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Tips to Jumpstart Your Writing

Suzan L. Wiener

Sample Copies—Your Best Investment

When you send for guidelines to magazines, do you try to save the expense by not getting a sample copy? It's not a good idea. The editor may change the focus of the magazine and the guidelines may be outdated by the time you get them.

Often, having just one copy of the publication isn't enough. You need at least three or four current issues to make sure you're on top of what type of articles are being accepted. I get many more acceptances if I know the magazine thoroughly. It reflects in my writing, and the editor knows it, too.

If you have a copy of the magazine, you won't waste your time writing an article that has already been used, and the editor won't look at your work thinking you're a beginner. Don't forget, editors receive lots of manuscripts across their desks weekly and will appreciate that you are doing your homework.

It is amazing how fast a magazine will change the type of articles it uses. It's not easy for writers to keep up, but they have to if they want to get those most-welcomed acceptance letters and checks.

Editors appreciate it if your article is exactly geared to their audience. It doesn't even matter if it comes from the 'slush' pile. They will happily accept your work and use your material again and again—if they find you know their magazine as well as they do.

If you can't afford to buy individual sample copies, inquire as to a discounted subscription rate. Often times, it is less expensive to become a subscriber to a magazine than to pay for individual sample copies. Many magazines offer special promotions. Politely inquire to the subscription department about magazine rates.

Also, check your local library to see which magazines are available there. If you can't check the magazine out, simply photocopy the pages you want to keep Generally, there is a copier at the library you can use for a nominal fee. Check with your writing friends to see if you can trade publications too. This works out extremely well and I have saved a lot of money doing this.

Even if you are a beginner, editors don't have to know that. Your work can seem like you are a seasoned writer—IF you do your homework first. You will be glad you did.


About the Author
Suzan L. Wiener has had numerous poems, stories, writing articles and fillers published in national publications such as T-Zero: The Writer's E-Zine, Canadian Writer's Journal, Riverrun, Impetus, Saturday Evening Post, Poetry Press and Verses.