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Submission Etiquette for New Writers by Richard Phillips
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Submission Etiquette for New Writers |
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Education
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One of the goals of writing is to get your work published. It is the ultimate proof your writing ability. It takes some writers years to reach the point where they are secure enough to seek publication. When you feel ready to start submitting your work, you want to be sure you are professional. Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with the publishing world. Always research any market you are going to submit your work to. Get a copy of the guidelines from the magazine and if you can afford to, a sample copy as well. It does you no good to send a poem to a magazine editor who only publishes short stories. Follow the submission guidelines from the markets you have chosen to submit to. if an editor gets two submissions, one that follows their guidelines and one that does not, which one do you think he is going to read? On the same note, learn what proper manuscript format is and be sure to use it on each submission you send. There are many excellent books on the subject. Check with your local library for books on manuscript formatting. When you send a submission, always include a cover letter typed in standard business letter format. The first paragraph should be about your submission. The second paragraph should be about your qualifications to write the manuscript. The third can be about your impressions of the publication you are submitting to. The fourth can be your publication credits. End with any enclosures - like SASE's - and a looking forward to hearing from you. Remember to keep your cover letter short and informative. Do not go on about your family life or your hobbies unless the information is required to show your experience. Unless you are submitting to a foreign country or a foreign language market, your submission should be written in American English. There are special exceptions, such as dialogue, but for the most part, editors will not take the time to translate a manuscript in another language, they will just reject it. Do not use another person's writings as your own. Plagiarism is illegal and actionable in a court of law. Also, if you quote another writer's work, be sure to cite your source When you present yourself to an editor, be truthful about your qualifications. Do not lie to an editor to make yourself look more important. The lie will almost always be found out and will only make you look foolish. Also, do not make up information in your non-fiction writings. These lies can be discovered quite easily and will ruin your reputation. Do not promise anything you cannot do and always follow through with everything you have promised. A writer who constantly breaks their promises will find themselves not very trusted by their editors. Behave in a professional, business-like manner at all times. Do not yell, belittle, or threaten an editor or another writer. Keep a level head, even when others are losing theirs. You want to keep the working relationships you have and show the people you work with that you respect them. Be straightforward and always be sure you are speaking to the correct person. It does no good to talk with the receptionist when the editor is the person who can help you. Behaving professionally and appropriately when you send your work out and when you deal with editors will speak volumes about you as a writer. Put yourself on your best behavior and you cannot go wrong. dissertation writing service
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