Analog Submissions

At the bottom they still sign off with: "We look forward to your next submission." Which I can only read as sarcasm after the above statements. THIS is the true problem with form letters.

//falls over laughing//

I know. I could do a whole blog post on this. The other problem is this--> When you read the below statement:

We have read your submission and we don't think it is a good enough fit for our publication.

The egotistical writer reads this:

We have read your submission and we don't think it is a good enough fit for our publication.

because of course it is "good enough" they just don't see it.

However, the insecure writer...which is like 86.7% (yes this is a number I have reached using science based solely on my opinion)...anyway, the insecure writer will read this:

We have read your submission and we don't think it is a good enough fit for our publication.

And your friends and family read it like this:

We have read your submission and we don't think it is a good enough fit for our publication.

Then they cheer for you that a big New York editor has actually read something you wrote!!!

And to bring it all back to the topic at hand:

Yeah Analog!! Maybe someday I'll write something that might fit that market, but probably more likely Asimovs since I'm not as big on the harder science (although I like to read it). It's good to know that it takes several personal rejections before they will publish--How sad that someone would give up after being so close.

I'm having a giggle-fit over here now, Tina. Thank you very much ...

Absolutely true, though. And I'm with you. I don't think that I will ever sub to Analog, simply because I don't write the kind of fiction they publish. If some day science ozmoses its way into my brain in such a way that I can actually understand it, and process it, and make it a story, well, that's a different tale.

"Thank you for submitting your story to Bad SF Monthly. I'm afraid it's not quite right for our publication at this time. Indeed, I can't believe you had the cheek to send me such a hideous, steaming pile of alligator dung. Don't you dare send me anything so awful ever again! It's the worst, ugliest, toothiest excuse for a story I've ever read. Not in all the aeons I've been editing my revered publication, not in all the ages that Earth has toiled around the boiling sun, have I ever read something so bad! And yes, I've made a note of your name on my wall of hideous shame, where thou shalt hang until you're banished to the pits of eternal obscurity. Having said all that, I of course look forward to your next submission."

We have read your submission and we don't think it is a good enough fit for our publication.

I think you've been bolding the wrong words. The key word is "fit." Your story may be out of this world good, but if it doesn't fit the readership of the magazine they won't publish it. Other things I've heard and read they consider as part of "fit":

* Consistency as a writer (people buy magazines based on names, if it's your only good story, then they're not building their audience like they could with more established writers)
* Have they published something similar recently
* Has someone else published something similar recently
* Does it match their readers expectations

And when they say you should send more. Send more! That means you're starting to get your itsy bitsy toe in the door. Keep giving them reasons to open it more.

And when they say you should send more. Send more! That means you're starting to get your itsy bitsy toe in the door. Keep giving them reasons to open it more.

I'm sorry, but I think you've made a small mistake here. Try this...

And when they say you should send more. Send more!

I'm not sure you can emphasize this enough.

I have gotten those from LORE and Redstone SF. I'm just waiting until Redstone opens for business again in February...as long as I have a story to send them.

You know, I've never paid attention to the "send more" statements--as in, which of my rejections say so and which don't--and I think it's because it seems like a pointless thing to say. Of course I'm going to send more. Even if they said we're really hoping we don't see anything from you ever again I'd probably send more. I didn't need the go-ahead from the editor to send the first manuscript, why would I need it for a second?

But any encouragement an editor gives is very nice. This particular bit is just something I tend to gloss over.

There is a difference thought between "Keep us in mind in the future" though and "We'd like to see more of your work in the future." The former is a typical tag line to keep you enthused. The latter is you've pirked their attention to you and they want to see if your other works are good as well.

It depends on the magazine. Abyss & Apex is always looking forward to your next submission. John Joseph Adams rarely is: when he says he is, you've reached his top-tier form rejection.

This Topanga Canyon anecdote sounds fascinating. Can someone please elaborate on what happened to the author?

This Topanga Canyon anecdote sounds fascinating. Can someone please elaborate on what happened to the author?

He gave up despite multiple editors from the major magazines thinking he was *this close* to getting a story in. They were all just waiting for the right one, maybe even the next one. But he gave up and no one ever heard from him again.

Interesting.

Why is the author remembered by the moniker "Topanga Canyon"? Was that the last submission the editors all received? Did all the editors talk about this particular author because the author's writing was so memorable? How persistent was the author? 3 submissions? 100 submissions?

Thanks in advance. This story is a fascinating one.

I hesitate to give more details because it's a Dean Wesley Smith story from around the time he was running Pulphouse. If you want the details, hit him up at a convention or go to one of his workshops. The basic theme was "don't give up".

"Thank you for submitting your story to Bad SF Monthly. I'm afraid it's not quite right for our publication at this time. Indeed, I can't believe you had the cheek to send me such a hideous, steaming pile of alligator dung. Don't you dare send me anything so awful ever again! It's the worst, ugliest, toothiest excuse for a story I've ever read. Not in all the aeons I've been editing my revered publication, not in all the ages that Earth has toiled around the boiling sun, have I ever read something so bad! And yes, I've made a note of your name on my wall of hideous shame, where thou shalt hang until you're banished to the pits of eternal obscurity. Having said all that, I of course look forward to your next submission."

Is your real name Snoopy???

You know, I've never paid attention to the "send more" statements--as in, which of my rejections say so and which don't--and I think it's because it seems like a pointless thing to say. Of course I'm going to send more. Even if they said we're really hoping we don't see anything from you ever again I'd probably send more. I didn't need the go-ahead from the editor to send the first manuscript, why would I need it for a second?

But any encouragement an editor gives is very nice. This particular bit is just something I tend to gloss over.

In two different discussions-one with an established writer- I was involved in it was stated that when they say send another story they mean it. Evidently at least some magazines have a form rejection without that phrase and one with it.

Most of mine have had it. I used to think something like "Yeah, they really want another story with bad writing" but evidently some do.

But Getting back to Analog, I think I've gotten that phrase from them but I've gotten it so many sometimes its hard to recall which markets have said it and which ones haven't. Especially when you consider that for much of that time I didn't think much of that statement--see my previous post. Now I look for it.
I'm not sure if I have ever gotten one from JJA but it seems like I have once or twice. An aside here but when he worked at F&SF, Lightspeed, Fantasy Magazine now incorporated into Lightspeed, he has read more of my stories than any other editor by far. Of course that assumes he read the whole story which I doubt.

"Thank you for submitting your story to Bad SF Monthly. I'm afraid it's not quite right for our publication at this time. Indeed, I can't believe you had the cheek to send me such a hideous, steaming pile of alligator dung. Don't you dare send me anything so awful ever again! It's the worst, ugliest, toothiest excuse for a story I've ever read. Not in all the aeons I've been editing my revered publication, not in all the ages that Earth has toiled around the boiling sun, have I ever read something so bad! And yes, I've made a note of your name on my wall of hideous shame, where thou shalt hang until you're banished to the pits of eternal obscurity. Having said all that, I of course look forward to your next submission."

Is your real name Snoopy???

Naw. But it looks like the Gator wrote that. She has, let us say, a certain style...

Oh BTW.

I was revising a story for the Extreme Planets anthology...got until tomorrow but discovered it was way too short for them. But I was adding a bit of science to it turning it into a hard SF or partially hard so maybe I will send it to Analog instead...have to recheck their minimum if they have one. I have their guidelines but since most of my stories are usually within the range of most markets most of the time I don't check. Glad I double checked Extreme though.

I was thinking of trying to cut it down to 950 words and sending it to Futures. But Analog would be better. Even though I will have to wait because I just sent them a story a couple of days ago. Most probably won't buy t but I like to send something just to keep my name in their minds. Don't want certain editors to think I gave up. Schmidt is one I've been sending to for years. Even if he rejects most of my stories after the first paragraphs he has seen my name so many times it has hopefully been imprinted onto his mind.

If so at least he will know who I am if we ever meet.

I hesitate to give more details because it's a Dean Wesley Smith story from around the time he was running Pulphouse. If you want the details, hit him up at a convention or go to one of his workshops. The basic theme was "don't give up".

No worries. I completely understand.

I hesitate to give more details because it's a Dean Wesley Smith story from around the time he was running Pulphouse. If you want the details, hit him up at a convention or go to one of his workshops. The basic theme was "don't give up".

Yikes, this sounds like me! I grew up in Topanga Canyon & was submitting furiously from age 19 to 25. I was getting lots of personal rejections. Stanley Schmidt said "I rather like your style", and "please keep submitting." Dean Wesley Smith said I was getting close. Kristine Rusch was editing F&SF at the time, and she gave me a personal rejection. And then I gave up! Why did I give up? I had just sold a story to Midnight Zoo. I should've kept submitting. But I was having incredibly fantastic success with non-fiction, so I turned my energies there. I'm pretty sure this story is about me! Topanga is not that large of a town. This story sounds like it's about me. Either way, all is good. I'm submitting again and will not give up this time.
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

whoa there's something magical-karmaish going on with this thread...

Well all,
I emailed Dean Wesley Smith, and he emailed me back and graciously confirmed that, yes, it's true, I'm the subject of the "Topanga Story."
Imagine, I had submitted furiously for 5 years, finally was earning personal rejection letters, and all the editors and agents knew about me and were excited about my progress, and I gave up! I didn't quit writing, I just moved into a different field.
While I feel an enormous sense of loss and regret, these feelings are almost completely obliterated by the fact that I had actually nearly succeeded in finally breaking in! The editors knew my name! How cool is that? The way I see it, if I did it once, I can do it again. I'm now more inspired than ever! The lesson is clear: NEVER GIVE UP! You just might be a lot closer to success than you realize. You can bet, I'm not going to give up this time! No way!
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

Well all,
I emailed Dean Wesley Smith, and he emailed me back and graciously confirmed that, yes, it's true, I'm the subject of the "Topanga Story."
Imagine, I had submitted furiously for 5 years, finally was earning personal rejection letters, and all the editors and agents knew about me and were excited about my progress, and I gave up! I didn't quit writing, I just moved into a different field.
While I feel an enormous sense of loss and regret, these feelings are almost completely obliterated by the fact that I had actually nearly succeeded in finally breaking in! The editors knew my name! How cool is that? The way I see it, if I did it once, I can do it again. I'm now more inspired than ever! The lesson is clear: NEVER GIVE UP! You just might be a lot closer to success than you realize. You can bet, I'm not going to give up this time! No way!
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

Wow. Yeah, don't give up again, Preston!

Well all,
I emailed Dean Wesley Smith, and he emailed me back and graciously confirmed that, yes, it's true, I'm the subject of the "Topanga Story."
Imagine, I had submitted furiously for 5 years, finally was earning personal rejection letters, and all the editors and agents knew about me and were excited about my progress, and I gave up! I didn't quit writing, I just moved into a different field.
While I feel an enormous sense of loss and regret, these feelings are almost completely obliterated by the fact that I had actually nearly succeeded in finally breaking in! The editors knew my name! How cool is that? The way I see it, if I did it once, I can do it again. I'm now more inspired than ever! The lesson is clear: NEVER GIVE UP! You just might be a lot closer to success than you realize. You can bet, I'm not going to give up this time! No way!
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

Yay, Preston! That is SERIOUSLY AWESOME! And it's a phenomenal story as well.

And yes, do it again! I know you can.

Thanks guys. You're awesome. If only this forum had been around back in the day -- things might have turned out different.
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

Well all,
I emailed Dean Wesley Smith, and he emailed me back and graciously confirmed that, yes, it's true, I'm the subject of the "Topanga Story."
Imagine, I had submitted furiously for 5 years, finally was earning personal rejection letters, and all the editors and agents knew about me and were excited about my progress, and I gave up! I didn't quit writing, I just moved into a different field.
While I feel an enormous sense of loss and regret, these feelings are almost completely obliterated by the fact that I had actually nearly succeeded in finally breaking in! The editors knew my name! How cool is that? The way I see it, if I did it once, I can do it again. I'm now more inspired than ever! The lesson is clear: NEVER GIVE UP! You just might be a lot closer to success than you realize. You can bet, I'm not going to give up this time! No way!
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

I just came back to the thread, and lo and behold the prodigal Topanga Canyon son has returned! I'm glad I asked the question! It looks like Dean's story will be sure to have a second act. At least I hope it does.

Well all,
I emailed Dean Wesley Smith, and he emailed me back and graciously confirmed that, yes, it's true, I'm the subject of the "Topanga Story."
Imagine, I had submitted furiously for 5 years, finally was earning personal rejection letters, and all the editors and agents knew about me and were excited about my progress, and I gave up! I didn't quit writing, I just moved into a different field.
While I feel an enormous sense of loss and regret, these feelings are almost completely obliterated by the fact that I had actually nearly succeeded in finally breaking in! The editors knew my name! How cool is that? The way I see it, if I did it once, I can do it again. I'm now more inspired than ever! The lesson is clear: NEVER GIVE UP! You just might be a lot closer to success than you realize. You can bet, I'm not going to give up this time! No way!
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

I just came back to the thread, and lo and behold the prodigal Topanga Canyon son has returned! I'm glad I asked the question! It looks like Dean's story will be sure to have a second act. At least I hope it does.

It better

Preston you must be a good writer, this time you will do it.

Even though I've only gotten one personal comment--from someone who doesn't send a comment to everyone--I hope editors know my name. That's why I keep sending stories to certain markets every so often.

This is definitely the most appropriate use of the smilie to date.

Glad you're back in the fiction game!

Thanks for the encouragement guys (Marina, LDwriter, Hazlett) Reading that post about the Topanga Story and then getting Dean's response was like being struck by lightning. I knew instantly it was about me. But I really had no idea I was that close to succeeding. Dean told me that he and the other editors were all watching me, and waiting to see who would be the first to buy my next story! Even book editors and agents were interested! Amazing. If only I knew! During that time, each time I received a rejection, I had another story polished and ready to go. That, Dean said, is what got their attention. So, I think the lesson is, not only should you NEVER GIVE UP, but you should always have another story ready. You can bet then, the editors know who you are. And they are watching you!
Preston Dennett
(HM x 2)

Preston,
That’s great to hear. If you’re going to be a cautionary story, this is the way you want it to turn out (i.e. not the one where Nick T insults all of speculative fiction royalty at the LA workshop).

Nick