Publisher's Advice

Many of the publisher's offer advice. The following are a few of those random tips:

"The greatest advice I have heard about writing is: 'No one cares about you.' It may sound callous, but we find that the writing we enjoy most is the writing that concerns itself with the reader, and not solely with the talents and/or cleverness of the author."

"A query must consist of all of the following to be considered (please use non-erasable paper): a brief cover letter stating the subject and word length of the proposed article; a detailed one-page outline explaining the information to be presented in the article; an extensive bibliography of materials the author intends to use in preparing the article; a self-addressed stamped envelope. (Authors are urged to use primary resources and up-to-date scholarly resources in their bibliography.) Writers new to Calliope should send a writing sample with the query. In all correspondence, please include your complete address as well as a telephone number where you can be reached."

"We look for impeccable presentation and grammar, outstanding prose, original story line and the element of difference that forbids me to put the story down. A good opening paragraph usually grabs me. Read one or two copies and study the guidelines. A beginning writer should read as much as possible. The trend seems to be for stories written in first-person/present tense and for stories without end leaving the reader thinking, 'so what?' Stories not following this trend stand more chance of being published by me!"

"We look for writing distinguished by economy, directness, authenticity, and heart."

"There must be a clear conflict/goal, a major decision to be made by the protagonist, or a significant change in attitude/behavior. Strong, sympathetic active protagonist a must--realistic dialogue. Write the kind of stories that you enjoy reading. Submit stories that mean something to you. The readers will feel your passion. Go to bookstores and read other fiction anthologies/magazines. Learn the value of patience, of resting your story for a month and rereading it. Too many publications reject quality stories because of a restrictive word count policy. Hindsight will publish any short story of quality regardless of its size, never rejecting a powerful work because it doesn't fit, nor will it ask a writer to make major cuts to make it fit. New writers with talent but no publications to their credit are not published enough. Hindsight will help correct this for the new writers."

"Professional conduct and sincerity help. Know it's the best you can do on a work before sending it out. Skill is the luck of the prepared. Everything counts. We love what we do, and are serious about it--and expect you to share that attitude. If writing is a casual hobby, time filler, or resume-builder, please direct your efforts toward a more appropriate publication."

"Read the journal and assess the range of contents and the level of writing. We have no guidelines to offer or set expectations; every manuscript is judged on its unique qualities. On essays--query with a very thorough description of the argument and a copy of the first page. Watch for announcements of special issues which are usually expanded issues and draw upon a lot of freelance writing. Be aware that this is a university quarterly that publishes a limited amount of fiction and poetry that it is directed at an educated audience, one that has done a great deal of reading in all types of literature."

"Your first paragraph is crucial. Editors are swamped with submissions, so a plain or clumsy lead will send your manuscript to the recycling bin. Also, too many writers come off as self-important. When writing a cover letter really try to talk to the editor--don't just rattle off a list of publications you've been in."

"Write to the best of your abilities, submit your best work. Present yourself and your work professionally. When we evaluate a submission, we ask, `Is this something we would like to read again? Is this something we would give to someone else to read?' A good manuscript makes the reader forget they are reading a manuscript. We look for attention to craft: Voice, language, character, and plot working together to maximum effect. Unique yet credible settings and situations that entertain get the most attention."

"Tell your story, speak your poem, straight from the heart. We are attracted to language and to good writing, but we are most interested in what the good writing leads us to, or where."

"Reading what we have published is still the best but we do love to see excitement and enthusiasm for the craft, and those who care enough to self-edit. Send SASE for anything you want returned and do not send mail that requires a signature on arrival. Give us a try. We want to see you succeed."

"Proofread your work thoroughly. We will instantly reject your work for spelling and grammar errors. Save your document as plain text and paste it into an e-mail message. We will not open attachments. We want work that the reader will think about long after reading it. We want stories that compel the reader to continue reading them. We like experimental work, but that should not be construed as a license to forget narrative clarity, plot, character development, or reader satisfaction."

"Write well and read some past issues."

WRITING ADVICE from Writer's Market 2003