HOW TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER AND GET YOUR WORK PUBLISHED...

A FEW SUGGESTIONS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT:

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1. Has someone else read your work?
   Yes. Progress to #2.                             No, have someone else take a look.
   Why? Because we all think what we wrote is marvelous. But a reader has to feel that way. An editor is functioning as a reader when it comes to accepting material for their journal.

2. Did the person give you constructive feedback or was it a friend being nice?
   Yes, constructive. Progress to #3.       No, it was someone being polite.
   Why? Because a fellow writer, critique group, or paid editor will give you feedback you can work with. Fellow writers and editors are used to getting feedback and understand it is to help them become better writers.

3. Are you willing to address the issues that your reader pointed out?
   Yes. Progress to #4.                            No, ask yourself why not.
   Why? Because constructive feedback helps the writer understand how a reader is interpreting their writing.

4. Have you run your work through spellcheck or a grammar checker?
   Yes, you are ready to submit.               No, we all make mistakes, but catching as much as you can is helpful.
   Why? Because it can disqualify your work before an editor gets to the second sentence.