Oct 19

Oct 19 Ep88: Submissions

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 88 of the podcast and it's October 19, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Submissions

PATREON:

No new patrons this weeks, but a big squeezy hug and Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments:

Re: Ep87: planning for and staying balanced during a busy season, Nicole says: Cool. I've been wanting to write a poem or essay about this, several part-time jobs, exercise, physical training, my neglected garden, housework, friends, etc.

I have good hopes to write, exercise, spiritual study, etc. Sometimes morning appointments too.

Mary says: it was helpful to hear how you meet your goals, regardless of what else is going on in your lives. I'm envious (LOL), but working on this. Thank you

Just finished: ARC Weyward by Emilia Hart (out in March). Totally my jam. Strong woman. Different time lines. Hint of natural magic.

I'M READING: Confessions of a Bookseller
Up Next::Wintering by Katherine May or Wildwood by Colin Meloy
Erick's Reading:
Interview with a vampire
Shadow over innsmouth h.p. Lovecraft
Update: Valerie's new author website is finished, if you want to take a look.
Announcements:
Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Show Notes:

3-5% acceptance is a reasonable acceptance rate
Poets and Writers
DuoTrope
Submission Grinder
ralan's

Solicited manuscripts vs Slush Pile

What's your system to log?

Where do you find submissions? (DuoTrope, Submission Grinder) Where do you log/track your submissions?

Story title, summary, word count, date completed (of writing it), rejected, date submitted, publication, editor, contact name, what they said.

ALWAYS follow the Submission guidelines. The whole thing. Even if you are a solicited submission. 30-40% are rejected without reading because they don't follow the guidelines.

How many submissions a week/month? (Erick circulates nine at all time.)

When get a rejection, resubmit to another place. New magazine or anthology is best chance to get in because they don't have a slush pile.

Some mags have windows for submission times.

Next Episode: celebrating successes

Resources:

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Productivity for Creative People: How to Get Creative Work Done in an "Always on" World by Mark McGuiness