Embracing Every Part of the Submissions Process

Good Habits & Nice Things

Hey fixionists.

It’s (yet another) rainy Sunday in Brighton, but there was a glimpse <gasp> of blue sky yesterday, so I’m banking every glimmer* I can find.

[*Glimmer: a cue or trigger, either external or internal, that creates a sense of joy, wonder, or beauty.]

And when winter — or the writing process — feels like a grindstone, it always helps to gather up a little squirrel-hoard of shiny things, and engage in happy-making habits that make writing (and life) a bit more fun.

Today, I’m combining the two into one ‘nice habit’ that offers up a neverending source of shiny, happy moments:

BOTH A NICE THING & A GOOD HABIT: Looking at the submissions process from all angles

Last year I submitted very little of my work. I was horribly busy, stressed out, and had no headspace for it whatsoever. But I noticed my writing started to feel stagnated because of the lack of contact with the outside world. And I found myself missing every part of the submissions process:

I missed reading new stories in lit mags and competitions.

I missed digging through potential places to submit and discovering journals I’d never heard of.

I missed the discipline of polishing up my stories and poems, and trying to be objective about my own work.

I missed the tiny thrill of clicking ‘submit’ and the anticipation of waiting for a response.

I missed becoming a part of a small corner of the literary world when a piece made a longlist or was included in an issue or anthology.

I missed the beautifully supportive lit community on X and Bluesky and Chill Subs, where everyone champions each other and commiserates together.

And yes, I absolutely missed the rejections too — of which there are always many — because that’s just another part of the process.

So this year I’ve set a target to submit at least 50 times. That’s 1-ish per week, which feels doable for me right now (your mileage may vary — it certainly wasn’t doable for me last year!), and surprisingly I’m already exceeding it.

Actually, I’m doubling it.

We’re 11 weeks into the year and I’m currently up to 22 subs, which is perhaps a good lesson in keeping your expectations low/feasible, and allowing your brain to quietly outperform them…

But it’s not about the numbers. Many (unnumbered) nice things have come from just getting back onto the submissions merry-go-round:

• A couple of nice acceptances. Very nice indeed, but not the sole (or even primary) reason I submit my work.

  • A 2nd place story in the Blue Frog prize and a lil’ something forthcoming in Had!

• Some extremely nice rejections, too. Ones that explained their reasons, commented on my work or simply thanked me for submitting.

  • Do we need a whole post dedicated to the joys of rejection? Lemme know.

• The community, continuing to be one of my favourite places to be online: editors, readers, writers, cheerleaders, spreading the love and sharing great work with each other. Not to mention a wealth of workshops, writing prompts and challenges out there.

  • Like Kathy Fish’s Flash Immersion course, right here on Substack

  • Or the Flash Cabin’s upcoming Flash Laundry workshop on 10 April

  • Or a whole calendar of awesome Write or Die workshops

  • And if you get in there quick, I think there are a final few places left on Sumitra Singam’s Writing Trauma Without Traumatising Yourself workshop on 23 March

• Getting back into reading lit mags regularly — because holy moly there’s some talent there — and being inspired, learning new techniques (“I didn’t know you could do that with flash fiction?!”), or just getting hit in the feels by a 100-word story. Pure. Freaking. Joy.

  • Highly recommend Matt Kendrick’s Mondettes for a regular rundown of fantastic stories. And these three in particular caught my eye recently:

  • The Wives by Dawn Miller at Milk Candy Review — because oof

  • After the Elephant by Meg Pokrass in Ghost Parachute — that opening paragraph!

  • My Mother (or an attempt at finishing things with no end) by Naana Hutchful in Gone Lawn — so honest and cleverly meta

• Creating new work! Crawling out of the desert and finding my mojo waiting patiently for me to just write something. Anything. And remembering (for the twelve-billionth time) that the more I write, the more I want to write.

And really, what’s a nicer habit than that?

So I invite you to join me in wrapping your loving arms around the submissions process and finding little glimmers of joy in every part of it.

And if you need any help in getting your stories ready for submission, well, you know where I am… ; )

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Some Real Life Happenings (That Are Also Nice)

While I’m here, talking about nice things, I thought I’d casually drop in a few events I’ve got coming up, in case you’re able to come along!

Queers @ Brighton Little Theatre — 11-13th April, 2024

I’m directing a monologue in this fantastic collaborative show to raise funds for Brighton Little Theatre in April.

Queers celebrates a century of evolving social attitudes and political milestones in British gay history, as seen through the eyes of individuals — poignant and personal, funny, tragic and riotous.

Find out more and book tickets here »

Interactive Fiction @ Voidspace Live, London — 9th June, 2024

Come and be complicit in my weird little interactive fiction at the inaugural Voidspace Live festival this summer.

Voidspace is pioneering IF with a one-day festival of interactive arts, including theatre, dance, installations, poetry & more. All of it playable. (Super excited about this one — hope to see you there!)

Find out more and book tickets here »

Shakespeare & Flash Workshop @ the Flash Fiction Festival, Bristol — 12-14th July, 2024

What do Shakespeare and flash fiction have in common? A love of linguistics and a bold disregard for the literary ‘rules’!

Explore both in my workshop at the spectacular Flash Fiction Festival, and spend three glorious days steeped in creative inspiration with the very best of the flash world.

Find out more and book tickets here »

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Oh, and I also have a couple of workshops and courses in the works — both online and in-person — so if you’re not already subscribed, do that thing to get updates nearer the time…

(If you’re already subscribed, a massive thank you for reading and supporting my little ‘stack!)