Category Archives: keeping records

Writers Keeping Records: Part 2

10 Optional Records
More records to keep you organized or simply distract.
f (format) * (importance) ? (thoughts)

1. Literary Bio
f fifty words about you and your literary accomplishments
* at the ready for all those acceptances
? do you use humour in your bio

2. Letter to…
f template used for submissions
* provides continuity
? how do you close your letters

3. Magazine Locations
f Province/State…Magazine/Journal…City
*keeps geography in mind with story settings
? will you conquer your country

4.Yearly Contests/Grants
f Month…Contest/Grant…Deadline
* reminder of what’s approaching(update often)
? do you submit outside your country

5. No Simultaneous Submissions
f list of magazines that adamantly refuse ss
* also add publications you’ve been caught at
? how many places have you sent a story to at one time

6. No Response/1 Year+ Rejections
f Magazine…Story…Sent(date)…Response(date)
* tells you who the repeat offenders/slowpokes are
? what’s the longest you’ve waited for a rejection

7. Stories Retired
f Story…Magazine…Sent(date)…Response(date)
* history of stories retired(includes crap and acceptances)
? how many rejections can a story get before you retire it

8. List of Stories Written by Date
f Year/Season…Story
* how much you write in relation to other events in your life
? do you write more at certain times of the year

9. Story Synopses
f Story…Ten Word Description
* fun and challenging excercise
? can you pitch an entire collection in ten words

10. Table of Contents
f Story…# of Pages
* helps you visualize the length and ordering of collection
? what determines the order of your stories

10 Essential Records

Writers Keeping Records: Part 1

10 Essential Records
Writers use different systems to keep track. Mine is somewhat obsessive, but it works. I use word files that I update regularly. f (format) * (importance) ? (thoughts)

1. Upcoming Submissions
f Date…Location…Story
* keeps submissions flowing
? how many times a month do you submit

2. Submissions by Date
f Date…Magazine/Contest/Grant…Story…Response(date)
* what’s still out there
? do you take long breaks in submitting stories

3. Stories Available
f Story…Destination…Sent(date)…Response(date)
* where is a story, how many times has it been submitted
? how many rejections does your favourite story have

4. Magazine Submissions
f Magazine…Sent(date)…Story…Response(date)
* history with a magazine(# of submissions/response times)
? what do you do if one magazine rejects you ten times

5. Feedback from Magazines
f Response(date)…Magazine…Editor…Story…Comments
* useful in revisions & when feeling crap about writing
? do you mention feedback in following submission

6. Magazines
f Magazine(alphabetical) – include address, fiction editor, email, guideline specifics
* visit website prior to every submission for updates
? how many different journals do you submit to

7. Stories by Word Count
f Story…Word Count(low to high)
* useful when wc is specified in guidelines
? what do you consider a short story, length-wise

8. Literary Resume   
f Publications…Education…Workshop…Interviews…Reviews
* useful for grant applications
? what else do you include

9. Grant Applications
f Grant…Deadline(date)…$…Writing Sample…Response
* keep separate file for application forms
? any tips on project descriptions for a short story collection

10. Contest Submissions
f Deadline(date)…Contest…Story
* quick view history, haven’t entered a contest in 2+ years
? do you think contests are worthwhile

Upcoming post: 10 Optional Records