Summary

An aspiring writer reflects on their journey of learning the importance of proper submission protocols and the value of continuous learning in the writing craft, as highlighted by their experience with the 2023 Writer's Market.

Abstract

The writer shares a personal narrative about their initial failure in submitting a short story due to a lack of knowledge about the publishing industry's expectations. After receiving a swift rejection, they acknowledge their naivety and the necessity of understanding the role of query letters and proper formatting, as well as the importance of researching what publications want. The acquisition of the 2023 Writer's Market proved to be a turning point, providing the writer with the tools and knowledge needed to improve their submission process. Embracing the learning curve, the writer commits to mastering the craft of writing, networking with other writers, and increasing their creative output. They emphasize the importance of persistence, learning from rejection, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge to succeed as a writer.

Opinions

The writer believes that their initial submission failure was due to a lack of professional approach and understanding of industry standards.
They express self-criticism for not doing sufficient research and for underestimating the importance of query letters.
The writer acknowledges the necessity of learning and adhering to the formalities of the submission process to be taken seriously by editors and gatekeepers.
They recognize rejection as a natural part of the writing process and see it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
The writer values the insights gained from the 2023 Writer's Market, considering it an essential resource for any aspiring writer.
They highlight the importance of networking with other writers and engaging with various forms of content to generate new story ideas.
The writer is optimistic about their future in writing, committed to the idea that persistence and continuous learning will lead to success.

The 2023 Writer’s Market Arrived in the Mail, and No Wonder My First Short Story Submission ended up in the Trash

Writing is about gaining and using knowledge

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-diligent-male-student-reading-a-book-4861373/

A few years ago, I was on a website with leads to writing jobs and requests for submissions. On a whim, I wrote a short story and sent it off. One of the quarks of my personality is I jump into things without thinking them through.

Who needs a stinking query letter?

I received a curt rejection letter soon after I sent the submission. The editor rejected it for good reason. I doubt that he read it. The fact that I sent it the way I did showed that I was an amateur and a wannabe.

Submission editors and other gatekeepers are human beings. They must be quite busy. I’m sure I didn’t make a new friend with what I submitted.

Every writer needs this book

I didn’t know what I didn’t know until my wife bought me the 2023 Writer’s Market. I can’t help but feel like an idiot. The next submission and there will be one, will be formatted the right way.

I mean, duh, at least know the editor’s name and title, and a query letter would have helped as well. At least I made it easy on him, he didn’t need to think too hard before he hit the delete button.

Professionals should know these things

Not knowing is a poor excuse. I should have done my research. I had heard about query letters but thought they were only for novelists.

I didn’t think of learning how to write one or asking my fellow writers in the Slack group I belong to. My excitement and enthusiasm lead to my second rejection letter.

A little research goes a long way, at least he enjoyed the story

I’m learning that rejection is part of writing. I submitted a short story a few years earlier. I received the nicest rejection letter. The editor enjoyed the story, but it wasn’t the right fit for the publication.

I guess it’s important to know what the publication wants before I submit a story, who would have thought? At least he liked the story.

I will keep writing, and I will earn money

I have learned some valuable lessons. I will have my writing published. I will be a working writer. The trick is to keep trying and failing until I succeed.

The 2023 Writer’s Market has a section on Query Letters. It has several examples of good and terrible Query Letters. It also has critiques and advice on how to write them.

Writing is about learning, and I love learning

I’m going to know that section by heart. There are many aspects of writing that I enjoy, and I enjoy the learning aspect the most. I will always have to learn to be a better writer.

Learning the craft of writing is a lifelong process, and I embrace that. I have also been focusing on the networking aspect. I’m connecting with other writers on LinkedIn and Twitter.

I’m working on writing better content, although, ideas can be fleeting

I have also increased my output of work. This is hard for me. I have trouble finding ideas for stories, but I’m also getting better at that.

I have found that the more I write, the more ideas I have. If the idea bank in my head is overdrawn, I take a break and read books and listen to podcasts.

Sometimes, you need to make a deposit to the idea bank

A few days later, I have several ideas for stories. I have come a long way from the security guard at the bus terminal. Who was trying to use the sad people and incidents around him for story ideas.

Final Thought:

Writing requires learning. you have to research and study all the time. It would help if you also learned about the business side of things. The most basic thing to learn is the query letter.

Feed your brain. Read a lot of books and articles. Stay curious. Listen to podcasts and observe the world around you. If you’re going to write and submit stories, learn to do it right.

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