How do I write something that has a chance of getting accepted?

Image by loungefrog on freeimages

By Mona Mehas and Johanna Haas

First, the easy part, make sure that spelling and grammar are all correct. There are programs you can use for free online that will help you, like Grammarly and ProWritingAid. Read it aloud. (Or have your computer read it aloud.) You’ll catch more mistakes there. Have a friend proofread it.

Second, it has to be fresh, something we haven’t read fifty times already. That’s not saying you can’t put your own spin on a classic—but your spin has to be original. This is something where being a new writer gives you a benefit, if you look to tell the stories in your head (and not those you’ve read elsewhere) you should be good.

Third, it has to have a spark of you in it. The piece should be something that you and only you could write. This can come from the voice that your character or narrator uses. It can be a situation with details that feel real because they were pulled from your real life. It can be the emotions that seem true because you really felt them. - Johanna

It still didn’t get accepted, what do I do?

We aim to provide comments on all work that we reject. Read over those carefully. Remember, the comments are not about you, they are just about that one, single piece of writing. If it seems too personal, put it in a drawer for a week and then come back to it. If you don’t understand the comments, email me at johanna@cicadasongpress.com.

Ideally, the comments should tell you both what you did good and where you can improve. Look up the areas for improvement online. You will find free articles, lectures, and more about them. Practice these new techniques in your own work. - Johanna

Can I fix my work and send it back to you?

Most of the time it is better to go forward with a new piece of work and send that to us. Sometimes we will ask people to rewrite/fix what they were writing and send it back. If that’s the case, then do so. - Johanna

What if I’m not good enough?

OK, I’m not a psychologist. I’m not a therapist. I can give you the benefit of my experience. The comparison game is a killer. What you are saying is

“I’m not as good as _____________.”

I’m different from every other writer I have ever met. My poems are different. My favorite writers are not your favorite writers. Someone will look at your story or poem and say “I’m not as good as (your name here.)” That is the nature of the beast.

In journals the submission page often says, “read what we’ve published to get an idea of what we like.” Right after that they say, “surprise us.” That means to send them something different. The first statement is a sales ploy to get you to read or buy the journal. The second statement is what they want to read.

I’ve gotten around all that simply by avoiding the first and jumping to the second. I rarely read what they’ve already published unless it’s something I’m truly interested in. The comparison game is a killer. - Mona