Tag: submission guidelines

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

Don’t Let “Bio Foxes” Spoil Your Article Submission

For almost ten years I’ve served as the editor Reach Out, Columbia magazine, a regional publication dedicated to celebrating the life and light of Jesus Christ in the world. My favorite part of my job is reading and editing articles—until I get to the end and encounter a problem with the writer’s bio.

Solomon (who must have edited a magazine at one time) warned about “the little foxes that spoil the vineyard” (Song of Solomon 2:15).

Every field has its little foxes. Today I’d like to share four “bio foxes” common to magazine and website submissions. Problems with this seemingly insignificant component won’t totally ruin your submission, but they can hinder a publication timetable, reduce an editor’s efficiency, and make said editor decidedly grumpy.

And we never, ever, ever want to make an editor grumpy.

Four Bio Foxes that Can Spoil Your Submission

  1. Forgetting to include your bio at the end of your submission.

If a magazine allows you to include a bio instead of just a byline, they’ve given you a gift. This valuable piece of literary real estate allows you to mention (and, often, include links to) your blog, book, or website. A bio provides a way for readers to further explore your writing by visiting your blog or website or hop over to Amazon to buy your book. If you include personal details, you help readers learn more about you and enhance the connection they feel.

Whether this is the first time you’ve written for the publication or the twentieth, always, always, always include a bio at the end of your submission. It saves the editor the time and frustration of having to either email you for the missing item, search for it on a previous submission, or (heaven forbid) make one up.

  • Failing to update your bio.

If you’re still using the bio you sent ten years ago, or five, or even two, it’s time to update. Hopefully the list of your writing accomplishments has grown, you’ve gained a new hobby, or added a grandchild or two. Not sure what to include? Study the bios of other contributors and take your cue from theirs. Be sure links and web addresses are functional.

  • Failing to follow the publication guidelines for your bio.

Most websites will specify the length and scope of your bio. If the guidelines say, “No more than 40 words,” please don’t send 75. Worse yet is sending 75 and instructing the editor to “edit if necessary.” An editor has no idea what your priorities are and may very well cut the item you most want to include.

If the guidelines instruct you to focus on your writing credits, personal life, or expertise with the subject matter, be sure to honor the request.

  • Neglecting to include a professional head shot.

Not every site or publication includes a head shot with your bio, but many do. Be sure to attach this (usually in jpg format) with every submission. Even if you’ve written for the publication before, attaching it to every submission ensures that the correct picture will accompany your article. It also saves the editor or graphic designer the time and effort it takes to email you for a picture or search their files.

Your bio may seem like a small thing, but attaching one that is up-to-date, fits the publication guidelines, and includes a headshot in every submission will maximize your reach and please your editor. If you doubt its importance, take a page from King Solomon, one of the wisest writers of all. He was so convinced a bio was valuable that he included it at the beginning of one of his most famous books: “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”

Too bad he didn’t include a head shot.

Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of several devotional books including Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women, winner of the 2016 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year award. Her most recent book, Refresh Your Faith – Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible releases in the spring of 2020. A blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

Categories
Becoming an Author

Avoid Automatic Rejections by Following This Checklist

It can be discouraging to not receive a response on your submission—and even more frustrating when the response is an automatic “no.” I personally don’t give automatic rejections to submission; however, there are agents and editors who may delete a submission even before they’ve had a chance to evaluate it. 

It might sound rude for them to delete a submission before even considering the project. However, they receive multiple submissions per week. If a writer does not adhere to specific guidelines, then, well, that’s an easy way for the agent/editor to separate the pros from the amateurs.  If the writer can’t follow the submission guidelines, how can the editor/agent trust that they will behave professionally in the future?

Would you like to avoid this automatic no? If so, here are 5 questions to review before hitting the submit button:

1. Did I spell the agent or editor’s name correctly? 

This is likely the first impression you’ll make (after the subject line, of course). You would be surprised how many emails I receive that are addressed to “Emily” (my middle name) rather than “Tessa” (my first name)!

2. Am I submitting to the right person? 

Check the site. Ensure that the agent or editor accepts your genre and would make a good match for your works. 

3. Did I follow the specific guidelines? 

There are some writers who think they’re “above” the rules. But guidelines are set for a reason! Don’t be lazy—unless, of course, that’s the impression you’d like to make. I doubt it is. You’re hoping to work with this agent or editor, so make sure it’s obvious that you are a professional. And professionals don’t carry an egotistical attitude. 

4. Have I edited my submission—including the query letter, book proposal, and sample chapters? 

Don’t rush this process. Search for typos. You are a writer, after all. And even though writers aren’t always perfect in the arena of grammar and punctuation, your submission will look sloppy if it’s not clean. (I personally recommend asking others to read over the proposal/submission just to double-check. We’re often blind to our own faults.)

5. Did I submit the right file and adhere to the standard format? 

Again, you’ll want to read the guidelines carefully to make sure you’ve hit every request regarding format, font, and file type.

For those who are unfamiliar with this process, you may think agents and editors are asking too much of writers—as if they’re requesting you to jump through unnecessary hoops. But trust me when I say that these guidelines are set for a reason.  Not to frustrate the author, but because it helps the agents and editors to quickly evaluate each submission in an orderly manner. It also helps to differentiate the pros from the amateurs. Do what you can to come across as a pro! Keep in mind, too, that almost every successful traditionally published author has gone through this process. 

Then, when you’re ready—and only then—should you send your work out to the publishing world. But not without going over this checklist first, of course! 

Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who writes inspirational yet authentic books for teens to remind them they’re not alone. She writes both fiction and devotionals for teens, including her upcoming release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE (October 2020, Ellie Claire). Her latest devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, encourages teens to pursue a personal relationship with Christ. Tessa’s passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating art journals, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is through connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: tessaemilyhall.com.

Categories
Becoming an Author

How to Prepare for Submission

Editors and agents receive multiple submissions per week. If a writer fails to adhere to specific guidelines, then that submission is an easy no. This is why it’s important that writers spend as much time necessary preparing their work for submission. Otherwise, they may risk receiving an automatic rejection from their favorite agent or editor.

So what can you do, as an aspiring author, to ensure that you do not receive this automatic no? 

Here are five ways you can prepare for submission.

1. Double check that you have spelled the agent’s or editor’s name correctly.

This is likely the first impression you will make (after the subject line, of course).

2. Ensure you are submitting to the right person.

Check the website. You don’t want to make the mistake of submitting a YA fiction project to an agent who only represents adult fiction!

3. Follow requested guidelines.

The guidelines are there for a reason! It’s only the writers who adhere to these guidelines who will make a professional impression.

4. Edit your query, proposal, and sample chapters.

Don’t rush this process. Search for typos. I personally recommend having beta readers, critique partners, and/or professional editors review your submission before sending it off.

5. Save your submission in the right file and stick with the standard submission format. 

Again, you will want to review the guidelines to ensure that you hit every mark. There are some agents and editors who are particular about the file and font type. Remember that the standard file is .doc/.docx file, and the standard font is Times New Romans, 12 pt. 

For those of you who might be unfamiliar with this process, you might assume that agents and editors are asking too much of writers—as if they’re requesting that writers jump through unnecessary hoops. But trust me when I say that these guidelines are set for a reason. Not to frustrate the author, but because it helps the agents and editors in their specific evaluation process.

So if you want to avoid those automatic rejections, do your research ahead of time. Yes, even if it requires hours upon hours of prep work. Keep in mind that almost every successful traditionally-published author has gone through this process as well. 

Then, when you’re ready—and only then—should you send your work into the publishing world. 

How do you prepare your work for submission? Let me know in the comments!

Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show teens they’re not alone. Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa’s first teen devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, will release with Bethany House in 2018. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: tessaemilyhall.com.