This particular blog post is going to focus on the topic of submitting to literary magazines. Before I started working on the Toyon staff, I had no idea how the publishing industry worked. I have learned so much this semester and feel that I can give some advise to my fellow writers who are aspiring to become published. For today's class, staff members read an article by Katie Chase, "Submitting To Literary Magazines." In this piece, Chase gives some advice and information on what the publishing process is like, and how to become prepared to take part in how to become published .
I would say that one of the best tips to give to someone before they consider submitting their piece, is to make sure that they submit their absolute best work. Be confident that this piece is crisp, clean and most importantly, proofread. I cannot emphasize enough on the proofreading aspect. Reading and selecting pieces for Toyon, there were so many works that could have benefited from an additional proofread. One passage that Chase stated in her piece that I agree with, was that she encouraged individuals to "find other critical readers for it: revise it until it's stood the test of time and in your mind is the very best you can make it" (419).
One other thought that I would like to share: please do not get discouraged if your work is not published the first, second, or third time. Keep writing! Literary magazines, like Toyon, receive hundreds of submissions and only a handful get chosen. That is why I feel it is important to spread your work around to other literary magazines because chances are your work will get pick eventually. More importantly: "publishing shouldn't be your goal; writing good work you're proud of, should be" (423). Write to write, don't write to try and become well-known. Write because it is your love and passion. Getting a piece published is fun, but should not be the main focus of your work. Write because you love it and write what you are passionate about. These are the pieces that will be your strongest.
I would say that one of the best tips to give to someone before they consider submitting their piece, is to make sure that they submit their absolute best work. Be confident that this piece is crisp, clean and most importantly, proofread. I cannot emphasize enough on the proofreading aspect. Reading and selecting pieces for Toyon, there were so many works that could have benefited from an additional proofread. One passage that Chase stated in her piece that I agree with, was that she encouraged individuals to "find other critical readers for it: revise it until it's stood the test of time and in your mind is the very best you can make it" (419).
One other thought that I would like to share: please do not get discouraged if your work is not published the first, second, or third time. Keep writing! Literary magazines, like Toyon, receive hundreds of submissions and only a handful get chosen. That is why I feel it is important to spread your work around to other literary magazines because chances are your work will get pick eventually. More importantly: "publishing shouldn't be your goal; writing good work you're proud of, should be" (423). Write to write, don't write to try and become well-known. Write because it is your love and passion. Getting a piece published is fun, but should not be the main focus of your work. Write because you love it and write what you are passionate about. These are the pieces that will be your strongest.
November 9, 2016