Robert Heinlein's Rules for Writers

Robert A. Heinlein, the prolific science fiction author, formulated five “Business Rules” for writers seeking publication. These rules, originally published in his essay “On the Writing of Speculative Fiction” (1947), have become foundational advice in the writing community.

The Five Rules

1. You must write.
   • Writing requires actually putting words on the page. Ideas alone don’t count.
2. You must finish what you write.
   • Incomplete manuscripts can’t be published. The discipline of finishing is essential.
3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order.
   • Endless revision can prevent work from ever reaching an editor. Perfect is the enemy of done.
   • Note: This rule is the most controversial. Many successful writers, including Neil Gaiman, modify this to allow for necessary revision before submission.
4. You must put your story on the market.
   • Finished work sitting in a drawer serves no one. Submission is a requirement for publication.
5. You must keep your story on the market until it is sold.
   • Rejection is part of the process. Persistence matters. Keep submitting until you find the right editor.

The Sixth Rule (Gaiman’s Addition)

Neil Gaiman added his own rule to Heinlein’s list:

1. Start working on the next thing.
   • Don’t wait for acceptance or rejection. The best response to completing a work is to begin the next one.
   • This keeps you productive and prevents emotional paralysis from the submission process.

Context and Controversy

Heinlein’s rules were written for the pulp magazine era, when writers were paid by the word and speed mattered. Rule #3 (avoiding rewrites) reflects this economic reality—time spent polishing one story was time not spent writing the next paying work.

Modern writers often adapt these rules to contemporary publishing:

• Rule #3 is frequently modified to allow for one careful revision pass before submission
• The core principle remains: don’t let perfectionism prevent you from finishing and submitting
• Professional editing happens after acceptance, not before submission

The Underlying Philosophy

These rules address the most common failure modes for aspiring writers:

• Not writing (procrastination)
• Not finishing (the perpetual first chapter)
• Endless tinkering (perfectionism)
• Fear of submission (hiding work)
• Giving up after rejection (lack of persistence)
• Waiting instead of working (creative paralysis)

The rules are pragmatic, not aesthetic. They won’t make you a better stylist, but they will make you a working writer.