Yes, You Can - Writing Challenge Day 23

Been busy doing research and rewrites so I haven't been back to my blog for about 2 weeks. Surprised it's been that long! In that time I have received two new rejections of stories and one acceptance for a poem. One of my writer friends suggested I try writing haiku poems. At that point all I knew about haiku was that it was a short form of poetry. So I did some research into the publication and studied past accepted submissions. Then as suggested, I sent in 5 poems. Within a week, they returned my email and accepted one of my five. That gave me the option of sending in 5 more poems which I did today.

I am wondering if a slow response usually returns a rejection? Or did I just get a quick response on my acceptance as this is the way this particular publication works? I will do some polling on other blogs to see if this is more the norm.

In regards to my two rejections, they both came with form letters stating that it didn't fit their editorial needs. Both came in after 2 months in submission. I still have a piece out from July where I sent a SASE. This was for a contest that ended in August. As it is well past the end date, I know my story wasn't accepted. I still would like to get the letter confirming at least that they received it.

Other than that every other story I have written since July has been with an email submission. Only a couple of those have auto email responses to show that they have received my post. So it is no better than sending by snail mail. However, since I am now sending by email that is saving me about $2 for each submission. So if I send in 4 email submissions per week, it's like I made a little over $400 in my writing! Not bad! That logic is from a wonderful movie from 1948 which was entitled, I Remember Mama. It's a wonderful account of growing up that I highly recommend. The mother's logic is similar to Gracie Burns.

Back to my writing...Here's a breakdown of what I have worked on in the first two weeks of the month - 8 submissions sent of which 3 were for writing contests. This fits in with my current goals from reading Nancy's book. I would like to notch it up to 5 submissions per week. If it is like sales where you can make one sale in ten when you start, I've got a lot of work to do to make this a paying career.

Yes, You Can - Writing Challenge Day 15

More info on building your library...
As a writer I love books. I am not one though that wants to keep them. That is why I love our local library's used book store. Whenever I go to the library, I always stop in to see what's new. I look for books that are like new to give to friends when they need a lift. It's amazing how you can find funny, inspirational books that look like they've been barely opened. I guess the past owner had such a wonderful life, they didn't need any inspiration.

I just purchased an anthology of inspirational stories that I read from daily. I even have one sent to me each day online. I love inspirational reading so much I am trying my hand at it. I have several ideas in the "post it" stage right now. If I had the time and energy, I think I could write 24 hours a day just to keep up with my ideas. I want to write so much I have to pace myself so I don't burn out.

In Nancy's book, she also suggests buying books from your library, thrift stores, Amazon.com and another source known as AbeBooks.com. That was a new one to me. I would also like to suggest www.half.ebay.com. I've been buying books there prior to them being affiliated with ebay. Of course, if you have the big bucks just go to your local book store where you will still be able to find some discounts. The major book chains also have book clubs with discounts for frequent shoppers.

Why the need to buy so many books? It's a way to invest in your future. To give you the tools you need to know more so you can write more.

My writing updates...This week I sent out 4 submissions. I know one for sure will be accepted, as I was asked by a business associate to write it. Not counting that one, I now have 11 stories out in submission. As many editors now longer respond even with SASE's, I am not sure how long I should count them as "active" submissions. My goal now is at least 3 submissions or queries per week.

Yes, You Can - Writing Challenge Day 13

As most writers don't own their own publishing companies, the book tells how we need to seek out venues that will accept our writing. I do this by subscribing to newsletters that give leads to companies that are currently seeking unsolicited manuscripts whether they are short stories or books. I probably spend 5 hours a week reviewing these sources. Some of the leads are a fit for my work, some are not, others are hopeful. By hopeful, I am referring to sources that I do not currently have a writing sample that fits their guidelines, but someday I would like to write for that genre type.

As an example, I've saved one writer's guidelines for a mystery publisher. I am an avid reader of mystery and suspense,when I allow myself to read for fun. I have written a couple of stories in this genre though, I don't believe they are ready for publication. I also have an outline for a murder mystery, but just the outline. "Someday" I tell myself I will write for that genre. For now I am trying to stay focused.

Now I will delve into being non-focused. In reading today's batch of writer's guidelines, I ran across one for greeting cards. I have always thought it would be fun to write greetings cards, tossing out bon mots and quirky quips. So I took the time to read through the guidelines thoroughly. It got my attention and I wanted to learn more. I didn't understand a part of the guideline standards and I noticed it had a phone number so I called to get more specifics.

I discovered that it was a small greeting card company and the editor had the time to talk to me about submissions. We chatted for several minutes,laughed about writing, and shared stories of our work history. We definitely clicked. I thought this person would be a great interviewee, if I could just find a source. I also thought that since we had a good rapport, I should build on that and send her something while she still remembered who I was. Only problem, I don't have any short verses for greeting cards at the ready. So now I am wondering how I can become inspired to write greeting card verse?

Yes, You Can - Writing Challenge Day 6

I have my story idea for the reptiles, now I have to figure out where to send it. I went to Amazon to find a list of children's magazines. This was very helpful. On the Amazon listing, it shows the target audience for the magazine and what it covers in the publication. Their list includes only ten or so options.

Now I need to go back online to find the writer's guidelines. I am amazed at how many publishers hide their guidelines. If you type in a search option on their site with "submissions" or "writer's guidelines" it comes up with nothing. However, if you click on the "contact us" it will then show you the writer's guidelines that didn't come up on their internal search engine or site map. With one major publication I couldn't find their details anywhere on their site. Then I did a google search with the magazine name and writer's guidelines and found it.

I also did some research at my library and the local Barnes & Noble to see what publications they stock. I found some wonderful choices and my two favorite for the best fit were Ranger Rick and National Geographic for Kids. I googled them and found that Ranger Rick is not even accepting queries and I could not find any info on submissions at all for Nat Geo. If it is that hard to find guidelines, I would think they really don't want any freelance work.

It looks like I have about four options. Now I need to review their publications to see what their style is. I picked up several magazines at the library and will start reading them. Some of these magazines set out a theme a year in advance for what each issue will cover. As a result, I had to check one publication off my list as they aren't dealing with reptiles in 2011.