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What I've Learned As A Submissions Reader

Writer's picture: Chyina PowellChyina Powell

Earlier this year, I decided to apply for a reader position with a pretty well-known literary journals, with quite a few sister journals. This journal, that I won’t mention by name, is one that offers a lot of calls for submissions during the year including prizes and things of that nature. I decided to do this for one because I figured it would be fun. I also like the idea of learning more about various narrative styles and reading is a great way to do that. Thirdly, I wanted to know the ins and outs of reading. I’d been a slush pile reader before during an internship with Cleaver Magazine, but this is different.


The slush pile for those who don’t know is where all unsolicited submissions go, it’s when you aren’t submitting to a particular call. Usually, it takes a minute for a reader to get to these because submissions are prioritized if they are paid for, solicited, or for a specified call.


Currently, the journal I read for only accepts paid submissions, and they aren’t cheap either! That being said, there are also rules for us readers (as most magazines and journals have). And if you’re wondering, it’s unpaid (most reader opportunities are volunteer).


There are some amazing stories but there are a good number of reasons why you may get a rejection.


Some Reasons I’ve Rejected Submissions

  1. The submission needs edits. It may sound simple but before you submit, go over your piece with a fine-toothed comb, especially if you are copying from another document or using an excerpt. Sometimes sentences get lost, punctuation gets messy…so many issues can occur! Most publications want a piece that requires little to no editing whatsoever, so unless it’s something minor like a forgotten apostrophe, your piece may get rejected.

  2. It doesn’t match the call or guidelines. If you are submitting for a particular call, please make sure that the piece actually falls in line with what the editors are asking for! Just because it’s good doesn’t mean we’ll make an exception. There was a call for stories up to 6k words and someone sent in a 10k word story! Immediately rejected because it didn’t match the call they were submitting to. Likewise, if a call is for a particular theme, make sure the work you submit lines up! Be mindful that you always check and double check guidelines.

  3. Too experimental or no story arc. Trust me, I love an experimental story, but it should still be a story. If a piece feels like you just plucked it out of a longer story or doesn’t make any sense on its own, that’s a rejection. Even excerpts should have an arc unless the call is for vignettes only. I see this a lot with flash or micro fiction that relies more on the shock factor of a last sentence than keeping the reader’s attention in all the words before that. We should want to finish your story to the end, book friends. Remember that!

  4. Too graphic. Almost all publications nowadays ask you to list any and all content warnings in your cover letter. Please do so. Readers don’t want to be shocked or surprised and you should want to make sure your submission goes to the right reader for your work. If you have graphic content and the reader doesn’t appreciate that, your story can and most likely will get rejected flat out. Didn’t know that readers have categories? Well, we do! And some enjoy reading graphic sex or violence and others don’t. Where your story goes depends on those content warnings.

  5. It feels rushed. This can happen when you’re cutting down a larger story to fit a word count. It can also happen when you’re rushing to meet a call because you want to get those submissions in. The thing is, just like with any reader, we want to be immersed in your story, and unless you’re writing a thrilling action story, there shouldn’t be a rushed pace, like we missed something important or didn’t get the joke.

  6. Acceptance restraints. What are these? Well, a publication can only publish so many stories per issue and so if the limit is 20 and yours is 21, you may get a rejection. Usually in this case it is a nice form rejection or if you’re really lucky, a personal rejection asking to see more of your work at a later date.


Do these reasons sound fair to you or not? I’d love to know!


I just wanted to remind everyone that just because you get a rejection doesn’t mean your piece isn’t good, sometimes they are really good, but there are a lot of factors that go into deciding who gets accepted. Of course, it’s perfectly fine to get upset when you submit and feel like your story or essay or poem matches a call perfectly only for a rejection to come. However, don’t give up, keep writing, keep submitting! Sometimes, you may have to put something in the drawer and pull it out months later for another call to have it accepted with no edits or changes whatsoever. That’s the thing about publishing, it’s so subjective. Don’t stifle your voice!


Keep writing!

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