Winter garden,
the moon thinned to a thread,
insects singing.
— Matsuo Bashō
The quiet of cold and the bustle of January business make for powerful music. 2017 is off and running. Here’s Submittable’s most recent mix for the year ahead:
Accessibility
Submittable software is proud to be compliant with WCAG 2.0, ensuring accessibility for more users. These standards were designed to consider how people with disabilities use websites, web applications, browsers, and other tools.
We’ve made recent improvements to pre-existing logical structure, captioning, and alt text; new developments allow for enhanced screen reader capability. The gif above demonstrates the full navigation now possible via keyboard. Submittable welcomes your comments and suggestions regarding accessibility so please be in touch.
The Latest from Gallery View
Can’t stop, won’t stop: Gallery View is a feature we just can’t help fine tuning. As of January, If you include YouTube or Vimeo links in a submission, the linked video will appear on the submission details page. You’ll also see image previews and a play button on videos. Be sure to check out a recording of our biggest webinar to date, focused on Gallery View, or join in the fun during the AWP conference for our Style Contest (details below).
Add-on Payments for Increased Revenue
Does your organization sell subscriptions, memberships, or merchandise? Do you use a tip jar? Do you offer editing services, feedback, or expedited responses for an additional fee? Simplify your submission page and supplement your income with Add-on Payments. This feature is free to all account levels, and we’ve recently released submissions filtering that allows you to easily sort submissions by paid add-ons.
Join us for a webinar on this feature on Wednesday, February 8 at 2PM EST.
The Blog
January on the blog was bananas – in the best way. Konstantine Paradis offered advice on short story publication contracts and Kristen Polito discussed the major differences between a writerly desk job and freelancing. Submittable co-founder and CEO Michael FitzGerald shared start-up techniques for marketing a new book.
This month we also featured Montana’s Department of Commerce, an organization using Submittable for three grant programs promoting tribal economic development across the state. For an in-depth look at using Submittable for grants, access the recent grants webinar, ‘Helping you Help Others: Simplifying your Grants Process.’
AWP Conference in Washington, D.C.
For those attending the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) annual conference from February 8 to 11, our blog includes a guide to getting organized and some considerations for making your fashion flag fly. Visit us at table #375 for a bounty of opportunities.
We’ll be offering free promotion to all literary organizations who seek us out at AWP. Our team will share your submission call immediately on Twitter and Facebook, set you up on Submishmash (if you aren’t there already), and schedule your call for mention in an upcoming Submishmash Weeklynewsletter.
During the conference, if you refer anyone to our service, you’ll both receive 20% off your Submittable plan for the next year. We’ll also be hosting an AWP Style Contest using Gallery View. Let us take your picture at the booth or upload your own, invite friends to vote, and, on February 14, we’ll announce three winners. Grand prize: 5 years of free AWP registration.
Magic Login
Wanna see a trick? Go to submittable.com. If you’re logged in to your account, you’ll automatically be redirected. If you like that, hang on to your horses. Big magic is afoot starting next week at AWP.
Thanks for using Submittable. We hope this finds you well and wish you a fantastic February.
Rachel Mindell is Senior Editor for Submittable's Marketing Team. She also writes and teaches poetry. You can find Rachel's creative work here: rachelmindell.com