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- Thread starter tylerd
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I guess a Mod will port this over to the Roundtable, but my first suggestion would be to make sure that you're following submission guidelines to the letter. That's not just a question of making sure that you're not submitting fantasy stories to a journal/publication that only takes westerns, it's also a matter of making sure you comply with formatting requirements (and if none are specified, that your material is submitted in accordance with general formatting standards).
If you're worried about whether it's your writing then you could always try asking for a Beta in the beta forum to take a look at it for you, or alternatively look to see if there are any good crit groups in your area. If you stick around then once you get to 50 posts you could also try putting a sample up in the Share Your Work Forum.
MM
If you're worried about whether it's your writing then you could always try asking for a Beta in the beta forum to take a look at it for you, or alternatively look to see if there are any good crit groups in your area. If you stick around then once you get to 50 posts you could also try putting a sample up in the Share Your Work Forum.
MM
Good writers subbing good work to the appropriate markets still get rejected. Most markets are overrun with subs and have limited publication slots. Subjective judgment and editorial preferences can see good pieces rejected, as can many factors the writer can't control, such as the editor having already bought a similar story.
Perseverence is the key. Story goes out, story comes back, story goes out again the same day.
However, if you're getting nothing but form rejections (no specific comments, no "really enjoyed this, but sorry," no invitations to send more), you might need to recall those stories for revision. SYW could give you an indication of how close your work is to publishable, as could knowledgable betas.
Perseverence is the key. Story goes out, story comes back, story goes out again the same day.
However, if you're getting nothing but form rejections (no specific comments, no "really enjoyed this, but sorry," no invitations to send more), you might need to recall those stories for revision. SYW could give you an indication of how close your work is to publishable, as could knowledgable betas.
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Read the journals and/or magazines you submit to. Know them inside out. And, follows the guideliness to a tee.
To recieve writing critiques, they have a share your work forum here. You have to have 50 posts first, I think.
To recieve writing critiques, they have a share your work forum here. You have to have 50 posts first, I think.
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Knowing the market is crucial, of course. If you haven't already, sign up for Duotrope Digest's website (it's free--www.duotrope.com) and search for magazines that publish your genre. Links to their websites are provided.
The other element is the writing. Have you let people you trust but who will give it to you straight read the stories? Once you get 50 posts you can post them here in the Share Your Work areas. You might learn a lot just by reading the comments in those threads.
Best of luck! Submitting is a tough process but only a few "yeses" make up for a lot of "nos."
The other element is the writing. Have you let people you trust but who will give it to you straight read the stories? Once you get 50 posts you can post them here in the Share Your Work areas. You might learn a lot just by reading the comments in those threads.
Best of luck! Submitting is a tough process but only a few "yeses" make up for a lot of "nos."
there's no way you could expect us to answer that with so little information.
I'd suggest hittnig your 50 posts by looking through the site, especially the SYW section (even if you can't sub yet, you can read and crit others' work) and when you hit 50 posts, throw a few samples up. See what folks think, but minus any idea where you subbed, when, how many pieces, or the quality of the writing, it is impossible to say if it is the market, the lack of niche for the piece, or the writing, or even some other factor.
Good luck,
Quick
Could be either one, or both. Only teh editors can tell you for sure. Placing a story anywhere is not easy, and very few manage to do it, but you should know whether you're submitting to the wrong places by reading each of the journals you submit to. If you don't read the journals, selling to them is very, very tough. Mostly a matter of luck, even with a good story.
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