E-queries are a relatively new way of reaching literary agents, and the publishing industry “rules” for e-queries are still a mystery to some writers of fiction and nonfiction. Using email to pitch your book to literary agents or editors at publishing houses is often the easiest way to connect.

No matter how well you know the Internet, submitting your work to an agent or editor poses a great potential for error. You need to know how to make successful online submissions via a submission form (the usual choice of literary magazine editors) or by e-query (the preferred method for agents).

Follow these guidelines to avoid common errors when submitting online.

Submission guidelines pages have their own industry-specific lingo, and navigating the process of submitting your poems, stories, essays, and books requires a certain amount of professionalism and etiquette.

Use this article to learn the best way to define (and interpret) the phrases and words that are part of making strong submissions!

Using an online submission form (or submission manager) can be a very effective way to submit your short stories, personal essays, and poetry to literary journals and magazines. Although most literary agencies are not currently using submission managers, some do require writers to fill out online forms. Submitting online saves postage and time, and it’s easier to track your electronic submissions (e-subs) than traditional print submissions. At Writer’s Relief we’ve learned a few tricks over the years, and we’re happy to pass along these tips for making effective electronic submissions.

Submitting a book online to literary agents, or submitting poetry, stories, and prose online to editors, poses great potential for error. Today’s creative writer needs to know how to make successful online submissions. If you’re submitting essays, poetry, and short stories, you can submit your writing directly to an editor at a literary magazine using an online submission form, also known as a submission manager. If you’re submitting a novel to a publisher or a literary agent, you may opt to send a query letter by email (an e-query) rather than by regular mail.

Taking advantage of technology is smart. Unfortunately, writers often make mistakes when submitting online, which can result in their work not being considered for publication.

Avoid these common mistakes when using online submission forms (submission managers).