Slush Suggestions

We, the Electric Spec Editors, have started the first steps to create our notable November issue. Job one is going through slush. Thus, I have some suggestions...

• Do follow our rules.
  • Submit an rtf file as an attachment.
  • Do include a cover letter.
  • Do include some variant of 'Submission' on the subject line.
• Consider length. What is the perfect length for your story.
  • Even though we accept flash, it's very difficult to tell a story in less than a thousand words.
  • Editors don't like long stories because it's more work for us.
  • I don't think readers like stories over six thousand words, either. It's a big committment.
• Make your page one awesome! This includes
  • minimal spelling mistakes,
  • minimal grammar mistakes.
  • Consider an attention-grabbing, possibly telling, first sentence.
  • Make sure your writing is smooth, not awkward.
  Sadly, if page one isn't good...we don't always read to page two.

A very helpful writing tip I received some time ago is: consider reading your work out loud. You can read it to yourself, or someone else can read it to you. This can really pinpoint where a story is working and where it's not. Where does the reader stumble? That might be a grammar problem. Does the story sound smooth? If not, how can you modify it?

Whatever your writing method(s), thank you for submitting your stories! Good luck!