publish is a verb is a resource for writers beginning to make their way in the world. Read through some frequently asked questions about online submission, some do’s and don’t’s of online journals, and explore resources to get your creative gears spinning.
What can I do to prepare?
Be Resourceful
- Revise on your own
- Visit the Writing Center
- Go to office hours with questions
- Explore online writing resources
- Explore the journal’s past issues
Be Meticulous
Comply with the journal’s submission guidelines.
Nearly every journal has specific submission criteria. Tailor each piece to fit the needs of each journal. Keep track of what piece is submitted where.
Brace Yourself
Be prepared for what will happen. You might receive an email saying your piece was selected! You might receive an email saying the opposite. You might receive silence. That’s okay! Try again.
How many journals should I approach?
As many as you are able, but keep in mind that research takes a lot of time and effort. The more you participate in, the greater your chances that your work is selected. Be conscious of your deadlines; many journals have submission dates in the Fall Semester.
Warning: Be wary of sending out the same piece to multiple journals. Most journals have explicit rules against duplicate publications in their submission guidelines.
What should I look for in online publishing platforms?
- What genre do they accept? What qualities are they looking for?
Think outside the box! As beginning writers, sometimes we navigate sites like this wearing horse-blinders. You can submit in the genre you’re most comfortable in, but also consider submitting your experimental work. Does the organization welcome uncommon story-telling formats, like audio narratives or comic strips?
- How do readers access the product? Who is the audience of this journal?
Are the readers primarily the undergraduates who make the journal? Think about who you want to read your work, and how you can get it out there.
- As an undergraduate, avoid pay-to-play journals.
Unless you are very interested and VERY invested in a journal with submission fees, save your dough. Down the road, you may submit your work to wherever you wish, regardless of entry fees. For now, there are a lot of really great resources that cost nothing to participate!
What should I look for in print issues?
How much space is provided for your genre and the categories you wish to participate in? More space means greater odds that your work will be selected!
How do people come into contact with the physical edition? Readers may pay for editions. Contributors may also need to pay for a copy, or sometimes organizations will send along a print copy at no cost to you.
About
This resource was created to help undergraduate writers become more comfortable engaging in creative submissions platforms.
You can contact the website designer at cunnann@mail.gvsu.edu
Want to know more?
Explore the writing tips provided by the Fred Meijer Center for Writing & Michigan Authors
Looking for Feedback?
Department of Writing GVSU 326 Lake Ontario Hall, 1 Campus Drive Allendale, MI 49401
Ask to check out past editions of fishladder, a creative journal staffed by GVSU undergraduates.
publish is a verb. 