the art of getting published, part II
by Kelly Joi Phelan
Since the subject of the last Wordplay was so popular, I've decided to continue on with it. Last time I gave a brief summary of what it takes to get your work published, and in this column I'm planning on going a little more depth on the topic (and give you a few more addresses of publishers).
Just like the web has netiquette, the publishing world also has a set of rules that writers are expected to follow when submitting their work to a magazine. The big, number one rule of submitting is always include a cover sheet.
A cover sheet is a brief letter that basically introduces the author and his/her story to the editor of a magazine. The basic rule for writing a cover letter is "keep it brief and simple." Editors read dozens of manuscripts in a day and don't have the time to read through a lengthy cover letter to find the important information. In fact, some editors base their decision to even read a manuscript by the attached cover letter!
But never fear, if you just follow these simple guidelines I'm about to give you, everything will turn out okay. First of all, unless you already know the editor, do not address them by their first name! For that matter, don't address them using Ms., Mr., or Mrs. either because it can be far too simple to call a Mr. a Ms. or vice versa (and that's not exactly the first impression you want to make). Just address them using their full name: "Dear Jane Doe," etc.
The next step is to quickly get to the point. "Please consider my story/poem/article, 'The Fall of Areithos,' for publication in your magazine." Editors will love you for this. Also, if your story has been published before or you're sending it to other editors for consideration at the same time, you must tell the editor this! This is very important.
One very common mistake many writers make is to describe the plot or theme of their poem/story/article. Many editors figure, "If they've already told me what the story is about, why should I read it?" Or worse, they think if you had to explain it, your plot must be too vague or you think the editor isn't bright enough to figure it out on their own. I know the temptation to tell the editor about your writing so they better understand it can be strong, but for your own good, resist!
The next part of your letter should be all about you, the writer. All you need to do is mention any other work that has been published before. If you have none, don't worry—many editors are always looking to be the one to discover the next phenomenal writer. Also, if you've read the magazine before, say so, but don't ramble on with endless flattery as it can actually be a turnoff.
Finally, just end your letter with a simple, "Sincerely, Your Name Here." A cover letter should never be any more than a single page in length and you should always put your name, address, and telephone number at the top. Also, be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with each submission so that the editor can reply with your acceptance. If you don't include one, many editors will simply throw your manuscript away. I also would advise you to ask for a magazine's writers' guidelines before sending anything out. The guidelines simply state what the magazine is looking for and how to format your work. Reading these and following them will definitely increase your chances of being accepted. All you have to do is write to the magazine's usual address and ask them to send you their writers' guidelines. Be sure to enclose a SASE—otherwise you won't receive a response.
If you're still a bit apprehensive about cover letters, you can always practice them on Xenith! :-) Due to popular demand, I've again included a few more publishers' addresses. Enjoy!
Pulp Eternity is a fantasy/sci-fi/horror magazine. What makes this magazine interesting is that each issue has a different theme, and all the writing in the issue reflects that theme. For example, the first issue's theme was "Time…A Retrospective," and the second issue will be, "I am the Dragon." Web address: http://www.pulpeternity.com Rates: 3 cents a word, plus one contributor's copy. Requirements: Limit of 3500 words per submission.
Steve Algieri, Senior Editor
Eternity Press
PO Box 930068
Norcross, GA, 30003
Eternity: The Online Journal of Speculative Imagination is Pulp Eternity's online counterpart (they share the same website and editor). The only difference is that "Eternity" is published online, pays less, but accepts longer stories. Web address: http://www.pulpeternity.com Rates: 1/4 cent per word for fiction to $50, $1-5 for poetry and nonfiction. Requirements: Stories under 5000 words, short-short stories under 1000 words, personal essays under 2000 words. Address: Eternityol@aol.com
32 Pages accepts original or translated poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, drama, and graphical narrative. Web address: http://rain-crow-publishing.com/32pp/ Rates: $5 per magazine page. Response Time: 3 months Requirements: 8000 word maximum.
32 PAGES
Rain Crow Publishing
2127 W. Pierce Ave. Apt. 2B
Chicago IL 60622-1824
Altair is a professional Sci-fi/Fantasy/Sword & Sorcery magazine based in Australia. Web address: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~robsteph/altair.htm Rates: 3 cents U.S. per word. Requirements: 2000 to 10,000 words. "Altair is primarily looking for Science Fiction or fantasy based stories with a blending of the two genres being especially welcome."
Altair Publishing
PO Box 475
Blackwood 5051
South Australia, Australia
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