Category: Blog

By Megan Storer

Sharing your writing can feel very intimidating and scary. Even when I love something that I wrote, there is always a little voice in my head that says it is not good enough, and that hesitation makes me wonder if anyone will care. But thankfully, I am not alone! Everyone has had that little voice in their head. This fear is familiar to many writers, especially students, who are still trying to find their voice. This fear can make you want to keep your writing to yourself, but the truth is so simple: your words might matter more than you think, and someone out there might need to hear them.

Writing has the strange power to reach people when they need it. It hits us in ways we do not always expect. A short story you wrote for a class or even a title you think is too simple… these things can change lives. They can make someone feel understood or inspired, even if you did not write with that intention. It is so easy to assume that what we write does not matter, but it might matter a lot to someone who needs it.

It is also easy to think that your writing has already been published somewhere out in the world. Sure, maybe the theme, but not in your voice. Other pieces do not have your personality, your humor, your storytelling, or your way of seeing things. There are a million stories out there about a genre, but each one sends a different message. There is someone out there waiting for a voice like yours and you do not even realize it!

I submitted to Elektraphrog last semester, and I was so scared. I kept rereading my story and convincing myself that no one would care or even read it. After I submitted it, I felt relieved. My friends loved what I had written! This reminded me that we may never know how our words can make someone feel. Your writing could leave a lasting impression and impact.

Unfortunately, fear does not just magically disappear, but facing our fears is how we combat and move past it. Sharing is how you can grow. You can start small by:

• Letting a friend read something you are proud of
• Submitting one piece.
• Focusing on the connection that writing creates
• Reminding yourself that someone out there might need your words

So, again, your voice matters more than you think. Elektraphrog is not looking for perfect writing, just real writing, and that is why you should consider submitting! It is a space built for many messy, honest, creative, and brave voices. Your story could be the one that makes someone feel heard, and you will not know until you share.

Taking that first step is something you will be very proud of later.

By Emily McDowell  

Have I done enough? A common question many writers ask themselves every time they are moments from submission. However, is enough too much? When writers begin the editing process often, they find themselves over editing. This results in more mistakes than adding too little.  

As a writer, you want to submit the best of your own writing thus, you make yourself find every reason there is something wrong with your piece. You look for small grammatical errors that may or may not exist and end up causing another issue. This is known as over-editing, and stems from the lack of confidence and faith in yourself. While this is an issue many people face, there are many ways to overcome this challenge and become confident in your work.  

To begin, you can start by taking a step back. Many times, when we are writing we find ourselves not only writing in one sitting but also editing in the same period of time. As we begin the writing process, it is helpful to take a step back after we conclude the writing process so then we can look at our work with fresh eyes. This allows us to fully comprehend what it is we are editing and not become overwhelmed by not only the writing but also the edits we have to make which makes it easier to catch spelling and grammatical errors rather than creating issues that do not already exist.  

Next, another step we can take is finding confidence in ourselves. When we do not have confidence in ourselves, we do not find confidence in our writing. Finding faith and confidence in your writing takes time and it is not an easy task. However, taking the feedback we receive on our academic assignments is the first place to begin. Using the detailed notes, we receive about our writing tells us where we have room for improvement and what we excelled at. It is this feedback that allows us to find confidence in our own writing. Another step is asking for feedback while it can be scary, or you may feel you do not need it, receiving suggestions from your professors and or peers will help elevate your writing to the next level. Using these suggestions is the next major step in learning when to hit send. 

Finally, how does this apply to the submission process? While these are only a few examples, it is these steps that allow us to determine when it is appropriate to hit send. While there is always the constant fear you have not done enough for the piece you are working on, hitting the send button will get easier the more you learn how to leave the edits behind.  

Today, I have discussed with you the idea of taking a step back, finding confidence in ourselves, and how this applies to the submission process. Together these steps tell us when to hit send so you can submit with confidence and ease.

By Daeria Harden

Every writer’s beginnings are different, but the journey is equally as bumpy. The truth? The journey from blank page to published author isn’t reserved for the “naturally gifted.” It belongs to the one who is consistent, the curious, and the courageous. For most people writing starts as a passion. Writing poems in your notes, journal entries, or even story ideas you’ve had for years. Publishing however requires a shift. Your writing moves from expression to intention. That doesn’t always mean you have to lose the creativity behind your writing. It just means you have to make it clear and concise. In simplified terms; revising when it’s easier to quit, taking the time to study the craft, learning structure, building dialogue and most importantly, understanding your audience.

 The biggest myth about publishing is that it’s impossible to break into. In reality, it’s all a process. Traditional publishing usually involves agents, submitting manuscripts, and facing rejection before receiving acceptance. Self publishing requires learning about formatting, cover design, marketing, and distribution platforms. Both are valid. Both require preparation and neither demands perfection, only constant persistence. If your goal is to move toward publication, start small, but be consistent. Set a writing schedule. Always finish pieces instead of starting new ones. Share your work and ask for feedback. Study the industry and start treating your writing like it’s a craft and your publishing goals like a plan and not just a dream. Rejection is not negativity, it’s reality. Rejection does not determine your talent. Every “no” can help you improve in different areas of your writing. It’s a part of the process. The writers who often get published are the ones who kept going when it was easier to stop.

Most importantly, don’t wait for permission. You won’t become a writer if someone just hands it to you; you become a writer when you commit to the work. Publishing is an achievement, not the starting line. Remember your story matters. The world deserves to hear the voice of someone willing to do the hard work of turning raw ideas into strong words. Start where you are right now and write what you can and learn as you go. Also remember, the blank page isn’t there to scare you, it’s there to invite you.

By Angelie Green

Distractions are everywhere in the world. People, pets, even on the very devices we do our homework on, they intervene with our lives and keep us from staying focused on the things we have to do. In a study conducted at California State University students were watched for fifteen minutes, yet they only stayed focused for 65% of the time. If you were in that study, how long do you think you would stay focused without picking up your phone? What is the distraction you find yourself looking for most?

When writing, I always find myself looking at my phone, petting my dogs, and opening different tabs on my computer that aren’t the research I’m supposed to be doing.  However, there are methods to help you stay focused with writing, even some of my personal favorite ways.

One of the first steps to eliminating distractions by writing is putting your electronics (besides the one you’re using to write with) away. Try silencing them and turning off vibrate on them. On your computer, try ad blockers or other website extensions which help you stay focused on writing. StayFocusd on chrome gives you the ability to block distracting websites and limits your time on them. 

Next, you can try listening to music. I recommend something without lyrics. Listening to music with lyrics may cause you to get distracted again. One of my favorite playlists to listen to is mario kart music! Music from video games attempts to keep your mind stimulated, it also prevents you from falling asleep while writing. 

Finally, give yourself breaks! If you’re writing for too long, your mind will become tired and you’ll have more difficulty staying focused. One of my favorite methods of studying and writing is the pomodoro method. You study in 25-30 minute increments and give yourself 5 minute breaks in between. Another method many people like for writing is the Flowtime Technique. You write until you’re tired or lose focus, then give yourself a break for that proportional amount of time. 

Distractions are everywhere in the world, however it’s up to us on how to eliminate them. Start by finding what works for you and keeping your phone away from you. It’ll help at least a little.

By John Fish

Having issues with coming up with ideas on what to write? Worried that your edits are not up to par with others? Are you a writer who needs an editor for your stories? Are you an editor looking to get your feet wet with editing a writer’s stories? Look no further than The Writing Board.

Many writers and editors face challenges starting out and further down the line of their career path. Writers face the troublesome Writers Block and editors face the overwhelming stages of editing. But here, you can find your footing. For writers and editors alike, both can find their start or their aid here.

For writers, a few ideas for you can come to mind by taking in your surroundings and inspirations from what you know. The ambitious and foolish believe originality is still out there only by looking within when in reality it exists all around us, only through inspiration does one create originality. For the start of this blog post, I give you writers an idea to start with: A living planet presenting itself to one of its inhabitants as one of them. This idea is not original since the concept of living/sentient celestial bodies have existed like Ego from Marvel Comics and Cinematic Universes and Brother Moons from Dead Space 3. But, it’s how you present the concept that matters. Jot down something and run with it.  Forget the vanity of it, focus on the concept.

For editors, your task is to ensure readability of what has been written. Your job is equally as challenging in its own way. While you are not responsible for the creation, you are responsible for the presentation. I’m going to provide you with a method of editing: S.C.O.R.E. Method. Scrutinize, Comprehend, Optimize, Review, and Evaluate. Scrutinize the errors and rectify them. Comprehend the edits for quality reading. Optimize the work for cohesiveness. Review the edits. Evaluate the edits and final product. With this method, you will be able to make your life easier.

I genuinely hope that the advice in this blog post will suffice for now. Do not be afraid to ask your peers for assistance and advice. Happy writing.

By Terri Edmund

When I decided to go back to college as I rapidly approach seventy, most friends and family questioned my sanity. Why would I put myself through that torture again? Wasn’t the whole point of higher education to get a better job, work hard and retire in forty years or so? Why go back now when I’m enjoying a comfortable retirement?

My stock answer is to protect my brain from memory loss. Alzheimer’s Disease lurks in my family tree, and I’m not taking any chances. It’s the same reason I joined community band. Learning, like playing music and doing crosswords, keeps memory loss at bay. And that’s just one of the many benefits of lifelong learning.

My ex and I used to go for cocktails almost everyday after work; our socialization, we called it. Getting retired and divorced at about the same time, my socialization vanished. I wasn’t just bored; I was lonely. But going back to school now doesn’t feel like it did fifty years ago. How could it? That was before mortgages and marriages, sicknesses, and storms.

Even if I can’t find that carefree vibe I enjoyed as a teenager, I revel in the accomplishment. My young nephew reminds me the S in the name brand of my sneakers stands for “senior.” Then he shows me a couple keyboard shortcuts, hugs me, and says, “I’m proud of you, Aunt Terri.” Just the gold star I need to keep climbing that learning ladder.

The biggest awakening is that I was born a generation or two too soon. I love editing and designing on a computer, though I’m a novice at what most my classmates were exposed to in early grades. The first time I walked into the Graphic Design Laboratory on campus, I was wowed by the equipment I am privileged to use.

But the learning curve is slippery. Digital Publishing didn’t exist when I went to college the first time. We used scissors and glue to mockup type for the student newspaper. Employed as an editorial assistant out of college, I worked with a whole team of writers, artists, photographers, and typesetters to put together the first corporate magazine I worked on. It was a beautiful, four-color monthly, and I was enormously proud of my first byline. The magazine still exists. But it is digital and delivered by email. It’s not a dinosaur because it has adapted, another incredibly good reason for lifelong learning. If we don’t adapt, we atrophy.

One dear friend, a devout Christian, didn’t question my why of returning to college. Instead, he suggested a motive that I’d never considered, and it keeps me plugging away at my homework. What if, when we get to Heaven, our assigned “job” is based on the knowledge we’ve gotten here on Earth?

“You don’t just get to float around in the clouds,” he told me. “You’ll probably have to play flute in the heavenly band.”

Thanks, Mom, for the music lessons. That early education might yield big spiritual benefits.

Then it occurred to me. If computer lab on a college campus is so impressive, imagine what the Big Guy J.C.’s got cranking in his computer lab Upstairs.

One can dream.

By Sydney Swallow

Growing up, I loved reading. But as high school years approached, I became too occupied in my social life and the other responsibilities young teens deal with during that period. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized how much I missed that feeling of reading. It was a breath of fresh air from my everyday life of what I consumed on social media. Whether it be timing or a long-lost passion, I became an avid reader: someone who wanted to pursue their hobbies. 

In pursuing a career in the publishing industry, I questioned how I can fit into it with the growth of AI? Will there still be jobs for the younger generation, and if not, what can we do to save it? 

I think the answer is in how we embrace AI and its’ impact.  

After becoming more familiar with what AI is, I learned that the changes can be beneficial to editors. It was relieving to read from multiple sources that the industry doesn’t plan on replacing humans with AI but rather using it to enhance their jobs.  

For example, editors can use it to minimize grammatical and proofreading tasks. With “booktok” and other media offering a platform for the reading community, it can also be used to predict marketing trends and personalized content for people to create sales and know what consumers want to read. I personally benefit a lot from this to get new book recommendations! Another feature of AI is that it can generate ideas for authors experiencing roadblock and illustrations for book covers.  

Some of these examples can be controversial. But from what I’ve learned, it seems that keeping an open mind to these enhancements is the best way to keep humans at the forefront of creativity in this industry. While there is concern in AI being trained to create stories without people; their generated stories are coherent, but they don’t impact readers the same way. AI lacks the emotional depth that only a human can bring to life in a story.  

If the publishing industry and consumers continue seeing the value and protecting the integrity that humans bring to a story, then AI will be an advantageous tool. There will be setbacks and learning curves. A prime example is the AI company, Anthropic, which recently settled a lawsuit against an author, Andrea Bartz, and others for pirating authors’ stories to train their AI. With eBooks becoming a popular way to consume books, it’s so important to protect an author’s work while we continue to develop with the tools we use.  

In the end, it’s not asking whether AI will replace humans in the publishing industry, but how humans will evolve with AI and how we use it to our advantage.  

Resources 

https://bookmachine.org/2022/11/21/the-future-of-publishing-how-technology-is-shaping-the-publishing-industry/ (Nov. 2022) 

https://spines.com/ai-in-publishing-industry/ (Nov. 2023) 

https://spines.com/ai-and-the-future-of-publishing/ (Dec. 2023) 

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2023/07/06/seven-ways-ai-will-impact-authors-and-the-publishing-industry/ (July 2023) 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2025/01/27/ai-in-publishing-a-2025-industry-forecast/ (Jan. 2025) 

https://www.inkbotediting.com/blog/editors-and-ai-part-v-will-ai-replace-editors (March 2025) 

https://authorsguild.org/news/what-authors-need-to-know-about-the-anthropic-settlement/  (Sept. 2025) 

By: Sofia Zavala

Submitting your work for publication is exciting, but it can also be frustrating when your piece gets lost in the slush pile. While great writing is essential, presentation plays a huge role in whether an editor takes notice. A clean, professional format shows that you respect the submission process.
Stick to industry standards—12-point Times New Roman, double spacing, and clear file formatting.
Editors read through dozens (if not hundreds) of submissions, so making your work easy to read gives it a better chance. Proofreading is also key; typos and formatting inconsistencies can make your work look rushed, even if the writing itself is strong. Before submitting, take time to review the publication’s guidelines and ensure your work fits their requirements.
Beyond formatting, professionalism is crucial. A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference. Keep it brief and polite—introduce yourself, mention the piece you’re submitting, and, if relevant, include previous publications. Avoid being overly casual or overly detailed. Editors appreciate writers who do their research and submit work that aligns with their publication’s style. Sending out the same generic letter to every magazine isn’t nearly as effective as a tailored, thoughtful introduction.

If you have a connection to the publication or admire a particular piece they’ve published, mentioning that can show you’re familiar with their work and not just blindly submitting to every outlet. Small details like addressing the editor by name rather than using a generic greeting can also make a big impact.
Finally, avoid common mistakes that can lead to an instant rejection. Ignoring submission guidelines is one of the fastest ways to get your piece dismissed, as is submitting work that isn’t fully polished. Don’t rush the process—take the time to revise, proofread, and make sure your submission is the best it can be. Standing out in a slush pile isn’t just about talent; it’s about preparation, professionalism, and attention to detail. With the right approach, you’ll give your work the best possible chance of making it to publication. Keep refining your craft, submit with confidence, and trust that persistence will pay off.