This week I found a good idea on facebook. A writer posted his intention to submit a short story to a magazine every day for a month. Simple and effective. Most writers have folders full of unpublished stories. Some were rejected, others not yet perfected, and a few waiting to find the right home. We put them aside, meaning to return someday then get distracted by the next project.

One of the reasons is that we don’t work to a deadline until we’re commissioned. Many magazines are always open to submissions so there’s no rush and hundreds of excuses to prioritise something more interesting than formatting and following guidelines.

If you adopt the one a day idea the worst that can happen is thirty-one rejections. I’m off to polish some manuscripts then I just need to pick the right month.

Paul Williams is a writer best known for his study of the Jack the Ripper Suspects.