Everyone knows there are certain rules that must be followed in order to present an article to a publication. Here are a seven mistakes to avoid if you want to make sure your article has a great chance of acceptance.
1. Don’t read the guidelines.
Everyone knows how important guidelines are. In order to tailor your writing to a certain publication, you must know what they are looking for, the style they use, and what format to use. That information is found in the magazine guidelines so do not neglect reading them.
2. Fail to proof and edit your work.
Few writers hit their target level of writing on their first try. Read your article out loud. Have someone else read it. Hearing it read to you will help you know you said things with the correct choice of words.
3. Don’t check to see who the current editor is.
The article business is pretty fluent and editors move from one publication to another. If you don’t know who the current editor is, you probably haven’t read the publication in a while. Check the magazine, the website, and call the office if you must to double check who should address your article to.
4. Break multiple rules of good writing.
Many people aren’t aware that the rule for spacing after periods has changed – several decades ago – and still put two spaces following every period. That tells the editor you have approached that you have not kept up with the changes in style and grammar rules. Also comma rules change from time to time. So you know what the current rule for the Oxford comma is? Do editors prefer more commas or less?
5. Pester the editor.
Writers get excited about getting their words into print. They also get impatient when waiting to hear from editors. But calling and emailing the editor will not endear them to them. Try to wait patiently for a reasonably amount of time. Check the writers market guide as to response time. Make note of that then add a week or two before emailing a short inquiry as to the status of your manuscript.
6. Don’t follow through on your promises.
If you say you will have your article to an editor within three weeks, make it two. If you say you are going to interview a famous expert, make sure you include that expert’s opinion in your article. One of the last things you should do before submitting your article for publication is to make a checklist of what you promised the editor and make sure all those things were included.
7. Fail to send something the editor requested.
When an editor responds positively to a query, you need to act on it. Editors will not express interest in your idea unless they genuinely want to see your work. Dragging your feet or failing to send the material at all is a great way to know you will never sell that article.
Instead of looking at what you should not do, be aware of the things that will give you the best chance to sell your work. Make every word you write make a difference in the lives of others.
Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing. Linda recently released Articles, Articles, Articles! and is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and 16 books including the new LINKED Quick Guides for Personalities. As Director of the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Linda helps many writers take the next step in reaching their writing goals. Linda’s favorite activity (other than eating folded potato chips) is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren—a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com
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