Am I wrong? [edit requests prior to acceptance]

So I was in contact with this journal about a short story. One of the editors contacted me, telling me it was well-received, that he liked it, and that they needed to "see some revisions" prior to acceptance. I agreed. The editor then wrote me back that "never mind, we don't need edits. It's good as-is." Less than an hour later I get an email from the head editor that the piece was rejected.

I am a little pissed.

I've never been asked to work on a piece by an editor prior to acceptance, or without a very strong possibility of acceptance (meaning it only wouldn't be published if my edits didn't meet their expectations).

I wrote back to the editor. I never write back to editors.

I told the head editor I was confused, to say the least. I feel jerked around. Writers aren't slave laborers. If I am willing to dedicate time revising a piece for a specific journal's request, that journal better damn well be interested in publishing me, so long as I meet the expectations of that request.

I think a followup email was called for, and it wasn't rude but just inquisitive as to their process. I don't know, maybe this is commonplace? I've just never been approached in such a roundabout, confusing way before by editors. I would have preferred a "no thank you" and no other contact.

I think my primary frustration was not that it was rejected, but that a.)why offer edits if they won't fix the piece enough to fit your journal? and b.)why then rescind those edits saying that it is perfectly fine if you don't have the intention of publishing it?

Like I said, it was mostly like I felt jerked around and mislead about my chances.

Thanks, everyone for the replies. A little more info: the editors are student editors. The decision, while coming from the head editor's e-mail box, is not made by him. He replied saying he would check with the editors to see if there was a miscommunication. Which I find doubtful, but at least there might be a little bit of clarification on the decision.

Captcha said:

On the maybe-positive side - were the suggested edits good ideas? Will you at least be coming out of this mess with an improved MS? That'd be something...

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Unfortunately, the editor I was speaking with had apparently made some detailed editorial notes, then rescinded them stating it was "good as-is." Both those two communications seemed like acceptance, as I didn't think a zine would waste its time or mine by communicating the need for edits on a piece it wasn't interested in.

In all honesty, this magazine has been a bit unethical from the beginning. It started out as a college zine where student editors featured their own work in space that should have been filled with new authors (not to mention all the other ethical implications of this, none of which are good).

I guess I should have expected this. The only reason I submit here is because I'm an alum and I like to support the English department. But honestly, I'm not sure I'll submit next year after this. They've just kind of turned me off.

HoneyBadger said:

I don't know. I think it would never be wrong to err on the side of editorial miscommunication- if indeed there was a mix-up, your reply very well could have done the deal in. Publishing's such a small world, so even with small publications and student editors, writers really should take care to remain professional and diplomatic.

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On the other hand, they might not have even looked into it if I hadn't mentioned anything. Like I said, I'd already received a rejection. I doubt there would have been any more communication beyond that if not for me bringing it up.

Also, you're right about being professional. I definitely approached this professionally with both editors, was cordial and understanding. Used professional yet personable language stripped of emotional content. I'm always careful not to burn bridges and not to jump to conclusions. I'm giving them the opportunity to explain, not demanding anything. Just simple inquiry. If that gets me blackballed then they weren't a bunch worth working with in the first place, IMO.

The head editor got back to me. Still a rejection, but he admitted it seemed odd even to him, and that he can only remember one or two times he's ever been asked for edits prior to acceptance. It's alright, I'm over it at this point. Back to duotrope.