Submitting Short Fiction and Poetry: My Experience So Far.

Copyright © Mark R Kelly 2026

Writing is a strange beast. A creature that can be both subjective and objective at the same time, depending on the context, purpose and elements used. Sometimes it can be instinctual and from the heart, then there are moments where your brain is the overriding force pushing the narrative and structure.

It is a mercurial thing, without a doubt. And a slippery bugger, too. There have been times that I've wrestled with an idea, but the thing just won't rest and continually wriggles on the page, demanding your attention.

Think pampered pooch on the sofa next to you demanding more belly rubs each time you stop.

Regards submitting, now this is a relatively new activity for me, but already I can see what a frustrating ball-ache it can be.

Why?

Well, every platform you submit to has their own criteria for submissions - that could be the formatting, word count, the font and font size, though usually the latter two are pretty standard. 

But the most interesting comes by way of what they look for in a submission piece. I've listed the most common: Theme - Plot/Structure - Craft and Language - Perspective and Setting - Endings - Title - Fit - Characterization - Originality and Surprise.

Quite a bit to take into account. If starting out writing from scratch, it's a great 'guide' to work from. On the other hand, if you are like me, with a pile of short stories, flash fictions and poems stacked up on my pc, doing this submission thing retrospectively is the ball-ache.

Having to go into your work and begin rewriting isn't so bad. For me it's cutting bits out that hurt. In your head your creative voice is stomping its feet, arms crossed, quietly fuming, "I gave you my best, and now you're throwing it away!?"

I get it. Very much so. I suppose, it's like growing a beautifully lush and scented rose bush, then having a gardener stroll up and tell you half of it needs hacking away. Initially the reaction is one of, "No way in Hell."

But - and here is the maddening truth - cutting bits here and there allow the true beauty and potential to shine through. Yes, it looks smaller to a degree, but it is no less beautiful and still smells wonderful, and is more pleasing to the eye. 

Same with writing. 

Of course you are proud of the 1,000 - 2,000-word short story, and rightly so. In truth, you could happily lose 100 - 500 of those words. Tightening the structure, improve the flow, create more by giving less. 

More doesn't automatically equate to giving more pleasure. Often it's quite the opposite. And that's how it can be with creative writing. There is a deliciousness with an elegant economy of words, that, on a subconscious level resonates with our brain, giving us that little buzz of pleasure - it could be a turn of phrase, a particular word never seen before but does the work of several in one heartbeat, or, more spectacularly, dialogue that is so perfectly concise it makes you nod approvingly to yourself.

All these elements, traits, tricks and skills - the craft of writing - are what I'm striving for, and others wield with finely tuned skill I can only sit back and admire, and maybe, just maybe, one day emulate.

And if you're curious, my current submission score is - Accepted: 0  Rejected: 3.

I leave you with one of my favourite duos: Aquilo - "Thin".