(Ceased publication)
SQF: Why did you start this magazine?
Amanda Steel: I know there are a lot of talented writers out there, and I wanted to help get their work published. I understand that the more well-known publications get so many submissions and they can’t publish all the good writing they receive, so I created Printed Words.
SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a submission and why?
AS: Following the guidelines is always a good start, because it makes my job easier. I have them for a reason, however I wouldn’t rule out accepting good writing because of it. I also love when people send in short stories, book reviews, flash fiction or creative non-fiction because we don’t get as much of those genres. Lastly, anything that is well-written and thought-provoking is likely to grab my attention, because if it makes me think, it will make the readers think too.
SQF: What most often turns you off to a submission?
AS: Personally, I’m not a fan of forced rhyming and over the top language, but there are three of us selecting pieces for the e-zine, so this doesn’t rule out this kind of thing being selected.
SQF: If Printed Words had a theme song, what would it be and why?
AS: Lynyrd Skynyrd's All I Can Do Is Write About It, because sometimes that’s all you can do—then submit that writing to Printed Words, of course.
SQF: Many editors list erotica, or sex for sex sake, as hard sells. What are hard sells for your publication?
AS: Anything that discriminates against anyone else. Or lots of swearing, because we have to think about people who read the e-zine. We want people to be entertained, not offended.
SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?
AS: Do you send personal replies when rejecting a writer’s work?
At the moment I do, while we have a steady but manageable number of submissions. As a writer I know how frustrating the “not quite right for us” rejections are while understanding that editors don’t usually have time to give personal replies. While the submissions remain manageable, I aim to offer at least a line or two on why I haven’t accepted someone’s work.
Thank you, Amanda. We all appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.
SQF: Why did you start this magazine?
Amanda Steel: I know there are a lot of talented writers out there, and I wanted to help get their work published. I understand that the more well-known publications get so many submissions and they can’t publish all the good writing they receive, so I created Printed Words.
SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a submission and why?
AS: Following the guidelines is always a good start, because it makes my job easier. I have them for a reason, however I wouldn’t rule out accepting good writing because of it. I also love when people send in short stories, book reviews, flash fiction or creative non-fiction because we don’t get as much of those genres. Lastly, anything that is well-written and thought-provoking is likely to grab my attention, because if it makes me think, it will make the readers think too.
SQF: What most often turns you off to a submission?
AS: Personally, I’m not a fan of forced rhyming and over the top language, but there are three of us selecting pieces for the e-zine, so this doesn’t rule out this kind of thing being selected.
SQF: If Printed Words had a theme song, what would it be and why?
AS: Lynyrd Skynyrd's All I Can Do Is Write About It, because sometimes that’s all you can do—then submit that writing to Printed Words, of course.
SQF: Many editors list erotica, or sex for sex sake, as hard sells. What are hard sells for your publication?
AS: Anything that discriminates against anyone else. Or lots of swearing, because we have to think about people who read the e-zine. We want people to be entertained, not offended.
SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?
AS: Do you send personal replies when rejecting a writer’s work?
At the moment I do, while we have a steady but manageable number of submissions. As a writer I know how frustrating the “not quite right for us” rejections are while understanding that editors don’t usually have time to give personal replies. While the submissions remain manageable, I aim to offer at least a line or two on why I haven’t accepted someone’s work.
Thank you, Amanda. We all appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.
