How to Submit Stories to Raconteur Press
It's really simple! Seriously.
We are often asked how to submit stories to the press and what expectations we have of our authors. If you are interested in having your short fiction published by us, we recommend following this step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Follow the instructions. This will become important.
Step 2: Click on our Calls for Submissions tab in the navigation bar.
Step 3: READ the entire post all the way through to the production schedule. Squeal with delight at the selection of groovy anthologies.
Step 4: Find the anthology you wish to submit to. Carefully note the opening and closing dates for submission.
Step 5: Write an awesome story.
Step 6: Make it look like the graphic below.
Step 7: Ask yourself, “Am I really following the instructions?”
Step 8: Review the instructions. Note where you have failed utterly.
Step 9: Make your story look like the graphic below.
Step 10: Ensure your contact information is correct.
Step 11: No, we said make it look like this.
Step 12: Submit your story with as little fanfare in the body of your email as possible. We prefer a simple version of, “Hi! Thank you for considering my story. I look forward to hearing from you.” An entire page of background on your story or a manifesto that turns out to be longer than the submitted doc rarely gets read by the poor intern who is flogging himself to download fifty manuscripts and put them in a submissions folder.
Step 13: Note the contract date. It would be awesome if you checked your inbox sometime between that date and the date of publication. That way, you can sign it, return it, and get published! On the other hand, there are plenty of authors more than willing to take your spot, so you do you.
Step 14: Get paid!
In all seriousness, our desire is for your success. While we tend to have a developmental philosophy toward new authors, other publishers will not, nor are they obligated to. Frankly, submitting your story should be the simplest step in the process of getting published. Follow instructions, do what you are told, get paid.
Since I am that intern, I'll be honest with the authors: I don't read your emails except to see whether the submission is on time, and on parameters. It's like Forged In Fire. If you're super close but not perfect on format I'll do you a solid - the first time and highlight where to fix it for the future.
It fills my inner editor with joy to see your requested format using Styles.