Amateur Writers and Electronic Submissions

With the growing popularity of electronic submissions, more and more people are taking up the hobby of writing. Whether they’re writing short stories, poems, flash fictions or full on novels, more and more people are deciding to submit them to publishing houses/independent publishers. It’s all in making some money, that’s clear cut, people want to be compensated for their work, so when they finish writing many people stubbornly submit them to a website with out proof reading, or getting a second opinion.

That is fine, assuming you have a basic grasp of proper grammar, and an editor can get through your work with out confusion. If you’re going to submit a piece of writing and not look it over for basic punctuation and grammar, then don’t submit.

However, the question is, do amateur writers who submit work get a fair shake?

I’d like to hope that when I submit a story to a publisher, that it gets looked at with consideration. Just because I’m not J.K. Rowling, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be looked at, does it?

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best at writing. I do it because I enjoy, and for no other reason than that. So, when I get a rejection with a reason why it was rejected I feel great because at least it was looked at and I know why it was accepted.

I’ve never sold a story, and that sits well with me, I hope that anyone who reads will understand what I’m trying to say, which is: If you’re an amateur writer, keep at it but don’t submit until you read and re-read over everything. Catch any mistakes you can, so that you’ll look as professional as possible.

Ryan M is a hobbyist writer, who has had three short stories published in local anthologies based out of Newfoundland Canada.