Finding Calls for Submissions

Call for Submissions

 

We talk about writing day after day, but what happens when you've done the writing part and want to find a market for what you've written?

It takes time and effort to find the right fit for your work. Years ago there were market catalogs that you either purchased annually or perused at your local library. So big you could hardly lift them, but one could find a lot of information. The negatives were the amount of time it took to go through the pages and then write down the information and they became quickly outdated. Enter the world of the internet!

Now, we have the gift of being able to use a search engine to find places where you can submit your writing. If you are interested in a certain publication, put the name in the search engine you choose to use. If you want to get ideas of several places, use keywords about whatever your topic is for google to bring up numerous fits. For instance, if I have a historical fiction story, I would use something like 'submissions for historical fiction' or 'historical fiction submission guidelines.' If you write narrative poetry, put in 'submission calls for narrative poetry.' You'll get many to choose from, but in going through the list, you might eliminate some immediately. 

Writer's newsletters often have Calls for Submissions as one section. That's one reason I frequently suggest you find a few newsletters that are writing-related and sign up to get them regularly. Again, use a search engine to find them. Read several and then choose the ones you where you want to sign up. One that I receive is Authors Publish. Take a look at it and see if it appeals to you. Erika Dreifus has a newsletter for Flash Fiction with calls for submissions, including contest submissions.

You can even find places to submit your work on Facebook. One that I follow is Erica Verillo, an author who posts new Calls for Submissions each month. If you're on Facebook, type her name in the search box at the top to go to her page, then check to Follow and you should get her posts on your page. If you're not on Facebook, why not? You don't have to spend hours a day scrolling unless you want to. You can use it to help you with your writing. There are untold numbers of groups for writers. Again, use the search box at the top of the page. 

Many times I post calls for submissions to Chicken Soup for the Soul books. They have a specific page on their website with the calls that change periodically. They give details as to what type of story they are looking for. 

Mine the minds of your writing friends for recommendations, too. If you're in a writing group, members might give you tips or possible places to submit. This is one more reason to join a writing group, whether in person or online.

There is no need to say I don't know where to send my story. There are plenty of places and lots of ways to find them.