Originally, I started the Art of Submission column with a set idea of where I wanted to go with it — I would cover the entire submission process from finding markets and submitting pieces to signing contracts and getting paid. Having arrived there, I realized that I...
Out of all of the erotic columns I've ever written — including the ones where I give advice on what your characters should call their hoo-has or what they probably shouldn't say during fucking — this is probably the scariest column of all. Because it has to do with...
When I first started submitting pieces, I was completely ignorant about the process. Sure, I'd read the books, I'd looked at the markets, and I thought I understood what happened after a piece got accepted. But, in reality, I didn't know a damn thing. As ashamed as I...
First things first: An editor is not your enemy. Nor is she your friend. Over time, she may become either or both of these things, it's true, but first and foremost, your editor is a potential current customer. And while the customer is not always right, they are...
I recently had the opportunity to perform one of my favorite actions as an erotic editor. I got to send an email to an author letting him know that I was accepting his story for one of my upcoming anthologies. A few minutes later, I got this email in reply: "That's...
Did you ever get the feeling that you're watching market deadlines whiz by as you're trying to finish up your stories? Or that you're always a step behind when it comes to sending stuff off? Wouldn't it be awesome if you could just hire someone to take care of all the...
As I was getting ready to write this column, I saw a Facebook post from one of my favorite editors that said something like this: "Does your bio mention the name of your pet? If so, understand that no-one is going to take you seriously." Now, there are a few, very...
Welcome to The Fine Art of Submission: How to Properly & Professionally Prepare, Package and Present Your Work To Markets. Okay, so what the hell does that long-ass subtitle really mean? It means that we're going to look at all the steps you need to take in order...
You've been working it for weeks, months, maybe even years. You've massaged your writing into a story that you like, you've smoothed it and softened it up, made it ready. The paper's been kissed by all the right words, covered with sweet nothings. The chemistry is...
Story finished? As good as it's going to get? And you've got a market? Great. Now it's time to send that baby off. It's not as scary as it sounds, I promise. Just get down on your knees over there, and let me give you a few pointers with the sharp end of my whip...er...