If you’re seeking more on the craft of writing, you’re in the right place. This month learn the importance of following writers’ guidelines when submitting your work.
Following Writers’ Guidelines
If you’re submitting your work for publication, it’s important to recognize the purpose of writers’ guidelines and focus on the publisher’s needs. This will show your professionalism as a writer.
Early in my submission process, I learned how important writers’ guidelines are. When I followed them faithfully, my publishing success rate increased. It meant that I was targeting the right publication with the right sort of submission. For example, poetry to a poetry market, letters to the editor to the correct editor, and book manuscripts to the corresponding publisher. Getting the genre right is critical.
Recently I had a conversation with a fellow editor. She’s signed up for a paid subscription to Publishers Marketplace, a listing of US publishing professionals and what they’re looking for. As a fiction editor, she adds an extra feature to her client services, suggesting publishers or agents where writers can present their completed manuscripts for consideration.
Also it’s important, whether you’re submitting an article, poem, or manuscript to follow writer’s guidelines. For Canadian writers, here’s the Dreamers Creative Writing list. For a wider view of publications, see this writers guidelines database and the Writer’s Market 2019.
Publications that accept unsolicited manuscripts will have their guidelines posted on their website. Writer’s Market guide is updated annually, but to save on the cost of the newest edition, you can refer to the publication’s website to see if they’re open to submissions and look at their requirements.
The Writers’ Union of Canada also offers resources such as Writers’ Guide To Canadian Publishers, a searchable database for a yearly subscription rate.
Click here to see the writers’ guidelines for Harrowsmith magazine. Other publications will most likely also focus on these five common details:
- Whether it accepts multiple submissions
- What is the required word count for an article?
- Are online submissions the norm or do they require mailed-in print copies?
- What are the time lines for submissions and response?
- Does the publication accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Do your homework and find the publication or publisher that best matches your manuscript. Be sure to send your best clean copy, free of errors, and submit it in the requested manner.
Best wishes on your submissions.
Carolyn Wilker