Today I submitted three of my pieces to literary magazines. I also followed the advice in the article I posted and actually took the time to read several magazines, especially the ones to which I submitted. My plan is to devote one day a week to submissions, something I haven’t done lately. It is time, however, time to get moving. Send the ships out as one fellow blogger calls it and see which ones set sail and which do not.
I have had several pieces published over the past several years and I am pleased about that. There is nothing like seeing a story you’ve worked hard to write and rewrite finally appear on the printed page for others to read. I know that part of the writing process is sending out submissions, which is about as opposite from creativity as it can be. Still, I think a once-a-week submission plan makes sense. It forces me to take the time and read and then see where I’d like to see my work published. I will also learn from reading what is being published. What I read today was impressive and wonderful.
So, that’s my plan and I’ve done Day One. More days to come, one next week, and one the week after. Surely, there will be ships that will open those sails and fly out into the open ocean. I expect that will be fun to watch. And for those that don’t, well, then I will learn.
Wish me luck. And good luck to all of you who are doing the same thing!
20 Minutes a Day 
I started doing the same thing to kick off 2012. I only have one short story that is polished enough to submit as I’ve been tending to my novel so much. I have not read the magazines ahead of time (because I have no time) so I’m flying by the seat of my pants.
So, I’m just submitting to anything that doesn’t charge a crazy fee, and that takes stories that are 7,500 words in length (those criteria do narrow the playing field a bit, unfortunately).
Good luck with your submissions. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Thanks for your comments. Are you using Duotrope to find places to submit? It’s helpful because you can narrow your search using their search engine. Good luck!
I am using Duotrope, actually. My problem is that many listed on there (at least the ones I’ve found) don’t accept pieces over 4,000 words. Mine is 7,500 which seems to be an appropriate length for literary fiction–which my short story isn’t so much literary as it is commercial fiction.
But I keep searching!
You might try Newpages.com. They have a Call for Submission section and might have places that are looking for that length of story. Good luck!
Okay, thanks Len!
What a wonderful plan. All those hours of writing need to go someplace and a plan needs to be made to get those ships off and sailing into literary wonderland. I am going to take up that same challenge. I have stories to go out and I need to keep those that come back to me moving out into the world. Thanks for sharing your plan it gives me energy and courage.
Thanks, Renee. As I’ve said to you before, I’m not the greatest “system” person, but I’m thinking that this plan makes sense. I’m glad you’re following suit. Maybe we can check in periodically with each other and see how the “plan” is working out!
Great idea, an online writing partner to keep me honest
Exactly! Not a bad idea to keep us both honest. We can just ask each other how the submitting is going week per week.
One of these, soon, I shall I promise. Life has just been so hectic. Nice idea doing a buddy system to keep following up. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. Yes, I think a buddy system would be helpful. Let me know if and when you’re ready for a buddy!
Yay! I just wrote a post on writing discipline and thought I’d look up the category and here you are! Great submission plan. I look forward to reading more of your posts.