I note that some writer friends post news about the progress of their short story submissions in public domain places such as Facebook, MySpace and in their open blogs. Now, it might seem silly but I am wary of telling the world that a favourite story has just been rejected. For example a favourite of mine is Janet and John Deconstruct the Cassini Ring. A fun science fiction piece written in the style of a Janet and John primary reader. It’ll either tickle or provoke sputum. It is being judged at the Fylde Brighter Writers competition, the results to be announced at the end of April. Wish me luck! Statistics are against it winning but hey ho you have to try. If it doesn’t get placed should I announce that too? Other writers do. However, if a magazine or anthology editor winds up his web search engine he’d find those stories that failed x number of submissions. Seems to me that making public one’s failures is asking for more. I do get the need for writers to be open, gather support in virtual group drowning of sorrows, but I’m dubious.
Checking the blog statistics there are more hits from the one page on my climbing Tryfan than for any writing page. Maybe some climbers will be tempted to buy Exit, Pursued by a Bee – sales are in decline even though there must be millions of Science fiction fans who have yet to be scintillated by it. Come on readers head for http://geoffnelder.com/exitbee.htm
Not sure you are right. After all one editor’s rejection could mean a brownie point to an editor who is anti all that that particular editor stands for. Or maybe most editors like to make up their own minds anyway. As you know, many good stories are turned down before a final acceptance. I suppose it depends on whether there is an intention of submitting elsewhere. I put rejected short stories (and chapters from books) on my blogs. Some folk like them, which is good for my self-esteem and makes it more likely for me to submit new stories to wherever.
To anyone reading this — GET Exit, it is a good read!
Best of luck in the contest, Geoff! Fingers crossed! I never post rejections, just acceptances. To each their own, I guess. 🙂
Dear Sir:
I am begining to think that submitting short stories is a joke. when I submit by E-mail I find a never ending list of rules that are different for every publidher and the instructions are given as if scolding a child. even when I get something through I am encouraged to send more material but nothing every makes it all the way. I write for a technical journal called electricalfun.com and I have four articles currently running but when it comes to short stories, they never seem to make the grade.
I am about to give up submitting for I am tired of the games that some publishers like to play.
Thank You,
Terence Thomas
Ah but Terence, writing fiction is totally different to technical writing. I’ve had lots of rejections. But one on-line journal editor really liked my stuff and printed one of my stories and then featured one in his next edition. Unfortunately the editor turned to other things unrelated to fiction. I then had one printed in something totally different. I tried a woman’s magazine and they turned it down. But I reckon I might make it there if I found the right formula! It takes a mental adjustment and I’m not sure I want to bother. But I have my own anthology and published one with other authors contributing. (Plus novels.)
No doubt Geoff, being an editor, will be able to give you lots of advice. Get the basics right and then it is a matter of tuning in to publication you are submitting to.