Has anyone ever had a future publication cancelled?

billyf027 · Apr 1, 2007

I now have three stories forthcoming in three different publications. These were simultaneously submitted so I have to inform the other publications that the stories are no longer available. My fear is that for some reason the journal will cancel my acceptance and the stories will no longer be under consideration from the other journals. Should I withdrawal the story immediately from other journals(This is what I think) or wait until its published?
Did this ever happen to anyone?

Julie Worth · Apr 1, 2007

You mean that you submitted the same story to three journals, and they all accepted it? Or just one? And do the other journals allow simultaneous submissions?

If only one accepted it, this is what I would do: If the other two allow simultaneous submissions, I would immediately inform them in a nice letter that the story is no longer available. But I would not tell them why. If they do not allow simultaneous submissions, I would resolve never to make that mistake in the future, but I would not tell them anything. When they reject the story (most likely), you will be off the hook. If they accept it, though, you will have to tell them, and your name will go on a dartboard.

If the first journal reneges, it's your tough luck.

If all of them publish it, you've become a criminal.

Julie Worth · Apr 1, 2007

I'm still not clear on your situation, but yeah, I've heard of that. But generally because the publisher went under. Best to write a bunch of stories so that you can cycle them through the rejection mill. One gets rejected, back out it goes.

Here's where you can get an idea of how long it takes. (The site is slanted toward SF, but many general interest mags are listed.)

scribbler1382 · Apr 1, 2007

It happens all the time (especially with small presses) and there's nothing you can do about it. Well, that's not exactly true. If you're that iffy about a pub, don't submit to it in the first place.

What you need to do is inform the other publications that you sold the story and you'd like to withdraw it from consideration. The sooner you do this, the better. If it does turn out the pub goes under before your story appears, then you resubmit to those markets. If you deal professionally and politely with the markets you're withdrawing from, they'll be glad to take another look in the future. Screw around, and you'll burn a bridge.

Chumplet · Apr 1, 2007

Hang on... if it's three different stories to three different publications, why do you have to withdraw at all? Did I miss something?

scribbler1382 · Apr 1, 2007

Huh? You're not making any sense. What does the sale of story A to publication A have to do with the consideration of story B at publication B and story C at publicaton C?

Jamesaritchie · Apr 1, 2007

Canceled

The only time I've ever had a story canceled was when the magazine folded before the story could be published. This happens, but it's pretty darned rare.

I'm confused, as well. If it's the same story submitted to three different magazines, I think this is a very poor way of going about things. Simultaneous submissions are, I firmly believe, always counterproductive, at best.

But if it's three different stories submitted to three different magazines, there's no reason on earth to withdraw anything from anywhere. They can all buy your stories.

Julie Worth · Apr 1, 2007

scribbler1382 said:
Huh? You're not making any sense. What does the sale of story A to publication A have to do with the consideration of story B at publication B and story C at publicaton C?

I'm thinking he means that these were simultaneous multiple submissions. Three stories to three journals, for a total of nine submissions.

(If the three stories aren't clearer than the story about the stories, then his worries are unfounded.)

scribbler1382 · Apr 1, 2007

So this is what an aneurism feels like. :e2hammer:

Chumplet · Apr 1, 2007

I feel a vein bursting right now.

PeeDee · Apr 1, 2007

IF it's what Julie is translating it to (dur? dur dur??) then you really shouldn't have done that. It's a crappy idea to submit one story to several magazines. Query letters, sure, stories? No way. I would reject the story outright if I found out someone submitted to BBT as well as other markets. Homey don't play that.

But...er....I have no idea if that's what you meant. I've read this thread four times, and I Do Not Get It.

The Lady · Apr 1, 2007

billyf027 said:
I meant three different stories are pending. Not three publications accepted the same story. quote]

It's as clear as a bell to me. Three different stories. And he said that he only multi subs where it's specifically allowed. Right below.

I wouldn't submit to any that don't allow simultaneous submissions.

Click to expand...

See no confusion. I really felt I had to clear that up. I don't know why.

Judg · Apr 1, 2007

Ah Lady, but remember that simultaneous submissions and multiple submissions are not the same thing. Simsubs are the same story being sent to different publishers at the same time. Multisubs are different stories being sent to the same publisher at the same time.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 1, 2007

The Lady said:
billyf027 said:

I meant three different stories are pending. Not three publications accepted the same story. quote]

It's as clear as a bell to me. Three different stories. And he said that he only multi subs where it's specifically allowed. Right below.

See no confusion. I really felt I had to clear that up. I don't know why.

Click to expand...

It still confuses me. As Judg says, multiple and simultaneous submissions are very different things, and the way this post went, I had no clue which were being discussed. I'm still not sure.

The_Grand_Duchess · Apr 1, 2007

I think I got it. The OP sent out three diffrent stories to three diffrent publications each. So nine submissions. The three stories got accepted at at least one of the pubs he submitted to and now he's worried for some reason that the pub will cancell the story before it's posted.

Just send a nice note removing your story from consideration.

PeeDee · Apr 1, 2007

(still doesn't follow, but....)

Well, there's always a chance that a magazine's going to crash and burn before your story reaches print. It's just a risk you take. It's usually not a huge risk, unless you're submitting to really small magazines.

The_Grand_Duchess · Apr 1, 2007

Pete, we are all confused and just looking to offer assitance where we can. Isn't that the way of everything in life?

PeeDee · Apr 1, 2007

My official advice is: eggplant.

Kate Thornton · Apr 2, 2007

I thought it would - in this case - be PHENTERMINE!

C.bronco · Apr 2, 2007

I sold something to a magazine that went under before printing the issue with my piece in it. Is that what you're worried about? Try PHENTERMINE, I did!

Susie · Apr 12, 2007

Much good luck, Billy.

Has anyone ever had a future publication cancelled?

billyf027

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

scribbler1382

Write For You, Edit For The Reader

Chumplet

This hat is getting too hot

scribbler1382

Write For You, Edit For The Reader

Jamesaritchie

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

scribbler1382

Write For You, Edit For The Reader

Chumplet

This hat is getting too hot

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

The Lady

Critical Member

Judg

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Jamesaritchie

The_Grand_Duchess

I record everything.

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

The_Grand_Duchess

I record everything.

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Kate Thornton

Still Happy to be Here. Or Anywhere

C.bronco

I have plans...

Susie

Thanks, special friend for my avi!