For writers, the act of creation is only half the battle. The other, often more daunting, half is getting that work seen, accepted, and published. A low submission rate can be demoralizing, leading to stalled projects and unfulfilled potential. This comprehensive guide dissects the intricate process of improving your submission rate, moving beyond theoretical advice to offer concrete, actionable strategies that empower you to transform your writing career. We’ll explore the underlying reasons writers struggle with submissions and provide a practical framework for overcoming these hurdles, ensuring your brilliant work finds its audience.
The Psychology of Submission: Overcoming Invisible Barriers
Before we dive into mechanics, it’s crucial to understand the psychological landscape surrounding submissions. Fear of rejection is a powerful inhibitor, often manifesting as procrastination or perfectionism. Many writers equate a “no” with a judgment on their inherent worth, rather than a dispassionate assessment of a piece’s fit for a specific outlet. Addressing these internal roadblocks is the first, vital step towards a higher submission rate.
Deconstructing the Fear of Rejection
Rejection is inevitable. Every successful writer has a folder brimming with “no” letters. The key is to reframe rejection not as failure, but as data. Each rejection narrows down the possibilities, bringing you closer to a “yes.”
Actionable Strategy:
* Create a “Rejection Log”: Instead of ignoring rejections, log them. Note the date, the piece submitted, and the outlet. Periodically review it. You’ll likely see patterns (e.g., submitting humorous essays to literary journals). This data is invaluable for refining your targeting.
* Celebrate the Act of Submission: Shift your focus from the outcome to the action. Each time you hit “send,” acknowledge that you’ve completed a crucial step. Treat it as a small victory. This builds positive reinforcement.
* Set Submission Goals, Not Acceptance Goals: Instead of “I want to get published this month,” aim for “I will submit three pieces this week.” This puts the control firmly in your hands, detaching your emotional state from external decisions.
Battling Perfectionism and Procrastination
Perfectionism can be a disguise for fear. The “one more edit” loop, the endless tweaking, often stems from a reluctance to put work out there. Procrastination, similarly, is a common symptom.
Actionable Strategy:
* Implement a “Done, Not Perfect” Rule: For submissions, establish a clear threshold for readiness. Once a piece meets your internal editorial checklist and has undergone a reasonable number of revisions, it’s “ready.” Resist the urge for infinite polishing.
* Time-Box Your Editing: Assign specific, limited time blocks for editing a specific piece (e.g., “1 hour for final polish on ‘The Sunken Ship'”). Once the time is up, the piece is considered finished for submission.
* The “Two-Minute Rule” for Submissions: If a submission takes less than two minutes (e.g., copying and pasting into a Submittable form), do it immediately. For longer submissions, break them down. Commit to spending just five minutes on it, and often that momentum will carry you through.
* Pre-Schedule Submission Tasks: Treat submissions like any other writing task. Block out specific times in your calendar for researching markets, formatting manuscripts, or drafting cover letters.
Strategic Market Research: The Compass to Acceptance
Blindly submitting is akin to throwing darts in the dark. Effective market research is the cornerstone of a high submission rate. It ensures your work lands in front of editors who are actively looking for exactly what you’ve created.
Understanding Your Niche
Before you research outlets, understand your own work. What genre is it? What’s its tone? Who is the ideal reader?
Actionable Strategy:
* Categorize Your Work: Create a simple spreadsheet or document. For each piece you write, list its genre (e.g., literary fiction, sci-fi short story, personal essay), its approximate word count, and its core themes. This makes matching to markets much easier.
* Identify Your “Read Alikes”: Think about authors or publications whose work resonates with yours. This provides a starting point for discovering similar markets.
Deep Diving into Market Intelligence
Effective market research goes beyond a superficial scan of guidelines. It involves immersion.
Actionable Strategy:
* Read the Publication: This is non-negotiable. If you’re submitting a poem to Poetry Monthly, you should have read issues of Poetry Monthly. Understand their aesthetic, common themes, and preferred forms. For literary journals, if they have an archive, read several issues to get a feel for their voice. For magazines, read several published articles.
* Analyze Submission Guidelines Religiously: Editors are busy. Ignoring guidelines (word count, formatting, specific content requests) is an instant disqualifier. Print them, highlight them, dissect them.
* Look for Recent Acquisitions: Many literary magazines list recent contributors or provide “editor’s picks.” See what kind of work they’re currently acquiring. For commercial markets, note the general shift in topics they’re covering.
* Utilize Industry Resources (without external links): Many professional writing organizations and online communities compile comprehensive lists of markets. These are excellent starting points. Filter these lists by genre, pay rate, and submission status.
* Track Response Times and Acceptance Rates (if available): Some online databases provide this data. While not definitive, it can help you prioritize where to send work you need a faster turnaround on.
* Attend Online Panels/Webinars: Many publications and universities host online events where editors discuss what they look for. These are goldmines for understanding current trends and editorial preferences.
Optimizing Your Submission Package: The First Impression
Your manuscript, cover letter, and bio are your professional calling card. A polished, correctly formatted submission package speaks volumes about your professionalism and attention to detail.
Manuscript Formatting: The Unsung Hero
It seems basic, but incorrect formatting screams amateur. Editors are looking for reasons not to read your work; don’t give them one based on poor presentation.
Actionable Strategy:
* Standard Manuscript Format (SMF): For fiction and non-fiction, consistently use SMF:
* Font: 12pt Times New Roman or Courier New. Never use fancy fonts.
* Spacing: Double-spaced throughout.
* Margins: 1-inch all around.
* Page Numbers: In the header, top right, with your last name or title slug (e.g., Smith/Story Title/1).
* Contact Info: Top left of the first page: your name, address, phone, email. Top right: word count (approx.).
* Title: Centered, a few lines down from contact info.
* Poetry Specifics: Usually single-spaced, but check guidelines. Often, no page numbers for short poems.
* Proofread Relentlessly: Not just for typos, but for formatting inconsistencies. A misplaced space or inconsistent indentation is distracting. Read it aloud, use a spell-checker, and consider a final read-through by a trusted peer.
The Power of the Concise Cover Letter
The cover letter is not a life story. It’s a professional introduction. Many editors scan these first.
Actionable Strategy:
* Keep it Brief: 3-4 paragraphs max.
* Address the Editor by Name: Do your research. If no name is given, “Dear Editor” is acceptable.
* First Paragraph: The Hook:
* State the title of your piece and its genre/word count.
* Politely state you are submitting “for your consideration for publication in [Publication Name].”
* Second Paragraph: The Credentials/Context:
* Briefly mention any relevant publishing credits (e.g., “My work has appeared in The Literary Review, Poetry Today, and elsewhere.”). If you have no credits, focus on why your piece is a good fit.
* Demonstrate you’ve read their publication: “I particularly enjoyed [specific piece/issue they’ve published] and believe my [genre] will resonate with your readers who appreciate [their aesthetic/themes].” This shows you’ve done your homework.
* Third/Fourth Paragraph: The Professional Close:
* Reiterate that the piece is original and has not been simultaneously submitted elsewhere (if that’s their guideline).
* Thank them for their time and consideration.
* Close with “Sincerely” or “Regards,” followed by your typed name and contact information.
* No Synopses (Unless Requested): For short stories or poems, don’t summarize the plot in the cover letter. Let the piece speak for itself.
The Micro-Bio: Your Professional Snapshot
Your bio is a 1-3 sentence summary of your relevant writing life.
Actionable Strategy:
* Focus on Writing Credits: “Jane Doe’s work has appeared in The Literary Quarterly and Beyond the Stars Magazine. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from [University] and lives in [City, State].”
* Personal Touch (Optional & Brief): A very short, engaging detail can work if it relates to your writing (e.g., “…and she is currently working on a novel about deep-sea explorers.”).
* No Unrelated Information: Avoid listing your day job unless it directly relates to the piece submitted.
The Submission Workflow: Systematizing Success
A chaotic submission process leads to missed opportunities, duplicate submissions, and general frustration. A robust, organized workflow is critical for maintaining consistency and sanity.
Tracking Your Submissions
This is arguably the most important practical step. A systematic tracking method prevents accidental simultaneous submissions and helps you analyze your efforts.
Actionable Strategy:
* The Submission Spreadsheet: This is your central nervous system. Essential columns:
* Date Submitted: When you hit send.
* Piece Title: The name of your work.
* Outlet: The publication/agent/editor you submitted to.
* Genre/Category: (e.g., Short Story, Poem, Opinion Piece).
* Word Count: Of the submitted piece.
* Submission Method: (e.g., Submittable, Email, Post).
* Date of Response: When you hear back.
* Response Type: (e.g., Rejection, Acceptance, Revision Request).
* Notes: Any specific feedback, reasons for rejection (if given), or next steps.
* Next Action: (e.g., “Submit to Venue B if rejected,” “Revise and resubmit”).
* Color-Coding/Conditional Formatting: Visually identify pending submissions, accepted pieces, or common rejections.
* Set Reminders: If an outlet states a 3-month response time, set a calendar reminder to follow up politely after 3.5 months if you haven’t heard.
Batching and Scheduling Submissions
Instead of submitting sporadically, dedicate specific blocks of time.
Actionable Strategy:
* “Submission Day”: Pick one day or a few hours each week/month to handle all submission-related tasks:
* Researching new markets.
* Formatting manuscripts.
* Drafting cover letters/bios.
* Actually sending submissions.
* Submit in Batches: Don’t send out one piece and then wait. If you have several completed pieces, or several potential markets for one piece, send them out in batches. This increases your chances of getting a “yes” faster.
* Prioritize Hot Markets: If you have a timely piece (e.g., an essay reacting to a current event), prioritize outlets that accept pitches for such content and have a fast turnaround.
Multipurposing and Re-pitching
Your work has value beyond a single submission.
Actionable Strategy:
* Maintain a “Submittable-Ready” Folder: Once a piece is polished and formatted, save a specific version (e.g., “Story_Name_SMF.docx”). This reduces prep time for future submissions.
* Create a Rejection-to-Revision Plan: If a piece receives consistent rejections with similar feedback, don’t just resubmit. Analyze the feedback. Can it be revised to fit a different market or simply strengthened?
* Consider Different Angles/Forms: Can your short story be excerpted into a standalone essay? Can your poem be pitched to a different type of literary journal? Can your research paper be condensed into an article for a popular science magazine? Always think about how to adapt your existing work for new opportunities.
* Simultaneous Submissions (With Caution): If an outlet explicitly allows simultaneous submissions, take advantage of it. Just be meticulously organized to withdraw immediately if accepted elsewhere. If they don’t allow it, respect that.
Post-Submission Discipline: Patience and Persistence
Once you’ve submitted, the ball is often out of your court. But your actions after hitting send are just as important for maintaining momentum and a positive mindset.
The Art of the Wait
Waiting for a response can be agonizing. Don’t let it derail your writing process.
Actionable Strategy:
* Shift Focus to New Work: Immediately after submitting, turn your attention to your next writing project. This prevents obsessive checking of your inbox and keeps your creative engine running.
* Establish a “No Check” Policy: Decide how often you’ll check your submission email (e.g., once a day, three times a week). Stick to it.
* Don’t Pester Editors (Unless Warranted): Unless the quoted response time has passed significantly, do not send follow-up emails. A polite, brief inquiry after the stated timeline is acceptable. An email every week is unprofessional.
Learning from Rejection (Again)
Every rejection is a learning opportunity.
Actionable Strategy:
* Read the Rejection Letter Carefully: Some are form letters, others offer specific feedback. Take note of any constructive criticism.
* Don’t Take it Personally: It’s hard, but crucial. An editor skipping your story doesn’t mean it’s bad, just that it wasn’t the right fit for them, for that issue.
* Analyze Your Submission Log: Are you getting rejections from specific types of outlets? Is one particular piece consistently rejected while others are gaining traction? This data informs future market choices.
* Revise and Re-Submit: For every rejection, immediately identify the next target market from your researched list. Don’t let the piece languish. Get it back out there.
* Consider Peer Feedback After Rejections: If a piece is consistently rejected, consider asking trusted beta readers or a writing group for fresh eyes. Sometimes, an external perspective identifies issues you’re too close to see.
Celebrating the Small Victories
A high submission rate is a victory in itself.
Actionable Strategy:
* Track Your “Number of Submissions Sent”: Seeing that number climb throughout the year is tangible proof of your discipline and effort.
* Acknowledge Referral Requests or Positive Feedback: Even if a piece isn’t accepted, an editor requesting to see more work or offering a personalized encouraging note is a sign you’re on the right track.
* Reward Your Consistency: Set small, personal rewards for meeting your submission goals – not just acceptance goals. This can be anything from a special coffee to an hour pursuing a hobby.
Conclusion
Improving your submission rate isn’t about magic formulas or insider secrets; it’s about shifting your mindset and implementing a disciplined, strategic approach. By confronting the psychological barriers to submission, meticulously researching markets, perfecting your submission package, and systematizing your workflow, you transform the daunting task of getting published into a manageable, even enjoyable, part of your writing life. Embrace rejection as data, celebrate the act of sending your work into the world, and cultivate relentless persistence. Your words deserve to be read, and by mastering the art of submission, you ensure they find their way to eager eyes.