A way to track submissions?

https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/

Posted by: @rschibler

https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/

That's the one I use too. Not sure of any others that are actually free.

The grinder is the only one I know of that’s free. But it’s a really excellent system, and keeps track of all my subs and where to send stories when they come back. Duotrope has a free version I think? I’ve never used it though 

Ah, interesting... Thanks @rschibler, I'll register for that now

Posted by: @rschibler

The grinder is the only one I know of that’s free. But it’s a really excellent system, and keeps track of all my subs and where to send stories when they come back. Duotrope has a free version I think? I’ve never used it though 

I think Duotrope used to be free, but switched over to a paid model a while ago, and I think the closest thing they have to a free version is a trial (though some information is accessible without a sub, I think it's very limited). I tried it once, and although it's prettier than the Grinder, I never found that it worked any better for anything in particular. I never renewed my subscription to it.

Yeah, I use the sub grinder. I also keep track of all my subs on my personal device, using an excel doc. The excel doc doesn't register as many details (for example, the grinder automatically says the average response time for each publisher), but I like having a backup that I can control/save.

0-=I use one of my own, but in conjunction with the Grinder. The Grinder's public-facing data is very useful, because it provides a broad spectrum of usable data, but it is also missing a few features I'd like to have, which I coded into my own. It's ugly as sin, but does the job for me. 

I considered building one before, but the Grinder is good enough at what it does that I just never felt any real urge to finish all the work needed to make it work properly.

Posted by: @rschibler

 But it’s a really excellent system, and keeps track of all my subs and where to send stories when they come back.

I've never bothered to get an account with the Submission Grinder. What is this "and where to send stories when they come back" of which you speak?

@babooher You can create an account that tracks all your stories, their genre and word count, and where they've been submitted. When a story is rejected, you can then search for other markets that fit within the parameters you set. There are a lot, but I usually just search by pay per word.

So it doesn't actually say something like "'Bad Taste Mag' has rejected your story. Why not try 'Better Luck Next Time' or 'Fantasy Sales Anthology'?"

I've been using a Google Sheets for my record and then looking at the Sub Grinder for info on what kind of response times to prepare for.

When you log a rejection, you can search for a new market for the story. It keeps track of all the markets the story has been to and what is open. Very helpful as you accumulate stories and rejections! 

That is a nice function, that you can set it to only search for markets that you've haven't subbed to yet.
Another feature is that you can choose markets that don't suit you and block them so that they never pop up in your searches (eg- might be restricted to a foreign country/gender identification/etc that isn't you). That way, when you click 'search', you don't get markets pop up that you're actually not eligible for.

I just found out that Submittable has a "discover" function that lets you find open opportunities, even for readers, internships etc. It's actually very useful!

If you use an online provider to track submissions, I recommend keeping a backup in case anything happens to said provider. I've lost data before (not writing submissions) when an online database temporarily removed a feature, then the data didn't return after. Duotrope has a backup option, but I'm not sure about Grinder.

I adapted this Google Sheet by Jamie Todd Rubin for my own use, but it can be used as-is (and backups can be downloaded): https://jamierubin.net/2013/08/24/my-story-submission-tracker-google-spreadsheet-is-now-freely-available/

You can export your submission data from Submission Grinder

Posted by: @czing

You can export your submission data from Submission Grinder

Say whaaaaaat?!?

Posted by: @czing

You can export your submission data from Submission Grinder

I think what is being requested is confirmation from WotF at the time of submission. Just saying.  

Posted by: @storysinger

Posted by: @czing

You can export your submission data from Submission Grinder

I think what is being requested is confirmation from WotF at the time of submission. Just saying.  

Hello @storysinger , Yes we are working on hooking back up the email system with the submission portal. I have this as one of my top items to get finished on the programming side. In the mean time if anyone is worried they can PM me or email me and I will confirm their story is in and all set. Good luck! Best, Jason

Posted by: @storysinger

I think what is being requested is confirmation from WotF at the time of submission. Just saying.  

Oh yes. I don't tend to look at what forum a thread I'm replying to is in, so that context would help on occasions. ? Still, I think this has been a useful thread.

Posted by: @storysinger

Posted by: @czing

You can export your submission data from Submission Grinder

I think what is being requested is confirmation from WotF at the time of submission. Just saying.  

I was replying to the post that said it didn't know about backups from the Grinder. Sounded a lot like it was about Submission grinder not like WoTF to me.  

Just to follow up to the Whaaaat???? - On the manage submissions page there is a generate export file option. 

Posted by: @alexh

If you use an online provider to track submissions, I recommend keeping a backup in case anything happens to said provider. I've lost data before (not writing submissions) when an online database temporarily removed a feature, then the data didn't return after. Duotrope has a backup option, but I'm not sure about Grinder.

I adapted this Google Sheet by Jamie Todd Rubin for my own use, but it can be used as-is (and backups can be downloaded): https://jamierubin.net/2013/08/24/my-story-submission-tracker-google-spreadsheet-is-now-freely-available/

Thank you so much for posting this!
I was using a sad, made by hand, MS Word list to track my stories--I also use the Submission Grinder, but I do keep a personal list as well (all color coded and personalized, LOL). I downloaded the one you posted and will work on adapting it for my personal use.
WooHoo! I love a good list and good resource. You rock. Thank you again!

~A. ♥

Thanks for posting that, Alex!
I have my own back-up, too (as well as the sub grinder). Just in word/excel. Old school but it works.