Client Reviews and Testimonials 2011

Our author’s submission service assists writers of poems, short stories, essays, and book manuscripts in getting their work published. We work very hard to promote our clients’ work. Letters from clients follow below. (Originals with signatures available upon request.)

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December 19, 2011

Dear Ronnie and the Writer’s Relief magicians, strategists, proofreaders, angels, troubleshooters, and miracle makers~~

Happy holidays and sincere thanks for your support, dedication, and expertise. Without you, my work would still be in bundles and drawers…dusty and homeless. Now it is combed, polished, and ready to go. I have you to thank for the many publications in which my work is appearing, from Honolulu to Seattle to Memphis…and for my professional cover letter.…and for helping me decipher contracts…oh, and for the deadlines…how we (some of us) need deadlines!!

I hope this year brings all of you joy, health, and much fulfillment.

Please know how deeply you are appreciated.

All best,
L.S.


December 15, 2011

Dear Writer’s Relief Staff,

Happy holidays to you! You have helped me so much over the past few years—eight stories published! I could not have done it without you. You provide an excellent service to writers, and you should feel proud of that.

Hoping for a prosperous new year for all of us,

Margaret H.


November 1, 2011

The 255 poems I’ve seen accepted in the ten years since discovering Writer’s Relief also spawned over 2,000 rejections. Why haven’t I jumped off a bridge? I know it sounds like a cliché to say you shouldn’t let rejections bug you, but it’s true that they mean absolutely nothing beyond that particular editor’s orientation the split-second he or she scans your work. The day I received my first acceptance in July 2001, my first reaction was that this editor must’ve been drunk. It wasn’t until my third acceptance later that year (after another 20 or so rejections) that I turned to my kid and said, “It’s not a fluke.” Meanwhile, of the poems I’d been circulating up to that point, in the ensuing years 70% of them were accepted. Did the culture change so that I, being clairvoyantly ahead of my time when I first submitted, eventually backslid into editorial fashion? No way. It was just a matter of finding the right editor at the right time.

That’s where Writer’s Relief comes in, knowing who’s reading where, when, and what. After 30 years of sporadic submissions and total rejection, I stumbled upon Writer’s Relief in Poets & Writers magazine and wrote them the very same day. If Writer’s Relief screens your work and pronounces it publishable, it IS publishable. It’s just a matter of time and circumstance at that point before you receive your first acceptance.

Fred Y.


October 28, 2011

Yes, it is five for five, but it has only a little to do with me—it has overwhelmingly to do with you and with Writer’s Relief. At the risk of sounding like a commercial—it really works! I am not only grateful for the professional and efficient service but for your precious kindness and encouragement.

Alfredo F, Short Story Author


October 21, 2011

According to Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, it takes three things to become a successful writer: talent, luck, and audacity.

I’ve been writing and publishing poetry and prose for the past 25 years. All throughout that time, I have labored hard to improve upon and hone my talents. As for luck, it comes and goes, comes and goes. I don’t have any control over luck. And, as for audacity (and tenacity), in addition to networking, self-promoting, and all that jazz, I know it is critical for me to be submitting work all year long—“3”-“6”-“5.” Publishing is a low odds game. I know you have to accept this if you’re going to play to win. Good gracious, it took me 10 years and over 400 rejections to find a publisher for my novel, Drums.

Though I love doing all of the other parts, I confess: It is the submission part of being a writer that wears me down and presents itself as something I dread. That is why, in addition to using a literary agent, I now also use Writer’s Relief for my individual poems, essays, and stories. Their service is wonderful.

For example, this summer while I was on sabbatical from my teaching job, I went into the proverbial woodshed to focus exclusively on the writing of a book manuscript. I was extremely busy. Yet all the while, thanks to Writer’s Relief, my poems were circulating around to journals and magazines and getting picked up—one here, two there, and so on. Meanwhile, I wrote. Not having to worry about submissions was a magnificent relief.

Brad H.


October 21, 2011

I would be happy to recommend Writer’s Relief to anyone who would like to increase (or begin) his or her list of publications. They taught me some valuable lessons, and I am a seasoned writer. I liked the format assistance, and they talked me down from the ledge more than once when I was trying to learn how to submit online, which more and more is getting to be the submission preference of many literary journals. Also, I liked the help with selecting the right markets for my work, places I wasn’t really familiar with and didn’t know would be interested in what I write. Out of fifty submissions I got four poems published in two journals and got some interest from some other journals wanting to see more of my work. Most journals take very little of what’s submitted, so I was really pleased with what Writer’s Relief could do for me. I am a very motivated writer, but submitting enough is sometimes a problem. Writer’s Relief gives you a little push to get going and, as we know, life can be pretty demanding. So if you are wondering what’s a writer to do? Seriously consider (but don’t ponder it too long) giving Writer’s Relief a try.

Blair D.


October 17, 2011

If it weren’t for Writer’s Relief I would still be an unpublished writer with no idea of what to do with my work. Through them I’ve not only gotten several journals to publish my short stories, but I’ve also managed to land one of the top literary agents in the country to represent me for one of my mystery novels. I would never have had the time or the ability to make any of that happen on my own. I will always be grateful to Ronnie, Kieron, Kristin, and all the people at Writer’s Relief who work so diligently on my behalf.

Lenny L.


October 3, 2011

Writer’s Relief has been sensational all the way through the process of finding an agent for my first novel. From compiling a list of potential agents, to smoothing out the synopsis and query letter, to providing valuable input on the agent deal, Writer’s Relief has been professional, prompt, and above all, effective. I found a terrific agent in less than six months after I signed up with Writer’s Relief. The results speak for themselves.

Nina H.


September 6, 2011

I, too, have had my work published in a variety of venues, mostly due to my connection with Writer’s Relief. They have made it possible for me to have time to write instead of constantly searching for places to submit. Thanks to all of you there!

Carol B.


August 15, 2011

When I began to write in earnest, Writer’s Relief became my editor, cheering squad, and agent all rolled into one. To my amazement and delight, I received five acceptances in the first year.

My manuscripts are corrected and ready to go, and my work is submitted to appropriate publications.

Writer’s Relief and I have been working colleagues for almost twenty years, during which time I have had many acceptances, published many pieces that are included in my two published books.

The people I have been lucky enough to work with have all been a delight. Although we have never met, each and every one of them has become a friend who rejoices in any success I have. Hooray for Writer’s Relief.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Kaplan Cohen


June 30, 2011

Dear all of you at Writer’s Relief,

How grateful I am to you for shepherding my stories into print—and (I hope) to readers’ eyes! Without you, they might have sat, unread, in manila folders. It was a lucky day when I spotted your ad in Poets and Writers.

Most of all, I want to thank you for your support, your patience with my inability to grasp computer fundamentals, and the civil, caring personality of your organization. I send you all my thanks and good wishes for continued success—and a good summer.

Sincerely,

Susan B.


June 20, 2011

Hi Ronnie,

I’ve been thinking lately how good you guys are and decided to let you know.

I’ve gotten to be a better writer and you guys have become the most professional, helpful, pleasant, supportive, knowledgeable group. You’re amazing. I love dealing with Jessica, she’s so on my side. And the best is the fact you’ve offered the service of online submissions. What a boon.

I congratulate you for how you’ve moved ahead, knowing the market, offering more and more services.

Thanks,

Shirley Sullivan


May 23, 2011

I learned four things along the way to having over twenty of my poems accepted in the last three years thanks to Writer’s Relief. I think there are four principles upon which writers can continue to build success:

• Work hard
• Follow your intuition
• Don’t be afraid to fail
• Don’t be afraid to succeed

I have written poetry for over three decades, but until just a few years ago I had not published since my college days.

Why? I didn’t send anything out!

That’s a blinding glimpse of the obvious, but I was surprised at how the whole submission process could be handled so effectively and painlessly when I started working with Writer’s Relief. As Dennis Hopper says, “You need a plan, man.”

Writer’s Relief had a plan that changed everything for me. I worked harder because I had a goal every submission cycle and great people who held me accountable. I worked faster, following my intuition, making more leaps of faith in my poems. I was afraid of rejection at first, but with the volume of publications that WR was targeting for me (about 25 per cycle), I got used to it, and soon I learned to let “Thanks for your work, but…” roll off like water off a duck’s back. Quack!

And I became a believer in my own success. That’s a big one. I started to see my work in print with other great writers. I became more confident and everything else flowed from that confidence. So my advice is to get out there and give it a try. And the best place to start, in my opinion, is Writer’s Relief.

Robert Guard


May 16, 2011

My first published piece appeared in a small ’zine called Diabolical Clits back in the early 1990s. (Don’t worry, Writer’s Relief had nothing to do with that!) When I began to build a body of work and wanted to try publishing on a more mainstream level, there were very few resources that sorted out journals and markets, and I found myself spending more time researching publication opportunities than actually writing.

Also, I’m the kind of writer who needs a deadline to keep me motivated. Without a deadline, I will do anything and everything but write. Writer’s Relief’s bimonthly submission cycle keeps me thinking about starting and completing new work. Plus, while I was working on my novel for years and feeling discouraged, having a shorter piece published here and there would get me back on the stick.

Writer’s Relief has helped me publish over 50 poems, short stories, and flash fiction in as many or more journals. They’ve always been there to encourage me, proofread my work, strategize over acceptances, and suggest alternate ways of presenting a piece that wasn’t getting accepted. And when my computer crashed last year and all my data was destroyed, Writer’s Relief had all my work archived in their files. Talk about a lifesaver!

Tracy DeBrincat


May 2, 2011

With Writer’s Relief, the process of sending work out is more clinical and compartmentalized. The WR staff has a professional perspective and experience light years past any scope I would ever be able to attain. Their expertise and encouragement allow me to stay in my world of writing from within without getting snagged and tangled in the worries of the outside “business.”

Acceptances and rejections get to be part of the process and not something to be taken personally. The work is personal and the outcome is out of my hands and easier to let go, knowing that it will be in the hands of Writer’s Relief.

Cathy Allman


April 28, 2011

Dear Ronnie,

After a year and a half of bimonthly submissions and scores of rejection letters, I finally received an acceptance for one of my essays two months ago. Since then, two more works have been accepted. In addition, two short pieces of mine have appeared in an anthology that I learned about from your listings. Without Writer’s Relief, I would still be writing, but my work would be lodged in my computer read only by my family and my writing group. Thank you for giving me a systematic way to submit to the vast array of journals I had never heard of. Most of all, thank you for enabling me to feel the success of publication!

Sincerely,

B.J. Yudelson


April 28, 2011

I’ve had several publications, thanks to Writer’s Relief. I have no time for researching magazines either, and their editing is fine, thorough, and prompt. Yes, we do pay for the service, but it’s worth it, because we can then present a professional piece of work to an editor, free of typos or spelling mistakes, faulty punctuation, etc. We are all free to try publishing without help. It’s a very slow process, frustrating more than rewarding. Our good writing friends can help with suggestions, but the perfect manuscript is not produced by friends, however good they may be. It’s not their job to make our work perfect…

If in doubt, give it a try to see how it works. I, for one, do not regret having joined Writer’s Relief.

Antoinette C.


April 27, 2011

I can vouch for your wonderful, professional services including WR’s willingness to speak on the phone and communicate via email whenever I’ve had questions or concerns. It’s amazing having a group of folks who encourage throughout such an arduous journey and having your support and the support of your company has truly made all the difference.

Lorie W.


April 26, 2011

Dear Ronnie,

I write to thank you and all at Writer’s Relief for the great work you have done for me! Three acceptances in three submissions! I can hardly believe it! All from journals I was previously unacquainted with and would never have found without you.

As you know, I was highly skeptical during the first round of submissions. I write about spirituality, and I thought that literary journals would never be interested. I am happy to say that I was entirely wrong!

I also wish to thank you for the lovely way you have all been nurturing and educating me about the publishing process. I’ve learned so much and all in the most interesting way.

Best wishes to all of you at WR!

Elizabeth W.


April 19, 2011

I am writing to express my great satisfaction and pleasure with my collaboration with Writer’s Relief. The excellent and insightful work of my strategist Jessica has resulted in a signed contract with a prominent literary agent. I could not be happier.

WR provided a straightforward, effective submission process as well as individualized interaction. Throughout – from initial questions, to crafting the query package, to advice on choosing an agent – I felt like I was part of a team organized to address my needs and geared toward my success. WR’s model strikes an effective balance between proven approaches on which an author can rely and the flexibility to work with the unique strengths of each property.

I would recommend WR to any author, aspiring or experienced, who is looking for top notch submission management.

Mary V.


March 28, 2011

Writer’s Relief is aptly named. It has been a true relief to know that my finished work is being widely circulated — I could never put in the time to research and write to all the journals that have now seen my work. I have published two essays in the year that I have been working with Writer’s Relief and had many positive communications from editors of other journals inviting me to submit again.

Aside from getting published, one of the best things about being a client of Writer’s Relief is the armor I have developed. When my work is submitted to a minimum of 25 journals every two months there are bound to be rejections–lots of them. In the days before I used Writer’s Relief each submission was very precious and the rejections hurt. But I’ve become inured to those little anonymous scraps of paper because I now receive so many. Often I don’t even know what is being rejected unless I check out the records that the service keeps for me.

The staff is both professional and friendly, and I highly recommend Writer’s Relief to writers who would like to see their work in print in respected journals.

MB


March 24, 2011

I just want to say how much I love Writer’s Relief. I have used them a lot…had stories published because of them…and recommended them to many friends. Thank you for all you do for writers.

Donna B.


March 21, 2011

Writer’s Relief has been a tremendous support for me over the last ten years. I have had 18 acceptances in that time and Writer’s Relief has helped to make that possible. They understand the writing market and have targeted my work to the right journals. The staff at Writers Relief is warm and trustworthy. I highly recommend Writer’s Relief.

Corie A. (as posted on LinkedIn)


March 20, 2011

During the two years I’ve been with [Writer’s Relief], they have, so far, found an agent for my novel From Every Bitter Thing and have found literary journals to publish all the stories I’ve written during this time—a success rate I hadn’t come close to matching when I was handling my own submissions.

Most importantly, they give me time to write. Writer’s Relief is a good name for these people—knowing they’re in my corner is an immense relief. They know what they’re doing. They’re professional. I recommend them highly.

Robert Rice


March 17, 2011

Writer’s Relief steps in with the expertise and perseverance required for professional proofreading and systematic submissions. I couldn’t be more pleased. There are hundreds of literary journals, and Writer’s Relief knows which ones are the most receptive for particular work. Be prepared for rejections, since this is a numbers game. I’ve had two stories accepted and a hundred rejections — pretty good odds when you have someone else doing the work and keeping track. Thank you Writer’s Relief!

Mark C.


March 18, 2011

I strongly recommend Writer’s Relief to anyone looking for a more effective (and easier!) way to submit literary material. I joined WR about three years ago, and I believe my high acceptance rate (just about all of my short stories have been accepted for publication, most with multiple acceptances) can be attributed to WR’s targeting strategies. My very first submission was accepted for the Winter ’09 issue of Fiction International; the issue’s theme was “The Artist in Wartime,” and I am 100% sure that this never would have happened without benefit of WR’s comprehensive knowledge base, as continuously updated and diligently applied by my always-helpful submission strategists.

Ron D.


March 15, 2011

Dear Ronnie,

I will admit that when I first tried your service, I was skeptical. I imagine everyone says this. It actually sounded a bit too good to be true. After I got my MFA, I did send work out but didn’t get great responses. I’ve been a writer for a long, long time but finally had to come to terms with the fact that there are a lot of things I don’t do well. First, I’m not a good line editor of my own work. Second, when it came to sending work out, I always felt a bit lost. I had no clue what a good cover letter should say, and I never seemed to have enough time to look up publications, match them to my work and then get them actually into the mail.

The friend who referred me to your service took several submissions before she found a home for her work. I was absolutely astounded that I got an acceptance with the first round of submissions that you all chose for me. When I got the acceptances for my second and third submissions, I realized that this was a perfect arrangement for me. And the deadlines actually help me get work finished. The associates I’ve worked with have all been great to work with and understanding of what it feels like to put your work out there, to actually be in my situation.

And now, I have publications to put on my resume. I’m moving ahead on my novel, and I now have a presence. You Google me and now my work comes up, one of the key things my prospective agent told me he’d look for.

So, thank you, Ronnie. And many thanks to Tawana and Kriste and all the other folks I’ve worked with. You’ve made a huge difference for me and for my work.

Sincerely,

Barbara G.


March 15, 2011

Several years ago, a writer friend of mine urged me to contact Writer’s Relief. I drug my feet for a while. But once I made the decision to try working with them, I understood his enthusiasm. It has been a pleasure to work with professionals and a good learning experience too. And such a joy to have my work accepted by various journals, both online journals and traditional journals. Tawana and Kriste, my submission strategists, have been most patient and wise, and I’m looking forward to continuing my association with Writer’s Relief.

Carol B.


March 14, 2011

Hi Ronnie,

I’m so pleased with the level of professionalism at Writer’s Relief. The staff is organized, consistent, and thorough. Tawana is just the sweetest and sharpest submission strategist. I am lucky to have her. Writer’s Relief is one of the best parts of being a writer because they help you get published!

Sincerely,

Tamara A.


February 28, 2011

I found Writer’s Relief to be invaluable. In fact, it’s one of the greatest tools I’ve discovered in my decades of writing. I may be an unrelenting writer, but I’ve always been a tepid marketer. Writer’s Relief has forced me to become as disciplined at marketing as I am at writing. Twenty-five publications later, my short story career is flourishing. And I’m excited to send out my recently completed novel, The Protection of Salt, with Writer’s Relief’s clear eye for placement and unfailing advocacy.

My friends at Writer’s Relief are not simply my proofreaders (although we’ve had lovely discussions about comma use). From time to time, I’ll timidly ask: “What did you think?” When the response is “Wow,” or even, “We don’t like the title,” I know I’ve found more than a marketing service. Writer’s Relief takes real pride in my success.

Phyllis Carol Agins


February 7, 2011

For me, Writer’s Relief is a crucial part of the writing process—the creative process. Trying to publish requires making myself terribly vulnerable, but it also touches on my deepest intentionality because the moment I contact Writer’s Relief with a new piece of work—that’s the moment the individual solitary act of writing based on my own inner necessity becomes a shared communal object of offering based on a desire to connect with others.

Wally Levis


February 3, 2011


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January 24, 2011

Without Writer’s Relief, none of this would be possible. I lack the skills of proofreading, spelling, grammar, and word processing. I don’t type well. Writer’s Relief understands the markets and how to assess them in an efficient and comprehensive manner. The drudgery is removed. I have been with Writer’s Relief for four years and plan to be a lifer.

They are as advertised and more.

Olaf Kroneman

Get to know Featured Client (and Pushcart Prize nominee) Olaf Kroneman.


January 17, 2011

Your service, during my two separate stints as client, has been invaluable.

All best wishes,

Charles W.


January 13, 2011

What if you submitted your novel via Writer’s Relief (as I did) and got two offers of representation from respected NY literary agencies?

What if you signed a contract with one of them? What if you developed a terrific relationship and worked with your agent on polishing for submission to publishers? You would be smiling. (I am.)

Joanne W.


January 4, 2011

Thank you for the recurring deadline—which is, for me, the most important service—deadlines DO keep us sending stuff out.

Thanks to all of you again,

Terry

 

 

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“Getting that first poem published was the hardest threshold to cross. My team at Writer’s Relief kept encouraging me…then came the acceptance! We celebrated…then I continued writing, and Writer’s Relief continued doing the wonderful work they do!”

—King Grossman, Writer
(Watch King’s video testimonial here!)

“Every piece I have sent out with their help has been accepted for publication! I am looking forward to working with the team on getting my new novel out into the world.”

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