Last Updated on March 21, 2020 by Nathaniel Tower
Lit mag editors are under a lot of stress. We have to read a ton of submissions, and we usually don’t get paid anything. And we’re doing that while balancing our full-time jobs, our families, and our own writing. So give us a break from time to time. Here are the 10 biggest pet peeves that make every lit mag editor want to close down their publication and never read another submission:
Not following guidelines
Come on. We make this one easy for you. We tell you exactly what we want. Why wouldn’t you at least give us that? Instead, submitters often send stories in ridiculous formats and blatantly disregard word counts. No guidelines? No problem. Just use standard manuscript format.
Submitting again too soon
At least let the ink dry on the rejection before you send us something else. Even if we invite you to submit again, we’re not ready to see more of your work the next day. Wait at least a month unless we explicitly tell you otherwise.
Resubmitting work we’ve already rejected.
No means no. Please just stop doing this. Even if you’ve revised it, we don’t want to see it again. The only exception is if we ask for a rewrite. But that’s not really a rejection now, is it? And don’t even think about trying that sneaky game where you change the title and resend it. We’ll see right through that when we start reading it.
Arguing with our rejections
Obviously you disagree with us. You wouldn’t have submitted your work if you thought it wasn’t good enough to be published. But you’re not going to change our opinion when you lash out against us with a tirade of profanity and insults. Just accept your rejection and move on.
Spamming a bunch of publications with your submission
Simultaneous submissions are usually fine, but that doesn’t mean you can send one email with 100 different lit mags copied on it. Send one submission to one publication at a time. We’re not on you’re mailing list.
Sending something we obviously wouldn’t publish
Read some of our work first. Don’t send your poems to a place that only publishes fiction. Don’t send bloody horror porn to a magazine that only publishes family-friendly stories about talking fruit. Know your venue before you submit.
Posting negative stuff about us on social media
Really? You think that’s going to help you get published? Lit mag editors stick together. When you trash one of us online, you’re making enemies with all of us. If you don’t have anything nice to say about us, then shut the hell up! Sorry. That was too harsh. I meant to say, “keep it to yourself.”
Typos
We all make mistakes. But for goodness sake, please thoroughly proofread your submission before sending it. We’re not here to copyedit your first draft. Give us your best work. We’ll fix typos when we publish your work, but too many typos and we’re just going to stop reading and reject you right than and their (see what I did there?).
Withdrawing your work – after we accept it
Really? You sent us something, had us take the time to read it and discuss it, and now you’re withdrawing it? And don’t give us that “Crazy story – I got two acceptances at the exact same time” nonsense. It’s fine to withdraw your story if it’s accepted elsewhere, but make sure you tell us right away. Don’t wait until we’ve also accepted it.
Addressing your cover letter to the wrong person
It happens more often than you might think. You send us a submission addressed to a different lit mag. Or you call us the wrong name. Or you spell our names wrong. Or you call us Mr. when we’re women. If you’re going to take the time to try to personalize your submission, then get it right. “Dear Editors” is a million times better than making any of these mistakes.
A final word
Okay, you probably think I’m being a bit too salty here, but I’m just trying to make a point. If you do any of the above, you’re hurting your chances of getting published. Take your submissions seriously and have some respect for the people who are reading your work. Trust me, it will go a long way in this line of work.
Are you a lit mag editor? What else grinds your gears? If you’re not an editor, do you disagree with any of these things? Share your thoughts in the comments.
