How to Submit - by Dennis James Sweeney (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A comprehensive guide to getting published and building a literary reputation through small presses and magazines -- and taking ownership of your own publishing life

This essential guide is the first of its kind to chart a path to publication that is writer led, community based, and accessible to all. How to Submit speaks to writers who want to publish short stories, essays, or poems in literary magazines, as well as to those looking for a fresh route to publishing a full-length book. Whether you're a first-time submitter or you have experience sending out your work, How to Submit provides you with the tools and knowledge to successfully share your writing. It's also a manifesto for finding joy in the process, arguing that seeking publication should give writers energy, not take it from them. Perfect for writers of any genre, How to Submit demystifies the independent publishing landscape for those seeking a place for their work that really feels like home.

Review Quotes

"There are plenty of sources available -- online and in print -- that provide lists of where to submit your writing; this guide explains how to submit. Dennis James Sweeney brings together case studies and his own experiences as an author and teacher to help writers find more success with their writing. This book has it all."
-- Robert Lee Brewer, editor of Writer's Market and senior editor of Writer's Digest

"In How to Submit, Dennis James Sweeney has crafted a thoughtful and generous map that illuminates the journey from writing to published works. With specific examples, writing prompts, and scads of resources, Sweeney's encouraging guide demystifies the worlds of literary journals and publishers. How to Submit is an essential and encouraging tool for anyone who wants their words to find a home in the world, and Sweeney's warmth and generosity shine through every page."
-- Ruth Dickey, author of Our hollowness sings and executive director of the National Book Foundation

"I wish this book had been available when I started out as a writer so many years ago. It's indispensable. Because it's inspiring. Because it's hands-on useful. Because it captures the essence of why we write and want to share our stories: to find our people, to build a community, to create worlds, to be. If you're the head of an MFA program, give this book as a graduation present to every student. If you're a writer, steal copies of this and give them to all your writing friends. This isn't just a book about submitting and publishing. It's a book that speaks to the very heart of what it means to write."
-- Grant Faulkner, cofounder of 100 Word Story and author of The Art of Brevity

"Sweeney uses his expertise to offer a warmly encouraging how-to for writers. . . . He provides basic tools to begin research into different publications, including templates for cover letters, and he explains how he prefers to 'tier' his submissions to maximize chances of a story being published within a year and to avoid overlap. . . . Sweeney's tone is approachable and pleasant throughout. . . . A practical, thoughtfully constructed guide for aspiring authors."
-- Kirkus Reviews

"This concise, friendly guide to building a literary career in the small press world is a one-stop shop for all your questions, from the 'how' to the 'why' to 'what next'? Learn about selecting the right journal for your work, the mechanics of the process from both sides of the editor's desk, keeping track of submissions, what happens when your book is published, keeping up faith in your writing, and identifying your deepest personal goals for your work in the world. The focus is on community-building, first and foremost. Think of your publications as part of a conversation rather than a judgment on your worth."
-- Winning Writers

"A perceptive, inspiring, and practical guide that is also a joyful celebration of one of our best human attributes: the desire to create and share art. Here the necessary process of submitting is treated as a rewarding communal endeavor, rather than as a means to an end. How to Submit is an essential companion for any writer seeking to build a literary life."
-- Jennifer Acker, author of The Limits of the World and editor in chief of The Common

"The small press ecosystem is a thriving place where dedicated editors and readers provide a habitat for a diversity of authors, both established and up-and-coming. But how to participate? Positive and practical, encouraging and enlightening, Dennis James Sweeney's How to Submit offers an essential answer to anyone and everyone seeking to escape the slog of the slush pile and find a home for their work. A field guide written in a firm but friendly voice, Sweeney's vibrant handbook will tell you how to get published, yes, but even more importantly how to get involved."
-- Kathleen Rooney, author of Where Are the Snows, editor of Rose Metal Press, and founding member of Poems While You Wait

"For years Dennis James Sweeney performed the generous work of connecting writers and editors through his well-known 'Where to Submit' series. Now he's written a clear, practical, and caring guide to how writers, small presses, and literary magazines may find and sustain one another. This book is an accessible, community-minded resource that will help writers on the path to publication."
-- Hilary Plum, author of State Champ, Open Prose Series editor at Rescue Press, and cohost of Index for Continuance

"Chock-full of information, practical advice, and relevant anecdotes, How to Submit is an essential resource for writers who want to see their work out in the world. Dennis James Sweeney walks you through every step of the submission process -- breaking down its logistical and human layers, and leaving you more grounded and confident about the prospect of submitting. How to Submit also compellingly explores the importance of small presses and how writers should engage with them. If you're ready to enter the next stage in your writing journey, or if you've been needing a clear and inspiring refresher guide on submissions, this book is as good as it gets."
-- Dariel Suarez, author of The Playwright's House and artistic director at GrubStreet

About the Author

Dennis James Sweeney's books have been published with Autumn House Press, Essay Press, Ricochet Editions, and Stillhouse Press, among others, and his writing has appeared in outlets such as Ecotone, The Southern Review, Witness, and The New York Times. Sweeney lives, writes, and teaches in Amherst, Massachusetts.