Is this (almost) reason to celebrate?

[Juliotango]

Hello All:

Helpful, interesting board. I visit often but this will only be my second post, though would like to participate more.

I have a question I would like to ask all. I recently submitted a short story to a small market magazine. I recently got a reply back. In it I was told that the story was "copied, and if there are any problems will get back to me," without no specific mention about whether it was accepted for inclusion in their magazine or not.

When I inquired further I was told that my short story was put in a folder for the winter issue, and that later on I would be told whether it was accepted or not.

Obviously, this is not a sure acceptance; I still have to wait. However, does it sometimes happen this way (magazine saying that they've put your story in a folder), and if so, does that mean that my story has a good chance? Any ideas, anyone.

Thanks

[veinglory]

Hmmm. It isn't a bad sign but they may do this with all subs--it is basically in limbo. Did they say when they will decide?

[AdamH]

First, congratulations! :)

Second, I think it has a half-decent chance. But I wouldn't exactly hold my breath either. It sounds like they kept your story as sort of a fall back story in case nothing better comes along for their winter issue. Not a great situation but better than an outright rejection.

I'd ask how long it would take them to make that decision. If it's too long for your liking, withdraw it and send it to another magazine that could be more willing to give you a definite "YES!" or "No!" instead of "oh...we'll see...". At the same time, I'd check up to see how they feel on simultaneous submissions. If you can get permission to do that, send it out to other mags while it's sitting in their folder collecting dust.
Then if you get accepted to another mag before they make the decision, all the better!

[Greer]

Kind of strange. Are they having some sort of themed issue? If so (or even if not) they simply might not have begun selecting stories for that issue yet. Maybe they're behind putting together the fall issue and don't want to read subs until after they catch up. Not sure. But it certainly isn't a bad sign, as veinglory says.

[Jamesaritchie]

Hello All:

Helpful, interesting board. I visit often but this will only be my second post, though would like to participate more.

I have a question I would like to ask all. I recently submitted a short story to a small market magazine. I recently got a reply back. In it I was told that the story was "copied, and if there are any problems will get back to me," without no specific mention about whether it was accepted for inclusion in their magazine or not.

When I inquired further I was told that my short story was put in a folder for the winter issue, and that later on I would be told whether it was accepted or not.

Obviously, this is not a sure acceptance; I still have to wait. However, does it sometimes happen this way (magazine saying that they've put your story in a folder), and if so, does that mean that my story has a good chance? Any ideas, anyone.

Thanks

Yes, it often happens exactly this way, nearly always at smaller magazines. Most often, you're allowed to try to sell the story elsewhere while they hold it, so withdrawing it isn't necessary. But if it's a good magazine, one you'd like to see your story in, the best idea is just to wait. In the meantime, write other stories and submit them elsewhere.