As I’ve discussed in past posts, I’m selective with the literary journals I add to Submitit’s database. I always ask myself the following questions: Is the journal’s website (layout and  copy) of relatively high quality? Is there a masthead, preferably with multiple editors, and are the editors experienced and accomplished (as editors, writers, or (ideally) both)? Are the submission guidelines sensible and clear? (Some new journals, with inexperienced editors, have unusual gu

First of all, if this is your first time exploring my style essays, please check out the Introduction . As usual, most of my examples are from my “textbook”: The Penguin Book of the Modern Short Story , ed. John Freeman (Penguin Press, 2021). I recommend—I dare say, insist—that writers get ahold of this book. It is an excellent source of spectacular writing, truly the best short story writers of the past fifty or so years. (I also recommend this book to writers of creative no

Introduction Professional editing can often be exactly what you need to take your manuscript to the next level. To humblebrag for a minute, Submitit clients have described my edits as “amazing,” “brilliant guidance,” and “like I just took a master class in writing!” But hiring an editor can also be intimidating, overwhelming, and downright confusing. How do you know if your manuscript needs editing? And what type of editing does it need?   An internet search will quickly pull

When we send you a list of journals, you’ll notice several labels for each one: “Match” (match percent), “Year” (inception year),...