The (Submission) Grinder!

Okay,

So I know what you're thinking.  I already wrote about the (Submission) Grinder.

But I didn't fully understand what it was when I wrote that blog entry.  I thought it was just a great site to search for markets to submit.

But it is so much more than that.

One of the hardest things to remember when you're submitting absolutely everywhere, is well, where you've submitted.  Think about it, one kind of goes into a trance when one gets in the submission mode. It's sort of like stuffing envelopes. You don't count how many you've done, while you're doing it, you just keep stuffing till you can't bring yourself do it anymore. Then if someone were to ask you if you stuffed the envelopes for the city of Tuscaloosa, you wouldn't have a clue.  That's what happens to me when I'm submitting.

Well, I'm happy to say, The Grinder has done something about that.  It takes an extra step, but it's so worth it!

First you have to create a free account and login. Sounds easy, but believe me, unless someone tells you to do it, you might miss the need to like I did.

Then once you're logged in, you'll need to search for a journal and then submit to it. After you're done, go back to the market's page on Grinder.  On the page there is an option to "Log Submission," it's near the top and is a hyperlink and once you find it, click on it.  Now you can actually log your submission and edit it later.  It keeps track of the date you sent it, then when you get a confirmation and whether it was accepted or rejected.  You can log what you submitted (The specific story) and whether you submitted it through the mail or electronically.  It also allows you to enter the date that it was resolved (rejected or accepted).  And whether you got a form letter response or personally written one.  You can even write a note.

The site will even let you know if your submission has exceeded the normal response time for that market.

It is quite the tool.  Not only can you can use it to narrow down searches, but you can use it to keep track of the submissions you made for analyzing later on or so you have a contact list to let markets know when you've been published.  I don't know about you, but I like having a strategy for everything I do.  The Grinder is helping me formulate a strategy and a plan for submission.

And don't forget the best part, IT'S FREE!!!!!