Start with resources that will help you find a great paying publication to submit your work to. Here are some to get you started:
Choose the Publication
Those three free resources for paying markets will help you find a publication to submit your work to. Choose a few publications that you would like to be published in. The publication must pay and must accept complete submissions - not just queries. If it does not state that they accept completed work in their writer's guidelines contact the editor to ask him or her. In the meantime, choose a different publication that directly states that they accept completed work. Once you have one publication to focus on you can get started.
Read the Publication's Back Issues
In order to understand what the publication publishes you will need to read at least the past six issues. Check your library for past issues of the publication. If the library does not have past issues, order them directly from the publisher. Note the style of the writing, what they publish, what topics they cover, and what departments are written by freelance writers. Check for freelance bios at the beginning or end of an article, story or essay to see what is freelance written.
Memorize the Writer's Guidelines
Read the writer's guidelines until you can recite them word for word without any help. Publishers and editors often state that they reject work that could have easily been avoided if the writer had read the guidelines first. Don't waste your time if you are not going to memorize the publisher's guidelines. The better you understand them, the more likely you are to get published.
Write Your Submission
Now that you have read past issues and memorized the guidelines you are ready to write the work that you will submit. Jot down all of your ideas for the publication and choose one to start with. After you complete your first draft set it aside until tomorrow. You'll be able to take a fresh look at it so you can revise it. Once you are satisfied it is time to submit.
Submit Your Work
Check the guidelines on how to submit your work and follow the instructions. Be patient. It may take a while for a response. If you want to check in on the status of your submission mark the date on your calendar. The publication's guidelines should estimate how long it will take. Do not contact them before this time.
Be Persistent
While you are waiting patiently for a response, get to work on another piece for another publication. Repeat the steps provided above and continue the process. You will get rejected and you will get accepted!
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