The publishing world is complicated. For a long time, it was predictable. The publishing house gods sat on their mountains and made decisive choices look simple. Then, technology, and a writer’s access to all sorts of information, changed the game.
These advances, too, changed the world of publishing. You mean Instagram poets can “make it” ? The simple answer, yes.
With so much information online, it can be hard, as a writer, to know what’s a reputable resource when it comes to finding information on publishing.
To give you a headstart, we’ve compiled our five favorite resources for writers who want to get published.
How Do You Know When a Piece of Writing is Ready for Publication?
While a piece of writing may never feel “ready” for publication, there are a few things you can do to gauge where it’s at in the “writing, editing, preparing” for the publication process.
3 Resources for Editing and Manuscript Preparation
Preparation is key. In addition to using the following resources, please, for the love of all things ever published, read the submission guidelines.
“How to Edit Poetry” by Masterclass
Editing your poetry may seem like a simple task. It’s not. It’s really really hard. If you’re not ready to hire an editor, Masterclass has done a pretty nice job of hitting the poetry editing basics.
While their guide might seem simple, it truly is often the most simple element that gets a poem published or rejected.
Jerry Jenkin’s “How to Format Your Manuscript (Even If You Hate Computers)”
New York Times Bestselling author Jerry Jenkins has done us all a service by publishing this blog. It’s simple and easy to follow.
Why do we love it?
Because it’s spot-on; when writers follow these guidelines, it makes reviewing your work and compiling a publication SO MUCH EASIER.
Medium
More and more writers are starting to use this platform. While Medium always encouraged creative writing, it has only recently become a platform that helps writers find publication information specifically. As usual, we’ve (us writers) carved out a supportive, collaborative, and informative space there.
Medium is a great place to test out your work. Whether you’re trying something new or looking to build an audience, there’s an active group of readers and writers there to support you.
Several literary magazines have also begun publishing on Medium, providing you with publishing information, tips, and resources.
Where to Find Publishing Opportunities
You want to get published, but how do you find out where to send your work? We’ve vetted a few excellent platforms for you!
Submittable
Literary magazines and publishing houses all over the world have turned to this easy-to-use platform.
As a writer, it’s easy for you to browse calls for submissions. Using the filters, you can search by genre as well, helping you find the perfect audience for your poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or short story.
We proudly use Submittable (we have since the beginning). The New Yorker does too, in case you think the platform’s not legit.
DuoTrope
While there’s a fee to join this platform, it’s worth every cent if you’re serious about publishing.
With excellent search criteria, response statistics (to see what a particular publisher has been up to), and an easy interface, this is a great place to find a “home” for your work.
Our Advice
As publishers ourselves, we have a unique insight into the complexities and anxieties that go into submitting your work.
Follow the guidelines. Seek out opportunities. Form a writing group. Be authentic.
As your pursue this journey, we wish you the best of luck!