Quick questions regarding design submissions...

Hi! I have a couple of quick questions regarding design submissions...

1) I have a piece that I would like to submit to your magazine for consideration for publication. However, I would also like to submit the same design for Bead Star 2009. Can I do this or do I need to choose one or the other?

2) If I submit a design to Step by Step Wire Jewelry, but you think the design would be better suited for one of Interweave's other publications, do you let the designer know and/or forward the submission to the editor of the other publication?

I apologize if these questions seem silly, but this will be my first time submitting a design for publication and my first entry into a design contest, so I want to make sure that I understand the process and that I do everything right. The idea of submitting one of my designs is scary enough without the added worry that I'm going to screw something up!

Thank you so much for your help!

Rachel

Rachel, if you do screw up, you'll be neither the first nor the last.  You'd fret anyway, so I won't tell you not to.  'Bugs Bunny to Elmer Fudd: "Unlax Doc!"'

Stan B.

 Hi Rachel, you can't usually enter something in a contest if it's also published/been published - check the rules, there is probably a stipulation that all designs be original and unpublished. So you'll need to choose one or the other. If it were me, I think I'd choose the contest first, then if you're unsuccessful there's nothing to stop you offering the design to a magazine as a project. Just make sure you don't send the design to more than one publication at a time, editors tend to take rather a dim view of 'multiple submissions' .

As far as the Interweave publications go, the editors do tend to share designs between the different magazines (that's how some of mine ended up in Step by Step Beads, having originally been submitted to Beadwork) but it wouldn't hurt to put a note with your submission saying that if it's not suitable for SxS Wire you'd like it to be forwarded to the other editors.

And don't worry, they're not silly questions, I was petrified (and clueless) when I first submitted to Beadwork and it took me a while to figure out how the process worked. Everyone was so nice and  helpful though - it soon stopped being scary and became fun and exciting instead! Good luck with your submission, and do come back and ask more questions... and don't forget to let us know when your design is going to be published!

 Stan: Thank you for your words of wisdom...and the always appreciated Bugs Bunny quote.

Lynn:  Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of my questions and for the words of encouragement. That was exactly what I needed! I kind of figured that would be the case with the "double submission", but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask...especially since I am notoriously indecisive.

Hi Rachel,

To answer your questions:

1.Your design would have to go in one or the other. However, Bead Star is mainly comprised of stringing projects, so you'd have to double-check the rules...if it has a lot of wire in the design it might not qualify for that competition.

2.Yes, if we feel that the project isn't a good match for our magazine, and if we feel that it might be suited for another one of our magazines, we do let the designer know and forward the design to the other publications.

Be sure to read the submission guidelines carefully for whatever magazine you choose to submit to.

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.

Thank you!!

-Sara :)

Assistant Editor, Step by Step Wire Jewelry

You're welcome, Rachel - and good luck!