Do Your Research

I was at the airport coming home from AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs - a huge writing conference) when someone stopped me to ask me if I was Amy Fish. Which I am.

She had seen me at the conference, at a table, and she wanted to know how to write for a particular literary magazine.

I told her the book review section is often looking for people, and it’s a good way to get her foot in the door.

“I’m not much of a reader”

she said, way less sheepishly than you would think.

“Then you’re going to have trouble

as a writer,” I said.

She handed me her business card and asked me to e-mail her.

We call this chutzpah.

By the time I got home, she had e-mailed me through my website, thanked me for the airport advice and asked me for contact info for the literary magazine.

Do we applaud her persistence?

Yes and no. On the one hand - if you want to write for a literary magazine, it is a good idea to ask some of its members for advice even if that means stopping them in the Charlotte, North Carolina airport as they are running to their gate.

On the other hand, that advice should not be information readily available on their website (that you clearly did not check).

Also, the easiest part of being a writer is the reading. If you aren’t much of a reader, you might need to reconsider your career choice.

Before You Ask for Help

(and I’m all for asking for help), but before you do, you really have to look for the answers yourself. Being persistent does not mean asking other people to do the work for you.

If you want to write for a literary magazine, go to their website and click the Submissions Guidelines link. If you want restaurant reservations, go to their website and click the Book Now link. If you want to know more about AWP, well -