Ask Kate Wolford About Writing New Fairy Tales discussion
Here's what I look for in a submission
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For writers who write in more than one genre and submit in different places, would you say there is any difference in submitting pieces that are fairy tale related as opposed to any other genre? ie. Apart from being well-versed in the subject matter and knowing your target audience & publisher (in this case EC), is there something unique about (or peculiar to) fairy tale writing - either fiction or non-fiction that applies to both the more literary writing forms and the more contemporary, conversational styles?
Mod
The things that make a story compelling, strong characters, a well-paced plot, and a sense that the writer THINKS about what the reader will experience when reading his or her words, all work no matter what the story or genre is.
By the way, newly rendered fairy tales as horror and crime tales work very well indeed.
Mod
1) It's impossible to overstate the importance of familiarizing yourself with any publication you are hoping will publish you (fairy-tale related or not). Target a set of journals at a time, familiarize yourself with them, THEN try to write for them.
2) Respect the genre you hope to write for. Don't make the mistake of thinking that fairy tales or horror or romance or children's lit "must" be easy because they are so "simple" or, a "formula." Simple is hard. So is making a lot of formulas work.
3) Please do not try to "rehabilitate" a fairy tale with a heavy handed moral message. People actually do embrace new ideas about morality and the human condition--but the story always has to come first.
4) Everything Disney is played out in terms of retellings. Even twists on Disney are played out. Even spoofs on Disney are played out. Ditto Wicked. I mean no disrespect for either when I say that.
5) With any publisher, please do not assume that the editor/publisher has time to critique or give feedback on your work. Some will do it, so there is no harm in asking politely. (I don't, sorry. :))
6) Be a fan. Be a fan of a genre. Be a fan of a site. Love shows in writing.
7) Edit. Every writer makes mistakes, but I get many, many submissions that read like first drafts.
8) If you think a site/publisher has too many submission rules, you can find a site that doesn't, but whatever the publication, do not fail to read the submission rules first.
9) Retellings of fairy tales should reflect the tale, but not be too close to the original. Make it YOUR version. New stories "inspired by" an old tale should be even more of an original creation.
10) Don't feel bad when your work is rejected. I am forced to reject good work I don't have a place for all the time.
Mod
I am still VERY much looking for short story submissions for the Krampus anthology, which will be in ebook and paperback form. No fee.
http://www.fairytalemagazine.com/p/yo...
Plus, I am still running the contest to celebrate the publication of Beyond the Glass Slipper. No fee!
http://www.fairytalemagazine.com/p/be...
I look for poor editing. Many people fail to edit submissions.
I look to see if a writer paid any attention to the guidelines for submitting.
Most of all, I look to see if a writer had bothered to read Enchanted Conversation or, as of the last month, my book, Beyond the Glass Slipper. I don't mean I can literally track who read them--I can't. But it's pretty easy to tell when a writer is just randomly sending a submission. It happens all the time.
If you are not a fan of a genre or a publication, don't write in it or for it. It is a waste of your time and creativity.