by Victoria Bromley
When we began Swim Press in 2021, finding a way to stand out in the literary world and wanting to position ourselves as a unique publication was difficult, but we started with this mission: to support emerging writers and women plus voices.
This provided a purpose, not only to publish beautiful pieces from talented writers for all to enjoy, but for us to give back to the writing community. Here’s why we love supporting emerging writers and appreciate all your support in allowing us to do what we do.
We’re emerging writers ourselves
As emerging writers and aspiring novelists, we understand the barrier of getting your work out there and we want to provide opportunities for writers like us.
At university, I had a meeting with a lecturer to discuss next steps for my writing post graduation. He told me if I wanted to get my writing out there ready for sending query letters to agents for my novel manuscript (still a work in progress), I should aim to have my name in five top publications. I thought, ‘Great, a solid piece of advice which I can measure and strive for.’ But then I realised I needed a place to start. While submitting to high flying publications like GRANTA magazine was emboldening and keeps me ambitious, it’s rather far fetched and not as achievable. Then I started getting published in smaller, more accessible literary magazines and my confidence grew.
We all have to start somewhere, and why should the process to getting published be so daunting?
The publishing industry should be more accessible
The publishing industry should be as accessible as possible, for all types of publishing, and we want our small press to be a platform for new writers to experience that first-time thrill of seeing their work in print. That being said, you don’t have to be an unpublished writer to submit to Swim Press, we categorise ’emerging’ as being a writer with less than seven publication under your belt. While imposing this limitation means some writers are illegible to submit and we have to turn down submissions, we like to showcase these pieces on our blog as a way to share the work we are given but still make our printed bi-annual anthology exclusive for emerging writers.
It is so heart-warming to receive messages of gratitude and appreciation from our writers upon accepting their piece for publication.
The standard of submissions is so high!
There may be a misconception that new writers are unexperienced which means a lower standard of writing, but that is so far from the case. Perhaps emerging writers are unencumbered by the stress or expectation more established writers may feel, which allows them to write more freely and without judgement. A lot of people write without thinking anyone will read it, and this is a great mindset to have in order to get words on the page, and is a lovely surprise when the piece is accepted to appear in print.
We are constantly amazed, time after time, of the mesmerising, inspiring and creative submissions we receive in our inbox. If you ever think you’re not good enough, rid yourself of that thought and send us what you have, we’d love to read it!
Debut authors need to be celebrated more
As a reader, writer and editor who believes new writers don’t get enough limelight, I think it’s important to actively promote and champion debut writers. As an editor for The Debut Digest, a monthly newsletter showcasing debut news, debut book reviews, and more, in all my literary projects I strive to uplift new voices in the publishing industry.
Independent literary magazines provide a gateway into being published and it’s important to support these smaller presses by submitting your writing, buying their magazines and supporting their online content.
To help us support emerging writers, you can now pre-order issue 07 bury/excavate from our storefront.
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