Submitting to Ethnic Markets

[JeanneTGC]

Apologies if this thread is somewhere else, couldn't find it using search.

Is there an etiquette in terms of submitting to a publication that says it likes to feature the writing of a specific ethnic group? If you feel your story would fit within the publication's other parameters, I mean (ie: be of interest to the readership, align with other fiction published by the magazine, etc.).

If you are not of the ethnic group, are you okay to submit? It's not like I plan to send a head-shot or a personal geneaology chart along with the query, but don't know if I'm wrong to consider sending into a "likes to publish writers of this ethnicity" magazine or not.

Any thoughts pro or con appreciated.

[Kate Thornton]

I often write as a man, a child, a gay person, a person of religious convictions or of an ethnic group other than myown. As writers, we can do this.

But if a venue is specifically there to promote the works of a certain group, I would only submit if a member of that group.

Here's why:
1. That's what the guidelines say - always follow the guidelines
2. A venue for specific writers of a certain group may recognize an under-representation in the marketplace and be trying to balance that.

For example, I publish in Breath & Shadows, a magazine for & by disabled writers. They prefer "disabled writers from Maine" (they are partially funded through state grants) but they *require* authors to be disabled. It makes finding a home for disability-related writing a little easier, and it helps people for whom even the act of writing can be very difficult. I am pleased to have overcome much of my disability, but if I have something I know will be of particular interest to the disabled community, I submit.

In your case, you could submit, and in your cover letter mention that while you are not of their preferred group (as I do not live in Maine) you would still be very pleased if they would consider your submission.

[JeanneTGC]

Thanks, Kate, that makes sense.

So, if it's "preferred", then it's probably okay to submit, but might be good form to say "not of the preferred ethnic group but hope you will consider"? Or if it's "preferred" but not "only", not to mention it?

[veinglory]

I would be very certain not to even accidentally imply, by adding or omitting information, that you were in the preferred group. But if the don't require it, IMHO, you don't need to mention that you are not unless it is somehow relevant (e.g 'true life' stories).

[Kate Thornton]

I would be very certain not to even accidentally imply, by adding or omitting information, that you were in the preferred group.

Absolutely - you put it very well, VG.