What Makes an Editor Stop Reading?

sgtmrb03 · Jul 3, 2007

This question may be too general, and I assume it's been covered elsewhere, but I can't for the life of me find a similar thread. I've only submitted short stories, so I guess my question applies to them more than novels. But any advice is appreciated.

What makes an editor stop reading? I hear 90% of the slushpile is rejected immediately due to poor fundamentals (spelling, grammar, etc.). But what gets the remaining 10% rejected? Unoriginal story idea, graphic scenes/language, slow beginning, editor's preference...? Is there anything in particular that will turn an editor off, even if the story is well-written?

Don Allen · Jul 3, 2007

What makes an editor stop reading? Anything written by D.G.Allen... sorry not the answer you were looking for.

Cassie · Jul 3, 2007

You're right: fundamentals are a huge part of rejection. I think other factors include those you've listed, as well as something as arbitrary as an editor's mood at the particular time, or what she had for breakfast. Unfortunate, eh?

Jamesaritchie · Jul 4, 2007

Stop

sgtmrb03 said:
This question may be too general, and I assume it's been covered elsewhere, but I can't for the life of me find a similar thread. I've only submitted short stories, so I guess my question applies to them more than novels. But any advice is appreciated.

What makes an editor stop reading? I hear 90% of the slushpile is rejected immediately due to poor fundamentals (spelling, grammar, etc.). But what gets the remaining 10% rejected? Unoriginal story idea, graphic scenes/language, slow beginning, editor's preference...? Is there anything in particular that will turn an editor off, even if the story is well-written?

Other than lack of fundamentals and plain bad writing, from my experience the next three reasons are: 1. Boredom. 2. Seen it too many times before. 3. Inappropriate material.

triceretops · Jul 5, 2007

I'm going to borrow James' number 2 reason. I think I have been slammed more for cliche ideas and worn-out plots or premisis. My biggest acceptances have come from editors and agents who had the energy to read my fulls. But 99% of ALL my rejections came directly after the query. The queries were fine, it was the story idea in them that got me fired so many times.

Tri

Jamesaritchie · Jul 5, 2007

triceretops said:
I'm going to borrow James' number 2 reason. I think I have been slammed more for cliche ideas and worn-out plots or premisis. My biggest acceptances have come from editors and agents who had the energy to read my fulls. But 99% of ALL my rejections came directly after the query. The queries were fine, it was the story idea in them that got me fired so many times.

Tri

In many ways, I think yours is the number one reason. I list boredom first only because it can happen long before you know whether the plot is a cliche. Boredom often stops me in the first three or four pages.

Lauri B · Jul 5, 2007

Speaking for nonfiction, I'll stop reading if the subject is too niche or the premise is too exaggerated. I'll usually read through the whole thing, otherwise.

Unimportant · Jul 5, 2007

Go to Slushkiller, at http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/004641.html, and skip down to #3, “The Context of Rejection.”

Jamesaritchie · Jul 6, 2007

Unimportant said:
Go to Slushkiller, at http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/004641.html, and skip down to #3, “The Context of Rejection.”

That's always worth reading. It's too kind in some ways, but about as accurate as anything I've read anywhere.

Twizzle · Jul 6, 2007

I just started reading Noah Lukeman's THE FIRST FIVE PAGES, on someone else's recommendation when I brought up this same question. It's pretty interesting. You might want to take a look.

Anthony Ravenscroft · Jul 6, 2007

It's not even so much "turns the editor off" as "fails to turn the editor on."

You have to write something that will make the editor decide not to go to the restroom for a pee.

sgtmrb03 · Jul 6, 2007

Thank you all for your advice. I've "favorited" the link, Unimportant, and your insight is always appreciated, JAR. I'm with you too, Cassie. Maybe it's mood or lack/excess of caffeine that influences some editors. Twizzle, I'll see if the local library carries The First Five Pages. Thanks

My rejections have been positive recently, but I still haven't cracked the starting lineup. I think I have the basics down. I probably need to work on drawing the editor into the story early on, and avoiding cliches. These seem to be my major weaknesses.

I've been submitting for about six months, and one editor told me it took two years (and 50 subs) before he was published. I guess I'm being impatient, and should work on honing my craft rather than sweating out the yeas and nays. But it's always helpful to learn the nuts and bolts of the biz. Thanks, guys (and gals).

Twizzle · Jul 7, 2007

Anthony Ravenscroft said:
You have to write something that will make the editor decide not to go to the restroom for a pee.

that wasn't in the book. dang.

What Makes an Editor Stop Reading?

sgtmrb03

Don Allen

Seeking a Sanctuary of Intelligence

Cassie

I can't get no, oh no no no.

Jamesaritchie

triceretops

Jamesaritchie

Lauri B

I Heart Mac

Unimportant

doggone

Jamesaritchie

Twizzle

Cluck that.

Anthony Ravenscroft

Scribble, scribble, scribble

sgtmrb03

Twizzle

Cluck that.