Learning the ins and outs of writing is important. There is a great deal of information to absorb as we begin our writing journey and continue down its path. We must become proficient in the tools of writing before we can submit what we write to an editor.
There are writers who finish a first draft and submit to an editor immediately. Then, they are despondent when that submission lands with a dull thud and brings a rejection. Submitting is important, but not until you have done everything you can to make your submission stronger and better and of interest.
We also see writers who write and write, revise and edit, write some more and file the story or essay or poem. They might be very happy with the way their piece of writing turned out, but even so, they file it and move on to a new writing project. And they never, ever submit their work for publication. Is the thinking If I don't submit it, I won't have to deal with rejection or is it fear that they are not good enough? It could be either one of those possibilities. Or perhaps the writer has no desire for publication; they write for their own pleasure, not to share with others. Is that being selfish? Perhaps, but it's also a choice that some writers make. It's not wrong, merely their choice.
If you do want to be published, the one and only way is to submit your work to a publishing house or an editor of a magazine or anthology. I had a writing friend years ago who always said, "Send it in! No one is going to climb in your bedroom and take your manuscript from your top dresser drawer1" His mantra to our writing group became "Send it in!" It was good advice. If you don't send it, you cannot possibly become a published writer.
Years ago, writers had to send via snail mail, often with a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) for the return answer. It was a lot of busy work getting that submission ready to send. Then the big wait until the SASE you enclosed came back to you with either an acceptance or rejection. If the latter, you sent it to the next editor on your list. And then you waited again. You used postage on the envelope you sent and the one you enclosed for the return answer. Do that often, and the cost adds up.
Now, submitting is so easy as we can do it by email or by filling out a form in Submittable or a form on an individual website. There is still the antsy waiting period, but eventually, something pops up in your email letting you know the result. The rejection is not any less painful, nor is an acceptance any more joyous. It's just a lot easier to submit today than years ago. Every now and then, I run across a place that still asks for a snail mail submission with that SASE, but it's rare. I usually pass right on by when I see their request.
There are still a few places that do not respond to a submission unless it is with an acceptance. One of the places where I have been published many times never sends a rejection. Instead, the writer is left hanging. After a long period of waiting and no acceptance, the writer grudgingly knows he/she has been rejected. Personally, I would rather have a definite rejection so I can move on.
One of the important parts of submitting your writing is to read and study the Writer Guidelines and then follow them. Some publications give detailed guidelines, and others give few to none. The latter, I think, do themselves no favor, as they must receive scads of submissions that are not right for their publication. I much prefer a set of guidelines I can follow and also to know if what I am sending is alright for the publication.
Once you submit a piece, don't sit around and wait for an answer. Get to work on a new project. Once you have a finished piece that you are satisfied with, send it in. Keep the submission Ferris Wheel moving all the time.
Make a record of what you send, to whom, and when you sent it. When you get an answer, record the result, as well. You might think you'll remember, but if you submit often, it's likely you will forget the details.
To quote my friend once again: "Send it in! "Send it in!" Send it in!" You'll never be published if you don't do so.
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