If you're a writer seeking more on the craft of writing, you're in the right place. This month learn about the submissions process from our guest writer,  Julia Thomson, and about considering contests.


Writing by the Rules

The thing I love most about writing is that it’s a creative exercise. Whether I’m writing a post about home improvement for my own personal blog or an article about Syrian refugees for a university magazine, I am creating through the words I choose, the images I build and the style I inject.

However, writing isn’t purely a creative exercise. There are rules to follow, whether grammar, spelling or structure. As I gained experience as a writer, I learned when I could sometimes stretch, bend or break the rules. But when it comes to writing for others, there are two rules I never break:

1. Follow the guidelines. My job as a writer is to make things as easy as possible for the editor. That means sticking to the topic and word count that we agreed on and following the publication’s style.

Every publication has its own style guide that governs how information is presented. Are numbers written out as words or numerals? Do I capitalize people’s titles? How do I format dates?

Following the guidelines shows editors that I pay attention, am detail oriented and that I respect their time by making sure they don’t have to do extra editing.

2. Submit on time. Deadlines are part of writing. On my own blog, I publish every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. These deadlines are self-imposed, but I have hundreds of readers visiting my site every day looking for fresh stories.

Writing for other magazines or blogs, the deadline is even more important. Editors need time to review articles, lay them out if they’re for print, or format and upload them for digital. Submitting on time means that the editor doesn’t have to rush any of the editing, or worse, to find alternate content to fill your spot.

Writing is creative, but it’s also a profession. Following these two rules will help you take a professional approach to your work.

Julia Thomson is a freelance communications consultant and writer who works with small businesses, blogs, websites and other media. She writes about real estate, home decor, gardening, animals and country living for a variety of publications, including her own blog Home on 129 Acres.
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Consider a Contest

What is the ultimate goal in your writing? Is it to be published in some form? If so, don’t overlook contests as an option. Even if you don’t win or place, you can learn from the judge’s comments, a point that helps you revise before sending to another market.

Here’s a list of reputable contests by Canadian organizations. Some of these offerings are for members of the sponsoring bodies, but others are open to a wider audience. Note whether the contest is open to unpublished or published work and whether your work qualifies, based on your location.  A search of Writers Market will offer more options, including literary publications that host a contest.

The Word Guild
Canadian Authors Association
Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship (Fall contest is for members only)
Writers Union of Canada
League of Canadian Poets
Ontario Poetry Society
Edna Staebler award for Creative Nonfiction, administered by Wilfrid Laurier University
Ten Stories High, Canadian Authors Association, Niagara Branch
 
Alternately, you might submit your work to be read on air such as from Poet's Society of Hastings County North, Ontario, or the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (asks you to sign up for notification of contests).

A contest may require payment of a fee. Those entry fees usually go toward prize money where such a prize is offered. You may have the option of adding a small additional fee to get judge's comments. When you submit, follow the rules very carefully, as you would with any other submission. Fill out the entry form carefully and send only your best work. Be wary of contests that require you to purchase a book or plaque featuring your poetry.

One of my first successes was having two of my poems recognized as worthy of publication in an anthology with the award winners. Having placed as a finalist with my first book in the Word Guild awards was a major confidence booster that helped keep me going even on days when writing hasn't gone so well. It was encouragement to keep writing, and so I encourage you to give it a try.


Carolyn Wilker, author of Once Upon a Sandbox, contributor to anthologies Hot Apple Cider with Cinnamon, Grandmothers’ Necklace, Wisdom of Old Souls as well as poetry, articles and devotionals.