Submission Tips

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is tips for getting your scrapbooking projects published. Here are my most valuable pieces of advice.


Submit Submit Submit - Get to know the calls that are out there and submit to everything you think would fit. When I first started I went to the pubcalls blog every day and checked on every call and update there was. I submitted to anything and everything I could.

Use Current Products - No, it's not a must but it really helps your chances. You have to remember that these magazines are running a business with advertisers and trying to keep their magazine fresh and current. You greatly improve your chances by using products released at the previous CHA.

Create A System - It only took me a month or so of submitting to realize that I was completely disorganized. I began to keep a small notebook with me as I created Layouts. On each page I wrote the title of the layout and documented each product I used (and fonts) as I created. Then, if it fit a call in future I wrote the call I submitted it to on the bottom of the same page. When it got picked up I highlighted the title so I didn't submit it again.

Read the Directions - Make sure you carefully read and adhere to the guidelines for each submission. Some mags will delete your submission if there is anything off.

Think "Different" - I suck at cards. I really do and it's okay, but I recently saw a call for holiday cards for Paper Crafts and I thought to myself, "I bet they get thousands of Christmas cards, but how many Hanukkah cards do they get?" I am not Jewish, but I made a Hanukkah card and it got picked up. We've all seen a million baby pages. Try pages about teens, grandparents, objects, use heritage photos...anything beyond the normal subject matter.

Title, Journal, Multi-Photo - When I started to try to get published, I took my favorite mag and tried to see what every single pubbed layout had in common. Know what it was? A clear and easily distinguished title. I started titling every single layout I did and my pubs started rolling in. Also, multi-photo layouts are back with a vengeance. And so is visible journaling. Combine the three and you've got a great shot!

DON'T GET DISCOURAGED - Seriously girls. I have sat in a meeting with major mags and seen them love a layout, but pass it up for that issue because it would clash with the colors of the advertisement that was already slotted for the opposite page. Don't get discouraged. Keep trying!