Are you in need of extra cash these days? (And who isn't?) Here's a way of getting that much needed money. You will find writing fillers is a fun way to get published. Here are eleven ways I have found that increase my chances of getting that acceptance, and they should help you, too.

l. Use your computer (or typewriter) to type all fillers, double-spaced on an 8 l/2 x ll paper or postcard, depending on what the market asks for. Looking at the women's publications will boost your chances of finding magazines that want fillers. Publications such as Woman's World (Last Laugh!, Woman's World, 270 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632) or Woman's Day (1633 Broadway, New York, NY l00l6) have a need for fillers always.

2. Try doing all types of fillers, not just the ones you feel comfortable with. There are many, so don't limit yourself to one type. The more fillers you do, the better you'll become. Fillers can be anything from a pun to four-line poems, and everything in between such as hints for parents or hints for your home. Family Circle Magazine will take those hints gladly. You can send a postcard to them at Family Circle, P.O. Box 5028, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163 or readerstips@familycircle.com.

3. Mail out at least ten to 15 fillers a week, so you will always have a number of them in circulation. This way, you increase your odds of getting published. I find this works well because then I don't worry about one filler I sent out; I know I just might get something accepted. Of course, it's not just the quantity of your submission, but also the quality of it that will make it a winner. It can't be just as good as the others sent in, it needs to be something that the editor will take notice of and want to buy.

4. Save money on postage by not enclosing an SASE with your submissions. Just mark on the outside of the envelope. "No Need to Return." Many editors appreciate this because it saves time and effort. If you do want your work returned, most editors will oblige you, but only if you supply the SASE and proper postage.

5. Address the fillers to the appropriate section, not to the editor of the magazine, unless they request that. A filler sent to the editor may not get to the right person and you may alienate him or her, which is something you definitely don't want to happen. You can look directly in the magazine's section to see which person to direct your filler to.

6. Don't send a rejected filler to the same market again. Instead, if you feel it's good, send it to another one. Don't give up on it. Read it to others to see if they like it and can make any suggestions on how to improve it. It's always good to ask friends who are also writers to help you. They will give you a more in-depth critique.

7. Feel free to send a filler to another market if there's no word after four or five months. I've done that and editors don't mind at all. Also, there is no need to mention that you have sent it to another magazine.

8. It's always smart to hold your fillers for a few days and then read them aloud. See if it's exactly the way you want it to be. You might find typos or something that should be at the beginning instead of in the middle.

9. Don't rule out sending fillers to magazine that pay only in copies. At least you will get to see your byline and great exposure for your work also. Sometimes, another editor will see it and ask to buy your anecdote, etc. If you own all rights, you can do that.

l0. Send only to those publications that use fillers now. It's a waste of time to send them to ones you hope might use them in the future. You will see them returned very quickly and will be disappointed. Do your homework and you'll be well-rewarded.

11. I found sending my fillers via e-mail, rather than snail mail, saves me a lot of postage. Always check to make sure that the publication does take e-mail, so you won't send it that way and waste time and effort.

12. Most importantly, don't give up. Even if you don't get an acceptance within six months, just keep sending them out. Make sure they are polished and your best work. Sooner or later, if you persevere you will, no doubt, get that acceptance letter.

Following the above tips should make your odds much higher in getting the acceptance you crave and that welcomed check.

Suzan L. Wiener has had numerous articles on writing, poems, short stories, and other shorter pieces published in major publications such as Verses, Canadian Writer's Journal, Absolute Write, The Writer's Ezine, Complete Woman, Reader's Digest, NEB Publishing, Mocha Memoirs, etc. She has also had greetings accepted by many greeting card companies and has rhymed and unrhymed chapbooks and e-books up at www.readersretreat.com

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