How're your submissions going for 2011?

[Shadow_Ferret]

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see an update from our 2010 thread, so I'm starting one. (If there already is one, please feel free to merge.)

So, how are your submissions going so far for the new year?

As of today, I have 7 short stories out on submission.

[Izz]

Ooh, good thinking SF.

I have 8 stories out, 1 of which is a brand new sub. I'm doing the Write1Sub1 (http://write1sub1.blogspot.com/) challenge (see big honking thread here in Short Fiction as well as the official blog), so am writing 2 new stories a month and then subbing them the month following.

As of today, i have had 2 rejections. Of the 8 stories i have out, 3 have been at their current venues for greater than 6 months (which means nothing really, except that they've been away from home for a long time).

[Gray Rose]

Two rejections this year: one from a pro-paying anthology (the editor loved the story, it didn't quite fit the anthology but she said she'd buy it for a future anthology if it materializes, so that's not such a bad outcome), second R for the new (W1S1) story, was rejected with the "close" form from Clarkesworld and off to its next market.

Dear Universe! Please! Let some of those bridesmaids become brides this year!

*ahem*

I have four story submissions and two poetry submissions out at this point. The steampunk novelette is still waiting for one more critique.

[LaurieD]

I've been trying to focus on my bigger stuff that have been in the works for over a year each, but a couple-three shorts have insisted on being written.

2 are out on sub - anticipated reply times indicate I should hear from them sometime this month/early next.

1 is waiting to see what happens to 1 on sub before I decide where to send it.

[SmallThing]

One acceptance, one story out, one going out tomorrow. I know, two stories out is hardly impressive, but it's exactly twice the number of stories I had out for all of 2010. :)

[pangalactic]

I've got three shorts and a twit-fic out on sub at the moment, waiting to hear back on them all. I've also had a rejection from Clarkesworld, although sad to say it wasn't even a near miss, just a flat-out reject. I suppose a no is a no, though, no matter what flavour it comes it :-)

Hopefully I'll have another one good to go by the end of next week, and then I can crack on with my next W1S1 story. No hits yet, but I've never had this many stories out and about at once before, so it's pretty exciting for me even though I'm banking on rejections for them all!

[Gray Rose]

One acceptance, one story out, one going out tomorrow. I know, two stories out is hardly impressive, but it's exactly twice the number of stories I had out for all of 2010. :)

Two is better than zero. In fact, it is a huge improvement over zero. May your stories be fruitful and multiply!

I've got three shorts and a twit-fic out on sub at the moment, waiting to hear back on them all. I've also had a rejection from Clarkesworld, although sad to say it wasn't even a near miss, just a flat-out reject. I suppose a no is a no, though, no matter what flavour it comes it :-)


At the end of the day, rejections are rejections are rejections, no matter how pretty they are. :P

[AlwaysJuly]

I have 5 out now, no news yet.

[JennyCP]

I've got four shorts out right now, but they're all to magazines that historically take a long time to respond, so I've got a wait ahead of me. But, four stories out is four more than I had last year, so an improvement!

[Shadow_Ferret]

1 acceptance today. :)

[Izz]

1 acceptance today. :)w00t! Congrats!

[SmallThing]

1 acceptance today. :)

Hurray!!!

[Gray Rose]

1 acceptance today. :)

Congrats!! Please share details?

[Layla Nahar]

1 acceptance today. :)

Wonderful!

[Shadow_Ferret]

Congrats!! Please share details?

At this point, the only detail is that it's a flash piece and Daily Science Fiction (http://dailysciencefiction.com/) accepted it.

[johnnysannie]

At this point, the only detail is that it's a flash piece and Daily Science Fiction (http://dailysciencefiction.com/) accepted it.

That's cool - I get their stories daily in my inbox so I'll see it.

I recently sent them one myself with fingers crossed!

[MJNL]

4 rejections so far for the month of January--woohoo! Back out the door they go!

[Kate Thornton]

Still working on my first story of 2011...

[Shadow_Ferret]

Got a rejection. Quickly looked it over, made a few changes, then submitted it to another market.

[dolores haze]

So far this year: One form rejection, one personalized rejection, one acceptance. Five short stories out on sub. Need to get a few more out there.

[EFCollins]

Heh... I have three stories out on submissions right now - looking for markets for some of my other stories. Problem is, they're the first stories not of my chosen genre (which is horror), and I have no clue where to send them. So, I'm slogging through Duotrope trying to find a potential home for some of them.

1 is contemporary fantasy (I think)
1 is suspense/thriller (I think and that'll be a hard sell anyhow because it's second person)
1 might be sci-fi. Might be horror. Might be fantasy. Definitely weird.
1 is literary.
1 is a children's story
1 is urban fiction

So yeah... dunno what to do with them, but I'm working on it! I'm researching. slowly. But surely. I am.

[Gray Rose]

1 is contemporary fantasy (I think)


Fantasy Magazine. Then possibly RoF.

1 is suspense/thriller (I think and that'll be a hard sell anyhow because it's second person)
Not my genre, sorry.

1 might be sci-fi. Might be horror. Might be fantasy. Definitely weird.
Clarkesworld; then Weird Tales.

1 is literary.
New Yorker, Agni, Tin House, Glimmer Train...

1 is a children's story
Cricket (but check length requirements)

1 is urban fiction
same as literary? Not exactly sure what you mean by Urban fiction.

Hope this helps.

[EFCollins]

It does help! Glimmertrain, Weird Tales and Clarkesworld I know of, but some of the others are new to me. I'll definitely check them out, so thanks! As far as urban fiction, I have no idea what it means... that's what genre another magazine editor told me it was when he rejected it... I was hoping someone else would know to be honest because Duotrope has no "urban fiction" listed as a genre. Maybe he meant urban fantasy? Though the fantasy doesn't make sense because it holds no fantastic element... at all. Very straightforward story about a woman who refuses to let go of a past love, so she spends her elder years waiting for a date that never shows up. Kinda sad, but not horror. I dunno what it is.

[Izz]

It does help! Glimmertrain, Weird Tales and Clarkesworld I know of, but some of the others are new to me. I'll definitely check them out, so thanks! As far as urban fiction, I have no idea what it means... that's what genre another magazine editor told me it was when he rejected it... I was hoping someone else would know to be honest because Duotrope has no "urban fiction" listed as a genre. Maybe he meant urban fantasy? Though the fantasy doesn't make sense because it holds no fantastic element... at all. Very straightforward story about a woman who refuses to let go of a past love, so she spends her elder years waiting for a date that never shows up. Kinda sad, but not horror. I dunno what it is.Duotrope does have Urban Fiction listed as a sub-genre of General. Only four results come up, though. Guess they might give you some ideas. Methinks 'urban fiction' is just a fancy way of saying 'sad.'

[Tienci]

Finally started submitting for the month--wrote a new story (flash fiction) yesterday, submitted it today, and submitted an older story to three new markets today. So four submissions for January/today thus far.

[AyJay]

I have two shorts on sub, both due for responses in March. Fingers crossed. They both got passed over in 2010 so I'm hoping this is the year.

[pixiejuice]

Congrats Shadow Ferret!

I have one flash piece on submission, and my goal this year is to keep it on submission after it gets rejected, lol! (Been lazy about sending it back out again...)

I'm drafting a second story that I'd like to try for the (go ahead and laugh) Glimmer Train New Writers Award. I'm not usually into contests, but for some reason I feel the itch to try and win this one. Anyone tried that contest before?

(link here: http://www.glimmertrain.com/shorawfornew2.html)

I figure this sort of contest is something I can only try before I get published, so no time better than now?

[jenga]

I submitted my first short story just a few months ago (and got my first rejection, too). After I drowned my sorrows, I got myself together and sent it somewhere else. Now I have 4 stories in circulation.

Still waiting to hear back from all four. *crosses fingers*

[Rufus Leeking]

I'm drafting a second story that I'd like to try for the (go ahead and laugh) Glimmer Train New Writers Award. I'm not usually into contests, but for some reason I feel the itch to try and win this one. Anyone tried that contest before?

(link here: http://www.glimmertrain.com/shorawfornew2.html)

I figure this sort of contest is something I can only try before I get published, so no time better than now?I keep sending them things, and am probably getting close to having several hundred dollars invested- I know they get a sick amount of entries. (and the NWA only excludes published writers who have been published in larger circulation markets (5000 or over))

[nwolverton]

I have 4 shorts out on submission right now, and I doubt I'll hear anything for a few months. Hope springs eternal!

1 - horror anthology
2 - themed contests (literary)
1 - lit mag (experimental)

[AnnieColleen]

I just sent off a flash piece to Daily Science Fiction, first thing sent out in a long while.

Also have written a couple of stories this month due to the Enchanted Conversation themes setting off ideas. Those will get sent out when the submission periods come open. Plus I've been digging up older flash/short pieces from various AW challenges (mostly), and the ones I still like will be out the door sooner or later. :)

[Izz]

Good stuff, Annie :)

[pixiejuice]

I keep sending them things, and am probably getting close to having several hundred dollars invested- I know they get a sick amount of entries. (and the NWA only excludes published writers who have been published in larger circulation markets (5000 or over))

Good point to keep in mind! I wasn't sure if 5000 would include most markets or not. So a circulation of 5000 is pretty big then?

[Shadow_Ferret]

Now I have 9 stories in submission.

[Scribe4264]

0-2 so far. Got pretty fast responses, and some positive feedback and an unexpected critique that was very helpful on one, but still 0-2. :(

[duvatney]

I got a "near-miss" from Clarkesworld a few days ago. This was really exciting for me, because this is my first effort at submitting a piece for publication! So I'm hoping that I'll be able to find a home for my little story somewhere.

It is now queued up at several other markets, where it will doubtless languish for some time...

[shelleyo]

Congratulations jenga and duvatney, and anyone else here who has just submitted for the first time.

Though the stories were rejected, you've still achieved something. You're now one rejection closer to your first acceptance!

Shelley

[Manuel Royal]

Three rejections (from stories submitted in 2010); five new submissions.

Four other stories still out from 2010 submissions.

Probably won't be doing as many short stories in 2011; concentrating on longer projects.

[EFCollins]

Duotrope does have Urban Fiction listed as a sub-genre of General. Only four results come up, though. Guess they might give you some ideas. Methinks 'urban fiction' is just a fancy way of saying 'sad.'

Yes, it is a sad story. And thanks for the tip! I forgot about the sub-genre thing on duotrope. And four results are better than none. :) It is a start!

[AnnieColleen]

It is now queued up at several other markets, where it will doubtless languish for some time...

Probably stating the obvious here, but...these are markets that accept simultaneous submissions, yes? Or am I mis-reading?

Congrats on the near-miss! That's closer than I've gotten yet. :)

[Chris P]

A token-paying anthology I had submitted to in 2009 went under (never left port, actually) which freed up a story for a semi-pro pub. I learned yesterday it made the short list, and I will know by Feb 21 if it will be included. Yay! The anthology folding might have been the best thing for this story.

I'm still learning about subbing, and from reading this thread I have WAY too few stories out.

[BigWords]

There's something which *might* appear in a collection of short stories in the not-too-distant-future (but I'm not jinxing myself) and a few magazines which have expressed an interest in publishing my work, though not the particular stories I sent them. This year I've sent out a lot more material than I have ever done before, and it seems to be working for me.

My chain-smoking, as I await my in-box to fill, is an acceptable side-effect of my increased activity...

[duvatney]

Probably stating the obvious here, but...these are markets that accept simultaneous submissions, yes? Or am I mis-reading?


Yes, fear not. I checked. ;)

Thanks for the congrats. It was the encouraging sign that I needed.

[AnnieColleen]

I figured, just thought I would ask. :) Encouraging signs are always great to come by.

[ajkjd01]

I've got stories that have been out for a while that I'm still waiting on responses.

"Demon Busters, Inc." has been out to the same market for almost 6 months. That market is kinda known for being slow, so I haven't worried about it yet.

"Poltergeist on Aisle Fourteen" was submitted to a contest that closes subs at the end of this month, so I'm hoping to hear in April/May.

"Welcome to New York" is on it's way this morning to another market. It was written this year, edited this year, and is on its third sub this week.

My novel THE GRIMM LEGACY is being subbed to agents, started Jan 6 of this year. I'm getting some really good nibbles, but nothing in stone.

[NicoleMD]

I've got 15 stories out right now. If I get too many more, my head will start spinning, so I'd better start selling some soon. I've had a handful of rejections this year so far and one semi-pro sale.

I'm also doing W1S1, so I should have a lot of submissions this year. I'm aiming for 200, and hoping for a 10% acceptance rate.

Nicole

[Filigree]

I have new fiction out to one great but slow market, a reprint I'm pitching to another magazine, and one story I have to clean up and send off to the Writers of the Future contest.

Filigree

[AlwaysJuly]

I've got 7 stories out to 10 'zines right now. I feel weird about having multiple stories out to only 1 journal, but a few don't accept simultaneous subs and a few are just weird pieces that don't fit anywhere else (Historical fiction about teenage girl trying to keep family together in WW2-era Warsaw? First person ramblings of a woman dying in the rain with a religious flavor? Yeah, I could only find one potential home for those pieces so far).

[Chris P]

I sent of another story last night. It seems a lot of places on Duotrope close submissions in early February. Is this typical? Are a lot of things open now only to have a dry spell through February and March? Or is this one of Duotrope's filters, only listing markets currently open?

[Izz]

I sent of another story last night. It seems a lot of places on Duotrope close submissions in early February. Is this typical? Are a lot of things open now only to have a dry spell through February and March? Or is this one of Duotrope's filters, only listing markets currently open?Many mags have set reading periods, so may only be open for submissions a few months out of the year. You'll probably find that for all the mags that close to subs in Feb, just as many others will reopen to subs.

[Chris P]

Many mags have set reading periods, so may only be open for submissions a few months out of the year. You'll probably find that for all the mags that close to subs in Feb, just as many others will reopen to subs.

Good to know! I was aware of reading periods, but I didn't know if Duotrope filtered their search results in this way.

[Izz]

Good to know! I was aware of reading periods, but I didn't know if Duotrope filtered their search results in this way.If you want to know all markets in your genre, regardless of whether they're open, un-tick 'Temp Closed' under the 'Exclude' options when running your search. The markets that are closed will still come up with 'temp closed' next to them, but you'll get a comprehensive list. :)

[jenga]

Congratulations jenga and duvatney, and anyone else here who has just submitted for the first time.

Though the stories were rejected, you've still achieved something. You're now one rejection closer to your first acceptance!

Shelley

Thanks Shelley! I've added one more to the "Pending" queue, so we'll see what happens!

[ejbwr]

Two for two so far. One was published at The Literary Burlesque. The other has been published at Weaponizer and is forthcoming at Pulp Metal Magazine.

All three zines are non-paying, though.

[Adam Israel]

I've sent out four subs so far this year, with another one going out tomorrow (as soon as I get off AW and finish editing) and a flash piece going out next week. Besides that, I have three three hard deadlines coming up between now and April for new stories, including one to a closed anthology.

[BigWords]

Three deadlines between now and April? Jeez, I must be doing something wrong... I'm sending out things at least twice a week to meet commitments - true, most of the stuff is long-term, and non-paying, gigs, but I wouldn't have expected myself to be so far off from what everyone else was doing...

[Tienci]

Sent off another short story 01/31 in time for a deadline--a new story written about 2 days ago. That's 5 submissions for January. I'm happy--my yearly rate was only about double that.

[Adam Israel]

Three deadlines between now and April? Jeez, I must be doing something wrong... I'm sending out things at least twice a week to meet commitments - true, most of the stuff is long-term, and non-paying, gigs, but I wouldn't have expected myself to be so far off from what everyone else was doing...

There's no right or wrong way of doing it. I make a point of not over-commit myself, and I'm selective about what markets I submit to.

Also, I made my 1/31 deadline last night; that makes five stories submitted in January.

[Darke]

I have two out; a flash piece and a short scifi story. I'm hoping to get a fantasy peice and erotic peice out within the next two months.

Note, I said 'hoping'. :D

[Tienci]

Two more submissions yesterday so I've got four stories out so far.

[nwolverton]

I'm excited to say I got a nibble on a short story the other day. The assistant said she "loved the tone" and would pass it on to her editor.

Fingers crossed!

[shelleyo]

I'm excited to say I got a nibble on a short story the other day. The assistant said she "loved the tone" and would pass it on to her editor.

Fingers crossed!

Good luck!

Shelley

[Polenth]

I did a major send out of anything that hadn't sold yet. No joy yet, though a few close calls, so hopefully those stories might find a home soon.

[Lydia Sharp]

My first antho pub for 2011 was released this month. :D
And this week I re-subbed two shorts from last year. Not ready to give up on them yet.

[dolores haze]

So far this year:

two sales, two personal rejections, two form rejections, three still out on sub, three shorts in the works.

[milly]

one short story out, my first ever short that I've subbed

:)

[ElisabethF]

Right now I've got two stories out, have received one rejection on the first one (submitted to multiple markets). Trying to mostly forget about them since the publications have long response times.

[Manuel Royal]

So far, one acceptance (http://darkvalentine.net/index.php/2011/02/a-story-for-valentines-day/); four rejections; eight still out there.

[alexshvartsman]

My goal for 2011 was a total of 10 short story sales. So far it's going swimmingly, with five sales already (four original stories and a reprint). Way above my expectations.

I also got nine rejections and a total of ten stories out on submission (two of which have been out there since November, including one shortlisted at an SFWA market). Of my five sales, only one was for the story written in 2011, even though I've been churning out a story a week to keep up with W1S1. They now make up the bulk of my current submissions and I am very optimistic about a couple of them.

[Henri Bauholz]

Horrible!

What's Cooking at The Blue Fox Cafe? (http://bluefoxcafe.wordpress.com)

[BjornAbust]

Well, I haven't yet made a submission in 2011. The two that I have out there were both submitted in the last months of 2010. One of them has been out nearly 70 days now.

I've almost finished a new story and I hope that I'll be able to find a home for it pretty soon.

[Tienci]

Congrats Milly and Lydia! :hooray:

As for me, six short stories out now since last post (02/02)...2 old ones, and 4 new (written this year).


Sent off another short story 01/31 in time for a deadline--a new story written about 2 days ago. That's 5 submissions for January. I'm happy--my yearly rate was only about double that.

[Damian_Rucci]

In the last three weeks I've subbed two of my flash fics to one publication and I've sent a short story of mine to several and so far I've gotten one rejection back (they recently changed guidelines and requirements to under 2000 words)

[Quantum1019]

Eight short stories submitted for the year so far.
3 rejections, but already sent one back out to a different market.
Got an update on 1 telling me it's stll in consideration for a spot in an anthology and asking me to wait a little longer.
Still waiting on the other four.

[Smish]

This is a great thread. So, I'm making it a sticky.

As for me, I've only submitted two short stories this year. Both of them are children's stories, and I submitted them to one print magazine each, both magazines with specific themes for each month, and themes set well in advance of the publishing date. So, it may be quite awhile before I hear back on either sub (and the odds of success are very slim, since both magazines tend to only publish one short story per month/theme, with the main focus on articles).

[Dovekie]

I have eight stories out right now. Several of them have been out since 2010, though. :) I've made it out of the slush pile at three places AFAIK -- one of them has been taking forEVER, so I wrote to them for a status update (figuring the answer was "your spam filter ate your rejection letter.") But no -- the answer was "in our editor's second-look pile." So, you know, squee. And stuff.

[Mark W.]

Two short stories submitted and one accepted to an anthology. Not too bad so far. :)

[Damian_Rucci]

I subbed my first short story to three markets, and one told me that they no longer accept short fiction above 2000 words but offered me a contest for longer works. One market accepted my story, and now I'm waiting for a market to get back to me on some flash fiction :) Once I get done editing two of my stories I'll be subbing them out as well

[Chris P]

None accepted yet this year, but I'm making a renewed effort to send out the dozen or so stories I have backlogged. I tend to go in spurts; I've not had a new story published in close to a year. It's time to get crackin'!

[Izz]

Congrats on the sale, Damian!

[Sn00py]

Hello, all. Except for a few posts, mostly critiquing stories in the SYW forum, I am a newb to posting here.

Submissions for 2011 are going as expected. Rejected by The New Yorker, rejected by The Georgia Review, waiting on replies for four other short stories while I continue to write more. I had several stories published in micro markets a little over a year ago. I figure this year I'll give myself a real shot and start at the top.

[Izz]

Stats for March (unless i get more responses tonight): 10 rejections. Stats for the year-to-date: 1 sale, 20 rejections. Stories out: 12.

[marysipe]

So far, 12 submission: 5 rejections: 8 stories still out (one from last year).

[williemeikle]

17 submitted, 10 rejections, 9 sales (6 semi-pro, 3 pro.)

8 back out on sub at the moment, along with six still outstanding at antho markets from last year.

[MattJ]

15 out, 7 rejections.

The novelty of the rejections is starting to wear off, and so is my fascincation with Duotrope stats. At least, for today. Tomorrow is another story. :)

The next week is going to either me a very good week, or a very bad week for me.

[Chris P]

Got about six out right now, I won't expect to hear anything until next week or the week after. I'm trying a new approach to subbing, so we'll see what fruit it bears.

[Sn00py]

Chris,

What is this "new approach?" Does it involve whiskey? :D

[MattJ]

Friends don't let friends drink and sub.

Chris,

What is this "new approach?" Does it involve whiskey? :D

[Tienci]

2011 Stats
Submissions to date: 16. Rejections: 4.
12 responses pending...

Total # of stories out (2010/2011): 8 (one of which was submitted last year and, I suspect, the only response still pending got lost in the ether of an unresponsive market. So perhaps just 7 are actually out/still in consideration as that particular story is sitting, waiting for me to edit it more aggressively before sending it out again).

[Lydia Sharp]

Just received my second acceptance of 2011 today. :D
This will be my first sci-fi short story pub. Everything prior has been fantasy.

Today has been full of jumping jacks and childish giggling. :hooray:

[shelleyo]

Congrats, Lydia!

Shelley

[Izz]

Yay, Lydia! :snoopy:

[Shadow_Ferret]

My acceptance was finally published: dailysciencefiction.com/story/ed-wyrd/the-modern-prometheus

[alexshvartsman]

Great job Shadow-Ferrett, I enjoyed that story.

[C.bronco]

I'm submitting again! Yay!

[izanobu]

I just sold two more stories (well, 1 is a reprint sale, but I'm getting monies for both so I count both as new sales), so I'd say that my submissions this year are going fine :)

[alexshvartsman]

Congratulations Annie, well done.

[OtterFactory]

I'm drafting a second story that I'd like to try for the (go ahead and laugh) Glimmer Train New Writers Award. I'm not usually into contests, but for some reason I feel the itch to try and win this one. Anyone tried that contest before?

(link here: http://www.glimmertrain.com/shorawfornew2.html)

I figure this sort of contest is something I can only try before I get published, so no time better than now?

I submitted to this contest as well. Do you happen to know if the rejected get an e-mail, or do we have to wait 'til April 30 to get out the bottle?

[Tienci]

2011 Stats
Submissions to date: 16. Rejections: 4.
12 responses pending...

Total # of stories out (2010/2011): 8 (one of which was submitted last year and, I suspect, the only response still pending got lost in the ether of an unresponsive market. So perhaps just 7 are actually out/still in consideration as that particular story is sitting, waiting for me to edit it more aggressively before sending it out again).

Oh boy! Two weeks later and:
2011 submissions to date: 28. Rejections: 6.
22 responses pending...

Total # of stories out (2010/2011): 11.

I've been about equally cleaning up some older ones to send out and writing new ones.

[ShadowFox]

Stupid things not to do when submitting number #32:

Don't axedetally sent de first draft with all teh spealing mistakes unfixed.

Ooops.

Oh well, that’s another one out of the door:(

[Izz]

Quick-fire 2011 stats to date:

23 rejections
1 rewrite request
2 sales
10 stories currently doing the rounds (that'll jump to 12 in the next 2 days)

[Izz]

I submitted to this contest as well. Do you happen to know if the rejected get an e-mail, or do we have to wait 'til April 30 to get out the bottle?I've only subbed to Glimmer Train a couple times, but have got an email rejection each time (though those were to the free contests, so i don't know if different rules apply to the paid ones).

[Lillie]

Three stories out. One a proper story and two flash things.

I'm waiting for my first rejection and getting nervous as the Duotrope stats get closer to the date I sent mine in...

[ElisabethF]

Supposing one has a story submitted to Glimmer Train during the free January period, which is supposed to have results by April 30th...and supposing that it's five days past that point and one has not yet received a response. Could that possibly be a good sign, or is it merely a pleasant fantasy on my part?

[PlanetCaravan]

Supposing one has a story submitted to Glimmer Train during the free January period, which is supposed to have results by April 30th...and supposing that it's five days past that point and one has not yet received a response. Could that possibly be a good sign, or is it merely a pleasant fantasy on my part?

possibly, but theyre running a week or two late on their usual response times.

Good luck. :)

[Sam I Am]

Submitted my first short story, still waiting to hear back after two weeks. I'm going to submit a second one tonight; hopefully they'll do well.

[Sagana]

Go Sam! Submitting puts you in a special club. Good luck with them. :)

My this year stats so far are
4 rejections (3 for the same story, 1 for a twit fic).
3 stories looking for a home
2 that need rewrites or trunking
0 sales or rewrite requests, as of yet. Someday.
1 in-progress, 1 on the back burner.
And the novel, which is moving along, but slowly right now.

[alexshvartsman]

Sam,

Welcome, and good luck!

[ElisabethF]

Well, for this year I have a grand total of two form rejections, one withdrawal, one journal that ceased publication after I submitted to them, and one more that hasn't responded, even after an email inquiry.

At least it's an interesting variety. I had no idea there were so many possible outcomes to submitting a story. :)

[Kim Fierce]

I have 4 short fiction and 2 non-fiction in submission right now. Half of those were sent out in Jan/Feb so I think it's time to move on? I just started submitting seriously in 2011, too. I've received 2 rejections this year, both for the same story, which I have put aside for now because it really is weak.

[Lizardmaker]

My stats (short fic only) since Jan 1:

16 rejections
1 requested revision sent out to pub (still not officially accepted)
1 fiction-writing award
7 acceptances
1 accepted story returned (pub changed theme) w/kill fee
4 stories appeared in publication
14 stories out seeking a home

Looking at this list, I guess I'm doing okay! Last year I had only two stories accepted.

[BlackDove13]

My stats for 2011

2 accepted
1 anthology rejected, too many to choose from and mine wasn't what they were looking for, but they asked me to turn it into a stand alone and resubmit, which isn't bad.

considering my first submission was in May , life is good.

[Wattsi]

Wow, you guys are all fabulous! I've been thinking of writing a few short stories for submission for ages now (two-ish years) but have never gotten around to them because I've been invested in far larger projects. You see, I have this insane idea that having my short stories published might make it easier for my novels to get some notice (ha!), but we'll see how that goes. A girl can be hopeful, right? Anyway, good luck on all your submissions guys - I'm itching to get into the game too. Think I'm going to hang around this section for awhile...

[stray]

Been busy writing and not submitting to much this year. But have:
Two ebook contracts.
One novel rewrite requested. Sent and waiting response.
One short story pub.
A number of rejections from last years submissions.

[REDefiant]

I went through with my first submission ever as of today. My heart fluttered as I clicked on the submit button, to say the least. I'm excited to see the outcome, even if it's a rejection.

[Wattsi]

I went through with my first submission ever as of today. My heart fluttered as I clicked on the submit button, to say the least. I'm excited to see the outcome, even if it's a rejection.

Good luck!
There's nothing quite like that feeling. I think I almost gave myself a panic attack when I submitted something last year (first time ever). I got rejected, quite promptly I might add, by all ten agents that I'd sent it out to. I'm a sucker for punishment ;).

[Tienci]

2011 Short Story Submission Stats thus far:

71 submissions (thanks to fast responses and sim-sub allowance)
16 stories submitted (10 still out there, 5 awaiting revisions before being sent back out, 1 acceptance)

[Project Deadlight]

4 subs since May
3 form rejections (2 for same tale)
1 personalised rejection (for tale mentioned above)
Two out there quite some time now...

[squeaky pram]

71 submissions (thanks to fast responses and sim-sub allowance)

Just wanted to say "Wow!" You're my new inspiration!

Me? I've just started writing again after 14 years, but so far I've got two stories out there, one submitted to two markets, the other just one. All pending responses. Getting very jittery!! It's weird to be in this place again.

[Wattsi]

I just subbed my first story this year. I wasn't even a little bit nervous about it, which must mean that I'm growing a thicker skin.

[Izz]

Well done, Wattsi! :hooray:

[squeaky pram]

Lizardmaker: I've had a gander at your blogspot site. Just wanted to let you know it's really wonderful. I don't write children's lit (yet!?), but your site has so much great commentary and information that I think is relevant to anyone. Great job!

Everyone: Such an impressive roll call here. Makes me want to hurry up and finish some more stories!

Also... where might I go on Water Cooler to discuss obsessing about pending submissions? Help!!!

[D_Cooper_Ho]

I have 4 short stories, one has been accepted by two publications (trying to juggle them both) and one was rejected due to length. Still waiting to hear about the 2 others, and the other simultaneous submissions.

This acceptance also marks my very first publishing credit. My short story, The Key Garden, will appear in September on Bartleby Snopes.

D.

[mieshe]

Submitted my first short story last night. Scared face.

To be honest I'm not expecting an acceptance. Actually finishing and submitting something is good enough right now.

[Raphee]

I submitted my first short story on 9th August.
Now, I'm learning more about the submission process.

[Raphee]

Also... where might I go on Water Cooler to discuss obsessing about pending submissions? Help!!!

If you look in the short story section, right here, you'll find a lot of threads on submissions that answer your question.

[Tienci]

Number of valid short story submissions so far in 2011: 85.

16 stories out right now--my highest yet. :)
5 stories sitting, waiting on revisions before being sent back out (so 21 stories total sent out at some point during this year).
Whoo-hoo! And now, more than one acceptance please. :D

[Raphee]

Made my first submission this month. Now waiting for a response.

[squeaky pram]

Good luck, Raphee!

Submission obsession is a killer, but, as everyone here says, the best way to combat it is to keep writing and submit more stories. It's great advice, and I've been making progress with it (I now have four submissions floating around), but I'm right there with you! It's not easy. Hang in there! Keep writing.

ETA: I just reread Raphee's post and saw that the submission-obsession topic that I was responding to was introduced in a quote by... me. Oy! Just... you know... never mind... :Wha:

[Raphee]

Thanks squeaky pram. I've been learning a lot about shorts this past month or so. I have my first draft of a new story written. Not happy with it. And trying to find the tone and voice that suits me and the story.

Good luck to you.

[raelwv]

I started submitting at the beginning of the year. 30 of them, so far. After 24 shoot downs (and a few others out pending), I got me first acceptance today.

Yes, I'm a bit excited! :snoopy:

[blacbird]

Into the literary Oort cloud, never to be seen again, as always.

caw

[alexshvartsman]

Congratulations raelwv, here's to many more!

[Tienci]

Yay-congrats raelwv! :)

[squeaky pram]

I started submitting at the beginning of the year. 30 of them, so far. After 24 shoot downs (and a few others out pending), I got me first acceptance today.

Yes, I'm a bit excited! :snoopy:

Great news, raelwv!! Now, off to Duotrope with you! Time to record your triumph!

Just wondering... of your 30 stories is this the one you'd have most expected to see published? Or was this a bit of a surprise?

Into the literary Oort cloud, never to be seen again, as always.

caw

blacbird... fingers in perpetual cross for you.

[beezle]

After a recent rejection and acceptance, I have 5 out, including 2 on resale submission.

[Wattsi]

Congrats to raelwv! That's fantastic news.

I'm pretty pumped myself - my submissions haven't been going as planned. I only managed to get my first one out in July, and that was because I was due to give birth in a couple of weeks and it was a "now or never" type of thing.

I just got my acceptance letter a few days ago, and for the first time ever I'll be a published writer. Yay!

[raelwv]

Thanks, everybody!

Great news, raelwv!! Now, off to Duotrope with you! Time to record your triumph!

Already done.

is this the one you'd have most expected to see published? Or was this a bit of a surprise?

It's not my favorite, but I thought it came out pretty well. I wouldn't have bet on it being my first, though.

[squeaky pram]

As of yesterday, one rejection. Yay! News is at least news.

I've still got the three stories awaiting responses. This rejection just eliminates the simsub.

So, update... 3 stories subbed: 2 to competitions, 1 to a mag.

[midnightpumpkin]

I have veeeery carefully dipped a toe in the submissions-pond... :-)
Sent out my first short on the 24th and am waiting to hear back. (The average response time for them seems to be around 3 weeks)
The first couple of days were easy, but now I open my inbox every day somewhere between hope and dread...
I have another one ready to go, but am hesitating for some reason... maybe it needs another edit ;-)

[squeaky pram]

I just got my acceptance letter a few days ago, and for the first time ever I'll be a published writer. Yay!

Great news, Wattsi!

I have veeeery carefully dipped a toe in the submissions-pond... :-)
Sent out my first short on the 24th and am waiting to hear back. (The average response time for them seems to be around 3 weeks)
The first couple of days were easy, but now I open my inbox every day somewhere between hope and dread...
I have another one ready to go, but am hesitating for some reason... maybe it needs another edit ;-)

Good luck, pumpkin!

Here's a suggestion: instead of checking your inbox, edit/revise your other story and send it out. Then write some more. I know, though, that the urge to check, even while working on something else, is powerful.

[Velcro]

11 submissions :), 9 rejections :cry:

Oh well...I wear my rejections with pride. In fact, I'm hoping to get enough that I can make a suit out of them.

[midnightpumpkin]

Good luck, pumpkin!

Here's a suggestion: instead of checking your inbox, edit/revise your other story and send it out. Then write some more. I know, though, that the urge to check, even while working on something else, is powerful.

Thanks :-)
It's a tough one... I guess part of me wants the rejections one by one with a bit of a break in between... ease in so to speak :-) on the other hand... there is something to be said for ripping off the band-aid all in one go :-)
ok... I'll send the other one out tonight. *takes deep breath*

[stray]

A couple of short story publications to non-paying markets..And 25 dollars for a series on fried fiction.

[jazzman99]

Well, let's see. As of today I have:

5 short stories pending at various magazines
4 short stories pending at various anthologies (including the AW anthology!)
[I know I've made the first cut at one of the anthologies--basically a "you're in unless I get a bunch more stuff I like more very soon" thing]

For the year I've had two stories accepted for print magazines, one accepted for an ezine, and one accepted for a local anthology. That's against eight rejections, with all the rejected pieces turned around and back out there in the world.

Goal: another twelve all-new submissions by the end of the year, plus turning around any rejections I receive, plus FINALLY getting my novel revision finished and published to Kindle.

Lordy, this is fun!

[B.D. Eyeslie]

Three out, with one rejection: today--The AW spec. fiction contest. Keep pluggin'

[alexshvartsman]

A couple of short story publications to non-paying markets..And 25 dollars for a series on fried fiction.

How exactly do you fry fiction? Are there 11 herbs and spices?

[defcon6000]

How exactly do you fry fiction? Are there 11 herbs and spices?
You write a story, then stick it in the frier till golden brown. Served with a side of coleslaw and your choice of tarter sauce, soy sauce, or ketchup.

[Project Deadlight]

11 submissions :), 9 rejections :cry:

Oh well...I wear my rejections with pride. In fact, I'm hoping to get enough that I can make a suit out of them.

Sounds like a good idea for a story...

[Tienci]

Forgot to report in this thread--made 100th submission for 2011 on October 1st and goal of 20 stories out simultaneously on October 2nd. :)
Pretty stoked about that and hoping I don't get comfy and forget my goal of writing and submitting at least 2-3 new stories this month (and 2/month thereafter)!

Overall goal for the year is at least 24 new short stories. 17 done so far plus an adaptation of a film idea to a short story--not sure if that counts as a new story or not :Huh: so I'm either at 17 or 18 (of which 16 are on sub).

[Steve Coate]

I have 23 subs for the year, with 10 still pending.

:Headbang:

[PrincessofPersia]

Just sent out my first short. Subbed it to 10 places so far. Luckily, I have another one to start, so I won't be sitting around obsessing.

[Asha Leu]

I only just started properly submitting a couple of months ago. At the moment I'm at six submissions (for three stories), with three rejections so far. Currently preparing a fourth story for submission.

[mar quest]

I sent a short soft SF and got three rejections so far. I feel really discouraged. The last rejection didn't even take a week.

[Asha Leu]

Keep at it, many professional writers got hundreds of rejections before their work was accepted. You shouldn't read too much into response times, either - they vary wildly from place to place.

[Raphee]

Well I got my first rejection yesterday.

[Lillie]

Yay!!!

Congratulations on your first Rejection :D You're a proper writer now!

And may there be Acceptances in the future for you :)

[Raphee]

Thanks Lillie. LOL.
Was on vacation, just saw your message now.

[J.W. Alden]

Just released my first submission ever, like a dove to the wind... :scared:

I must admit, my finger hovered over the button for quite a while.

[J.W. Alden]

Annnnnd first rejection. Clarkesworld IS fast! :)

[Izz]

We have a new thread for the new year here (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233871).

[izanobu]

My final 2011 tally was about 100 rejections, 7 sales (6 pro, 1 reprint). 2012 is the year of novel writing for me, so probably won't be better on the short fiction front than 2011. Oh well.