Success!

@amstard Awesome news.

My first sale is out in the wild! "Will Oceans Converge in Our Village Park?" in the For a Friend paperback anthology published by Lucent Dreaming.

I found out after seeing Marie Vibbert share a picture - it turns out I should've received my copies a couple of weeks ago, so I'm wondering if they're lost in the post. It's amazing to share contents with Marie as a couple of her stories are amongst my favourites by anyone, and I nearly cried with joy when she shared her thoughts on my story. I cried when I got the acceptance - I still won't really believe it till I see it with my own eyes, but I suppose the fact someone's read my story is proof enough. 😀 

After 129 rejections, it was my 130th submission that was a success.

Phenomenal! @alexh 

That is serious sticktoitiveness. 

Do you think the string of HMs helped you to persevere? Or do you have a strong no-quit constitution? 

Congrats Alex. May your sale be the first of many.

That's incredible Alex, congratulations! I'm not sure I could handle 129 rejections.

But like Stephen King said: put a nail in the wall, hang your rejection letters on there and when it's full, get a bigger nail.

@alexh Congratulations!!

Posted by: @tj_knight

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Phenomenal! @alexh 

That is serious sticktoitiveness. 

Do you think the string of HMs helped you to persevere? Or do you have a strong no-quit constitution? 

I don't often quit. Maybe there are more examples, but I can only remember quitting one thing in my adult life, and that was a hike when I was in severe pain and discomfort.

I had faith in this particular story as it got great feedback on a couple of rejections - one market (The Reckoning) asked for a rewrite, but it still didn't quite fit their theme, which I thought I could see but didn't want to self-reject.

@alexh Congrats! That's so awesome! Well done persevering! My goal is 100 rejections in a calendar year; we'll see if I get there.

On the plus/positive/success side, I got a scholarship to the Superstars Writing Seminar for this coming year! They must have seen something in me, and that makes me feel really good.

@alexh Congratulations! Amazing news and it gives me hope. I'm a rookie at 69 rejections only. So half way there? 🤣 

@hannya I'm just behind you at 58, counting WotF (since not winning is still not winning). Got another one yesterday, but a hold today!

I'm happy to say my story "Who's Better Than Us?" will be published in High Tower Magazine.  It received a straight R from WOTF, which is more proof that just because Jody doesn't like a story doesn't mean others won't.  Also, I noticed yesterday it was time to celebrate my 100th rejection.

Posted by: @chwalter

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I'm happy to say my story "Who's Better Than Us?" will be published in High Tower Magazine.  It received a straight R from WOTF, which is more proof that just because Jody doesn't like a story doesn't mean others won't.  Also, I noticed yesterday it was time to celebrate my 100th rejection.

yay congrats!   

I don't know if Jody even sees R - I always assumed they were mainly filtered by the slushers and HM/SHM/SF/F were passed up. but what do I know (nothing). Either way though, your point is true, an R from wotf is an R from wotf, not necessarily the kiss of death. (though in the case of MY very first R from wotf, they were right it truly was horrible lol)

Posted by: @gideonpsmith

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(though in the case of MY very first R from wotf, they were right it truly was horrible lol)

That's confronting isn't it? I remember submitting a story I was really proud of to another, rather small contest. It didn't crack the top 3 and I was like 'WHAT?!' And then years later I read it again and wondered what I was even thinking sending in that pile of toiletfeed. I hope it means I've grown as a writer

@chwalter Congrats. That is awesome news. 

NOTE: If it received an R, or even an RWC, then it most likely didn't make it to Jody.  Slush readers usually give those out.  Not sure on the RWC, some may make it to Jody.  

Posted by: @chwalter

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I'm happy to say my story "Who's Better Than Us?" will be published in High Tower Magazine.  It received a straight R from WOTF, which is more proof that just because Jody doesn't like a story doesn't mean others won't.  Also, I noticed yesterday it was time to celebrate my 100th rejection.

Well, they don't call you half-marathon coder, right? WTG on 100!

I don't think I'm that high. I'll have to check (my other computer). Maybe I should goal that myself so I actually send things out. 🤣 

I got a "Revise and Resubmit" on Friday for Starspun Lit, but the revisions were very small edits (adjust this motivation and hint at this other thing a bit earlier). So I count that as a win!

@amstard Congratulations! That's incredible!

@amstard That’s great! Congrats!

And the story I submitted to Starspun Lit, The Choice to be Chosen, is getting illustrations and publication very soon! Huzzah!

My first acceptance just came in! I'm being vague for now (just received the contract) but I'll un-vague myself very soon

@amstard and @hannya    amazing news! That's so exciting, and really great to see forumites getting success.

Please share links / more info when they are published.

Posted by: @amstard

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And the story I submitted to Starspun Lit, The Choice to be Chosen, is getting illustrations and publication very soon! Huzzah!

Super exciting! I've never had one of my stories illustrated, I think thats one of the cool things about wotf too, so in your position I would be stoked  

@hannya All acceptances should be celebrated but first acceptance - congrats!! Major milestone. Hope you do something special to mark it. Also, looking above I think you cited 69 rejections demonstrating all the emotional work you put in to get to that first acceptance so for sure needs its moment to celebrate!

@hannya Congrats! My first sale made me feel like a million bucks for weeks. I hope yours does the same for you!

Huzzah!!

@gideonpsmith I agree! I can't wait to see what they've come up with.

@gideonpsmith @amstard @joel-c-scoberg Thank you! I did celebrate and I'm still not sure I'm back to normal lol. But this has boosted my motivation. I'm nearing 100 subs by now (and 85 rejections but ONE ACCEPTANCE).

I've signed the contract but waiting for instructions as to whether I can disclose information publicly right now. The story will be illustrated, and I have the option to add a short inspiration note to the publication. Well, I have no inspiration for an inspiration note haha. As a pantser, my inspiration is often looking at the wall for hours and letting my characters do all the leg work.

Posted by: @hannya

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@gideonpsmith @amstard @joel-c-scoberg Thank you! I did celebrate and I'm still not sure I'm back to normal lol. But this has boosted my motivation. I'm nearing 100 subs by now (and 85 rejections but ONE ACCEPTANCE).

I've signed the contract but waiting for instructions as to whether I can disclose information publicly right now. The story will be illustrated, and I have the option to add a short inspiration note to the publication. Well, I have no inspiration for an inspiration note haha. As a pantser, my inspiration is often looking at the wall for hours and letting my characters do all the leg work.

thats usually my cue to cheat and quote someone else's phenomenal thoughts, a la "The best advice I ever heard was the quote 'Choose Lovin' McDonalds ad-campaign 2015-2018." or some such. But obviously, try to use something better than that.....

My illustrated story in Starspun Lit! I'm so pleased by the quality and angle they took with the illustrations, and I can't wait for kids to hear this one

The Choice to be Chosen

That's beautitful! Story and illustrations alike! Once again, congratulations 😍