Tuesday Tips

Progress Update:

I still have five submissions out right now, and I added one more to bring the total to six little pieces of me out into the world.  I've sent queries and synopses out to three online publishers for my short story Into the Fire.  I've also entered the same short story into the Stroke of Midnight Contest with Passionate Ink.  I've heard back from one editor who requested the manuscript.  I did a final edit and sent it out to her.

I've also entered a YA short story in a flash fiction contest with WOW Women on Writing.  I have no idea when I'll hear anything about that, but the contest closes February 28th, so there is still time to enter a short story (750 words) if you are interested.  The link can be found in one of my earlier posts.

Finally, I sent a personal essay to Sasee Magazine, a magazine geared toward women who live on the lower eastern coast of the U. S.  It is a long shot that they'll publish it, but it was worth a try.

So, how do I keep track of all these, especially when I plan to add another submission in March and still maintain the six that are out?  I have an Excel spreadsheet that helps me keep everything straight.  Now I am so not a spreadsheet kind of person, but I like this because all the information I need is in one document and whenever any news on a submission comes in, I can update it there.  Another reason for me to keep track came up recently--TAXES.  As a writer who has every intention of getting published and building a career, I need to keep track of my trials and (hopefully) successes.  I need to show that I am trying at least.  The Excel document helps me do that.

If you're interested in seeing my spreadsheet and how I use it, send me an e-mail and I'll send you my latest version.

So how do you keep track of what is going out and the messages you get back?  Have you tried different systems?  What works for you?

To end with a little fun, here is a very silly video all about using Excel:


Happy writing!