The work of researching publications and sending out manuscripts has changed radically with the growth of the web which is both a good thing and a bad thing. In the old days, I had an intimate relationship with journals. As Borders and Barnes & Noble popped up (Sorry, there are no independent stores in my area) it became easier browse through the magazines. I held them in my hands, flipped through them to learn their editors' names, addresses, submission policies and the kind of work they published. When I could, I purchased and took them home. That was a good thing.

Then came the wonderful Dustbooks Directories, Writers' Markets and other print resources which made things easier. However I probably wasted a lot of time and postage sending my work to places that would never be interested in it. And I'm sure many of those editors felt I wasted their time too. Had I actually seen and read those publications I would have known better. That was a bad thing.

It's hard to imagine life without broadband and the revolution it's brought to sending out my poems and essays. More and more journals have websites where I can see their submission guidelines and read samples to see if my work would be a good match. It's also becoming easier to subscribe online which is another good thing, and while I can't invest in every journal I admire, I renew my favorites and try out a few new ones each year, supporting the folks who support me. However, I have so many piles of magazines around the house that it may just be easier for me to move than figure out what to do with them.

Most editors work long hours for little or no pay. I have heard of one who actually refinanced his house and worked a second job to fund his publication. And no matter how flush they might be, most editors could be doing their own writing rather than reading yours.

That said, here are a few brilliant internet tools that will give you up to date information on where to submit your poems, stories and creative non-fiction. It doesn't mean you shouldn't do your homework and read the publications, but like all tools, these will make finding the right places to submit easier so you can spend more time writing.

Murphy's Submission Resources

Here are some of my favorite resources!

• Creative Writers Opportunities List Poet Allison Joseph sends daily emails of publishers seeking poems, stories, essays and book manuscripts to publish as well as contest deadlines.

• Duotrope's Digest regularly updates their list of 2,400 fiction and poetry publications. They have a great search engine which can help you locate places accepting simultaneous & multiple submissions while filtering out ones not currently accepting work, including a chart with average response times for poetry and prose. Be sure to check out their online submissions tracker too!

• New Pages offers guides to literary magazines, calls for submissions, writing conferences & programs and lots more.

• Academy of American Poets has a helpful Writing and Publishing FAQ which is especially useful for beginning writers. Make sure you read the sections on scams and subsidy & vanity presses. Prose writers will find many of their tips relevant too.

The two professional journals (and websites) you shouldn't live without. . .

• Poets & Writers Magazine Resources for poets and writers, including information on grants and markets.

• AWP Writer's Chronicle Ditto!

And for fun. . .

• Hit and Run Magazine edited by fiction writer Paul Toth publishes "the raw materials of fiction, poetry and other creative work: scrap metal; index cards; napkin notes; etc." To see what this playful journal is up to have a look at my poem in process, "Home."

• Sitting Pretty Magazine explores the desks where writers work.

© 2009 Murphy Writing Seminars, LLC  ●  May be reprinted for instructional use.