Requested Revisions for Short Stories

WendyNYC · Dec 1, 2007

Forgive my newbie question:

When an editor at a lit mag asks for revisions, are you supposed to highlight the changes you made so she can clearly see it? (in a .doc file, not a hard copy, obviously) Or just leave it as is so she doesn't have to change the text back to black?

Thanks.

Bubastes · Dec 1, 2007

I provide both a highlighted version and a clean version to cover both bases.

Summonere · Dec 1, 2007

All I've ever done is rewrite what they wanted rewritten, then sent it back to them. No highlights. Seems no one ever asked for highlights, but if they did, I woulda given 'em some.

mikeland · Dec 1, 2007

I've only had one request for a rewrite and my experience was similar to Summonere. The rewrite focused on a very specific part of the story. I made some changes and sent it back with no highlights.

Probably you should contact the editor and ask how they want you to handle it. If they've already decided they're interested enough in the story to work with you, they won't mind you asking about the logistics.

RainbowDragon · Dec 1, 2007

Hopefully they'll read the whole thing again. I vote for no highlights.

Pike · Dec 2, 2007

You might want to e-mail them and query as to what they prefer, that way you give them exactly what they want. And BTW - here's a pre Congrats! Good luck.

Pike

Kate Thornton · Dec 2, 2007

I have 2 ways of approaching re-writes requested by an editor.

For short stories in an anthology or magazine, I return both versions, the strike-through version and the clean, rewritten version.

For very short stories or flashes I either return the clean copy alone or decline to rewrite.

I have only once ever been asked to make major changes to a flash. For a 500 word flash, unless there are typos I don't rewrite.
(I really did have an editor of a freebie ezine ask me to rewrite a 500 word flash to change the story & the characters. I declined and placed the story elsewhere for money.)

I think in your case, sending back both versions would be a courtesy to the editor and make life easier for him/her.

WendyNYC · Dec 2, 2007

Thanks all. This is for a 4,000 word piece, so I'll cover both bases and send her 2 versions.

WendyNYC · Dec 5, 2007

Follow up: I sent her both, she thanked me for being so considerate, but said that she would read the entire story again.

Just in case anyone else was wondering about this.

Pike · Dec 5, 2007

Good news! Now we'll have to type with our fingers crossed while we wait for the WORD.

Pike

qdsb · Dec 5, 2007

Good luck, Wendy!!!!!!

WendyNYC · Dec 5, 2007

Thanks. I think this piece is already accepted, but they just wanted some very minor revisions. No one else needs to see it, from what I understand.
I haven't posted to name of the pub because I'm paranoid I'll jinx it and they will change their minds. I will post when they let me know that yes, it's going to be in the __ edition for sure.

Kate Thornton · Dec 5, 2007

Got my fingers crossed for ya!
(Anything to avoid writing...)

Stijn Hommes · Dec 23, 2007

I've got my fingers and my toes crossed for you.

Requested Revisions for Short Stories

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

Bubastes

bananaed

Summonere

mikeland

Call me Pookie

RainbowDragon

Perpetuous Revisasaurus

Pike

Chivalry ain't dead

Kate Thornton

Still Happy to be Here. Or Anywhere

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

Pike

Chivalry ain't dead

qdsb

Cynical Idealist

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

Kate Thornton

Still Happy to be Here. Or Anywhere

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...