My Experience Sending Submissions through Submittable

Since 2014, I’ve been using Submittable to help manage my writing submissions. It’s been an invaluable tool in the submission process, allowing me to easily keep track of which pieces I’ve sent, where they were sent, and whether they have been accepted or declined by a publication.

For writers, Submittable has streamlined the process of submitting to publications, which ultimately eliminates unnecessary paperwork while also offering updates on the status of your submission.

What is Submittable?

Submittable is a submissions management software, which basically means it is a way to keep your on-going list of submitted works organized. If you’re a writer who submits your work to online magazines, literary journals or contests, chances are that some of the publications you will run across require you to submit your work through the Submittable platform.

Although I’ve never branched out from submitting short nonfiction and prose, Submittable does also offer opportunities for submitting poetry, longer length nonfiction/prose, and even photography.

How Do I Use Submittable?

My experience with Submittable is solely as a contributing writer, as I’ve never used it as an editor. As a writer, I was initially required to create a simple account through the Submittable site.

Whenever I’m looking into submitting a piece of work to a certain publication, the submissions section of that publication’s site typically includes a link to their Submittable page.

Typically, submitting is a very easy process of typing in the title of your work, including a short note to the editor, and possibly writing a short author bio as well. Then you simply upload your file.

I always check the publication’s site for official submission guidelines for information regarding the preferred font size, spacing, and heading formats. Many publications charge a nominal fee (averaging around $3) to cover the cost of using Submittable.

After you submit your work, it then appears under your “Active” tab, labelled as “Received.” This status means the work was delivered successfully to the publication’s inbox.

What Happens After I Submit a Piece?

Once your work has been received, the (probably long) wait begins. Submittable offers features to track the progress of your submission. When the work has been assigned an editor, its status will change from received to “In-Progress,” which is the longest status works will typically have.

The piece is in-progress as the editors are (hopefully) reading over your work and, undoubtedly, the many, many more submissions they have been assigned. When a decision has been made on your work, its status will shift to either “Accepted” or “Declined” and will no longer appear under your “Active” tab. The piece will then move to the appropriate Accepted/Declined tab.

How Long Does It Take for a Decision to be Reached?

The length of time it takes to receive a decision update is determined by the individual publication, not Submittable. The submissions section of the publication’s website usually offers an idea of the average amount of time it takes for its editors to make a decision.

I have occasionally had pieces immediately rejected, never showing as “In-Progress.” I attribute this occurrence to the publication reaching its capped number of submissions already for that time period, or, I suppose, maybe my writing really is that bad, and the editor did not want it sitting in their inbox for even a moment longer.

The average wait time that I’ve experienced is between two and three months. The essay I had accepted by Hippocampus Magazine took four months for a decision to be made. Unfortunately, I’ve also occasionally had a few pieces inexplicably remain in the “In-Progress” status indefinitely. When this has happened, it appeared that the publication was no longer around or maybe it was an oversight on the part of a busy editor.

Are the Fees Worth It?

Writers are notorious for not having expendable cash, so it stands to reason we would be hesitant about paying any out-of-pocket expense without good reason. I consider Submittable fees to be one of those good reasons.

First, the cost is typically not more than $3, which equates to (approximately) cup of coffee. Most publications state they charge this fee simply to cover the cost of using the Submittable platform. Some publications charge more than that amount, in which case, I try to find out more information about why the publication is charging more. Sometimes it’s because it actually pay its editors or has reading fees. Contests across the board often cost more, sometimes between $15 and $20.

Pros:

• Submittable is easy to use
• The status updates make the submissions process seem less like I am sending out my work into a black hole, never to be heard from again
• There is a Discover feature which allows you to find new publications in your genre with open submissions. This feature also clearly lists the submission fee, if there is one.

Cons:

• None, except the rare, perpetual “In-progress” status occurrence

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Have you used Submittable to submit your own writing? What was your experience? Do you have tips for using other submissions management software? Feel free to share your own experiences in the comment section!