Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Submissions

Kasie asked me yesterday if I would do a post on how I find places to submit.

That's an interesting question as most writers have a variety of places--but I'll share with you what I do.

The first book I purchased as a new writer was Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's Market Guide. The second book I bought was the Writer's Market. I write for the Christian market as well as the secular so I bought each and studied them--underlining any places that accepted the kind of writing I did.

That was the first action I took--the second thing I did --was go online and google submissions, writer's guidelines, publications etc and I came up with a ton of sites that listed places or the site itself with the information I needed. I try to do that each month.

I also joined several online writing groups and some of those have listings of submissions and I regularly visit those forums.

I attend conferences and gather up all the freebie stuff that shows publications needs.

BUT the most important way I find new places to submit is through NETWORKING. I have had so many of my writer friends share their sources with me and I do with them in return. Many of the anthologies I got in were the direct result of a friend telling me about it. I can't stress the importance of sharing a submission call-out with a friend. If you don't get in--maybe your friend will and they will pass on submission needs to you in the future. There are plenty to go around.

One site I frequent as well is www.anthologiesonline.com Also check out my writers group site where I post any and all of my finds.

Please feel free to e-mail me with your needs. If you've written in an area I've submitted to in the past--I'll share it with you. Happy Submitting!

8 comments:

Janna Leadbetter said...

Great tips! And thanks for sharing these various links, too.

Kasie West said...

Thanks Terri. I'm pretty new in the writing world and sometimes I feel lost out here. I'm working on a YA series and I know a lot of agents want to see your credentials before they take you seriously. So I thought I should try my hand at a few short stories and see if I can't vamp up my resume. I really appreciate the tips and help from all my new online writer friends.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Totally agree on the value of networking and the importance of writing groups.

Tracy said...

Ok, that's it! You're in...

I'm adding this post to my del.icio.us favorites, so I can refer back to it often. I have both of the books you mentioned on my list of "must get" books - just waiting for the 09 versions to be released.

What a blessing you are to me - and I'm sure lot's of others feel that way too!

D. Gudger said...

This is something I stink at! I get ideas, but them stall on where to query, or just plain don't follow through b/c...

You know, I don't have a viable excuse :)

Vickie said...

Thank you for this post Terri. It was something I wonder about as well while I stumble around in the writing world.

Thanks again.

Vickie

Linda Hoye said...

Tracy - I have to agree. Terri is such a blesssing and source of encouragement to me. She is a gift from God!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Again, great tips! Thanks. Hope you win the Christmas contest.

peace~elaine