There is a certain mid-level publication* which, I have decided, will remain nameless, who sent me a rejection letter recently. A perfectly polite form rejection letter. I agreed with them. Since I submitted the story to them, I’ve reread the story–been thoroughly horrified by how silly a writer I was back then–and rewritten the storyContinue reading “Dear Literary Journals, Remember the Golden Rule?”
Tag Archives: short story submissions
Cover Letter Mad Lib
When you’re submitting a short story to a literary journal, you send along a cover letter. It’s a little like a query letter, only briefer. This is the Mad Lib of my usual cover letter format: Dear [NAME], [1-2 sentences demonstrating that you’ve read their publication; mention how you came across their publication–are you aContinue reading “Cover Letter Mad Lib”
Philadelphia Literary Journal Pride
As I’ve been combing through Duotrope, New Pages, and Poets & Writer’s in search of new markets to submit my writing to over the past few weeks I’ve slowly come to the realization that Philadelphia has a promising up-and-coming literary scene! Not that Philadelphia shouldn’t naturally be super literary and cultural–it is one of theContinue reading “Philadelphia Literary Journal Pride”
To the Glitter End . . . Get Your Nailpolish Stories Published!
I’ve heard a lot of people wonder aloud who the lucky guy is who gets to invent awesome crayon color names for a living (did you know there’s 120 core Crayola color names?). Seriously, can you imagine coming up with brilliant creative names like “macaroni and cheese” and “mango tango” and getting paid for it?Continue reading “To the Glitter End . . . Get Your Nailpolish Stories Published!”
Introducing the Rejected Page
In the interest of compiling all my submission records (Submittable and Duotrope) into one, organized location rather than expecting readers to dig through the archives of posts to find out who, when, and where I’ve submitted and what the submission response time was, I present to you a Rejected list. Similar in structure to CourtContinue reading “Introducing the Rejected Page”
Perks of Being A “Jersey Girl”
1. Cheap gas that someone else pumps for me 2. Jersey tomatoes (taste so much better than Pennsylvania ones) 3. Jersey corn (can you tell I’m thinking about summer and gardens?) 4. Jersey Devil Press, an online literary journal that has some really impressive content and one I’m looking forward to submitting to! (Thanks goContinue reading “Perks of Being A “Jersey Girl””
How Winning a Writing Contest Can Improve a Writer’s Self-Esteem
Wonderful news, folks! You are officially reading the blog of the winner of Honorable Mention in the 2011 Writer’s Digest Young Adult Fiction Competition!* According to their congratulatory email, “competition was fierce,” so I’m super proud! While first and second place comes with fame (publication of their entry in Writer’s Digest) and fortune (they wonContinue reading “How Winning a Writing Contest Can Improve a Writer’s Self-Esteem”
The Scoop on New South Journal
As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the rejection letters I got in the past month was for New South, the official literary art journal of George State University. I submitted a fiction story that I’ve been shopping around for two years now–a story I’ve fixed-up, reorganized, and rewrote at the recommendation ofContinue reading “The Scoop on New South Journal”
The Benefits of Being Rejected By the Madison Review
It was a form rejection letter, so I haven’t gained a better idea of what they’re actually looking for, but at least I can share the previously unknown fact that you can expect the Madison Review to get back to you in one month, like they did for me. In case you are interested inContinue reading “The Benefits of Being Rejected By the Madison Review”
Writers Are a Virtuous Breed
True fact. Not that we have much choice, now, do we? I suppose we could always write nasty emails demanding quicker responses, but that probably occurs to writers as often as it occurs to them to respond to rejection letters. (PS: DON’T DO IT!) I’m currently waiting upon: Painted Bride Quarterly (date submitted: January 4th;Continue reading “Writers Are a Virtuous Breed”
Hannah Karena Jones 