No, I haven't left the dark side. I've just bleached the blog. How's it look? Does black type on white work better for reading? Should I go dark again?
I feel like a good cleansing after receiving a 300+ day form rejection this morning. Although it's an honor to be held by the particular publication, 300+ days and a form rejection leaves a foul taste in my mouth. Kind of like I swallowed bleach.
I just sent a query for a 120+ day rewrite request (the original piece has been out...are you ready for this...783 days). No one is holding his breath (namely me).
What's been your longest wait to hear about a story's fate? How long is too long?
Showing posts with label rejection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rejection. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
WIP Wednesday: The OUCH! Edition
Why I don't submit to many "literary" markets anymore:
This story requires a suspension of disbelief of epic proportions. The title is not great. The story is not original. Again, thanks so much for your submission.
No, thank you for reminding me.
So I am knocking out the first draft of a piece for The Harrow's forthcoming Day Terrors Anthology. I haven't written anything for a specific anthology in a while...quite a while. Yeah, it only pays $10, but I see it as a challenge--plus, I had this dream that fit perfectly. (put that in your pipe and smoke it, 'cause some folks think that's all 10 bucks is worth)
From "In the Grass":
Barry’s face was ashen, drawn. He lifted his right arm, blood oozing from fresh wounds, and pointed toward in the direction of the road, only there wasn’t a road. “We’re lost.”
Nick coughed and spat a dark mix of blood and mucus on the ground. “You aren’t lost…you’re trapped.”
I owe part of the story to the Flint Hills, a unique geological feature to east-central Kansas, and "What Was It?" by Fitz-James O'Brien (as reprinted in American Fantastic Tales Volume 1, edited by Peter Straub).
When I finish the story, I plan on a final editing pass of Loathsome, Dark, and Deep in preparation for submissions early next year. Oh, and Daniel LeMoal, the author of one of my favorite stories from Best Horror of the Year Volume 1 ("Beach Head"), will have a piece in 2010's 52 Stitches line up. (hence the fan-boy squee yesterday)
Wednesday is good. Enjoy yours.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Rejections...on Both Sides of the Fence
I once read that Nick Mamatas suggested every writer should read "slush" for a while. Sorry I can't locate the source...it's out there...somewhere on the interweb.
Great advice, really...even if I can't completely tell you why. I guess it helps to identify both successful and unsuccessful "patterns" in writing.
The hardest part is writing the rejection letters. (This topic was inspired by a recent post at Brenton Tomlinson's blog).
I prefer to send form rejections. I hate to admit that because form rejections suck to receive, but sometimes I really can't put your finger on what was "wrong" with a particular story. Sometimes other pieces did fit the theme of the publication better. Sometimes the story just didn't resonate for some reason.
But even worse than a form rejection, to me anyway, is a "personal" rejection that makes me question whether or not I should stop writing. And it happens. That's when I must remind myself, as all writers should, that the rejection was aimed at the story, not me. AND the rejection was only one opinion. AND sometimes the editor is just pissed off at the world when he/she/it wrote the rejection. It happens. If it held something useful, great. If not...it still served it's purpose/got the message across.
I've tried not to write those type of rejections in the past. I've tried to keep comments brief and constructive. And I always want any writer to know the rejection is only my opinion. My partner in "crime", Ed Lupak, and I agree on that.
Rejections, both ways, can be ashes in one's mouth...and I like my mouth ash-free.
But, while rejections--at least for me--suck to send as much as to receive, I second Mr. Mamatas's opinion: every writer should be a "slushie" for a while. You can't replicate the experience any other way.
Great advice, really...even if I can't completely tell you why. I guess it helps to identify both successful and unsuccessful "patterns" in writing.
The hardest part is writing the rejection letters. (This topic was inspired by a recent post at Brenton Tomlinson's blog).
I prefer to send form rejections. I hate to admit that because form rejections suck to receive, but sometimes I really can't put your finger on what was "wrong" with a particular story. Sometimes other pieces did fit the theme of the publication better. Sometimes the story just didn't resonate for some reason.
But even worse than a form rejection, to me anyway, is a "personal" rejection that makes me question whether or not I should stop writing. And it happens. That's when I must remind myself, as all writers should, that the rejection was aimed at the story, not me. AND the rejection was only one opinion. AND sometimes the editor is just pissed off at the world when he/she/it wrote the rejection. It happens. If it held something useful, great. If not...it still served it's purpose/got the message across.
I've tried not to write those type of rejections in the past. I've tried to keep comments brief and constructive. And I always want any writer to know the rejection is only my opinion. My partner in "crime", Ed Lupak, and I agree on that.
Rejections, both ways, can be ashes in one's mouth...and I like my mouth ash-free.
But, while rejections--at least for me--suck to send as much as to receive, I second Mr. Mamatas's opinion: every writer should be a "slushie" for a while. You can't replicate the experience any other way.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Nanotastic Monday
After waking to a three-rejection Sunday, I feel like I have my feet again. (midnight rejections are no fun, people)
My NaNo book is rolling along at 25K. Here's the catch: the first draft will probably only wind up around 35K. I'm totally okay with that--it's a YA book, after all. I've surveyed some of my students' current reads, and most clock in between 30-37K, so I feel as though I'm on track. I'd rather write a useful 35K than blather on to inflate it to 50.
What to do with that remaining 15K? I have some lovely (read: ghastly) ideas for a collection of horror novellas set in my fictional little hamlet of Springdale. Maybe I'll take a stab at one...no pun intended.
So what have I done to poor little Elliot in Rock Gods...well, dear reader, you already know about his uncle...
Elliot's girlfriend has an eating disorder. He's too self-absorbed to notice until she collapses one night and has to be taken to the hospital.
His best friend, Ben, quits the band--Ben was the only real member along with Elliot.
He watches helplessly as another long time friend is pummeled by the high school linebacking corps.
His favorite teacher gets busted for looking at porn at school and lets Elliot take the blame.
Oh, there's more...slashed tires, arrests for possession of marijuana, confrontations with police...tsk, tsk.
In other news, I received an acceptance for my entry to the Silly Westerns Anthology over at Residential Aliens. "Gunplay and Haiku in Belching Gulch" is a goofy little story--one hint: wind-up sidekick.
Have a nanotastic week.
My NaNo book is rolling along at 25K. Here's the catch: the first draft will probably only wind up around 35K. I'm totally okay with that--it's a YA book, after all. I've surveyed some of my students' current reads, and most clock in between 30-37K, so I feel as though I'm on track. I'd rather write a useful 35K than blather on to inflate it to 50.
What to do with that remaining 15K? I have some lovely (read: ghastly) ideas for a collection of horror novellas set in my fictional little hamlet of Springdale. Maybe I'll take a stab at one...no pun intended.
So what have I done to poor little Elliot in Rock Gods...well, dear reader, you already know about his uncle...
Elliot's girlfriend has an eating disorder. He's too self-absorbed to notice until she collapses one night and has to be taken to the hospital.
His best friend, Ben, quits the band--Ben was the only real member along with Elliot.
He watches helplessly as another long time friend is pummeled by the high school linebacking corps.
His favorite teacher gets busted for looking at porn at school and lets Elliot take the blame.
Oh, there's more...slashed tires, arrests for possession of marijuana, confrontations with police...tsk, tsk.
In other news, I received an acceptance for my entry to the Silly Westerns Anthology over at Residential Aliens. "Gunplay and Haiku in Belching Gulch" is a goofy little story--one hint: wind-up sidekick.
Have a nanotastic week.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
My Submission is Dead
I just received word from Kim Paffenroth that I didn't make the second round cuts for The World is Dead. Oh well. Really, it was pretty thrilling to make it out of the slush pile, with around 270 total subs.
Time to find a market for a zombie story that isn't really about zombies...
I'm at just under 15K for Rock Gods and Scary Monsters. I guess that's good. Keep on plugging away.
Time to find a market for a zombie story that isn't really about zombies...
I'm at just under 15K for Rock Gods and Scary Monsters. I guess that's good. Keep on plugging away.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Resurrecting the Saints
Smack. I've been hit with another rejection for my novel. The book needs work. I'll admit that. It was the first thing I wrote with the intention to publish. My early shorts were pathetic, so Saints obviously could use a major overhaul as well.
Well...I'm going to do it. I'm going to tackle a significant revision of the entire novel. I can't look forward to NaNoWriMo if I abandoned my former MCs to the file cabinet. I believe in this story; I want to tell it. I want people to read it.
The first thing to change...the title. I like The Last Days of the Sprindale Saints, but it is a tad long. How about The Saints are Dead or Springdale is Dead? (By the way, the Saints are the high school football team in the book.)
I have a long haul ahead, but I've worked to long on this for Andrew's (the MC) voice to be silent. I owe him that much.
Off to work.
Well...I'm going to do it. I'm going to tackle a significant revision of the entire novel. I can't look forward to NaNoWriMo if I abandoned my former MCs to the file cabinet. I believe in this story; I want to tell it. I want people to read it.
The first thing to change...the title. I like The Last Days of the Sprindale Saints, but it is a tad long. How about The Saints are Dead or Springdale is Dead? (By the way, the Saints are the high school football team in the book.)
I have a long haul ahead, but I've worked to long on this for Andrew's (the MC) voice to be silent. I owe him that much.
Off to work.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
On Rejections
The issue of rejections has circulated in a few blogs of late. As a teacher, I can't help but see the similarity between the role of editor and that of teacher.
While studying for my education degree, I took a class on methods for the language arts (English) classroom. One of our liveliest debates centered around how to provide feedback on student writing. Some were in favor of as much positive reinforcement as one could provide. Others felt that only constructive criticism should be offered--we were future teachers after all. Still others thought that a grade was enough: let the student know how they did, and then they can sort out the mess later--in my opinion, those individuals needed to seek other forms of employment.
Although it isn't the job of editor to teach, some do. Some don't have the time to. (I can't imagine personal feedback for every story rejected at Cemetery Dance). Some pile on the positive with "not right for us" tacked on at the end; some leave us with constructive criticism. Others simply give us the grade and move on.
I've had rejections that made me feel better, in some ways, than simple acceptances that left me wondering what they liked. Tim Manning at Black Ink Horror writes some of the best rejection letters. Of course I always prefer acceptance.
I'm indebted to those kind editors who took the time to provide some constructive criticism. I also try to be understanding when they don't. Ultimately, the editor is not bound to provide a detailed explanation for a rejection...but, like the best teaching, it can be a fine gift when they do.
While studying for my education degree, I took a class on methods for the language arts (English) classroom. One of our liveliest debates centered around how to provide feedback on student writing. Some were in favor of as much positive reinforcement as one could provide. Others felt that only constructive criticism should be offered--we were future teachers after all. Still others thought that a grade was enough: let the student know how they did, and then they can sort out the mess later--in my opinion, those individuals needed to seek other forms of employment.
Although it isn't the job of editor to teach, some do. Some don't have the time to. (I can't imagine personal feedback for every story rejected at Cemetery Dance). Some pile on the positive with "not right for us" tacked on at the end; some leave us with constructive criticism. Others simply give us the grade and move on.
I've had rejections that made me feel better, in some ways, than simple acceptances that left me wondering what they liked. Tim Manning at Black Ink Horror writes some of the best rejection letters. Of course I always prefer acceptance.
I'm indebted to those kind editors who took the time to provide some constructive criticism. I also try to be understanding when they don't. Ultimately, the editor is not bound to provide a detailed explanation for a rejection...but, like the best teaching, it can be a fine gift when they do.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Sweetie of a Rejection
All right, I'll admit that rejections suck. Period. But I received a signed personal rejection for "Ditching Beowulf" from Gordon Van Gelder of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. After two form rejections from F&SF, this felt...different.
Let me delude myself and pretend it actually crossed Van Gelder's desk, okay?
On the up side, I've landed a story with Our Shadows Speak, volume II edited by Lincoln Crisler. I'd sent"The Surgeon" out almost four months ago, and almost forgot about it. I guess this is the best kind of acceptance--the one that zooms out of nowhere.
I'm usually sooooo good at predicting rejections. Har.
Let me delude myself and pretend it actually crossed Van Gelder's desk, okay?
On the up side, I've landed a story with Our Shadows Speak, volume II edited by Lincoln Crisler. I'd sent"The Surgeon" out almost four months ago, and almost forgot about it. I guess this is the best kind of acceptance--the one that zooms out of nowhere.
I'm usually sooooo good at predicting rejections. Har.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Distorted...Yes.
Whew. I just sent off a submission for Dark Distortions 2. The premise revolves around a tradition of foot washing on Holy Thursday, I hope the editors consider this enough of a "magic rite" (Judeo-Christian rites are mentioned in their guidelines).
Other than that, I've been taking my lumps with a positive attitude this week. I received two glowing rejections, one from Dred (made it past a few rounds) and one from Potter's Field 3. Oh well, such is life.
The most salient point I've learned this year is the only way to find a market for your stories is to send them out there. Rejection is part of the game. Play on.
Other than that, I've been taking my lumps with a positive attitude this week. I received two glowing rejections, one from Dred (made it past a few rounds) and one from Potter's Field 3. Oh well, such is life.
The most salient point I've learned this year is the only way to find a market for your stories is to send them out there. Rejection is part of the game. Play on.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Licking My Wounds...In Public No Less!
Growl.
I'm feeling the old "black hole" again, that place of dispair I like to slip as a writer from time to time. Four rejections in the last three days, and I thought I had a shot a couple of them. Lick, lick. I don't even know where that figure of speech came from...hmmmm
Suck it up and move on. Okay? Better.
To tell the truth (fanfare...cue fanfare) I think I'm growing very lazy in the "revision" stage of my short stories. I think I need to let them cool a little more before I revise, gain some better perspective. I'm in such a damn hurry to zip a submission out there. Even the fast magazines take a couple of weeks to give a look, why can't I take a few more days to make the story perfect?
Patience, grasshopper. Perfect might be asking too much. How about, damn good?
Too much free time this summer makes Aaron...what? Frusterated, impatient, silly? I'm just going to blame this on my sinus infection, and I'm going to blame the sinus infection on the kids...this passing the buck thing sort of rocks...but who the hell gets a sinus infection in June?
I'm feeling the old "black hole" again, that place of dispair I like to slip as a writer from time to time. Four rejections in the last three days, and I thought I had a shot a couple of them. Lick, lick. I don't even know where that figure of speech came from...hmmmm
Suck it up and move on. Okay? Better.
To tell the truth (fanfare...cue fanfare) I think I'm growing very lazy in the "revision" stage of my short stories. I think I need to let them cool a little more before I revise, gain some better perspective. I'm in such a damn hurry to zip a submission out there. Even the fast magazines take a couple of weeks to give a look, why can't I take a few more days to make the story perfect?
Patience, grasshopper. Perfect might be asking too much. How about, damn good?
Too much free time this summer makes Aaron...what? Frusterated, impatient, silly? I'm just going to blame this on my sinus infection, and I'm going to blame the sinus infection on the kids...this passing the buck thing sort of rocks...but who the hell gets a sinus infection in June?
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