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Dear Fellow Writer,

We write fiction ourselves and have been published in small press publications. Also, we edited a small press journal years ago. We have seen the publishing world from both sides. We know the joys and frustrations of being writers and the joys and frustrations of being editors. While we don't pretend to offer a magical formula for guaranteed success, we can offer you some basic advice to help reduce your frustration when submitting and to help make editors happier when reading your work.

Photo by Mona Eedndra on Unsplash
"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." — Benjamin Franklin
Photo by Mona Eedndra.

Do …

  • Be professional and polite when corresponding with editors, even through email. This includes using full sentences and avoiding informal abbreviations such as "BTW." Also, it should go without saying that you should never respond rudely to a rejection or attempt to enter into a debate with an editor—nothing will get you on their bad side faster!
  • Target your submissions. Sending a piece to an inappropriate market does not increase its chance of getting published. Instead it keeps the piece in limbo longer.
  • Read and follow the publisher's guidelines. Always. No exceptions. Even if you've submitted to the market in the past, re-read the guidelines. You never know when they might change. Also, if you can manage it, you should try to read at least one issue or book they've published to get a better idea of what they're looking for.
  • Use standard manuscript formatting unless otherwise instructed. 12-point Times New Roman (or Courier if the editor prefers), wide margins, double-spaced for prose, single-spaced for poetry, etc. Why? Most editors find it's easier on their eyes (and the easier it is for them to read, the more of it they'll read).
  • Keep track of your submissions. Know where you sent what piece and when. That way, you will avoid embarrassing, repeat submissions, and you'll have a better idea of when to query on the status of your submission and when to give up waiting. We offer an online submission tracker to our individual subscribers.
  • Use your common sense. Not every editor knows what he or she is doing. If it is clear to you that the editor can't spell (or use spell-check) or doesn't know the basic rules of grammar, perhaps you should submit elsewhere.
  • Be wary of publishers or agents that offer critiquing or editing services for a fee. Publishers are in the business of publishing. You have to wonder when they venture into the dubious world of fiction doctoring for profit. Besides, there are plenty of excellent, free writers' workshops around.
  • Support your favorite publications. Many publications, particularly small press ones, teeter constantly on the brink of destruction. Without the support of readers—and all writers should be readers—they can't support themselves, let alone writers. Subscribe to your favorite magazines, buy books and anthologies that interest you. It benefits us all—writers, publishers, and editors alike!

Don't …

  • Post an unpublished piece on the web unless... it's in a password-protected forum of some sort. Most publishers consider works that have been freely available to the public to have been previously published. You won't be able to sell First Rights on such a piece. If you join an online critiquing group, make sure people need to register and log in to read your work.
  • Pay a fee to enter a contest or to submit your work unless... you are familiar with the publication's reputation and wish to support them financially.

Following the above suggestions won't guarantee acceptance, but it will put your odds above the rest of the slush pile.

We hope Duotrope has proven to be a valuable resource for you! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on how to make Duotrope better, let us know. Also, if you run a website or blog about writing, please consider linking to us.

Keep reading, keep writing, and keep submitting!

With love & support,
The Duotroopers

Photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash
Don't just stand there. Discover. Explore. Create.
Photo by Jeff Sheldon.

Did you know that Duotrope members have recently* been accepted by these top publications?

AGNI, The Sun Magazine, The Georgia Review, swamp pink, The Missouri Review, Copper Nickel, Kenyon Review, The Adroit Journal, New England Review, Bennington Review, Chestnut Review, Baltimore Review, Split Lip Magazine, West Branch, Ninth Letter, Ploughshares, The Paris Review, Colorado Review, The Sewanee Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Guernica, Poetry Magazine, Boulevard Magazine, STORY Magazine, The Cincinnati Review, and many more.

We are proud that our tools help writers and artists achieve such extraordinary success, and we applaud everyone who has the courage to submit!

* Within the past 12 months. This list is recompiled once a day. Last compiled: Friday, March 29, 2024 3:41:12 AM UTC.