My 'Lil' Publishing Journey

A few nights ago, I received an official publishing offer from Waxen Magazine. I was so elated that I shook my partner awake to show him the acceptance email.

I have been active in the Indie/lit mag submission trenches since 2021, and have what I think is a modest and exciting amount to show for it. I have mostly published speculative short stories and poetry.

As of today, my work has been accepted 7 times in both print and online anthologies and magazines. Below is a comprehensive list if you're a curious lil fella~

Boundless Anthology (2021)

Central Park New York (2022)

Becoming Real (2024)

42 Stories Anthology (2024)

Samjoko Magazine (2026)

Fade to Grey (2027)

And as of this week, Waxen Magazine (Fall 2027)

During Covid, I had an impulse to branch out and better my writing skills. I am an active fanfic writer and ravenous reader, but needed more guidance.

Three years later, I completed my Master's in Creative Writing in 2021 and have been determined to be a published author ever since.

(Whether or not this degree was a massive waste of money depends on who you're asking. My father has some pretty sour opinions on the debt I've accrued ~ BUT I would do it all over again!)

I remember my first acceptance letter from the 2021 Anthology. I was a student at the time, and my professor urged me to submit one of the poems I wrote for her class. I told her it wasn't ready, but in actuality I didn't feel ready. I thought there was no way in Hell a REAL publication would want my frivolous lil student poem. But...as you can see, my professor was right.

(It was also nice to show a physical book to my judgmental father~ TAKE THAT DAD! haha)

Fast forward 5 years, and Fade to Grey by Soo Generis is my first anthology where I will receive royalties and a huge writing credit for my contribution. We are even in the process of translating the work into Korean so I can manage sales over here!

This is a huge step from the free contributor copies and modest pay I received from the other magazines and anthologies.

It feels like my writing career has really blossomed this year. I am immensely grateful for everything I've been able to accomplish so far. Seeing my writing skills improve year after year feels like the biggest reward.

My ultimate goal is to traditionally publish my own book. Who knows when or if that will ever happen.

I know traditional publishing isn't as glamorous as I once imagined. But for whatever reason, I cannot shake the dream. So, I'm going to keep working, editing, and improving my writing (and querying) abilities until I get there. ^^

Here is a photo of my submission tracker:

I write down every place I submit to and mark whether or not I have received any offers or rejections. (As you can see, it is usually a rejection haha.) I usually submit the same story or poem multiple times, editing in between each submission.

Writing is a subjective art. And I have been rejected probably over a hundred different times by now. But I never take those rejections as failure. My latest piece to get published was rejected just two months earlier! But I kept working on it, gave it one last polish, and BAM~ now I've got 50 bucks in my PayPal, a contributor copy on the way, and another credit for my resume haha.

I know the feeling of imposter syndrome all too well. But pushing through the rejections is worth it, just so long as you're willing to accept feedback and keep working on your craft.

So, I guess here's what I want to say to my other lil writers out there: Even if you don't feel ready, you should get your work out there. Because you never know! And I believe all creatives deserve recognition and a lil bit of cash for the hard work they put in.

Thank you to my friends on Vocal for always being so supportive. Sometimes I reread my work and think, nah, I don't deserve all that praise haha. But ultimately, your kindness (and the occasional challenge placement and top story) has given me even more confidence to keep working on this dream.

In November, it will be my first anniversary on Vocal. I'm very grateful to this creative community.