subing story to pubs under same company

The Lonely One · Oct 30, 2008

So specifically, is it okay to submit a rejected story to a different publication under the same company?

Like: A story is rejected by "Asimov's." Can I send it to "Analog?" (I think they're part of the same company, but with different head editors, unless I'm wrong). Even if I am wrong, question stands. Is it okay? Or will they be like, "I just talked to so and so the editor of Asimov's and she said this sucked so I won't even bother reading it."

dpaterso · Oct 30, 2008

Editors do talk, but it's unlikely they have time to discuss every story that they or their asst. editors reject. I'd submit the story again, after checking it's as good as can be. It's amazing what can jump out at you when you re-read a story you haven't looked at for a couple of months.

-Derek

The Lonely One · Oct 30, 2008

Thanks for the response. I've also heard you can re-submit a story after drastic changes, and query in a corresponding manner:

"I submitted this story a year ago, but after significant revision I feel it is worth a second look."

Only, you know, better worded.

Phaeal · Oct 31, 2008

So long as the editors are different, no problem. In the case of Analog and Asimov's, the two magazines have different slants, Analog leaning more toward hard SF. Because magazines have different editorial staffs, they do tend to have these different slants, whatever overarching and soulless conglomerate owns them.

If I were resubmitting a story after MAJOR changes and the healing passage of a year or more (probably more like three years, for my comfort level), I wouldn't remind the editor he'd seen it before, and I'd probably change the title. The exception, of course, would be if the editor had asked for a resub after changes. Then you'd better remind him of it.

I definitely wouldn't tell the editor what I thought was worth HIS second look.

Cybernaught · Oct 31, 2008

Analog and Asimov's no doubt have slushers, so chances are the editors of said magazines wouldn't even have read your story if it was rejected.

IceCreamEmpress · Oct 31, 2008

Don't mention prior rejections--just resubmit fresh.

The Lonely One · Oct 31, 2008

IceCreamEmpress said:
Don't mention prior rejections--just resubmit fresh.

I can see that when sending to a different pub, but if you neglect to mention a prior rejection to the same editor, isn't that leaving open the possibility you'll look deceptive?

Cybernaught · Oct 31, 2008

The Lonely One said:
I can see that when sending to a different pub, but if you neglect to mention a prior rejection to the same editor, isn't that leaving open the possibility you'll look deceptive?

Why would you mention a prior rejection to the same editor? The amount of times you can submit to a market isn't limited, unless otherwise stated.

The Lonely One · Oct 31, 2008

Cybernaught said:
Why would you mention a prior rejection to the same editor? The amount of times you can submit to a market isn't limited, unless otherwise stated.

I'm talking the same MS (with changes) to the same pub after an initial rejection. In that situation, should you still not bring it up? Won't they remember the title or MS or your name?

IceCreamEmpress · Oct 31, 2008

The Lonely One said:
I'm talking the same MS (with changes) to the same pub after an initial rejection. In that situation, should you still not bring it up? Won't they remember the title or MS or your name?

No. They will not.

Cybernaught · Oct 31, 2008

The Lonely One said:
I'm talking the same MS (with changes) to the same pub after an initial rejection. In that situation, should you still not bring it up? Won't they remember the title or MS or your name?

I may be wrong, but I think it's bad form to submit the same manuscript to the same editor unless specifically asked. If they rejected it once already, I'm left to wonder if they're willing to give it a second look.

Polenth · Oct 31, 2008

The Lonely One said:
I'm talking the same MS (with changes) to the same pub after an initial rejection. In that situation, should you still not bring it up? Won't they remember the title or MS or your name?

In previous discussions, it became clear that Strange Horizons logs its acceptances/rejections over a period of years. So they do know if you've resubmitted, because they'll know you submitted a story with X name that was about Y theme. Not all magazines are that organised, but it's something to keep in mind when trying to resubmit. Some places will remember and it will look bad if they do.

But when they're different magazines with different editors, go for it. That's not the same thing.

Adam Israel · Oct 31, 2008

Cybernaught said:
I may be wrong, but I think it's bad form to submit the same manuscript to the same editor unless specifically asked. If they rejected it once already, I'm left to wonder if they're willing to give it a second look.

This is my viewpoint as well. If you've submitted to Asimov's and they rejected it, you're free to submit it to Analog. I wouldn't resubmit a rejected story to a publisher that already rejected it regardless of revisions I've made, unless they've specifically suggested revisions. In that case, I would make mention of that in the resubmission cover letter.

xlibrian · Nov 16, 2008

The Lonely One said:
is it okay to submit a rejected story to a different publication under the same company?"

I think it's ok. Maybe the reason why your story was rejected is just the slant and not really the story itself. Keep sending your material and you will soon find the right publisher.

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