Editor Interview: Writer Advice Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) This interview is provided for archival purposes. The listing is not currently active.Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.Thought & appraisalB. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?I often admire whatever I'm reading. There's always something to like. I'm very grateful to Random House and its subsidiaries for sending me so many books for review.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?I like emerging and well-known writers who introduce positive, original thought.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?We have more pages than a blog and our exposure lasts 90 days. Our goal has always been to help and encourage writers.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Check our current contest. Query first for reviews. Always be honest.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012Describe the ideal submission.For our Submittable Starts the ideal piece will grab and hold the reader because we care about the characters and the issues.Now that I think about it the same is true of our Flash Prose Contest. For that one, though, you also need development that works and an ending that doesn't disappoint.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?A few people think that directions are creative writing--or maybe they're just creative in their reading. For Flash Prose, we accept previously published submissions. Scintillating Starts is for pieces that have not yet been published.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?I don't want to know background unless I ask for it, which I do when I'm ready to publish. Original cover letters sometimes catch my attention.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?Since our submissions are flash pieces or short reviews, I usually read the whole piece...unless it's very clear that the piece needs work.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?For Flash Prose, I pick the finalists and they're evaluated and ranked by last year's winners.I'm still looking for the right judge to help me with Scintillating Starts.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?Okay. Right now I'm supposed to be finishing a book. I just drafted interview questions before reading the last two chapters. I'm refining them as I read. But wait, I'm not reading. I'm answering e-mail. And it's 5:30 so the phone's going to ring any minute. See why you need to catch and hold my attention? Like all of us, I multi-task. Write a submission that takes me away from all the distractions, and I'll love your work.B. Lynn Goodwin, Managing Editor on 14 September 2012 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only