Whether the guidelines say so explicitly or not — and they shouldn’t have to say so — do not send a rough draft. Do not send a first or second draft. Send a finished, polished, spell-checked, grammar-checked, read and reread work that you would be delighted to pay cash money for.
When I was teaching creative writing, I began every weekly class with “words of wisdom” written on the board. Here’s one of my favorites. I was making up stories — not to get out of trouble, but for my own entertainment — as early as…
Yes, I’m a ghoul. Not being funny for once. This has been one hell of a week for character study. There was that car wreck we were in. I was posting about doors, so I didn’t post about the people, but I’m telling you now:…
