Submission Highlights 2016 Edition
You already know this, but our number one plea to submitters is "MAKE US FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU!" and so, you won't be surprised to learn that our favourite submission letters did just that: they showcased personality, spoke to us like we're real live human beings (we really are!), and yes...they made us fall in love. Maybe not fully head-over-heels every time, but crushes are fun too!
Because if we like YOU, we're probably going to like your story. That's just the way it goes. Of course, there have been some brilliant submission emails that did not spawn acceptance and publication, but you can bet we still celebrated the 'who' of it all!
The following (in no particular order) are our 2016 highlights — those little slices of personality that hooked us and made us hungry for more...
“I have attached my little memoir snippet, even though you say it must be pasted in the text. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do that. I am not very computer savvy, partly because I am retired and didn’t grow up with these things. And partly because I don’t have a manual.”
“I discovered your site...and was instantly enticed. Your attitude is one I share: insane, crazy, awesome dreams and ideas are always worth chasing...”
“Here is the latest, edited version of the poem. I still hate the word ‘twas, but can’t seem to find a way around it. I love what you are doing with the magazine...I’m excited to see it. For some reason this wants to underline everything and I can’t figure out how to get it to stop.”
“The below brilliant piece of literature could be a blog post, or magazine article under the category of Shameless, or Story Matters (if you think it fits), or a fire starter...Also, the title sucks, and I know it. Perhaps a better one will come to me in a dream...”
“I’ve always wanted to hone the creative side I have lurking inside. I’m a huge reader and am drawn to many styles. I tend toward the ‘quirky,’ and shorter fiction. Admittedly, I sometimes feel like the eunuch in a harem: I’ve seen it done, I know how it’s done, but I can’t do it. I’m hoping for feedback that could establish whether I could develop the necessary creative cajones.”
“I discovered Blank Spaces this morning and, as a Canadian living in small town Texas, I felt comforted with feelings of home. Thank you!...There are many things I want to be when I grow up, and a contributor to Canadian Literature is high on that list!”
“Well, here I am putting myself out there in the face of possible rejection, with hopes of the holy grail all writers chase: publication.... I am proudly self deprecating. Tina Fey is my idol. And if you hate Tina Fey, she totally sucks. Please love me?”
So there you have it. As you can see, we're pretty easy to get along with...even if you have technical difficulties!
OFFICIAL SUBMISSION TIP: make us smile with your creative cajones!
For our full submission guidelines, click HERE.
