This was a really interesting interview. Becky, how people read and get to know lit mags would be an interesting discussion topic. Like, do people subscribe, check out some online every week, make a practice of it? I randomly bought a bunch of lit mags a year or two ago and occasionally pick them up and read them, but I'm not able to purchase enough to feel like I really KNOW the mag. I need to be better about reading online. I also wish LA public library had a regular rotating stock of lit mags. Doesn't it seem like that would be a win win for the library and for lit mags? I assume they must have left over stock constantly. Anyway, I'd be so curious to hear how other people find their fave mags!
While no doubt Submitit's algorithm is very helpful and the services provided, according to the testimonials, helpful. Unfortunately the costs involved are out of the reach of low income writers like me, as is so often the case. Becky, it would be really helpful if someone from your wide circle could try it and write an independent review of their experiences.
Thanks for the interview Becky and sharing new tools. I'm incredibly skeptical, not that Submitit would work, but that I'd be proud to have a story published this way.
You: Look, look, I got a new piece published!
Others: Congrats! Why this journal?
You: Shrug.
Others: How did you find this opportunity?
You: Oh, I didn't.
Others: You didn't read before submitting?
You: …
Doesn't it seem like this approach would rob each of us of the opportunity to read what's out there and get inspired for future work? If querying an agent, would you cite novels or books in your query letter that you haven't read?
With all due respect to Erik's expertise and success, it's hard to imagine someone else finding a home for my work that isn't the editor of a publication. But I guess I wouldn't let someone else query agents or submit un-agented manuscripts on my behalf either. I want to revel in that subjectivity and know I'm in the driver's seat of the successes and the failures.
In any case, best of luck to Submitit; I do hope they help more good work get published!
Is Submitit useful for poetry, or only for writers of fiction? The Review Review was a good 'un, their motto "we read lit mags so you don't have to," but I think it's defunct now. It's exhausting, expensive, and counterproductive to read every journal one might wish to submit to, and besides a kindness to poets that some post online at least some of what they publish, which gives submitters some insight into what the journal is looking for, and thus is an aid to both submitters and editors who want to keep the slush pile pertinent to their publication. Saves time and effort all around.
This was a really interesting interview. Becky, how people read and get to know lit mags would be an interesting discussion topic. Like, do people subscribe, check out some online every week, make a practice of it? I randomly bought a bunch of lit mags a year or two ago and occasionally pick them up and read them, but I'm not able to purchase enough to feel like I really KNOW the mag. I need to be better about reading online. I also wish LA public library had a regular rotating stock of lit mags. Doesn't it seem like that would be a win win for the library and for lit mags? I assume they must have left over stock constantly. Anyway, I'd be so curious to hear how other people find their fave mags!
While no doubt Submitit's algorithm is very helpful and the services provided, according to the testimonials, helpful. Unfortunately the costs involved are out of the reach of low income writers like me, as is so often the case. Becky, it would be really helpful if someone from your wide circle could try it and write an independent review of their experiences.
Thanks for the interview Becky and sharing new tools. I'm incredibly skeptical, not that Submitit would work, but that I'd be proud to have a story published this way.
You: Look, look, I got a new piece published!
Others: Congrats! Why this journal?
You: Shrug.
Others: How did you find this opportunity?
You: Oh, I didn't.
Others: You didn't read before submitting?
You: …
Doesn't it seem like this approach would rob each of us of the opportunity to read what's out there and get inspired for future work? If querying an agent, would you cite novels or books in your query letter that you haven't read?
I personally love reflecting on and sharing the journey for each piece lucky and persistent enough to be published, like this: https://arsenalofwords.com/2022/04/03/acceptance-isnt-always-publication-or-how-evergreen-promises-got-published/
With all due respect to Erik's expertise and success, it's hard to imagine someone else finding a home for my work that isn't the editor of a publication. But I guess I wouldn't let someone else query agents or submit un-agented manuscripts on my behalf either. I want to revel in that subjectivity and know I'm in the driver's seat of the successes and the failures.
In any case, best of luck to Submitit; I do hope they help more good work get published!
Is Submitit useful for poetry, or only for writers of fiction? The Review Review was a good 'un, their motto "we read lit mags so you don't have to," but I think it's defunct now. It's exhausting, expensive, and counterproductive to read every journal one might wish to submit to, and besides a kindness to poets that some post online at least some of what they publish, which gives submitters some insight into what the journal is looking for, and thus is an aid to both submitters and editors who want to keep the slush pile pertinent to their publication. Saves time and effort all around.
Such a great interview, Becky! I learned so much today.