Hello guys,
Almost two months ago I sent a story to Asimov’s magazine and when I looked at it about 2 weeks ago, I saw its status changed to “under review”, but since then there’s been no change (I keep looking ever day 2-3 time 😅). Is the length of time spent in “under review” stage a good sign or is it just the publishing industry moving at its own pace? How long does Asimov usually take with responses? Should I keep biting my nails and expect a rejection email every second now?
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: submitted, Q3: TBD
I wish I could tell ya!
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
I feel your pain - but my best advice is not to practice rejectomancy. Having watched my own pieces do this dance over the years, sometimes it means further consideration, but mostly its about internal delays as far as I can tell. Most editors make up their minds fairly quickly. There are 'hold' piles. Sometimes they tell you you are in it, sometimes they don't. I was told I was in a hold pile I think 9 times last year. Only 1 turned into an acceptance. Not the one I had expected lol.
And the other 8 rejections were, to me at least, not 'better' because they'd been held. If you can, try to adopt the mindset that this ones out of your hands for now. When you hear, you'll hear 
Either way - good luck! I hope it lands
"...your motivations for wanting to write are probably complex. You may have a few great passions, you may want to be rich and famous, and you may need therapy."
- Dave Farland, Million Dollar Outlines
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
2024 Q1: F Q2: HM Q3:SHM Q4: SHM
2023 Q1: RWC Q2: SHM Q3: SHM Q4: R
2022 Q4: R
Submissions to other markets:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
@gideonpsmith tbh I know the story is good, but it already got RWC here and rejections from markets that are more open to fantasy 😀 But it’s still my most beloved baby and I want it to succeed.
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: submitted, Q3: TBD
I submitted on 3/25 and it is "under review." Not sure that helps, but I'm hoping it is a good sign. Duotrope says their average response time is 17 days with max response of 45 days.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
I finally got a form rejection. I think I’ll work on the first scene again and then try to search other markets for novelettes.
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: submitted, Q3: TBD
I finally got a form rejection. I think I’ll work on the first scene again and then try to search other markets for novelettes.
sorry to hear it 🙁 - but I think you're doing the right thing - not taking one rejection as a judgement of quality, just looking with fresh eyes and then continuing its path
"...your motivations for wanting to write are probably complex. You may have a few great passions, you may want to be rich and famous, and you may need therapy."
- Dave Farland, Million Dollar Outlines
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
2024 Q1: F Q2: HM Q3:SHM Q4: SHM
2023 Q1: RWC Q2: SHM Q3: SHM Q4: R
2022 Q4: R
Submissions to other markets:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
I finally got a form rejection. I think I’ll work on the first scene again and then try to search other markets for novelettes.
Sorry to hear. Novelettes are hard sells. There are markets (check https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/), but the length is the issue. 3-5k seems to be the sweat spot for stories. Not that I've sold anything at a professional level yet, but that's my take.
Keep writing, keep submitting, and have fun.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
I received my form rejection today. 43 days after submission. That is fast the short story submission responses.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
