Should I Just submit It To A Publisher Already?!?

Question

I have no one to look at my work! Not an agent. (have no money for one !) Not a teacher. And family is of no use really. Not a soul that is useful at my dispoble. . . I've looked over my work a million times and know there is probably things I need to fix. Grammar or whatever. But you can only catch so much of your own mistakes. You know?
So I was just wondering, should I throw caution to the wind and submit it anyway? It's a short story only about 40 something pages. Really interesting story, if I may say so myself. Should I just go for it and submit? If they say no, they say no. I just want someone to look at what I got. Who knows. . .

What do you think?

If there is any spelling mistakes in this question, don't bother telling me. I assume there probably is!

Answer 1

Check out the writers market for magazines fitting your type of story. Then submit it. Simple as that. Take it from me, I've been what I call the eternal McFly (off of Back to the Future). I've written short stories for over 20 years and always kept them to myself thinking "it's not good enough". I finally pulled my head out of my butt...polishing those DOZENS of stories up and going to send off to magazines. I've also started a fantasy novel and about 2/3 the way through my first draft. Don't be a McFly like I was...send it off now!!!

Answer 2

If it's a short story, you should submit it to magazines that publish the type of story you've written, not a book publisher. There are books that will outline the markets you can investigate, or just go to the bookstore and cruise the periodicals section for literary magazines and other mags that publish fiction.

Regarding agents: 1. Agents don't represent short stories. 2. Agents shouldn't cost money until they've sold your book. Never pay a reading fee to anyone.

So do your research into appropriate markets, follow submission instructions, and submit!

Answer 3

Your best option is to visit a library and look through the current Writer's Market book. Select a literary agent that closely fits the type genre you write.

Then write the most powerful query letter and send it. If the agent opts to receive query letters via e-mail that would be best. Otherwise, mail it to them, following their submission guidelines exactly as they have outlined them.

It is possible to submit your 40-page story with the query letter because it could be classified as a short story.

Always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope that the agent may use to notify you of the manuscript's acceptance or to let you know they have declined to represent you.

Good luck. Chances of an agent or a publishing house accepting a manuscript by an un-published author is slim to none. Before submission check for spelling errors once more.

Answer 4

i find time is my best judge
i look back on my work from a while back and see the mistakes myself, see the things that need changing if its crap and need re arranging or completely re done
so you need to do one then go do some more, let the dust settle on them, then go back

my boyf, although a new eye when i need it, doesn't get poetryat all so i dont have anyone myself who i can say thinks im honestly any good or not either

i get theres only so much you can see yourself
and if you took a few months away and went back and seen all you could, then its time to stop doddering about it and just go for it

dont expect publication or even good reviews tho if you've never sent before, its very rare
and their opinion is not always valid, it doesn't always mean its no good, sometimes it just means its not for them!!!!
and you keep trying, dont give up just cos 1 2 or 20 say its wrong,
all you do is make sure you have that fresh eye.

but
at some point if so many keep saying its no good, its usually time for some honesty to yourself either a re work, make it specific to a particular mag/person
or accept that one isnt going to get you the break, and send out something else

i think you should write a few more if you only have the one, get some experience,
never send your own and only because experience tells me (not only my own) its never as good as you thought it was
i look back at my first and bsiclay they wre so bad i threw some out and re worked the ones that showed promise

when you have more of your own writing samples and more experience you have a better eye, more honest eye, more knowledgeable and know more what is acceptable to publishers,
also always do your research on the particular mag,publisher, tv channel exec, whoever, they like that AND it customises your work so there more chance of it being looked at and liked

good luck fellow writer

Answer 5

Hi, I say just submit it. True you may get a negative response the first time out, maybe even more, but it could teach you how to improve the story. You've got to keep trying. If your book should get published the publisher will deal with any mistakes in spelling, grammar and the like.

Answer 6

You can submit to a publisher IF your work meets their submission requirements.
To find out if a publisher is even accepting manuscripts you need to go to their web page.
Make sure your manuscript is in the right font size of print and proper spacing. I.E. 24 point font in courier with double spacing and 4 space indentions between paragraphs.
Hope this answerers your question and I have not inadvertently omitted anything.

BTW you had no spelling errors

Answer 7

Hey, been there, done that. As someone who has been in a similar situation--I can help. I'm an English major, planning on a career in editing and publishing. I've been helping others with short stories--for free, I don't feel it's right to take money for this since I'm pretty much still an amateur. I just view it as practice. Send me an email ([e-mail]) if you're interested.

Answer 8

Submit it. The most they can say is no, right ?