I just finished writing the SPAWN Market Update for the member area of the SPAWN website. This month, I included information about Writer’s Market, what it contains and how to use it. I’ve been purchasing Writer’s Market for most of the 40 years I’ve been writing as a career. They’ve been publishing the directory for 92 years.
As a serious freelance article writer for many years, I used to subscribe to the few (then) writers’ magazines and newsletters. I’d seek out their updates as far as editorial and submission changes for the various publications I wrote for and publishers I may want to approach. Then I would note these changes in ink in my current copy of Writer’s Market. This might include changes in editorial staff, addresses, contact info, submissions, etc, I did my best to keep informed as to changes so that I always approached the magazine editors from a professional perspective.
Today, there are is so much turnover in the industry and changes occurring faster than the speed of a bullet. Not only that, there are so many magazines and newsletters and enewsletters attempting to inform writers. It becomes difficult to keep up with it all. One way to do so is through the magazine’s (or the publisher’s) website—specifically, their submission guidelines. While, of course, some editors and publishers aren’t very good at updating their guidelines, most, I believe, do a pretty good job of it.
Before you approach any publisher with your magnificent manuscript or any editor with your great story idea, read that publisher’s/magazine’s submission guidelines. If you can’t find it at their website using your most well-honed investigative techniques (which it sometimes takes), contact them and ask for a copy. The publisher or magazine editor that does not post submission guidelines has nothing to complain about when they receive mis-targeted material.
Do you need help locating submission guidelines for some of the publishers/magazines you want to write for? Let me know, maybe I can help.
Or buy a copy of my book, Publish Your Book. I explain how to locate submission guidelines that are well-hidden. And believe me, some publishers do hide theirs. This is just one of hundreds of tidbits you can learn and benefit from in this amazingly reader-friendly, informative book. It’s available at amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores.
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