Seven Deadly Errors - and How to Avoid Them

There are any number of events which will result in a rejection slip. Some of these are completely out of your control, others are not. An editor may have just accepted a story/article very similar to yours, rejection. The editor likes your work, but has no money left in the budget for freelance work, rejection. The publication has an overabundance of submissions and all materials are returned without being properly considered, rejection. These things will happen to the best of writers and you simply must move on. There are, on the other hand, errors which are strictly the fault of the writer, and ultimately preventable.

1. Inappropriate Markets - It may sound redundant, but you must know your markets. While your story of the plight of the blue billed woodpecker may be wonderfully written and showcases your considerable knowledge of the subject, it is highly unlikely to be purchased by say, Playboy or Parents Magazine. While good paying markets, and they may be accepting work from new writers, the material must be of interest to their audience. We all know people purchase Playboy for the interesting interviews and articles, but not articles about the blue billed woodpecker. The easiest way to know what a publication wants is to read the publication. You will quickly get a feel for the mood and types of work they are interested in. Then, when you have a story or article that fits than need, submit to that market.
2. Tactical Errors - Some writers spend weeks and months researching their subject, making certain every fact is double checked and completely accurate. Then, they submit their material and send it to the wrong editor, misspell the editor's name, or get cute and call the editor by their first name. Why? Take a few moments and make certain who you are sending your material too. Editors move around, so occasionally your information will be outdated and you will address the material to an editor who is no longer with the publication. This is survivable, but don't send your free lance submission to the Editor-in-chief of a major magazine, they won't read it. In all likelihood this has placed your story on the fast track to extinction. If the editor's name is Robert McVay, then address him as Mr. McVay, not Bob, and not Bobby. Mr. McVay was called 'Bobby' by the bullies back in the fifth grade and he hates the name. Just the mood you want old Booby in when he reads about the blue billed woodpecker. Mr. McVay is a professional, and he wants to deal with professionals, don't get cute.
3. Language Barriers - Writing is all about choosing the right words and using them in the right place. While your words may be the perfect fit for your story or article, they may not be the perfect fit for every publication. We all are aware the blue billed woodpecker has a very unusual mating habit and it requires some rather explicit language in order to adequately describe. While this may be acceptable to the Audubon Society's special mating issue, it is not acceptable to the Boy Scout's of America Publication. A perfect fit for Cosmopolitan may be all wrong for Redbook. Again, read the magazine to get a feel for what they publish.
4. Stay On Track - You have quotes from scientist, observations from park rangers, and facts from studies. The blue billed woodpecker is headed for extinction if immediate action is not taken. This is the core of your article, it is what your article is about, and the opening paragraphs capture the editor's attention. Great job so far, but now the wings come off your work. You grew up in the wetlands where the blue billed woodpecker lives, you know the area and you love everything about it. Suddenly, in the middle of your article you begin describing the beauty of the wetlands, the other wildlife, the ways the seasons bring new looks and new beauties. Poetic writing, accurate writing, but is it essential to your material? If not, then it needs to go, regardless of how marvelously you describe the hanging moss and glorious sunsets shimmering through the Cyprus trees. If it does not move the article forward, then it can only drag it down. Stay on track, remain focused. Never allow the editor to lose interest in your topic or you risk a most unpleasant outcome. If the editor is not interested in the woodpeckers, describing the beauty of the wetlands won't help.
5. Watch That Word Count - Editor's receive surveys from market listings asking what they need, how much they pay, and how to submit. Pay attention to their answers. While an editor may accept an 800 word article even though their guidelines say they want a maximum of 500 words, don't send them a 5,000 word article, regardless of how good the material is. If your material is good, and you are working with a good editor, you can get lucky. I submitted a 1,600 word article and the editor loved it and wanted to publish it. Only problem, she wanted me to get the article down to 800 words. Cut it in half! That's not easy, but I did appreciate the editor working with me and ultimately printing the article. If a publication list 1,000 words as the maximum word count, abide by it and don't expect special treatment. Whatever you do, don't take a 2,000 word article and list it as 1,000 words in length. Editors work with articles all day, your little gimmicks aren't going to fool them, just insult and/or annoy them. Both quite deadly to the freelance submission.
6. Watch The Slant - When writing an article of interest to yourself, it may be difficult not to slant the story to favor your opinion or point of view. While you are allowed to make a certain point, slanting the story too much will leave you not with an article, but an editorial. Unless you are writing an editorial, this is a bad idea. If the point of your article is to show how the blue billed woodpecker will become extinct within only a few years if nothing is done, fine. However, don't leave out the facts that conservation efforts have been made, and nesting grounds set aside. If there are ineffective or not enough, say so, but don't ignore them. Ignoring obvious facts will damage your credibility and your chances of publication.
7. Dated Material - Most publications that print seasonal materials have guidelines on when to submit this material. Pay attention to the guidelines! If the deadline for Christmas submissions is July 30^th, don't send your Christmas article to them in October. How many writers insert a note, "I know this is past your deadline, but..." It doesn't matter, the editor has moved on and will probably dismiss you as someone that would be difficult to work with anyway. Deadlines are there for a reason, abide by them. Learn to work with a deadline, you will have them throughout your writing life, and Editors generally take them seriously.

Avoid these errors and all you need to do is have a great article, submitted to the right editor, at the right time. Piece of cake. Work on the things you have control over, and put the rest aside. You have to remember there are some things you just can't help. Seriously, how could you possible have known that little Bobby McVay was traumatized by a blue billed woodpecker when he was five? Oh well, missed that one. Time to move on.