Dear Tina, 

I finally (after much trying) got a piece published in a lit mag! Now, I’m wondering what I should do to maximize my support of the lit mag? I have already been following them on Facebook/ Instagram and subscribing to their newsletter. What other steps should I take to make the best of this connection? 

Signed,

Aspiring Writer

Dear Aspiring Writer, 

First, congratulations on your recent publication! May it be the first of many. 

I hate to pull the age card, but it used to be a lot more straightforward to be a writer before the digital age. Now, in addition to having writing chops, a writer needs marketing and self-promotion skills. And, as you suggest, we can now add “managing lit mag relationships” to the ever-growing list! 

Although relevant and timely, your question is a humbling one for me, because it touches on my biggest writing foible: I am no marketer, and the idea of self-promotion gives me nightmares. So, I’ve consulted the all-knowing internet and asked some smarter folks for insight. 

Turns out, of course, you are already doing the right things, but consider beefing up your promotion of the magazine, too. Each time you leverage your recent publication success, you can also include the lit mag in that success. For example, whenever you share your published piece, include a link, a tag, and a mention for the magazine. Don’t forget to include relevant hashtags that might direct traffic to them. Share often and share everywhere. Include a link in your writer’s bio and email signature. If the publication still offers a print version, buy a copy or ten and encourage your friends and family to do the same. 

There’s also some tried and true Grandma-type advice: send a thank-you note to the editor. Grandma would have sent a letter or card, but you’ll send a brief email, of course—with the emphasis on brief. 

Lastly, try not to submit to the same lit mag too often. Doing so might sour the relationship. The experts suggest waiting a bit—maybe even a year—before submitting again to the same magazine. 

It might be snarky to add this, but I do think we writers tend to be a bit too grateful when we get published, perhaps forgetting that publishing is a win-win for both parties. The lit mag recognized your talent. That talent will add value for their current readership and maybe even help them attract new readers. So, yes, maintain the relationship, but view it as an opportunity to support the writing community as a whole. Lit mags need writers just as writers need lit mags.