How do you get your stories in magazines?

Answer 1

For Fiction stories: Every magazine has guidelines that tell prospective writers exactly what kind of stories they will consider. The guidelines also tell how long the stories should be, how much the magazine pays (if they do), and where and how to submit your story. The guidelines may be very detailed or very basic.

You can find the guidelines online or write to the magazine and ask for their writers guidelines (include SASE - a self-addressed, stamped envelope). Writers Digest publishes Writers Market and Fiction Writer's Market every year which contain the newest guidelines. The books also have very useful sections that tell you about proper manuscript format. If you don't know what that is, you need to find out before submitting your story. You can find both books at bookstores and libraries.

Pay very close attention to the guidelines. Every magazine has different needs and different preferences. If the magazine says it only publishes 2000 to 4000 word mystery stories, don't send them a 5000 word fantasy story. It seems obvious, but many beginning writers are so impressed with their own writing, that they think the editor will completely forget those silly restrictions when he reads their story. He won't. Your story may be wonderful, but if it is not the kind of story the editor wants to buy, he won't even read it.

Once you've found some magazines where your stories might fit, get some back issues and read them. Each magazine has its own personality. Are the magazines literary, polished and sophisticated, regional, in-your-face, experimental, up-lifting, down-home, or an eclectic mix? When you have a feel for the type of stories the magazine publishes, then you will know which is more likely to publish your story. Editors get really annoyed by writers who waste their time by sending submissions that are completely off base. Know your market.

Make a list of several magazines that are potential markets. Since it is very likely that your first stories will be rejected, decide which magazine you want to try first. Most magazines will not consider simultaneous submissions (sending your story to several magazines at once). Most writers submit to the highest paying or most prestigious market first.

Check your story one more time for spelling and grammar errors. Submit your story in whatever way the magazine requests. Be patient. Don't call the editor asking where you story is. If the guidelines say that the usual response time is 2 months, wait an extra couple of weeks, then send a polite letter to the editor asking if he received your submission and offer to resend it if he hasn't.

As soon as you send off your story, start a new story. If your story comes back, carefully consider and treasure any comments the editor may have made, then send it to the next magazine on your list. Editors would love to give feedback, but most are so swamped with submissions that they only have time to send form rejections. Consider any comment as a good sign.

Try not to take rejection personally. Editors have to reject perfectly good stories because they aren't right for their magazine or because they just published something similar. When you get rejected, send the editor another story. Your next story could just be the perfect story for his magazine, but you'll never know if you don't keep trying. Good luck!