TESTIMONIALS
& PUBLISHINGS
Below is a (very partial) selection of testimonials and recently published stories and essays....
Tom Gilboy, "Whipsnake," Raleigh Review
“Thanks, Erik and Christine. Getting my novel excerpt ‘Whipsnake’ into Raleigh Review wouldn’t have happened without your advice and algorithm. I’d already been telling writing friends about Submitit, but from here on I’m going to be insufferable about you. I’m looking at chapters from my novels to see how they too might stand alone. Submitit is truly an innovative, effective way to bring together writers and the editors looking for them.”
Tom Gilboy lives and writes on Colorado’s Front Range. Not counting several children’s books about a turkey in a fez and an argyle sweater, "Whipsnake" was his first published story.
Hugo Bennett, "Forced," Epiphany
"After trying and failing to get this piece published for more than two years, here comes Erik with his algorithm to get it done within eight months – and in such a wonderful publication too. Very impressed with his expertise and persistence, and shout out to Christine for all her hard work too. A brilliant process from start to finish; would thoroughly and whole-heartedly recommend."
Hugo Bennett was born and raised in London before moving to Nashville, where he now lives with his wife and cat. He has been writing short fiction for over three years and is currently being mentored by the author Joe Dunthorne. This was his first publication.
Frances Hider, "A Frail Perishable Thing," The Los Angeles Review
"It is a joy to work with Submitit. Erik’s editorial advice is meticulous, his approach personal but professional and his comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of the journals and submission process inspiring. The experience has boosted my confidence as a writer. I could not recommend the service more highly."
Frances Hider won the Women on Writing (Q4) creative nonfiction essay competition in 2021 with her essay “Safe Haven.” She lives and writes in Scotland.
Alberta Nassi, "Treif," The Florida Review
"Submitit is the whole package. Erik and Christine know writers from the inside out. Erik has a gift for being exquisitely attuned to detail (grammar, logic, etc.) without losing sight of the essence of the manuscript as a whole. He is reliable, kind, thorough and exceedingly patient. Christine bookends the enterprise with equal dependability, forbearance and encouragement. Hands down, I would never have gotten my recent acceptance to The Florida Review, which was not at all on my radar, without their combined efforts. Writing and publishing are lonely endeavors. They make it less so."
As a psychologist for over forty years, Alberta Nassi has listened to other people's stories for most of her life. Now she writes a few of her own. Her work has appeared in Conclave: A Journal of Character, The London Reader and the San Francisco Chronicle. Her essays have been short-listed for the New Letters Dorothy Cappon Prize in Essay, the New Millennium Writings Award in Nonfiction and the Tucson Festival of Books Nonfiction Prize. She resides in Sacramento with her husband.
Erin Rose Belair, "Just Details," Southern Indiana Review
"This process works. We got a story published that I've been trying to get placed for years. Submission has always felt like throwing darts, and I'm never quite sure what will stick. But, Submitit has a proven methodology. It boils down a lifetime of reading and getting familiar with journals. It places your story with the most likely to publish and highest ranking journals and keeps track of the entire process for you. This way we writers can get back to what we do best; writing. And if you run your story through their editing process, I assure you it will come out far better on the other side."
Erin Rose Belair received her MFA at Boise State University, where she wrote her first collection of short stories, Vinegar. Stories from this collection have won awards and been published with Glimmer Train, Narrative, Greensboro Review, Juked, and more. She just finished her first novel, The Only Road Home. She lives and writes in Laguna Beach, California.
Jessy Easton, "We Didn’t Always Live in the Mojave," New World Writing
“By leaving the painstaking submission process up to Submitit I was able to focus solely on the writing. What a dream! Erik was extremely organized and communicative and he saved me hours of agonizing over journal research and pitch emails. I’m thrilled to have my essay published so quickly with a journal I am excited about. I highly recommend passing the torch to Submitit so you can get back to writing! I will definitely be using this service again.”
Jessy Easton was raised in the Mojave Desert of California, and now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She holds a BA in Communications from Vanguard University of Southern California. Jessy’s writing has been published in Beacon Quarterly, Entropy Magazine, and Good River Review.
Becky Tuch, "Summer of the Sharks," Inscape Journal (BYU)
We are honored to have placed one of Becky's stories in a literary journal. She is the Queen of lit mags! Thanks for giving us a try, Becky!
"I used Submitit for a short story that I had been trying to publish for several months. Erik's editorial comments were unlike any I have ever received. He was incredibly detail-oriented, down to the level of comma usage and word repetitions. His feedback was specific, helpful and occasionally quite funny, adding some much-needed cheer to my revision process. When it was time to submit my story, he suggested many wonderful magazines, including a few I had never heard of—and I thought I had heard of them all! The story found a home a few months later. I cannot recommend this service enough."
Becky Tuch is a fiction and nonfiction writer, based in Philadelphia, PA. Her work has been honored with awards and fellowships from The MacDowell Colony, The Somerville, MA Arts Council, Moment Magazine, Briar Cliff Review and more. Her writing has appeared in a variety of venues including Salon, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Virginia Quarterly Review online, Tikkun Magazine, Gulf Coast, Post Road, Salt Hill, Literary Mama and Best of the Net. Learn more at www.BeckyTuch.com.
Anna B., "Words to Raise the Dead," Chicago Quarterly Review
"Just because you can write a good story doesn't mean you will be good at navigating the steps necessary to get it published. If you are like me and you have a job, kids, life going on, and you want to spend your writing time actually writing and not managing the submission process, then I highly recommend Submitit.
"Erik and Christine were so supportive, extremely helpful and very professional. I am so happy that I found Submitit! Now, one of my stories is getting published in a good journal (Chicago Quarterly Review) and I know this wouldn't have been possible without them. I am very grateful to them and I will definitely use their services again."
Anna B. has requested to remain anonymous.
S. M., "Title," Southern Humanities Review
"I contacted Submitit in March of 2024 about a short story I had written and used Erik's editing services as well as Submitit's journals submission service. Erik was a meticulous and thoughtful editor, and his edits enabled me to deepen my story. Once I finished the final draft in April, the story was submitted to several top-tier journals that Submitit recommended. I was impressed with the list of journals—it included a few places that I had never submitted to before. I was delighted to receive an acceptance from Southern Humanities Review four and a half months later without needing to submit to another tier. If you're on the fence about using Submitit, I say go for it. It saved a lot of time on my end and was one of the fastest acceptances I've ever received!"
S. M. has asked to remain anonymous.
Will Willoughby, "Downstream Benefits," Pangyrus
"Erik's work was excellent! His keen observations and precise edits were perfectly in tune with my narrator's voice and the intent of my piece, which was ultimately published in Pangyrus thanks to his thoughtful suggestions. He was responsive, enthusiastic, positive, and just an all-around pleasure to work with. I'd send him my work again in a second!"
Will Willoughby’s short stories, often populated with characters facing absurd, tragicomic situations, have appeared in Epiphany, Pangyrus, MIDLVLMAG, Defenestration, and elsewhere. He earned his English degree from the University of New Hampshire and now lives in southern Maine with his wife and daughter. You can read some of his work at www.willwilloughby.com.
Mark Schafron, "Trapper's Tilt," The Tomahawk Review
"Every writer needs to keep up on the happenings in the lit mag scene. But with hundreds out there with ever shifting needs, staying on top of them all is a full-time job. Enter Submitit. While there are no guarantees of publication, the Submitit service makes identifying and targeting the right outlets for your work much easier. The editorial services provide that extra set of eyes for when you’re simply too close to your work. I highly recommend Submitit."
Mark Schafron's stories have appeared in Atom Mind, American Epitaph, Fiction Forum and Chips off the Writer's Block, among others. His non-fiction and journalism have appeared internationally in periodicals and technical journals. He lives in Massachusetts.
Robert Cox, "Running into Diogenes," Glass Mountain
"Erik combines encyclopedic knowledge of literary journals with the keenest of editorial eyes. Submitit is unique: a literary match-making service that actually works. Everybody is happy: you can focus on your new work, confident a finished piece is getting its best possible shot at publication, while journals in turn receive more of the stories they really want (even if they never know they're coming through Submitit)."
Robert Hill Cox has been a travel writer (Let’s Go:), a science writer (Scientific American), a national-class marathon runner, and the head of editorial of a big financial services company (Moody’s). He has been a Bread Loaf fiction contributor and Faulkner-Wisdom prize finalist. "Running into Diogenes" was his first published short-story.
Charlotte Larson, "If I drink whiskey," Does it Have Pockets
"It is so rare to find such trust and confidence in those who are editing your deeply vulnerable work. Erik’s edits were thoughtful, painstakingly detailed and he even went as far to leave recommendations for further reading and explorations. Working with Submitit changed the way I approached the submission process, transforming it from an overwhelming task to a supportive team effort, making sure my story found its way to the right home. Submitit is a lifeline for writers."
Charlotte Rose Larson received her BA in Creative Writing at University of Montana. She writes copy for an advertising agency by day and works on her debut novel So Long Honey in between meetings. "If I drink whiskey" was her first published short story.
Andrew Bennett, "At Sea," Literally Stories
"I was a little dubious about Submitit initially, but Erik and Christine’s personable and professional manner made the process totally comfortable throughout. The editing stage was enriching and helped me to grow as a writer. While the algorithm’s efficiency lived up to the hype by finding the right journal for my story, it was the human touch that made the experience one that I’ll happily recommend."
Andrew Bennett lives in Madrid, Spain, with his wife and three kids. He teaches literature and writes, between glasses of Rioja and after-school activities. This would be his first published short story.
Kenneth Weiss, "Goodbye in Honduras," Jimson Weed
"Submitit works. Erik and his group have a system for selecting publications from the thousands available, and inviting them to publish their clients' work. After going through the frustration that we all know, I sent them three short memoirs about living in other countries (maybe not a highly marketable product). Submitit said OK, did minor editing, selected journals, and submitted the articles, keeping me fully informed at each step. 'Ethiopia' was accepted with lightning speed and 'Honduras': after a few weeks delay. That is two of three, and 'Korea' will surely follow. Also, the Submitit people are consistently helpful and easy to work with."
Ken Weiss writes short memoirs, creative non-fiction, and poetry. Publications include translated poetry, essays, articles, and books on foreign trade. Ken supports the Gaithersburg book fair and heads a Writers Group. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees, has lived in six countries and traveled to eighty, and speaks three languages.
Kent Shell, "The Window," Litbreak Magazine
"As a newer writer and recovering painter, I was used to how the art world works but totally overwhelmed when I looked at the landscape of trying to get my work published. Erik has helped me successfully navigate getting two pieces published (the second one just today!), and made the process seem accessible, and actually fun. Erik's knowledge of the field is encyclopedic, his editing is astute, empowering and generous, and his recommendations and placement suggestions are spot-on. I like to think of him as my friend-in-the-business, whose advice is as good as gold. Erudite, kind, thoughtful, generous-spirited and as smart as a combo style manual/thesaurus with a soul and a sense of humor (though much more interesting), Erik, Christine and Submitit are the writer’s (and my) secret weapon."
Kent Shell was formerly a visual artist and is now a writer. His work has appeared in McSweeney’s, MoMA PS1, Artforum, and other places. He was born in Altus, Oklahoma, and lives and writes in Brooklyn, New York and the Hudson Valley.
Brent King, "The Memorial." New Pop Lit
"Getting published is hard work. Beyond writing and revising, it takes time to find journals that 'fit' your story. Fortunately, I found Submitit. Erik and Christine took much of the burden off my shoulders. Additionally, Erik is a grammarian of the first order. He found and corrected several errors in my work, errors that might have caused a journal editor to pass on my work. Instead, I have my first publication. I have been so impressed with Submitit that I am working with them on another story. I cannot recommend Submitit highly enough."
Brent King spent thirty years as an emergency physician working in busy, inner city emergency departments. Now he writes and rides his bicycles. Though he has had several publications in academic journals and textbooks, this was his first published work of fiction.
Dvora Rabino, "Nurit's Bubby's Bequest," Blood Orange Review
"So pleased with Submit It Now. I gave Erik three pieces so far to edit and submit on my behalf. He was prompt, responsive, cordial, and a pleasure to work with. His comments and suggestions improved my essays and stories immensely. His copy-edits were impeccable. And he placed all three of my pieces within three months. He totally knows his stuff, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the process and results!"
A recovering media lawyer, Dvora Wolff Rabino has been published in The Ignatian Literary Magazine, Linden Avenue Literary Journal, The Lascaux Review, Santa Fe Writers Project, and Steam Ticket. One of her essays won Inscape's annual Editor's Choice award, and she has been nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology.
Nicholas French, "Silverfish," The Summerset Review
"I feel very lucky to have discovered Submitit. Erik’s support, positivity and keen eye for detail have proved invaluable in getting my short story published. He has enormously simplified the submission process. Submitting to journals had previously struck me as daunting, but with Erik’s help, the entire process ended up being straightforward and enjoyable. So thank you, Erik, for your sage advice and generous support."
Nicholas French is from Reading, England. He is a Biology teacher, lives in Milan, and writes every morning before work. "Silverfish" was his first published short story.
"Autopsy 101," Saranac Review
"I first contacted Submitit in January of 2023 and ended up using the 'Journals List Only' service to look for a home for two essays since I was otherwise comfortable with the submissions process. One essay was a more humorous piece while the other had a darker theme and a completely different style. Erik sent me different journal lists for both, and less than four months later, both essays had been accepted for publication. What was most striking to me was that there was no overlap between the lists. One of my pieces had been languishing in my essay folder after multiple tries at submission but it was only with Erik’s help that it found a home. If you, like me, are less interested in spending your time reading and analyzing journals as compared with writing, I would highly recommend Submitit!"
This writer has asked to remain anonymous.
Heather Bell Adams, "When Marilyn Monroe's Psychotherapist . . . ," failbetter
"My first experience with Submitit was fantastic from start to finish. Erik took the time to understand my goals and gave my piece a careful reading. His editorial suggestions were spot-on. Submitit is easy to use, and I especially appreciate the responsiveness and how the program is tailored based on each individual piece. I'm delighted that my story quickly found a home with failbetter, a journal that Submitit had suggested. I will definitely look forward to using Submitit again soon."
Heather submitted this one on her own with our Journals List Only service. Great work, Heather! Great journal!
Kristi Nimmo, "Yield," Fiction on the Web
"The process was exhilarating, and Erik’s comments didn't commandeer the story; he has a remarkable gift for line editing. The notes I received on the manuscript kept me at my writing desk for several days. After I returned the manuscript, Erik and Christine communicated with me about the submission process. Within a few days the story was placed. I was floored because I almost never see a story accepted for publication."
Kristi Nimmo lives in Virginia. You can find some of her work on Coverfly—with a couple of accolades. She likes to visit the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.
Frances Hider, "Plain Sense," Does it Have Pockets
See review above.
Frances Hider won the Women on Writing (Q4) creative nonfiction essay competition in 2021 with her essay “Safe Haven.” She lives and writes in Scotland.
Tighe Flatley, "The Confessional Door," Inscape Journal
We're really excited for Tighe. He sent us three stories, and all three were picked up. Besides the one above, we helped him place "Christmas, 1966" in Wrong Turn Lit and "The Bed" in Does it Have Pockets. Nice work Tighe!
Tighe Flatley spends his days directing marketing campaigns, his early mornings writing and his late evenings editing. He lives in San Francisco where he is a founding member of the Page Street Writers. If you need him, he's usually by the snack table. One story: In “Christmas, 1966” (1,000 words, flash fiction), two Irish immigrants and lifelong friends each harbor secrets that crawl to the surface one snowy night in New York. Thank you for reading my work. I hope it resonates with you. Tighe Flatley spends his days directing marketing campaigns, his early mornings writing and his late evenings editing. He lives in San Francisco where he is a founding member of the Page Street Writers. If you need him, he's usually by the snack table.
Christine C., "Embarrassment upon Humiliation upon Mortification in My Intern Year," The Writing Disorder
"I am immensely grateful to Submitit for finding publications that were most likely to accept my story. This can be an overwhelming task when done on your own, but Submitit did it efficiently and effectively. The editing service is top-notch, and I was very impressed at how quickly Erik and Christine responded to my emails. My story was accepted shortly after beginning the submission process, and I give Submitit a good dose of credit for this. I would definitely use this service again."
Christine C. has requested to remain anonymous. This is her third acceptance with Submitit!
Patricia Ljutic, "Do Or Dash," The Bookends Review
"I began using Submitit at the beginning of August 2024. It is October 4, and through Submitit, I
have already had two of my short stories accepted for publication. My experience has been so
positive that I added two more stories to Submitit's queue. I appreciated how organized Erik
and Christine are and how encouraging and respectful they have been of my work. Erik loves
writing and literature. When I added editing service to one of my stories, Erik turned out to be
an exceptional and talented editor. He gave me explanations for all of his suggestions. After
incorporating Erik’s edits into my story, the rewritten story was submitted to publications
identified by Submitit on September 25, 2024. My story was accepted on September 27. The
other story that was also accepted had multiple rejections before Submitit helped me find the
right market for it. When I think of all the time I put into identifying publications that might be a
good fit for my stories, writing cover letters, submitting those stories, and then not having
success, Submitit has not just been working for me but has been a genuine partner in my
writer’s journey."
Patricia Ljutic writes fiction, essays, and poetry, with work in Bards and Sage Quarterly, upstreet, Lunch Ticket, and various anthologies. Her story "Life’s Work" is a finalist for the 2024 Rash Award, and "Semicolon" received Honorable Mention in the 2022 Writer’s Digest Contest. She’s also a Glimmer Train finalist.
Rozanne Charbonneau, "A Four Course Lunch," Bewildering Stories
"I put my ego aside and hired Erik to edit my short story. His comments and suggestions helped me improve the piece to the power of three. The algorithm works. Christine and Erik found the ideal home for my work within three weeks."
Rozanne Charbonneau was born in Texas but has lived most of her life in Switzerland and Italy. She has an MFA in Screenwriting, blogs about food and memories, and now writes short stories. She has been nominated for a 2023 Pushcart Prize. (This is Rozanne's second story published through Submitit.)
Linda Strange, "Island Girls," Marrow Magazine
"Erik did what he said he could do! My piece was accepted in the first round of his submissions by a journal that I would not have known to submit to on my own. He and Christine did all the grunt work, sparing me the tedious hours of researching and submitting and keeping me informed on how everything was going. Erik was also a great editor, thoughtful and encouraging. I felt very supported using this service, like I really had someone on my side. I would recommend the Submitit team to any writer seeking to get pieces placed. It's worth every penny."
Linda Strange is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language in an inner-city public school in Waterbury, Connecticut. Her writing has appeared in Freshwater Literary Journal and Pangyrus and in her own current events blog, Strange Countries. www.lindastrange.com. She lives between two streams with her English husband and a silver Himalayan called Quince.
Erik Harper Klass, "The Pilgrim of Łódź," New England Review
Yes, the owner of the company is also a happy client! "I use the same algorithm for my own work that I use for my clients. And, I'm happy to say, it works for me too." You can read more about this here.
Erik Harper Klass has published stories in Europe and North America. His work has appeared in a variety of journals, including New England Review, Yemassee, Summerset Review, Slippery Elm, and Open: Journal of Arts & Letters, and he has been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes. He writes in Los Angeles, CA.
James Shapiro, "August comes to city and country," Bull
James has now placed two stories with Submitit. Nice work, James!
James Shapiro is a writer living in New York, New York.
"How to Prepare for a Visit from Your Daughter and Her Fiancé," Summerset Review
See review above.
This writer has asked to remain anonymous.
Randi Glatzer, "After Zooey," Long River Review
We've now helped Randi publish three stories in literary journals! Congrats, Randi!
Randi Glatzer's essays have been published in Lilith Magazine, The Rumen, Glint Literary Journal, New Millennium Writings, and elsewhere. Her journalism has been published in local and national magazines, including Self, Philadelphia Magazine, New York Magazine, and Glamour. She holds an MFA in creative nonfiction from The New School in New York City. She teaches and writes in Philadelphia.
David Wayne Stewart, "New to Class, New Pop Lit
"After throwing darts at journals without success, I decided to try SubmitIt. Erik gave me feedback on flow and formatting, coached me on what publishers look for, and recommended several journals. A few months later, I was a published writer. Thanks SubmitIt!"
David Wayne Stewart is a “professional Canadian” in California, helping Canadian tech clusters and universities bridge into the Bay Area ecosystem. Previously he served as a political officer for the Consulate of Canada in Palo Alto. He is currently the Advisory Board Chair of Canadian Studies at UC Berkeley.
Note: As of March 2024, Submitit has helped David publish six of his stories, at the following journals: Bewildering Stories, Litbreak Magazine, The Meadow, Potato Soup Journal, Quiet Reader, and now New Pop Lit. Great work, David!
Milton Mankoff, "First Class Love," Spillwords Press
"I want to thank Submitit for steering a novice in regard to creative nonfiction writing through completely unfamiliar terrain … literary journals … and, against very daunting odds, finding a home for my first effort. Without its expertise I would never have known where to send my work."
Milt Mankoff had a long academic career as a sociologist and currently does online counseling for people, all over the world, with personal problems. In addition to scholarly publications, he has written for The Nation and The Village Voice on topics as unrelated as bank burning and baseball.
Gaurav Bhalla, "Masala Chai with Ginger," Jimson Weed
"Despite my persistent petitions, the Goddesses and Gods (more Goddesses than Gods where I come from) have yet to unlock the algorithm permitting me to trick 24 hours to tick slower, so they amount to 48. So, I do what I do best—write—and leave the rest to submission alchemists, sans pareil, Erik and Christine to joust with literary journals. Delighted I ran into them and even more delighted at their professionalism and follow-up. Being from the business world, the last trait I truly appreciate, promising is one thing, actually following up on the promise and delivering is what separates champions from wannabes. I am their client today, will be tomorrow, and the day after. Have a story? Write another one. Leave plotting the publishing to the experts, Erik and Christine."
Gaurav Bhalla is a former global, C-suite executive. Published in both business and literature (books, short stories, poems, novel, screenplays), he writes with a distinctly cross-cultural voice to enrich the meaning of life and work for organizations and individuals.
Christine Williams, "How Do You Like Your Eggs?" The Tomahawk Review
Another acceptance for Submitit's wonderful administrator! Her third (and counting) since she starting working for us. Congrats, Christine.
Christine Williams is a communications professional with experience in social media marketing, podcasting, digital content management, editing, and proofreading. She's a published writer, and in her spare time she reads, dances (salsa and bachata, and zouk if she’s feeling brave), and—to the detriment of her friends' waistlines—cooks up a storm. She has a bachelor’s degree in Language Studies from UC Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in International Conflict Resolution from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She lives in Alameda, California, with her mom, Ann, and her high-maintenance kitty, Wolfgang.
Jessy Easton, "How Did We End Up Back Here?" Rappahannock Review
See Jessy's review above.
Jessy Easton was raised in the Mojave Desert of California, and now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She holds a BA in Communications from Vanguard University of Southern California. Jessy’s writing has been published in Beacon Quarterly, Entropy Magazine, and Good River Review.
Randi Glatzer, "The Chess Set," The Rumen
Randi Glatzer's essays have been published in Lilith Magazine, The Rumen, Glint Literary Journal, New Millennium Writings, and elsewhere. Her journalism has been published in local and national magazines, including Self, Philadelphia Magazine, New York Magazine, and Glamour. She holds an MFA in creative nonfiction from The New School in New York City. She teaches and writes in Philadelphia.
H S Derkin, "How You Learn to Drive Truck," Charge Magazine
“If you're looking for some where/how/when guidance when it comes to submitting your work—personal care kind of guidance, turnkey kind of guidance, and "Hey by the way, I wouldn't say that in my bio" kind of guidance—you could not do any better than Submitit and its amazing (algo) rhythm method. It's fookin' brilliant.”
H S Derkin is retired and lives in Northern Michigan with his wife. Submitit helped him publish "How You Learn to Drive Truck" in Charge Magazine in 2021. The Fabulist, an online journal, published his short piece "Previous Pilgrims" in 2020. “Proper Preparation” won first Prize in a contest by Delizon Publishers in 2013.
Aaron Morrell, "We Die For What We Believe," Crayon Magazine
"Erik and Christine made the journal submission process completely hassle-free. After sending them my story and briefly discussing expectations, they took care of the rest. Most importantly they found a match and my short was published."
Aaron Morell studied literature and film at the University of Kansas. Afterwards, he moved around the country pursuing life experience and filmmaking ambitions. About 13 years ago he gave into a lifelong call to be a writer. This short is part of the resulting body of work that includes a novel, novella, and other short stories. He lives in New York City with his 11-year-old daughter.
COMP
This writer has asked to remain anonymous. This is our first acceptance to this journal! Congratulations Anonym!
Elyse Chambers, "A Romantic Getaway with My Dad," Orange Blossom Review
Elyse Chambers lives in Napa Valley, CA with her winemaker husband and two daughters. She has spent most of her life marketing wineries and luxury hotels. Now she writes. Her work has appeared in Today and Zibby Mag.
John Van Wagner, "Something to Tell," New Pop Lit
"If you're an aspiring writer wandering in the publishing desert and need some sparkling water, look no further than Submitit. Erik Klass offers a unique service that's in various parts coach, editor and docent. A writer who actually loves to read the work of others, he's also a businessman with an intense interest in promoting that work, using a unique algorithmic approach to unlock the impenetrable mechanisms of publishing. A thoughtful and thorough advocate, Erik knows how to encourage a writer without misleading. Engaging with Erik will help you reimagine the direction of your writing. And may well get you in print."
John Van Wagner lives and writes in New Jersey. His work was recently published in October Hill Magazine and Potato Soup Journal.
Belinda Edwards, "Walking on Our Knees Backwards Home," On the Seawall
This was Belinda's first published short story!
Belinda Edwards is an African American writer. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has published pieces in the Santa Fe Literary Review, Mocking Owl Roost Literary Magazine, SageWoman magazine and others. She currently lives in Santa Fe, NM, with her partner.
Jonathan Lash, "Full of Love," Fiction on the Web
For someone new to the world of short story publishing, as I am, Submitit is a wonderful service: Meticulous and thoughtful editing combined with a deep knowledge of the publications that accept and publish stories create good opportunities for authors. My first story was accepted in a few weeks.
Jonathan Lash is a former federal prosecutor, environmental litigator, and college president. Rolling Stone Magazine profiled him as one of 25 “Warriors and Heroes fighting to stave off planet-wide climate catastrophe.” His book, A Season of Spoils, told the story of the Reagan Administration’s assault on the environment.
Tessa Case, "What Cannot Remain," Writing Disorder
"If you scroll through Submitit’s testimonial page, you’ll find the resounding sentiment that the process of submission is terribly daunting, and that Christine and Erik are noble and valiant guides toward and through the ivory tower; with this, I wholeheartedly agree. My first time using Submit It also happened to be my first time ever being published, and I think it would have taken thrice the amount of time and been a lot more painful and frustrating had I not been fortunate enough to get to work with this team. However, beyond that, even if I hadn’t been published, I would have been extremely grateful to have used Submitit. The line and copy editing were invaluable to my story becoming the best version it could be. Erik took the time to point out what he thought was good, explained what he thought needed more attention, held no punches (but delivered them kindly), and I learned a lot about style and grammar through Erik's explanations. I am incredibly grateful to Submitit and highly recommend!"
Tessa Case is a bookseller and writer from Birmingham, AL, where she currently lives with her cat, Coraline. This was her first published short story.
Mark Russ, "Old Man Smell," Jimson Weed
"Working with the Submitit team was a seamless and pleasurable experience. Their editing was precise, sophisticated, and improved the two pieces I was able to publish with their expert help. I would recommend them to any writer looking to optimally match their short story with just the right journal."
Mark Russ is a psychiatrist in Westchester County, New York. He has contributed to the psychiatric literature throughout his career and has recently begun writing short fiction and non-fiction pieces. His work has appeared or will soon appear in The Jewish Writing Project, The Minison Project, Sortes, Jewishfiction.net, and The Concrete Desert Review.
R. B. Miner, "Cosmetic Home Improvement," The Bookends Review
"Simply put, Submitit delivers. The initial edits on my story demonstrated Erik's stylistic expertise right away. The notes came complete with references and thoughtful margin comments. I knew I was in good hands. Writing a story can feel magical, but submitting never has, and having Erik's journal lists took the most limiting part of the process--my overthinking--out of the equation. The process became efficient, painless, and, most importantly, effective. A few months later, and my story has a home."
R. B. Miner is a New York City native, West Point graduate, and occupational dilettante. His stories have appeared or are forthcoming in, among others, THE SATURDAY EVENING POST, NEW WORLD WRITING, THE DODGE, and IDENTITY THEORY. He lives in Kansas City with his wife, kids, and dog, but you can find him (begrudgingly) on Twitter @rbminerauthor and Instagram @rbminer.
Erin Rose Belair, "Baby Calls It Home," Green Hills Literary Lantern
This is the first piece of Erin's that Submitit helped to get published. See above for her testimonial.
Erin Rose Belair received her MFA at Boise State University, where she wrote her first collection of short stories, Vinegar. Stories from this collection have won awards and been published with Glimmer Train, Narrative, Greensboro Review, Juked, and more. She just finished her first novel, The Only Road Home. She lives and writes in Laguna Beach, California.
Mark Schafron, "I'll Call Tomorrow," Glass Mountain
"Every writer needs to keep up on the happenings in the lit mag scene. But with hundreds out there with ever shifting needs, staying on top of them all is a full-time job. Enter Submitit. While there are no guarantees of publication, the Submitit service makes identifying and targeting the right outlets for your work much easier. The editorial services provide that extra set of eyes for when you’re simply too close to your work. I highly recommend Submitit."
Mark Schafron's stories have appeared in Atom Mind, American Epitaph, Fiction Forum and Chips off the Writer's Block, among others. His non-fiction and journalism have appeared internationally in periodicals and technical journals. He lives in Massachusetts.
Rozanne Charbonneau, "The Huntsman," Writing Disorder
"I put my ego aside and hired Erik to edit my short story. His comments and suggestions helped me improve the piece to the power of three. The algorithm works. Christine and Erik found the ideal home for my work within three weeks."
Rozanne Charbonneau was born in Texas but has lived most of her life in Switzerland and Italy. She has an MFA in Screenwriting, blogs about food and memories, and now writes short stories. She has been nominated for a 2023 Pushcart Prize.
Richard Georges, "The Birth of Venus," Litbreak Magazine
Richard Georges is an author of essays, stories, and three collections of poetry. His work has appeared in Prelude, Smartish Pace, The Poetry Review, WILDNESS, Wasafiri, The White Review and elsewhere. He is the current Poet Laureate of the Virgin Islands, and his most recent book, Epiphaneia (Out-Spoken, 2019) won the 2020 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean literature.
Mandy Ream, "Stalking David Sedaris," Grub Street
Mandy Ream was a Journals List Only client. Congrats on a great acceptance!
Anthony Covatta, "Van the Tree Man," The Headlight Review
"I heartily recommend Submitit and its owner and founder, Erik Klass, to all writers who a) want to have their writing reviewed by a careful, knowledgeable, perceptive and kind editor who knows his business and b) get it published. Erik not only knows his grammar and syntax, his usage and forms of presentation, he has a good ear for how the work is supposed to sound and a good eye for what it is trying to portray. I started out sometime ago with a submission service, a well respected one, but felt the lack of savvy editorial commentary. When I found Submitit I knew I had come upon what I needed. Erik helps you improve your work in both form and substance. The magic algorithm has produced two acceptances for me in the last month. Finally, Erik is a decent guy who cares about his clients and their work. He is responsive and punctual, and goes the extra mile to listen to your unreasonable arguments about why your illogic is logical and why your silly portrayals of human folly and misery are actually genuinely heart rending. You may not always convince him but he will always listen. Thanks to Erik and Christine and the algorithm for making my entrance into the crazy world of short story writing and publishing much more rewarding than I feared it would be."
Anthony Covatta taught English at Skidmore College and was the chairman of Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center and president of the Cincinnati Literary Club. He holds a PhD in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University and a JD from Cincinnati College of Law. His work has been published in several journals, including The New Republic, Renaissance Quarterly, and Cincinnati Magazine. He currently leads literary discussion groups at Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library.
Chuck Parsons, "Spiritual Counsel," Fiction on the Web
“I was very pleased with the way in which Submitit successfully guided me through the labyrinth of seeking publication for my short story in a literary magazine. First, Erik gave me good counsel when editing the story and shaped the text into proper condition for publication. Then, he activated his computer algorithm which selected twenty relevant publisher matches. Presto, within a week, a publisher accepted my story, which is to appear in two months. This was an exhilarating breakthrough moment for an unpublished writer like me.”
Chuck Parsons was a personal injury lawyer for fifty years who marveled at his client’s flaws and fantasies while he represented them. Now retired, in his twilight years, he’s writing about them. He lives peacefully in Washington D.C., with his wife and his two nearby grown children and his four grandsons. This was his first published short story.
Linda Strange, "Retention," Glass Mountain
"Erik did what he said he could do! My piece was accepted in the first round of his submissions by a journal that I would not have known to submit to on my own. He and Christine did all the grunt work, sparing me the tedious hours of researching and submitting and keeping me informed on how everything was going. Erik was also a great editor, thoughtful and encouraging. I felt very supported using this service, like I really had someone on my side. I would recommend the Submitit team to any writer seeking to get pieces placed. It's worth every penny."
Linda Strange is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language in an inner-city public school in Waterbury, Connecticut. Her writing has appeared in Freshwater Literary Journal and Pangyrus and in her own current events blog, Strange Countries. www.lindastrange.com. She lives between two streams with her English husband and a silver Himalayan called Quince.
Jessy Easton, "The Things We Leave Out," Good River Review
“By leaving the painstaking submission process up to Submitit I was able to focus solely on the writing. What a dream! Erik was extremely organized and communicative and he saved me hours of agonizing over journal research and pitch emails. I’m thrilled to have my essay published so quickly with a journal I am excited about. I highly recommend passing the torch to Submitit so you can get back to writing! I will definitely be using this service again.”
Jessy Easton was raised in the Mojave Desert of California, and now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She holds a BA in Communications from Vanguard University of Southern California. Jessy’s writing has been published in Beacon Quarterly and Entropy Magazine.
Christine Williams, "On1 or On2?" Concho River Review
Yes, Christine, Submitit's wonderful administrator, is also a wonderful writer. And, like Erik (our owner), she gets to use Submitit's algorithm.
Christine Williams is a communications professional with experience in social media marketing, podcasting, digital content management, editing, and proofreading. She's a published writer, and in her spare time she reads, dances (salsa and bachata, and zouk if she’s feeling brave), and—to the detriment of her friends' waistlines—cooks up a storm. She has a bachelor’s degree in Language Studies from UC Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in International Conflict Resolution from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She lives in Alameda, California, with her mom, Ann, and her high-maintenance kitty, Wolfgang.
David Stewart, "Waging Peace," The Meadow
"After throwing darts at journals without success, I decided to try SubmitIt. Erik gave me feedback on flow and formatting, coached me on what publishers look for, and recommended several journals. A few months later, I was a published writer. Thanks SubmitIt!"
David Wayne Stewart is a “professional Canadian” in California, helping Canadian tech clusters and universities bridge into the Bay Area ecosystem. Previously he served as a political officer for the Consulate of Canada in Palo Alto. He is currently the Advisory Board Chair of Canadian Studies at UC Berkeley.
Note: As of February 2023, Submitit has helped David publish five of his stories, at the following journals: Bewildering Stories, Litbreak Magazine, The Meadow, Potato Soup Journal, and Quiet Reader.
Patricia Farrell, "Courtesy Never Dies," Woodcrest Magazine
This is the FIFTH story (and counting) of Patricia's that we've helped find of home.
"Once you've written a story and you know it is good, where do you place it? It’s the placement that can be a frustrating and complicated process, even if you carefully read the submission guidelines of magazines either online or published. But, that's where the wonder of Erik Klass of Submitit came to my rescue. Erik has a unique process, where he not only serves as an editor and, in some ways, mentor who encourages and helps improve your writing, but he also has an algorithm that gets to the heart of submission. I have no idea how long it would have taken me to have stories accepted if I didn't have Erik's clear guidance. I, without reservation, suggest you try Erik's service. He cares about writing and writers and he knows how and where to submit your stories."
P. A. Farrell is a licensed psychologist and a former Associate Editor of PW and King Features Syndicate. She has published with McGraw-Hill and Demos Health, writes for a number of publications on Medium.com, and has published several self-help books. She lives on the East Coast, where her passion continues to be writing, photography, and musing about the many times she cheated death as a psychologist.
Neal Burnham, "Walton's by the Sea," Jimson Weed
"The SubmiIt team is a pleasure to work with. Erik's keen sense of language and metaphor elevated my work to the next level, and the submission algorithm delivered for us.
As a lifelong dilettante I am excited to take out my work piecemeal, dust it off and hone it with Erik. No doubt some of it will get relegated to the dustbin of eternity, but that which shall see the light of day will now be shepherded by Erik.
It is great feeling!"
Neal Burnham first published in the Astrophysical Journal in the early eighties. This led to a co-authored piece in Omni magazine. Hooked by the writing bug he chronicled the curiosities of his baby-boomer life. Two local-interest pieces were published in the Hazen Road Dispatch of the Greensboro Vt Historical Society.
Amy Cacciola, "Window Number Nine," Marrow Magazine
"As a struggling writer, I turned to Submitit after being rejected over the years by many of the top-tier journals. Since I work full time and am also a parent, I have little time to devote to writing and even less time to devise a smart publication strategy. Erik and Christine were amazing. They’re editors who clearly know their stuff and give great advice without overstepping. They consistently kept in touch and made me feel less alone in this process. When I was rejected, it was ‘We’ve had one pass.' And their strategy works, especially if you’re not fixated in getting your writing into journals with impossibly low acceptance rates. They got my story accepted by not one but two online journals, and I can’t tell you how affirming that is. Best money I’ve spent in a long time."
Amy Cacciola’s work was featured in Epiphany and Roger Rosenblatt’s podcast, “Write America. In her blog, “Me, Moon!,” she plays second fiddle to her sassy, five-year-old daughter as they debate everything from the walking speed of sloths to the origins of Trump’s family separation policy and the meaning of death.
Mark Russ, "The Doppler Effect," Literally Stories
"I want to express my thanks to the staff of Submitit. Apart from the fact that they were successful in expeditiously finding a home for my short story after many failed attempts to go it alone, I found the staff to be highly professional, efficient and supportive. Moreover, the suggested edits to the piece significantly improved the story. I would recommend Submitit without reservation."
Mark Russ is a psychiatrist in Westchester County, New York. He has contributed to the psychiatric literature throughout his career and has recently begun writing short fiction and non-fiction pieces. His work has appeared or will soon appear in The Jewish Writing Project, The Minison Project, Sortes, Jewishfiction.net, and The Concrete Desert Review.
Deborah Mooney Harris, "The Best a Woman Can Hope For," Five on the Fifth
"I’m so pleased to have found Erik. He’s a real pro: responsive, knowledgeable and super prompt. A fellow writer, he’s helped me do my best work and get it read by the right journals. What a gift it is to leave the bewildering business of submitting to him so I can focus on my writing!"
Deborah Mooney Harris received her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. Her work has appeared in Dissent Magazine and The Southampton Review. She teaches creative writing at WriterHouse in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Hudson River Community Education in Dobbs Ferry, New York.
Gary Jaycox, "Transitions," Kennings Literary Journal
"Submitit’s new Journals List Only package is like a smart ‘computer dating service’ for your prized literary work. I strongly recommend giving it a try. For a very reasonable fee, your piece will be analyzed and matched using a proprietary computer algorithm. In short order, you will receive a list of journals that are particularly well suited for your work, ranked in order of probable match from higher to lower. I can say that this process is highly effective! And it’s easy. Erik and his staff were very responsive to my queries and delivered on-time as promised. They even suggested a few minor edits to my short story that I found helpful. Look, we are all creative souls at heart who want to get our writing out there. Spend your time on what really matters. Let Submitit help you with the rest."
Gary Delmar Jaycox received a Ph.D. from Dartmouth in synthetic organic chemistry and then spent the next three decades leading scientific research in a number of academic and industrial laboratories. Recently, he has shifted his attention toward more fictional pursuits. A handful of his short stories can be found in the MacGuffin, in the Adelaide Literary Magazine and soon (thanks, Submitit), in the Kennings Artistic and Literary Journal.
Dvora Rabino, "The Girl with the Song in Her Mouth," The Writing Disorder
See Dvora's testimonial above.
A recovering media lawyer, Dvora Wolff Rabino has been published in The Ignatian Literary Magazine, Linden Avenue Literary Journal, The Lascaux Review, Santa Fe Writers Project, and Steam Ticket. One of her essays won Inscape's annual Editor's Choice award, and she has been nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology.
Erin Rose Belair, "I Wish I Had Your Ghost," Marrow Magazine
This is the third piece of Erin's that Submitit has helped to get published. See above for her testimonial.
Erin Rose Belair received her MFA at Boise State University, where she wrote her first collection of short stories, Vinegar. Stories from this collection have won awards and been published with Glimmer Train, Narrative, Greensboro Review, Juked, and more. She just finished her first novel, The Only Road Home. She lives and writes in Laguna Beach, California.
P. A. Farrell, "She Sleeps," Litbreak Magazine
"Once you've written a story and you know it is good, where do you place it? It’s the placement that can be a frustrating and complicated process, even if you carefully read the submission guidelines of magazines either online or published. But, that's where the wonder of Erik Klass of Submitit came to my rescue. Erik has a unique process, where he not only serves as an editor and, in some ways, mentor who encourages and helps improve your writing, but he also has an algorithm that gets to the heart of submission. I have no idea how long it would have taken me to have stories accepted if I didn't have Erik's clear guidance. I, without reservation, suggest you try Erik's service. He cares about writing and writers and he knows how and where to submit your stories."
P. A. Farrell is a licensed psychologist and a former Associate Editor of PW and King Features Syndicate. She has published with McGraw-Hill and Demos Health, writes for a number of publications on Medium.com, and has published several self-help books. She lives on the East Coast, where her passion continues to be writing, photography, and musing about the many times she cheated death as a psychologist.
Jarvis Coffin, "Water," Jimson Weed (Univ. of Virginia)
“Submitit is an exception in a world dominated today by automated relationships. I took a chance and found real people at the other end of my submission—people interested and invested in my work. Knowledgeable and supportive, Submitit was a key factor in helping me become a published author. They will remain a trusted partner.”
Jarvis Coffin was a media and advertising sales executive for thirty years. He wrote frequently for industry trade journals and was a regular contributor to the Huffington Post’s Media column. Subsequently, Jarvis and his wife owned New Hampshire’s oldest inn, The Hancock Inn, during which time he wrote a popular newsletter for the Inn’s mailing list. Retired from innkeeping, Jarvis writes full-time, mostly essays on rural life and fiction.
Judy Stanigar, "The Fly in the Soup," Concho River Review
"To be honest, at first I was very skeptical about Submitit's process and Erik's algorithm. But as a novice short story writer I didn't know where to start my submission journey, though I knew enough about how hard it is to get a short story published. So out of desperation I submitted via Erik. It wasn't a short process, and Erik's cheerleading helped deal with the rejections. At the end of the day to get an acceptance from the first round of submission was super sweet and well worth it. So kudos to Erik and his algorithm."
Judy Stanigar is a psychotherapist who has made the study of the human mind and heart her life-long profession. Her novel The Thing with Feathers is forthcoming from All Things That Matter Press. She lives in Carlsbad, CA, with neither a dog nor a cat, but a husband lurks somewhere in the house.
David Wayne Stewart, "Unlocking the Oath," Bewildering Stories
See David's testimonial above.
David Wayne Stewart is a “professional Canadian” in California, helping Canadian tech clusters and universities bridge into the Bay Area ecosystem. Previously he served as a political officer for the Consulate of Canada in Palo Alto. He is currently the Advisory Board Chair of Canadian Studies at UC Berkeley.
Note: As of February 2023, Submitit has helped David publish five of his stories, at the following journals: Bewildering Stories, Litbreak Magazine, The Meadow, Potato Soup Journal, and Quiet Reader.
William Zimmerman, "The Dolphin," The Hash Journal
William Zimmerman is an actor and playwright by training. He's had two plays produced in Seattle, WA, where he lives with his wife and his cat. "The Dolphin" was his first published short story.
"I hate submitting stories. I wrote a story I didn't think anyone would take due to its subject matter, and Submitit found it a home. The submission process takes forever. You've got to find the right journals, figure out how to submit, get the materials together and keep track of what's next in line and if you've gotten a yes or a no or a bunch of silence. It took my story 12 months to find its home, and if it hadn't been for Submitit, I would have given up and my story would have stayed on my laptop's hard drive, never to go beyond my wife's eyes. Erik also helped me edit the story and gave it the polish it needed. I don't know any editors, and I don't know what literary journals want, but Erik does and he made it happen. Of course, submissions are never a sure thing, but without Submitit, I would still be unpublished."
Christine C., "No Different . . . ," Jimson Weed
See Christine's testimonial above.
Christine C. has requested to remain anonymous.
John Van Wagner, "And He Will Prepare a Banquet," October Hill Magazine
See John's testimonial above.
John Van Wagner lives and writes in New Jersey.
Dvora Rabino, "Waiting for My Turn," Five on the Fifth
See Dvora's testimonial above.
A recovering media lawyer, Dvora Wolff Rabino has been published in The Ignatian Literary Magazine, Linden Avenue Literary Journal, The Lascaux Review, Santa Fe Writers Project, and Steam Ticket. One of her essays won Inscape's annual Editor's Choice award, and she has been nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology.
John Van Wagner, "Fadeout," Potato Soup Journal
To read John's testimonial, see above.
John Van Wagner lives and writes in New Jersey. "Fadeout" was his first major publication.
Jane Van Cantfort, "Morning," Fiction on the Web
“Getting published in a literary journal was a lifelong dream of mine. After years of rejections, Submitit helped me get there! The algorithm is particularly helpful, but the sensitive and thoughtful copy editing and comments made my stories better. I’m deeply thankful and urge writers to give them a try.”
Jane Van Cantfort has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco. She has published short stories in a variety of magazines, and her novel Went Away is available on Amazon.
Christine Williams, "Killing Me Softly," Glint Literary Journal
"Well this is beyond exciting! I cannot believe that the first journal response we got back was an encouraging one! Thank you so much for your help; I definitely would not have submitted anything at all (maybe ever) if I hadn't found Submitit. Thank you (and OMG!!!!)."
Christine Williams is a communications professional who writes to try and understand the world. She lives in Alameda, CA, with her mom. "Killing Me Softly" was her first published piece of creative nonfiction.
Philip Kennedy Grant, "Shakedown," Leavings Literary Magazine
"Wonderful!! Great news. Thank you for your guidance, editorial savvy, and shrewd selection of target journals. Of course I’ll enlist you to send out more of my stories. I am delighted to be working together."
Philip Kennedy-Grant is the former editor of Architecture New Jersey magazine, co-author and editor of AIA New Jersey Guidebook, and a practicing architect and artist.
Ann Montgomery, "Guéri par miracle," Peatsmoke
Ann Montgomery has been a midwife for the past twenty years in conflict zones, post-disaster settings, and Canada's Arctic. She has a PhD in Epidemiology that focused on preventing maternal death in low-income countries. When not working, she lives on a sailboat on the ocean with her partner. This would be her first published short story since eighth grade.
P. A. Farrell, "A Mother's Prayer," Down in the Dirt
See testimonial above.
P. A. Farrell is a licensed psychologist and a former Associate Editor of PW and King Features Syndicate. She has published with McGraw-Hill and Demos Health, writes for a number of publications on Medium.com, and has published several self-help books. She lives on the East Coast, where her passion continues to be writing, photography, and musing about the many times she cheated death as a psychologist.
Erik Harper Klass, "The New City," Slippery Elm
Erik Harper Klass (Submitit's owner) has published stories in Europe and North America. His work has appeared in a variety of journals, including New England Review, Summerset Review, Slippery Elm, and Open: Journal of Arts & Letters, and he has been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes. He writes in Los Angeles, CA.
Rebecca Beck, "Sentinel," Glint Literary Magazine
What a feeling of vulnerability handing my writing over to another person brings, no matter how extensive their experience. Doing so takes a huge amount of trust. Questions flood me before I hit “send”: Is this person aligned to the kind of writing I savor—a good match to my own sensibilities? Will he or she “get” what I’m striving to attain, even when parts of my work are dense and syrupy and need something I can’t quite put my finger on? I’m happy to write that Erik fit the bill on all fronts. He made the editing process as painless and seamless as possible. His comments reflected his deep dive into the heart of my writing. Reading them, I knew he’d analyzed every word and the intentions behind them. He made thoughtful, creative suggestions on how to draw the thread of my characters and their up-a-tree dilemma closer to the reader. And, as if by serendipity, he called on examples from some of my favorite writers in the world. The fact that he knew them so well helped me know the question of trust was moot.
Recently a marketing director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Rebecca Beck now enjoys the freedom retirement offers for spinning her own yarns. Her work has been published in The Great Smokies Review and 34th Parallel Magazine. She is completing her first novel, Pastoral.
W. C. Hussey, "The Mountains," New World Writing
W. C. Hussey lives in Seattle. This is his first published story.
Ann Montgomery, "Papaya Abortion," Long River Review
Ann Montgomery has been a midwife for the past twenty years in conflict zones, post-disaster settings, and Canada's Arctic. She has a PhD in Epidemiology that focused on preventing maternal death in low-income countries. When not working, she lives on a sailboat on the ocean with her partner. This would be her first published short story since eighth grade.
H S Derkin, "Drummer," Scarlet Leaf Review
H S Derkin is retired and lives in Northern Michigan with his wife. Submitit helped him publish "How You Learn to Drive Truck" in Charge Magazine in 2021. The Fabulist, an online journal, published his short piece "Previous Pilgrims" in 2020. “Proper Preparation” won first Prize in a contest by Delizon Publishers in 2013. (See H S's testimonial above.)
Peter Delacorte, "Surprises and Astonishments," The Opiate
"I hadn't published a story in nearly a century. Sent one to Erik at Submitit and he used his magic algorithm. Within the space of three days [round two submissions], two journals were knocking at my virtual door. Now my name is shouted from rooftops."
Peter Delacorte lives in San Francisco with his wife, Bonnie, and their eccentric dog, Twiggy. He won the F. Scott Fitzgerald Prize for Creative Writing at Princeton University. His novel Time on My Hands was shortlisted for the UK's Arthur C. Clarke Award. He is currently at work on a sequel, No Time to Lose.
Erik Harper Klass, "A Few Words on Color," Delmarva Review
Erik Harper Klass (Submitit's owner) has published stories in Europe and North America. His work has appeared in a variety of journals, including New England Review, Yemassee, Summerset Review, Slippery Elm, and Open: Journal of Arts & Letters, and he has been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes. He writes in Los Angeles, CA. And yes, he uses Submitit's algorithm to submit his work!
Jane VanCantfort, "Little Man," Idle Ink
Jane Van Cantfort has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco. She has published short stories in a variety of magazines, and her novel Went Away is available on Amazon. (See additional publishing credit above.)
Bob Moses, "The Old Boys' Book Club," Idle Ink
"We did it! A small step for humankind, I suppose, but a big leap for Bob."
Bob Moses lives in Denver, Colorado. He is a former newspaper publisher.
DH Singh, "Crown Royal, 1972," New World Writing
DH Singh lives in Santa Monica. This was DH's first major publication.
Erik Harper Klass, "The Hand Remembers," Tiny Molecules
Erik Harper Klass (Submitit's owner) has published stories in Europe and North America. His work has appeared in a variety of journals, including New England Review, Summerset Review, Slippery Elm, and Open: Journal of Arts & Letters, and he has been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes. He writes in Los Angeles, CA.
TD Storm, "The Hide-Behind," Fiction on the Web
TD Storm is a teacher/editor/writer, living in Madison, Wisconsin. He has an MFA in Writing from Pacific University, and his work has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies, including Black Warrior Review, Copper Nickel, Jellyfish Review, and Literary Hub.
Liz Kitchens, "Anxiety Speaks Softly and Carries a Big Stick," Quiet Reader
Liz Kitchen is a writer and blogger. Her blog, Be Brave. Lose the Beige! focuses on women of the Baby Boomer generation. She is a guest contributor for Sixty and Me and Medium and has contributed to Growing Bolder, the Boomer Café, and Vibrant Nation. Liz is the author of Be Brave. Lose the Beige! Coloring Outside the Lines After 60. She writes in Orlando, Florida.
Rita Szollos, "The Follower," Peatsmoke
Rita Szollos is a public historian, photographer, and writer. She was born in Sweden, into a refugee family, then moved to America, where she grew up on the east coast. She now resides in the California Bay Area with her husband, daughter, an old mutt, a new puppy, and an angry kitty.
P. A. Farrell, "Travels by Myself," Scarlet Leaf Review
P. A. Farrell is a licensed psychologist and a former Associate Editor of PW and King Features Syndicate. She has published with McGraw-Hill and Demos Health, writes for a number of publications on Medium.com, and has published several self-help books. She lives on the East Coast, where her passion continues to be writing, photography, and musing about the many times she cheated death as a psychologist. (See testimonial above.)
Wendy Garrett, "Lemonade for Sale," Idle Ink
Wendy Garrett is an emerging writer who came from the theater and dance world. Her storytelling was taught through music as a dancer and later developed as a creative producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. She currently live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she's found writing to be the gift that got her through this crazy year.