. They offer a plethora of data on every site regarding, acceptance rates, turn around time, payment, unknown to extremely challenging markets, and other statistics.
  3. Provide a calendar of upcoming themed contests.
  4. And, track of all your submissions.

2) Every Writer’s Resource:

  1. On the home page, you will find listings for all types of literary magazines.
  2. Magazine profiles include the year founded, preferred genre,  guidelines, response time, paid or non-paying market, and names of editors.
  3. For quick reference, check out the current and updated list in the sidebar.
  4. You can search by name, category, theme, call for submissions, or print.

3) Flash Fiction Chronicles:

  1. Markets are listed according to word count restrictions;  from as little as 50-100 words  to 1500.
  2. Provides a brief summary of the magazine with links to view current issues, site guidelines and read editor interviews; one of the most informative aspects offered.
  3. Under the Resources tab, you can find additional contests list.

4) New Pages

  1. Your guide to news, literary magazines, agents, and contests.
  2. Call for submissions include, fiction, non-fiction, essay, poetry, and art.
  3. Additional resources for writers is also available.

5)  Funds for Writers

  1. Holly Clark provides a list of contests and freelance markets in every mewsletter.
  2. Information includes deadlines, the cost to enter, paid or non-paid markets, and a synopsis of the competition.
  3.  All contests listed have been researched for credibility.
images-12

Photo courtesy of google and http://www.southwestwriters.com

I hope you will explore these sites, make a list and begin submitting. I’d love to hear what you think, and about your successes. So, drop me a line.

Happy writing and good luck on your submissions.

Submit or Not to Submit

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 5 Comments

Photo courtesy of google & groggrog.blogspot.com

In the last several days, three friends have recommended writing contests to me. Intrigued I began the process of reviewing  each site,  contests details, and the guidelines. Hour’s later after reading back issues and making a list of deadlines, I’m exhausted. Submitting is hard and time-consuming work.

But life has taught me, the best things come with hard work and perseverance.

Even if your story or essay isn’t accepted, submitting on a regular basis, provides advantages.

What’s in it for you?

  1. Themed contests are like prompts, spurring imagination and the desire to write.
  2. Deadlines help you prioritize time.
  3.  Reading the works of others, introduce you to other writers and genres.
  4.  Many magazines offer feedback and/or a written critique from the judges (a favorite perk of mine.) Who wouldn’t want to receive information which will improve your skill as a writer and likewise, increase your chance of acceptance?
  5.  Practice makes perfect. You gain experience and knowledge with every submission and in the end, you might achieve your goal.
  6.  Provides a venue for others to discover your work.

As you well know, if you follow Duotrope, statistics on acceptance rates for many are dismal. However, when you receive that acceptance letter or email, it’s magic and well worth the time and effort.

A note of Caution When Submitting:

  1. Read and follow the guidelines. A lack of compliance is a frequent complaint from many editors.
  2. Check and double-check spelling and grammar. Read aloud, listen to it on your Kindle, or ask a respected friend for feedback.
  3. Stay within the designated word count. Sounds easy enough, however, sometimes the title counts, sometimes it doesn’t. Knowing which will determine whether your story lands in the consideration or rejection pile.
  4.  Know the basics of the contest. Is there a theme, particular genre, or is the contest open?
  5.  Know whether it’s a blind submission or requires author identification.
  6.  Format according to submission guidelines. The guidelines differ for each magazine or contest.
images-2

Photo courtesy of google & http://www.smartfitbykatemartin.com

So, take the leap. Review the Call for Submissions in the sidebar; check out Duotrope,  Every Writer’s Resource, and The Write Life for their list of current contests.

Remember, no risk, no gain.

Happy writing, submitting, and best of luck!

Bloopers, Typos and Laughter

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 1 Comment

We’ve all heard the warning, check and double-check spelling, punctuation, and grammar before submitting a piece for publication, but … what can I say, mistakes happen to the best of us. 

If you’ve made a mistake recently, relax. Laughing at one’s self is a sign of maturity, or in some cases, getting ahead of the other guy.

"If you find it hard to laugh at yourself, I would be happy to do it for you." 
Groucho Marx                                                                         CLICK TO TWEET
"Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone..."
―Ella Wheeler Wilcox                                                      CLICK TO TWEET

So, kick back and have a good, old-fashioned belly laugh. It’s good for your health and good for the soul. As demonstrated by these wonderful church ladies with typewriters. 

I can’t take credit for finding these tidbits of laughter. I received them from a dear friend. I tried my to find their origination but was unsuccessful. I did manage to locate them in numerous other places on the net. Angelfire.com,  Beliefnet.com, Lotsofjokes.com, to name a few.

These Bloopers and Typos actually appeared in church bulletins or announced during church services.

    1. The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
    2. The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’
    3. The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’
    4. Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
    5. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.
    6. Smile at someone who is hard to love.
    7. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.
    8. Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.
    9. Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
    10. For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
    11. Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
    12. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
    13. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.
    14. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
    15. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment, and gracious hostility.
    16. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – prayer and medication to follow.
    17. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
    18. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
    19. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
    20. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
    21. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
    22. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
    23. The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new campaign slogan last Sunday: I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours!

Thanks to my friend Jo and all her friends for forwarding these on. I hoped you enjoyed them as much as I did and took them in the spirit they were intended, a good belly laugh and a gentle reminder – check and recheck. Typos happen to the brightest and the blessed of us. No pun intended.

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