Comments on: Confessions of an Unpublished Mind

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 20:23:37 +0000

There are a lot of journals out there with both print and online editions. Most people want to get into the print journal because they can hold it and show it off and so on, but an online publication looks the same on your cover letter. Pindeldyboz, Barrelhouse, Agni, Swink, Missouri Review, etc. – they all have both online and print versions. I’d strongly urge you to get your stuff to these online journals – they usually put new stuff up weekly or bimonthly, so they’re publishing more and (I’d think) rejecting less.

By: Neil Aitken

Neil Aitken — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 05:25:00 +0000

I’d say even 30 is low. If you haven’t published yet, I’d strongly recommend targeting places that take simultaneous submissions. Make certain that each story is under consideration at 5-10 places at any given point in time. Keep good records so you can notify the other journals should your story be picked up.

In many respects, sending work out is the same as sending resumes out. The key to success is good quality and high volume.

By: gordon

gordon — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 13:27:31 +0000

Armand — welcome. And thanks for your comments. You and Aaron are right… I need to submit more. But given how much I submitted before getting started in my MFA program (zilch), I’m happy with the progress.

As for method, I try to pick a story to match a publication. But, maybe I should rethink that technique. Especially if I need to ramp up my output…

By: Armand

Armand — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 02:53:42 +0000

Hey- I found this blog by searching google. As an MFA myself, I’m fascinated. Thanks for sharing your story, and it’s nice to see some kindred spirits out there.

Out of curiosity, do you have some method for submissions? Is there a certain order that you submit your stories?

By the way, I think your selling yourself short by submitting 15 stories over a couple of years. I would recommend sending about 30 per year. 15 in the early fall and 15 around January,

keep blogging-

Armand

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 23:34:07 +0000

Bukowski submitted nonstop even after he became popular. In fact, I think he submitted over 1,000 times before finally having a poem published. Just keep at it. I think the more rejections you get, the less each rejection will matter. It’s a tough market with many lit journals either tanking or resorting to kitschy McSweeney’s-type stuff. It’s less a matter of what to do than where to go IMHO.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:08:27 +0000

Jason – yep, I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised that in the couple of weeks maintaining this site, I’ve become a little more diligent and persistent in getting done what I need to get done, writing, research, etc… Guess this web thing kind of works after all. Good luck on your submissions.

By: Jason Boog

Jason Boog — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:47:41 +0000

I’m in the middle of a string of non-fiction rejections myself, and it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes. The thing is, this web-work (and finding people like you) makes me feel much less alone…