Welcome, readers! Here you’ll find my template for a pitch/submission spreadsheet (with simple instructions), ready for you to fill in–just click on this link. It will take you to a Google document–you can click on “File” and “Make a copy” to download the spreadsheet to your computer and tweak it to fit your needs.
If you’d like tips from other writers about using a spreadsheet, you can read my article on The Write Life here. You’ll find tips on how to use this spreadsheet for yourself along with ways other writers use spreadsheets to keep track of their submissions.
Here are a few more things you might be interested in:
- My newsletter, Scratch Paper. It’s great! Roughly monthly and no fluff–a peek inside my writing life, with tips & ideas for you. Plus, get a subscriber discount when I publish new things.
- Scratch Paper, my writing-related podcast! A short (usually 15-minute-long) podcast in which I shared a writing and reading update and a mini-lesson or pep talk for writers who are trying to get published (or for creative people who are trying to write). Great for fiction, nonfiction, and Instagram caption writers, from total beginner (never written a page!) to multi-manuscript veterans. Take a listen here!
- How to make an e-course using Mailchimp–a post I wrote before online courses were a “thing.” Super popular and quite helpful.
- My series on Tarot for Total Beginners–everything you need to know, from how to choose a deck to how to get started doing readings. From a beginner, for a beginner.
[…] you don’t already have a system of your own, or you hate the idea of making your own spreadsheet, download my spreadsheet to try for yourself. I’ve polished it up with bright colors and easy instructions, so that even […]
I am still very much an amatuer but am getting into the spirit with a blog of our travels. In the meantime, I am gathering information about writing and some possible ways to earn money by using the internet now that we have retired.
Thanks for the spreadsheet!
Ann
http://www.thegoldstandardcouple.blogspot.ca
Awesome, Ann! Good luck, and do come back and let me know what you get up to!
I’m not very efficient with my submissions, so welcome fresh ideas. Thanks.
It’s hard to be efficient, especially when it often takes weeks to get a reply…but keep at it! The spreadsheet helps me remember what I haven’t touched in a while, which is always a good thing.
organizationo0f your spreadsheet is a template model. Jim Jetton
Thanks, Jim! Hope it helps you : )
James, you have to click on “file” then “save as” then you’ll be asked how you want to save it; choose “download as an excel file.”
Alicia thanks so much for sharing this spreadsheet with us. I need the organizational help big-time!
Thank you, Dina! Thanks for helping out a fellow writer. And glad it is helpful to you! Would love to hear if you have any happy results : ) –Alicia
Thank you! This is just what I’ve been attempting to create on my own. I’m just launching into freelance writing and had been keeping publications I want to pitch in a bookmarks folder! This spreadsheet will help kick me in the rear to get started. Thanks again for sharing.
Yay! So happy to hear it is helpful.
Thanks so much for sharing this 🙂 It’s a fantastic idea. I hope to give it a try asap.
Hope it has been helpful, Miranda!
Hi Alicia,
Thanks for the helpful article that led me here! I wanted to take a look at the spreadsheet but it isn’t working for me. It takes me to a blank Google sheet. Any ideas on what the problem could be? Thanks!
Hi Roohi! Glad you enjoyed the article. The second page (which should now be the first page) is the real spreadsheet. I’m not sure how that random page ended up there–am investigating it. Thanks & let me know if you have any other problems! –Alicia
Thanks, Alicia for this innovative work!
I have only made a couple of submissions and I was just wondering how cumbersome it would be for me to keep track of things. Then I read your post on Write Life. No more worries.
Thanks for the kind words, Ohita! Hope that you find it helpful, and lots of luck with your submissions!
Alicia, this is a beautiful gift and I am thankful to have your advice. I am just now preparing to begin my Write Life.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Delilah– Thank *you* for the kind comment! Hope the spreadsheet helps. If you are interested, I’ve made another for tracking submissions to journals/magazines/blogs. You can find it here: https://aliciadelosreyes.com/writers-spreadsheet/
Lots of luck with your writing! –Alicia
[…] to keep track of your pitches to magazines and your short story submissions to journals? Download my spreadsheet for writers here. It’s totally free, and you don’t even have to sign up for my newsletter to get […]