Submitting: The Other Piece of the Writing Puzzle

Lately, I have been sending out short stories. I have to tell you no other time in my life have I submitted so much. The thing is though that it's so much more of a process than I realized. In the past, I always had maybe one I thought was halfway decent that I sent out. Now, I have two short stories, two flash fiction pieces, and one more to read over before it goes out into the world again. That may not seem like a lot, but that sure is more than I have had in the past.

And you know what? Submitting isn't easy.

As I go through submittable and other various websites to figure out places I can send to, I realize it's so much more than hitting send. It's researching the literary magazine to see if it's a good fit. It's finding out if there are any fees. It's finding out if the magazine pays or if they don't. It's keeping track (in my fancy schmancy spreadsheet might I add). It's noting when I can expect a reply. It's fixing up the story to match the magazine's guidelines.

While I'd like to just have to do this once per story, realistically as rejections come in, I know it's all part of the writing process. I've also realized that it's easy to lose hope and gain self-doubt. Yet, I do have peace in knowing that the more I pick myself up and let the rejection (or lack of response) roll off my shoulders, the easier the next one is.

Whether your submitting process looks like mine or you are well into the weeds of querying agents your novel or you are preparing yourself for self-publishing, putting your work out for the world to read and accept isn't easy. But remember just being in this process is a good thing. So don't give up. If I can do it, you can too.