Managing Your Writing Career
By Rusty LaGrange, High Desert Branch
If you happen to write articles for publication in the print media — magazines in particular — how long should you wait to hear from its editor or publication owner? First, it’s recommended to study the publication dates they follow. Then check their deadlines. Most are published on their websites for ease of access. Then take a look at Writers’ Market, a compendium of publication houses.
Study this section under your magazine’s name to find details. If the publication asks for theme-related topics, be sure to follow their instructions. If you just wrote a Valentine’s Day story, don’t expect a quick answer about it. You’re too late. Holiday issues are sometimes built a year in advance. Send your submission at least six months ahead, then wait about 30 days to contact the editor’s desk or the location or format suggested on their listing to ask what your article’s status is. Wait another 30 days and try again if you didn’t get a first response.
If you get an answer, follow the directions explicitly to give your article the best chance for publication. Create an index card or a submissions list in a folder so you can follow the status of your submissions. Keep records. Don’t rely on the editor to tell you when your article should publish. Most times a quick email will help them to remember your article is waiting in the wings.
If all goes well, then by all means, send a “thank you” card in the mail and don’t gush about your acceptance. Just let them know you’re grateful and have other ideas they might consider later.
Don’t send one article out and wait. Send as many as you can manage to a variety of publications. That’s why keeping a track record of your submissions, dates, rejections and acceptances, and payment is crucial.
Rusty is editor of Inksinger, the High Desert Branch newsletter,
as well as the California Writers Club Bulletin.
The thoughts above first appeared in
the February 2017 Inkslinger.