Almost Success - The "Mixed Feelings" Thread

Just met my goal of 25 rejections for the year. Still have 4 outstanding, and I'll probably send this one back out once I figure out the next place its going.
Out of that I got 6 personals, which is more than last year! Yay progress!

A certain writing saga of mine has been going on so long I can't remember what thread it was in. You may recall I mentioned decling publication of a story that had been, in my view, excessively re-written by a pro editor?

Well the editor asked me to take another shot at it myself, which I did, incorporating most of the editorial suggestions but in my own words, turning it into a cohesive whole that was probably better than we'd started with. I was pleased with it.

After lengthy to and fro, the editor said a contract would be on its way when one more person had looked at the story. After more delay I received another rewritten version, excising a lot of what I like to think of as my style and substituting expressions I'd never use. This story was apparently now ready.

But it wasn't. In fact it would have embarrassed me. So I replied 'Forget it,' more or less. Thanks but no thanks. Again.

In the final analysis I am the custodian of my own reputation, though I'm quite aware my literary profile is so low that to call it 'my reputation' is more than somewhat vainglorious. But I like to think of myself as a wordsmith, a craftsman, writing beautiful prose, creating art. My work needs editing, not ghost writing.

Of course I enjoy the luxury of not needing the money. Therefore I'm not sure whether I'd recommend similar behaviour to somone who did. But who knows? Maybe one of you, one day, will benefit from the stubbornness of an old fool.

In the final analysis I am the custodian of my own reputation, though I'm quite aware my literary profile is so low that to call it 'my reputation' is more than somewhat vainglorious. But I like to think of myself as a wordsmith, a craftsman, writing beautiful prose, creating art. My work needs editing, not ghost writing.

Of course I enjoy the luxury of not needing the money. Therefore I'm not sure whether I'd recommend similar behaviour to somone who did. But who knows? Maybe one of you, one day, will benefit from the stubbornness of an old fool.

It's your name on the story. It should be your words in the story.

Thanks, Martin. That was pretty much my thinking.

I have to say that I've encountered a huge variety of editorial philosophies and degrees of intervention, even in my short career. The first time I encountered a strongly interventionist editor I was quite taken aback. "No, no," I said, "you've not understood the story at all." In the end I agreed to more changes than I was really happy with just because I was so desperate to be published.

The thing was, nobody had given me any idea of what to expect. I wonder if a thread discussing editorial licence would be useful, or whether they're all so different that no guidance is really possible?

Good on you, Ishmael. Getting published isn't worth it if the story gets ruined in the process.

The thing was, nobody had given me any idea of what to expect. I wonder if a thread discussing editorial licence would be useful, or whether they're all so different that no guidance is really possible?

Or maybe two. I'm launching them now.

Just got an interesting personal from Podcastle:

For the most part I like this story. My main problem is its slight tendency to over-explain things, which spoils the pacing for me. In particular, I think you could stand to trust the reader to infer a little more of Cers internal state, rather than showing us every thought he has, especially at the end.

Not sure how to feel about this one. I usually get rejections because I don't explain enough of my characters' internal thoughts.

Just got an interesting personal from Podcastle:

For the most part I like this story. My main problem is its slight tendency to over-explain things, which spoils the pacing for me. In particular, I think you could stand to trust the reader to infer a little more of Cers internal state, rather than showing us every thought he has, especially at the end.

Not sure how to feel about this one. I usually get rejections because I don't explain enough of my characters' internal thoughts.

Maybe because it's an audio market, they put a tighter emphasis on pacing than another market might have?

Just got an interesting personal from Podcastle:

For the most part I like this story. My main problem is its slight tendency to over-explain things, which spoils the pacing for me. In particular, I think you could stand to trust the reader to infer a little more of Cers internal state, rather than showing us every thought he has, especially at the end.

Not sure how to feel about this one. I usually get rejections because I don't explain enough of my characters' internal thoughts.

It's possible. I'm thinking I'll look the story over and see if there's any fat I feel comfortable trimming today. I haven't read this one over since I submitted it to WotF. (It's my finalist, actually.)

Maybe because it's an audio market, they put a tighter emphasis on pacing than another market might have?

Got what I’m calling a second tier rejection from Analg today, after over 100 days. I was invited to resubmit with something else, so I’m calling it a win! For a bare novice like me, the little signs are really encouraging.

Got what I’m calling a second tier rejection from Analg today, after over 100 days. I was invited to resubmit with something else, so I’m calling it a win! For a bare novice like me, the little signs are really encouraging.

He means it. When an editor says that, they always mean it. Keep going!

Dang! So close!
I had a story that was being held for consideration by a semi-pro magazine. I sent them a follow-up after their deadline had passed for getting back to me. The editor told me it's a strong story; they just can't use it at this time. But . . . he also said if the story hasn't sold by September, to please let him know if it's still available for consideration in their Fall issue. Never been so excited about a rejection before!

~Morgan

Finally I can post something here.

Sent in a very short story to one market. Got back a reply that basically said I almost made it. My story was among those that made it through to the final choice.They think my writing is good and stated in stronger terms than usual to send in another story,

Only one problem. It's not a market I usually send in to so besides wanting really short stories (A Flash of Words) I don't know them. And I can not recall which story I sent them. I checked my sent E-mail file but because of a mix up a few weeks ago most of those were deleted. I might have found it but it was under a different name. Beyond that there is nothing.

Finally I can post something here.

Sent in a very short story to one market. Got back a reply that basically said I almost made it. My story was among those that made it through to the final choice.They think my writing is good and stated in stronger terms than usual to send in another story,

Only one problem. It's not a market I usually send in to so besides wanting really short stories (A Flash of Words) I don't know them. And I can not recall which story I sent them. I checked my sent E-mail file but because of a mix up a few weeks ago most of those were deleted. I might have found it but it was under a different name. Beyond that there is nothing.

Congrats and... crap?

That last bit is why I started using The Grinder at all. My own system for tracking submissions was getting clunkier by the submission. Highly recommend giving it a try if you haven't already.

Dang! So close!
I had a story that was being held for consideration by a semi-pro magazine. I sent them a follow-up after their deadline had passed for getting back to me. The editor told me it's a strong story; they just can't use it at this time. But . . . he also said if the story hasn't sold by September, to please let him know if it's still available for consideration in their Fall issue. Never been so excited about a rejection before!

~Morgan

So... did you let him know (or sell it already)?

Dang! So close!
I had a story that was being held for consideration by a semi-pro magazine. I sent them a follow-up after their deadline had passed for getting back to me. The editor told me it's a strong story; they just can't use it at this time. But . . . he also said if the story hasn't sold by September, to please let him know if it's still available for consideration in their Fall issue. Never been so excited about a rejection before!

~Morgan

So... did you let him know (or sell it already)?

I did, in fact, resend it to him just last week. No promises, of course, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

~Morgan

I got my second personal rejection from F&SF this morning. It's nice that I'm getting closer, but as I near 50 rejections for 2018 (I know, still a n00b) the hamster wheel is starting to feel more like a treadmill every day. So close, but close don't cut it. Onwards!

I got my second personal rejection from F&SF this morning. It's nice that I'm getting closer, but as I near 50 rejections for 2018 (I know, still a n00b) the hamster wheel is starting to feel more like a treadmill every day. So close, but close don't cut it. Onwards!

Not bad and I know that feeling which might be why I have so much trouble remembering to send out stories again.

I had my first personal rejection from a pro market this week (I posted about being 3rd in the queue for ages a couple of weeks ago). They'll reconsider if I make changes! Now I just need to figure out those changes...

So I got a personal rejection letter today, from C.C. Finlay of F&SF, and he was kind enough to explain what hadn't worked for him about my story. He also said that my writing was very good, and to keep submitting to F&SF. You can imagine how pleased I was to hear that, and I'm excited because now I have something to work with in terms of revisions.

This was my second time submitting to a pro journal, so I'm really happy that this happened. What I'm wondering is if this is the kind of message one should reply to. I know that if you get a form rejection you shouldn't, but since this was from the editor personally I was thinking I should, if just to say thank you.

Would anyone with a bit more experience than me care to weigh in?

So I got a personal rejection letter today, from C.C. Finlay of F&SF, and he was kind enough to explain what hadn't worked for him about my story. He also said that my writing was very good, and to keep submitting to F&SF. You can imagine how pleased I was to hear that, and I'm excited because now I have something to work with in terms of revisions.

This was my second time submitting to a pro journal, so I'm really happy that this happened. What I'm wondering is if this is the kind of message one should reply to. I know that if you a form rejection you shouldn't, but since this was from the editor personally I was thinking I should, if just to say thank you.

Would anyone with a bit more experience than me care to weigh in?

Finlay is awesome. I don’t know if it’s kosher, but I always send a thank you for personal rejections. Just seems like the right thing to do when an editor takes time to send feedback.

So I got a personal rejection letter today, from C.C. Finlay of F&SF, and he was kind enough to explain what hadn't worked for him about my story. He also said that my writing was very good, and to keep submitting to F&SF. You can imagine how pleased I was to hear that, and I'm excited because now I have something to work with in terms of revisions.

This was my second time submitting to a pro journal, so I'm really happy that this happened. What I'm wondering is if this is the kind of message one should reply to. I know that if you get a form rejection you shouldn't, but since this was from the editor personally I was thinking I should, if just to say thank you.

Would anyone with a bit more experience than me care to weigh in?

Congrats!

I wouldn't respond, personally, though I can't imagine he'd fault you for it. He's stated in the past that he sees cover letters as a way to keep in touch with writers, and that he loves hearing that the feedback that he and the readers give is helping people out, so if you want to thank him, maybe jot a quick note at the end of your next cover letter? he's also really active/friendly on Twitter

Does anyone know of a market that likes stories that are lighter than most? Like not quite children's stories, but without many dark elements, though still with a purpose and meaning and all that, especially symbolically. I consider them to be what Dave calls the wonder genre. I'm not sure where to send them, as it seems to me that a lot of markets nowadays prefer darker stories, which I sometimes write as well... but I feel like most markets probably wouldn't be interested in the lighter stories... maybe I'm just imagining it though. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
-Eagerink

Does anyone know of a market that likes stories that are lighter than most? Like not quite children's stories, but without many dark elements, though still with a purpose and meaning and all that, especially symbolically. I consider them to be what Dave calls the wonder genre. I'm not sure where to send them, as it seems to me that a lot of markets nowadays prefer darker stories, which I sometimes write as well... but I feel like most markets probably wouldn't be interested in the lighter stories... maybe I'm just imagining it though. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
-Eagerink

First, don't self reject. If a given market takes your genre/wordcount, there's no reason not to submit. You never know what an editor will want (although reading what's in their magazines will give you more of an educated guess). Secondly, there's a market I see periodically on the Grinder called Deep Magic that might be in your wheelhouse if I'm remembering correctly (although I recall it potentially not taking stories more than 3k or 4k, which is why I generally don't get to submit there).

Deep Magic explicitly says they're the dominant magazine for clean science fiction and fantasy, but I agree with Peony. Just because your story/writing is lighter doesn't mean markets that publish darker stuff won't like it. Your story might be the upbeat their issue needs, so send it anyway. (FYI Deep Magic takes stories up to 40k but caps payment at 10k).

Deep Magic explicitly says they're the dominant magazine for clean science fiction and fantasy, but I agree with Peony. Just because your story/writing is lighter doesn't mean markets that publish darker stuff won't like it. Your story might be the upbeat their issue needs, so send it anyway. (FYI Deep Magic takes stories up to 40k but caps payment at 10k).

Okay! It might be that I don't consider my stories clean enough, then. ...Maybe I'm self rejecting.

I've waffled about submitting to them before, but often use a few swear words or have some mild violence in my stories so I haven't.

I've waffled about submitting to them before, but often use a few swear words or have some mild violence in my stories so I haven't.

I'm glad to read this. So far (which is not many) mine do have some cursing including the F-bomb. I figure if they like the story the curse words won't deter them??? They can easily be edited out???

I would edit them out for submission to that market, personally.

I've waffled about submitting to them before, but often use a few swear words or have some mild violence in my stories so I haven't.

I'm glad to read this. So far (which is not many) mine do have some cursing including the F-bomb. I figure if they like the story the curse words won't deter them??? They can easily be edited out???

I would avoid F-bombs in WotF, and swearing in general in Deep Magic. Since they can, as you said, be easily edited out, it's best to do so when sending them to markets that aren't fond of them. Tailoring a story to the market you're submitting for with regards to things like that is actually fairly wise, in my opinion--that's following submission guidelines.

Always read submission guidelines, by the way. They're very helpful in helping you get a feel for the market.