Weird Tales

[Tburger]

OK - sigh - 58 days now in their slush pile and according to duptrope, rejections have come out for stories submitted after mine. I know, it means nothing, but to someone who nearly collapsed in agony when DNA Publishing had to let WT go under, just the thought that maybe - just maybe - Miss VanderMeer is taking a closer look makes me happy. I also like that she does so many personal rejections...

Of course, it could just mean that my rejection got lost in an email black hole. Wish me luck!

[Haggis]

OK - sigh - 58 days now in their slush pile and according to duptrope, rejections have come out for stories submitted after mine. I know, it means nothing, but to someone who nearly collapsed in agony when DNA Publishing had to let WT go under, just the thought that maybe - just maybe - Miss VanderMeer is taking a closer look makes me happy. I also like that she does so many personal rejections...

Of course, it could just mean that my rejection got lost in an email black hole. Wish me luck!

*sigh* 88 days for me. Yeah. I'm checking teh emails every day.

*checks again* Nope. Nothing from Ms. V.

Of course I still expect the big "R". But that's okay. I mean, I really wouldn't want to be published in a mag that's seen the likes of Lovecraft, Bradbury, etc.

Much.


:e2cry:

[Tburger]

Of course I still expect the big "R". But that's okay. I mean, I really wouldn't want to be published in a mag that's seen the likes of Lovecraft, Bradbury, etc.

Much.


:e2cry:


LMAO - I know! It strikes me as odd that this is listed as a semi-pro mag. I know the pay rates are semi-pro, but in terms of history and talent, some of the best in the business got their start there. Good luck Haggis.

I forgot to ask: I emailed her to make sure she got my story and she said that she had and was still reading it. Have you queried her or gotten confirmation on yours?

[Haggis]

LMAO - I know! It strikes me as odd that this is listed as a semi-pro mag. I know the pay rates are semi-pro, but in terms of history and talent, some of the best in the business got their start there. Good luck Haggis.

I forgot to ask: I emailed her to make sure she got my story and she said that she had and was still reading it. Have you queried her or gotten confirmation on yours?

Nope. Haven't queried yet, though I probably will once (if) it gets another two weeks along (their average acceptance time). Anne is always good about getting back, and her rejections are gentle. :)

You're right about the semi-pro pay thing, but as a writing credit, it's a good one. Not only that, but the stories they accept are damn good. It's a fun magazine to read.

Good luck to you too, T. Let us know how it goes.

[SpookyWriter]

Good luck you two. My one submission years ago was rejected by George who said I need to supply a bigger envelope so he could write a better rejection.

[Tburger]

Good luck you two. My one submission years ago was rejected by George who said I need to supply a bigger envelope so he could write a better rejection.

:D

[SpookyWriter]

Here's a really weird tail.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_DXvLBaCcNFE/R7hONo1YOQI/AAAAAAAAACA/8b2h1-wq9hc/s400/bella2.JPG

[Kerr]

Best of luck to both of you. It sounds like they could be debating on those stories.

[CACTUSWENDY]

Fingers crossed for both of you. How do you handle the stress?

[Tburger]

I handle it really badly. Checking duotrope every ten minutes, email every five. Calgon take me away!!!! I'm on vacation at the beach and was hoping there would be no internet - but it was not to be...

[Haggis]

Fingers crossed for both of you. How do you handle the stress?

WHAT STRESS?

[Lynette]

WHAT STRESS?

Haha, good luck!

[williemeikle]

67 days fo me so far...

[Haggis]

67 days fo me so far...

And good luck to you as well.

[DL Hegel]

Here's a really weird tail.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_DXvLBaCcNFE/R7hONo1YOQI/AAAAAAAAACA/8b2h1-wq9hc/s400/bella2.JPG
i think that really says it all:)

[Haggis]

i think that really says it all:)

You know, that is a weird tail. There's probably a story in that. :D

[Tburger]

Hey Haggis if (when) you get your acceptance from WT, you should ask Ann for t-shirts instead of money. THen you can give all of us t-shirts as consolation (sp?) prizes.

Good luck Willie! A scotsman named Willie - what would Bart Simpson say? :)

[Pike]

I wouldn't sweat it too much, guys. Since they started taking e-subs I'm sure they've been swamped. I haven't subbed to them in a while but even on one that I totally screwed up the formatting on they sent out a formal rejection. They're pros. So are you.

Pike

[williemeikle]

Good luck Willie! A scotsman named Willie - what would Bart Simpson say? :)

Eat my sporran!

:)

[SpookyWriter]

You know, that is a weird tail. There's probably a story in that. :DAt least you can wrap your hands around that tail and tell us a tall tale.

[Tburger]

OK - just what the hell is sporann?????????????? :D

[SpookyWriter]

OK - just what the hell is sporann?????????????? :DA female spor.

[williemeikle]

OK - just what the hell is sporann?????????????? :D

A Sporran is a pouch (the word is simply the Scottish Gaelic for 'purse'), now a decorative part of Highland dress but originally an everyday practical item, made of leather or fur
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporran (http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=3&oi=define&q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporran&usg=AFQjCNHuxLoyRwWk-o7ghAdvFMaGCmhzLQ)

[Haggis]

:(

Well, it made it to 95 days, anyhow.

Off to find a new market for it.

Good luck to the rest of you.

[callalily61]

:Hug2: and a Milk-bone for the undead doggie.

[Tburger]

:(

Well, it made it to 95 days, anyhow.

Off to find a new market for it.

Good luck to the rest of you.



I'm sure I'll be joining you soon. It's a tough tough mag.

[Haggis]

I'm sure I'll be joining you soon. It's a tough tough mag.

Keep the faith, T. You never know....

[Tburger]

One last thing to add - and this has nothing to do with you, Haggis, these have been my thoughts recently. I'm tired of submitting to the big markets for science fiction and horror. None of them have sent personal rejections - so I have no clue as to where my story broke down for them. And let's face it, there are a lot of writers out there who are either (a) better than me, (b) well known, and/or (c) both.

I'm kind of tending towards ignoring the big markets now, and just sending to token, etc. I know it makes no business/career sense, but I feel like I'm wasting my time. At least when rejections come from small markets I typically get feedback. And I just want someone to read my stuff. If the smaller venues get me a small audience, at least it's an audience. If recognition EVER comes, maybe I'll have to wait for it.

Sigh. Bad day.

[MHanlon]

I'm new to this dark little corner of cyberspace, so first off let me say hello. I recently met some of the people who work at Wildside press (very nice bunch). I honestly thought the mag had died until only a few months ago, but I learned it has been Wildside's pet-project to rejuvenate the mag. They told me they are very interested in new talent, so don't think because they've published Lovecraft so many years ago that they are snobs about fresh talent. It's a different company that owns the mag, so whoever published in the 30s and beyond is not involved with the magazine today. That doesn't mean that Weird Tales is an easy mag to get accepted to, but it does mean that they don't only take submissions from the well-knowns.

[Tburger]

Thanks M - that's good to know. I noticed on "the Black Hole" stats that they're really speeding along now, so I should hear something soon. I just read somewhere (a Clarkesworld article?) that magazines like F&SF, Asimov's, etc. - whose readership numbers aren't nearly what they used to be - might want to take a page from WT's book; apparently their move to e-mag in addition to print has made a big difference in readership. That's cool, because this is one pub I'd like to see around for a long time.

[Tburger]

Wow - what timing. As soon as I finished my last post I got the email: form rejection.

[Haggis]

Wow - what timing. As soon as I finished my last post I got the email: form rejection.

Crap. Next time, T. Next time. I ain't giving up.

[faerydancer]

I'm at 63 days. I feel all of your pain. Just waiting for my rejection to come now, too. Oh, why do we do this to ourselves? =)

[Haggis]

I'm new to this dark little corner of cyberspace, so first off let me say hello. I recently met some of the people who work at Wildside press (very nice bunch). I honestly thought the mag had died until only a few months ago, but I learned it has been Wildside's pet-project to rejuvenate the mag. They told me they are very interested in new talent, so don't think because they've published Lovecraft so many years ago that they are snobs about fresh talent. It's a different company that owns the mag, so whoever published in the 30s and beyond is not involved with the magazine today. That doesn't mean that Weird Tales is an easy mag to get accepted to, but it does mean that they don't only take submissions from the well-knowns.

According to Duotrope, they have a 1.2% acceptance rate. That's pretty daunting, but I'll tell you, I've never read a bad story in that mag. If and when I con them into buying one of mine, I'm going to feel pretty damn good about it.

I'm at 63 days. I feel all of your pain. Just waiting for my rejection to come now, too. Oh, why do we do this to ourselves? =)

Because that's the way the game is played. :D And, best of luck to you on your sub.

[MHanlon]

According to Duotrope, they have a 1.2% acceptance rate. That's pretty daunting, but I'll tell you, I've never read a bad story in that mag. If and when I con them into buying one of mine, I'm going to feel pretty damn good about it.


No doubt it's a major accomplishment to get published in Weird Tales. Good luck.

[faerydancer]

Speak of the devil. Rejected today after 65 days with a form letter. Back to the drawing board, folks!

[Chris Huff]

I'm tired of submitting to the big markets for science fiction and horror...

I'm kind of tending towards ignoring the big markets now, and just sending to token, etc. I know it makes no business/career sense, but I feel like I'm wasting my time...

It actually makes perfect career / business sense. You're setting the bar too high when you go for the biggest market. The smaller mags have fewer submissions than the big guys. They're mostly done for love. The pay is less, but it's a credit. You sell a few stories to the smaller markets to build a bit of a name / rep, hone your skills, and make a little money. Once you're getting regular accepts from the smaller guys, start spreading your wings and hit up the larger markets.

Sorry you were having a bad day. It will get better.

[Tburger]

It actually makes perfect career / business sense. You're setting the bar too high when you go for the biggest market. The smaller mags have fewer submissions than the big guys. They're mostly done for love. The pay is less, but it's a credit. You sell a few stories to the smaller markets to build a bit of a name / rep, hone your skills, and make a little money. Once you're getting regular accepts from the smaller guys, start spreading your wings and hit up the larger markets.

Sorry you were having a bad day. It will get better.


Thanks Chris!

[Doodlebug]

My sympathies to those who got the big R with WT. I got one, too, after 90+ days. But it gave me time to write something else which I just sent out...

Thanks, too, for the updated info. on the mag. I hadn't realized what they were going through. It's a great market, though, and I'm glad to see that it isn't dead.

[Wonderlander]

71 days for me so far. But it's an awesome mag, so I'm reining in my nailbitery...

[Twisted]

I've submitted a couple of shorts to Weird Tales and the response time has been between 6 and 8 weeks. Sadly, neither one was picked up, but Ann VanderMeer responded with a personal e-mail for the first submission and a form e-mail for the second.

Got one in to her now. Maybe that'll turn out differently.

[Kerr]

Good luck Twisted and Wonderlander.