This is an important common question that many people ask when submitting to any publication and one of the reasons I try to be honest in my submission guidelines about my preferences. However, the truth is I don’t always know what I’m looking for. I don’t want to overstate and sound too touchy-feely, but I can’t help it–each edition of Teach. Write. is almost, well, magical. It just seems to come together. For example, if you are familiar with Teach. Write., you know that I like to use photography representing a certain theme (I use free use photos found usually on Unsplash–love it!). Every edition, I think that I’m running out of ideas, but then it just hits me; this upcoming edition will be paths in the woods.
I slowly build a theme, but it’s loosey goosey, not an overt, deliberate theme but rather a feeling I get for what work belongs in each edition. I know this must be frustrating to those writers whose work I reject because sometimes I send back a form rejection that basically says, “This isn’t right for this edition.” Yes, sometimes my acceptance or rejection is based on the writing quality and artistry, but more often than not, I’m telling the truth. The piece could be perfect for some other journal but not for mine, not now.
Recently, I struggled answering the question “what are you looking for,” particularly since the writer wanted to know so he could find something that fit. I took several days to contemplate and then came up with this answer:
As stated in my guidelines, I lean towards works that are by, about, or for teachers, especially those who teach or have taught English composition. Other than that, it’s hard to say what I’m looking for, and sometimes I do accept work outside of those parameters if it hits me right and seems a good fit with the other pieces I have chosen. Each edition is different and comes together in a serendipitous way. One thing that helps is submitting about midway through my submission period (see my guidelines), not too early, not too late. I hate to be so vague, but I’m not the only editor that feels this way. Many of us reject writing that has nothing to do with the writing itself. It’s just not right for that particular edition that he or she is putting together.
Just my opinion, of course, but I think the best thing you can do is write what satisfies you, and if you get rejected by one publication, move on. I think this story might do well in a publication that specializes in speculative fiction. I have published close to three dozen short stories, but my rejections number in the hundreds. I quit counting at 200 ten years ago. Especially now that I’m an editor, I’ve learned that it’s not me. I know I’m a good writer; the work just wasn’t a good fit for a particular editor at a particular time. Don’t get me wrong, I look at the story again and tweak it, but then I find another publisher. I hope this helps. Thank you again for submitting and all the best in placing your story elsewhere.
And I mean it.