Submitting your hard work to a publisher is always a nerve wracking experience. The desire to have all your hard work pay off with an acceptance letter is understandable.
But…and this is a BIG BUT…are you ruining your chances for success from the very beginning? Have you already disqualified yourself before the editor has even started to read your work?
Here are a few common mistakes I have seen as I review the submissions for the witches anthology.
1. Submitting your work in a format other than the submission guidelines requested. In the case of the LotLD and LoH, we request all submissions be in .rtf. Do NOT submit your work in another format and expect the editor not to be peeved or not read your work. It's a hassle trying to convert a file your program doesn't read.
2. Submitting your work directly into the body of the email instead of as an attachment. I did this to poor Eric Brown when I expected an outright rejection for my werewolf story. I felt so guilty when he had trouble with placing it into the manuscript. The email formatting is different from .rtf. So learn from MY mistake and do not do this.
3. Submitting a story that does NOT fit the submission guidelines. Yes, maybe your story is brilliant, maybe it’s amazing, maybe it is the best thing you have ever written, but if it does not fit the submission guidelines it will not be accepted. If the submission guidelines read “vampire story with strong horror element” and you send in Twilight the Second Coming, you’re going to get rejected.
4. Not including your contact information other than your email address.
5. Not including your name. How am I supposed to know who SmackDaddy is?
6. Submitting a story you JUST finished and haven’t had anyone else proofread. I recommend sitting on your story a few days before you reread it for typos, etc and then hand it off to someone you trust to be honest with your work.
7. Submitting a story after the submission deadline. Before you send in a story, make sure the editor is still accepting submissions. Just a quick look at the website (forum, etc) will save you the heartache of an instant rejection.
thanks for the reminder.
i do have one question, why do some request single space while others request double space? is it purely personal preference or is there something behind the spacing of the lines?
rather ask someone who doesn't respect me (yet, i haven't earned anyones respect yet.) than someone that does and feel like a dumbass, that is the jay way!
j
To be fair, a lot of places specifically request the work in the body of the email--so like all the rest, it's a case of paying attention to the publisher-specific guidelines.
I'm speaking about LotLD and LoH submission guidelines. But, yes, some do request it in the email for fear of viruses. Later, if you're accepted, they ask for it in a different format.To be fair, a lot of places specifically request the work in the body of the email--so like all the rest, it's a case of paying attention to the publisher-specific guidelines.[image]
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Some editors start editing as they read your submission. Sometimes they want it double spaced for their editing marks. It's a personal preference.thanks for the reminder.
i do have one question, why do some request single space while others request double space? is it purely personal preference or is there something behind the spacing of the lines?
rather ask someone who doesn't respect me (yet, i haven't earned anyones respect yet.) than someone that does and feel like a dumbass, that is the jay way!
j-junkenstein99
thanks!
j
rhiannon, you're awesome. thank you for posting this.
Expanding on #5 a bit...
When you re-read your work, do not just read it but read it aloud. What looks right page may not sound right to the ear. Reading aloud may help you find mistakes your eyes may have otherwise overlooked and helps to make sure your story has the proper flow.
And Spell Check is not the be all. Don't rely on it alone!
And Spell Check is not the be all. Don't rely on it alone!
-dr-pus
same goes for grammar check.
ya, spell check sucks balls, got knocked hartd on an essay for class because it didnt catch alot of mistakes... FUCK YOU WORD!
joining a writers group of writers you respect is another way to get a second (or more) set of eyes on your project. Some are more than happy to tear it apart for you before you send it off to an editor to tear it apart some more. 
Speaking from experience, it is a lot easier to see someone else's mistakes than your own. I reach a certain point in the process where I cannot edit my own work anymore. And no one is perfect. Even editors will miss things.
Heck, I see NYC bestsellers with serious editing issues all the time.
But still you should try to present your work in its cleanest form.
I consider that the fun part of reading a book by a 'professional.' finding the mistakes, especially logic ones, like scales on a catfish (yes, I have read that in a story.)
Speaking from experience, it is a lot easier to see someone else's mistakes than your own. I reach a certain point in the process where I cannot edit my own work anymore. And no one is perfect. Even editors will miss things. Heck, I see NYC bestsellers with serious editing issues all the time.But still you should try to present your work in its cleanest form.
-rhiannonfrater
so very true. i'm currently revisiting my own magnum opus & it's kicking my ass. sharing it with people is always the best thing to do -- people you trust, people who get you. sometimes i'm afraid of my own work & of sharing it. it's self-defeating to feel that way.
Expanding on #5 a bit...
When you re-read your work, do not just read it but read it aloud. What looks right page may not sound right to the ear. Reading aloud may help you find mistakes your eyes may have otherwise overlooked and helps to make sure your story has the proper flow.
-blpriddy
That's how I do most of my edits these days. Works a charm. I think this is the secret to self editing.
Yeah, I already fucked up and sent a sub to Horrorology after the deadline and sent a story for Vampology that was too short--FUCK ME! I pay very close attention to guidelines and wasn't a member of the forum yet. Apparently I was looking at some very outdated posts for these two anthologies.
One can't be too careful with guidelines. It's a sure way to piss off the editor from the get go.
I did have a story accepted for the Zombonaut anthology, so I'm on the right track here.
Sorry, first time I've submitted something.
3. Submitting a story that does NOT fit the submission guidelines. Yes, maybe your story is brilliant, maybe it’s amazing, maybe it is the best thing you have ever written, but if it does not fit the submission guidelines it will not be accepted. If the submission guidelines read “vampire story with strong horror element” and you send in Twilight the Second Coming, you’re going to get rejected.
I think I was guilty of this one with the Whitches anthology. My story had a witch but not a strong enough horror element. But it was worth a shot since it was all I had on the Witch subject matter. However, the rejection was very pro, and nicely said.
Thanks for reading.
What are you sorry for? I'm confused.Sorry, first time I've submitted something.
-bagabones
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