One story, two POVs.

I'd say it's two separate stories.

If I were the editor, I doubt if I'd like it.

If you're up front about it, I don't see a problem. Then an editor can choose knowingly. I think it also depends on how different the story becomes, seen through different eyes. But I think if I were an editor, I would want to know.

Keep in mind, that I'm not, so this is just my personal opinion.

It could be an interesting concept to sell to a market that accepts multiple submissions (not that there's too many of those around).

I'd probably try and sell them as a pair, or format to make it look like one longer story. Otherwise, yeah, you have two different stories, but you may be judged by your readers for being a one plot pony!

NicoleMD said:

Okay, here's a POV question that I've yet to see. If you rewrite a story from a different point of view, is it a new story? In other words, could I sell each story to different markets without worrying about rights? The titles are different and there's less than 10% overlap in the actual words used. But the same thing is happening, two sides of the same coin.

Thanks!

Nicole

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Can you group them together? Sort of Part 1/Part2 and sell them as one? Would make for an interesting concept.

One POV per story, is all your allowed,
but it is your story, and you can write it
anyway you'd like.
Now getting it published . . . well
good luck with that.

STKlingaman said:

One POV per story, is all your allowed,

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who sez?

Izz said:

who sez?

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Not editors.

My first pro sale (in the SF/fantasy genres) had four viewpoint characters and one omniscient, all in third person and just over 5000 words.

Another one (also sold) is first-person-plural, with three viewpoint characters in 6000 words.

As an editor of an anthology, I accepted a story (a first sale) that was third person with four different POVs. (A bit longer this one - 10,000 words.)

I *have* had stories rejected for not sticking to a single viewpoint, but that's more to do with editorial taste and is on a par with not liking stories in present tense and so on. Sticking to a single viewpoint is good advice for a beginner, and for a great number of stories, but as with all rules if you know it well enough you will know how to break it productively.

So if you have two characters and both sides of the story need to be told, then go for it. I would suggest clearly distinguishing your viewpoints, whether you're in first person or third - maybe you could have subsection headings with the name of whichever character's viewpoint you're in at the time?