Literary mags and submitting content - Writers Forum

Lord Raiden · 09-01-2005, 12:00 AM

Ok, what I'm doing right now is rewriting this short story of mine into a novelet of about 20 chapters and maybe 10k-15k words and wanting to submit it to a literary magazine as a story series. IE, one chapter per issue, or something like that. What magazines should I submit it to, how would I submit it, and what's the best way to present it to them so that I have the best chance of getting it published. I don't care if I make any royalties or anything off it. I'm just interested in getting it published and out there. Preferably before my first novel hits the bookshelves.

Any suggestions?

mammamaia · 09-01-2005, 08:49 AM

my only suggestion is to consult the current writer's market to see if there are ANY venues for such a thing... i'm curious about the size... if there are 20 chapters and a total of only 15k max [really a long short story], then each chapter is only a couple of pages long...

i don't know of any magazine that would print something like that... is this for an adult market, or for YA?

as for how to 'present' it, imo the only way is with a query letter, just as you would any work... but you'll have to make sure the venues you query do publish works in pieces... i'm not sure any do these days, though way back when, it was a common thing to do...

what's the connection to your first novel?... what do you think getting this in print will do for that?... are you going to self-publish it?

best of luck with everything... let me know if you succeed, will you?... you've got my curiosity up now...

love and hugs, maia

Lord Raiden · 09-01-2005, 10:11 AM

Wow, lots of questions. Hmm, I guess that with the rewriting I've been asked to do on my first book it's going to delay it's getting into print all that much longer, so I figured to get something small out there in the meantime, maybe get my name known a bit before my first novel comes out. Plus it sounded like something fun to do. ^_^

The novelette would appeal I believe to both young adults and adults as it deals with issues both would be able to relate to. Also, would an agent talk to any magazines about getting it published? If they will then I'll just put it through my agent instead. I'd ask him but he's not going to be in for a while. (he's on vacation or something) But if agents don't normally handle magazine submissions, then I won't bother him with it.

And the novelette has no connection with the first novel.

mammamaia · 09-01-2005, 10:14 AM

agents don't normally handle magazine submissions unless the client has made enough money for them with books, that they'll do it as a favor...

so, you already have a publisher for the book?... which one, if you don't mind sharing?

good luck with it all... m

Lord Raiden · 09-02-2005, 06:24 PM

Well F'me. I just did a word count on my "novellette" and it's not a novellette anymore. I just passed into novel land. Good lord I'm crazy when it comes to expounding on ideas and creating complex plots that take many, many chapters to work out. lol.

Oh well, when I finish this, I'm sure my agent will love me bringing this to him. The plot is getting rather interesting at this point.