Submission Do’s and Don’ts

While getting caught up on Wild Violet’s backlog of mailed submissions, I have been keeping a list of do’s and don’ts:

• DON’T over-package your submission. A submission that arrives in a plastic sleeve, like a junior-high book report, stands out for the wrong reasons.
• DON’T include extra promotional materials in your submission. Unless you are sending a book for review, and the materials are relevant to that book, sending business cards or promotional cards is simply a waste of your money.
• DO write polite, brief cover letters. If you’ve been published previously in the magazine, be sure to mention that. Editors tend to remember names, but a reminder helps jog the memory.
• DO include a self-addressed, stamped envelope when sending a mailed submission. While an e-mail address on your cover letter can be a way for editors to reply, many may just toss it in the recycle pile. Include a return address on the envelope, since the post office will need that in case there is a delivery problem. Keeping in mind that the U.S. postal rates have gone up fairly frequently of late, it’s wise to use a “Forever” stamp, if possible.
• DO proofread your cover letter for proper grammar and spelling. In particular, make sure to check such basics as your own name and address! Careless mistakes tend to make you look unprofessional. 
• DO let your writing speak for itself. One of my most frequent contributors never includes a cover letter and has never sent me a bio. While that’s a bit extreme, the truth is that if your work shines, you don’t need anything else.
• DO pay attention to what sort of work the magazine publishes. It’s simple to read back issues (especially when they’re online) and try to pick work that fits.
• DON’T use colored stationery, unusual fonts or other attention-getting materials. Rather than making you seem “artistic,” it simply makes you seem unprofessional. Personally, I’m fine with hand-written cover letters on personal stationery, provided they’re legible. 
• DO check the submission guidelines before sending your work. It will help you avoid any of the particular pet peeves of a given editor.
• DO check to find out who the appropriate editor is. If you can’t tell, address the letter to “Dear Editor” rather than “Dear Sirs,” which is not only antiquated but leaves out all female editors!

I hope you find these tips useful. If you have any specific questions, contact me and ask.