Clarion Call for Publishing

Do you remember what the clarion call means?  It's time to roll up your sleeves and get writing. Here's your call to action, friends, with several potential opportunities in one!

Chicken Soup for the Soul 

There's hardly a person you will talk to you who hasn't heard of the long-standing popular series Chicken Soup for the Soul.  So I've done a little investigating to see what kinds of submissions they accept, and I'd like to share my findings with you.

Currently, they have several topics for which they are taking submissions.  I've listed them below with approaching deadlines first.  You can find all of these in much more detail if you click here.

My Very Good, Very Bad Cat 
Notable stories regarding the cat in your life
Deadline: September 27, 2015 (NEW DATE)    
  

My Very Good, Very Bad Dog
Notable stories regarding the dog in your life
Deadline: September 27, 2015 (NEW DATE)

Angels and Miracles
Intriguing stories and poems regarding supernatural encounters and events you've experienced
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2015

Alzheimer’s and Dementias Family Caregiving  
Encouraging stories and poems based on caring for a loved one with one of the above conditions 
Deadline: Oct.30, 2015.  

The Joy of Less
Encouraging stories regarding simplifying your life for a greater cause
Deadline: October 30, 2015
    
Military Families
Encouraging stories and poems based on your living the military life
Deadline: November 30, 2015

The Spirit of America
Stories that show the essence of being American
Deadline: November 30, 2015

Chicken Soup for the Soul has very specific story-writing guidelines.  As I've noted before, make sure you read those guidelines carefully before you submit your story.  A few of their expectations are as follows:

*Show don't tell (I'll be doing my own series on this very soon)
*Stories should evoke emotions and appeal to the senses
*Stories should always be non-fiction and written in first-person point of view
*Stories should be 1200 words or less
*Poems should tell a story and avoid forced rhyming (they only accept narrative poems)

Also, most of their stories (depending on the topic) are heartwarming, encouraging, and/or inspiring so keep this in mind as you consider submitting.

You can find more guidelines and tips on their website.  I highly encourage you to pick one or two topics and try it.  And remember, before you submit, find someone else to help you edit and revise.  If you don't have anyone to help you, it's time to get some writing buddies.

Something else you should realize is that you won't get a rejection letter if you're not selected, but you will be notified if they choose to publish your piece. However, know that the wait time could be quite long. If they do choose your work for publication, congratulations! And you can expect $200 and ten free copies of the title that your work appears in.

What are you waiting for?

Even if non-fiction is not your genre, this would be great practice for writing regardless.  Remember that the only way you will ever get published is if you finally tiptoe out of your den and start taking some risks.

If you're already knee-deep into the publishing scene, this could be an opportunity for even more experience and add more writing credits to your bio. Not to mention getting a box full of Christmas presents to give friends and family.

And what happens if you don't get selected?

You brush off that rejection, go to your writing closet, and try again.


Image of chicken soup borrowed from RedWordSmith at the English language Wikipedia

So You Want to Get Published Part 2

The Clarion Call

Whenever there is a publishing opportunity for you, I am going to send out what is known as a "clarion call."  The dictionary defines this as a strongly expressed demand or a call to action.

The clarion was a medieval war trumpet that sounded the alarm and called people to prepare themselves immediately for whatever was happening at the moment.  

In other words, when I send out a clarion call, I am urging you to action as a writer.  Each clarion call will spotlight a publishing opportunity or a contest.  Be sure to read the details carefully.

Today's clarion call is for Starsongs Magazine.

The following information was advertised in a recent email from Kristine Pratt, the owner of Written World Communications.

Starsongs is looking for writers age 9-19.  They accept short stories, poetry, artwork, and photography from young people.  Stories and essays should not exceed 1200 words.  Poetry should be no longer than one page.

The current theme for summer 2015 is travel and faraway places.  Even though the submissions page says the deadline is June 15, they have extended the deadline to June 25, 2015, so make a note!

Get this:  Starsongs does pay for selected submissions.  It varies between $5 and $25 per piece depending on length and genre.  You also will have a byline so your name will appear with your published submission.

Submission guidelines can be found by clicking here.

This is a great way to start getting your work out there.  Especially at a young age, your participation in opportunities like this will set yourself up for a bright writing future.

Before you submit, remember these things from last week's post:

• Be sure you take the time to fully explore this opportunity.  Check the submission guidelines carefully before you send anything in.
• You may want to read more about other opportunities offered by Written World.
•  Have someone review your work and make sure you revise it before you submit.  

Above all else, don't pass up your chance to be published.  Do you want to be writer?

The time is now.

Comment below what you plan to submit to Starsongs.

Contact me using the form at the right of this page if you have further questions.  

So You Want to Get Published? Part 1

Five Things to Remember

Are you one of those writers dreaming of getting published one day?  
I am.

But I’ve found it’s not that easy.

There’s so much more to publishing than many realize.  It’s just not as simple as submitting your work somewhere.

This is not to discourage you, but to prepare you, so you will see yourself published one day. 

Here are five things to remember when considering publication.

Get connected to a writing group.

It’s first for a reason. 

As writers, we need each other.  If you are serious about publishing, the very first thing you need to do is find a group of like-minded writers.  A good critique group that meets regularly will grow you up as a writer.  Constant feedback on your writing will improve it more than just self-editing.  If you can’t find a group, try forming one.  For example, high school students could form a writing club at school by finding a teacher sponsor. 

Here are two links to several known critique groups.

Word Weavers International—Word Weavers also offers online critique groups.

South Carolina Writer’s Workshop

Decide what you want to start publishing.

Are you writing a novel?  Do you write short stories, Manga, or poetry?

Spoiler alert: Book publishing can be one of the most intensive and lengthy routes to publication. 

For new writers, I would recommend finding smaller venues to publish shorter works. Many well-known authors got their start by publishing small.   Doing this will help you get used to the business of publishing as well as give you experience as a writer. 

Also remember that not all publishing opportunities pay.  However, the experience is well-worth the time rather than the money.  And don’t discount that high school or college literary magazine.  That’s a great writing credit you can add to your resume. 

Meanwhile, work on that bestseller.

Here are a few links to some possible places for publication, but know there are many more.

The Citron Review

Splickety Magazine

            Read publications which publish your genre and style of writing.  

This is extremely important.   If you write poetry, find magazines or publications that publish poetry.   And read them. 

Don’t try to submit your work without actually taking time to read previously published works in the publication.  You might find that there are certain themes or tones in the published pieces.  If you align your work with those threads, you will be more likely to get published.  If you don’t bother to read the publication, you might get rejected simply on the fact that your work doesn’t quite fit their style or needs.   

   

Read the submission guidelines.

Duh. 

It seems obvious, but if you want to get your work out there, you have to follow the rules.

Make sure you read everything carefully and ensure that you use the proper formatting, length, genre, etc… 

Most publishers have certain requirements and will not bother to even look at your work if it’s not formatted properly.

Revise.  Edit.  Repeat.  

Writing is about 75% revision in my opinion and experience. 

First drafts are easy.  What’s more difficult is writing those words in the exact, right way.  Revision is the most critical part of the writing process.  While it’s the part that matures you as a writer, it can also be the most frustrating. 

Just remember this: No one ever published their first draft of anything.

Run the spelling and grammar check.  Let someone proofread and edit your work (see step 1 above).  Revise and rewrite.  And then do it all over again.  

I tell my students that writing is never absolutely finished.  Final drafts are figments of your imagination.  You can always improve it even after publication. 

The more you revise, the better writer you will become. 

It’s your turn. 

So which area do you need to work on in order to get published?  Tell me below.   If you have been published, feel free to chime in with more tips!