Hey there, everyone.
Did I mention how much I hate form Rs? I mean, they're fine if they reject your stuff outright, but if it makes the final round, or if they hold on to it for a long time, or if you have a prior relationship with the editors, a few words of what didn't work for them isn't too much to expect, is it?
Granted the details are significantly different, but in that interview you posted it mentioned Shock's editor accepting a piece with the plans of an extensive edit, only to have the writer rebel at every step. He ended up rejecting it, much to the writer's chagrin. (However, you won't catch me fighting an editor over planned edits. Not until I'm pulling in millions a year, backed by every accolade and award available, and having clear indication that the editor in question is a hack).I'm betting it was a simple oversight, Marzioli. Fingers crossed for you though. That would be a serious bummer...do editors ever change their minds like that?
Keep it up, my friend! Hopefully you'll fare better than I have, but I have several stories with over ten R's. And the one that might be accepted accumulated at least eight before it found a good home.Another rejection today. Man, I thought it was a pretty good story, but now it has been shot down twice.
Another rejection today. Man, I thought it was a pretty good story, but now it has been shot down twice.
I disagree on the part about prior relationship with editors. I'm friendly with several editors, but we've always kept a strict divide between personal and professional relationships. Asking for, or expecting, extra consideration crosses that line, IMO. There are enough people who try to friend up to editors (especially at conventions) in the hopes of getting an in that I do everything I can do avoid being one of those people.
It's always great to get a little bit of extra feedback from any editor, but at the end of the day it's just one person's opinion even if they are the one in a position to buy your story.
Alex, can I ask what your form R from Unstuck said. Because I'm wondering if the one I got is higher tier, or if they've changed their form from the last time I subbed.
Thank you for submitting "XXXXX." Although we're going to pass, we appreciate the chance to read it.
Best of luck with this, and with your other writing projects.
Smaller markets can't compete on pay or the amount of exposure they offer, so at the very least they should offer reasonably fast turnarounds and a bit of personal feedback to set themselves apart from the more established markets.
Heh--if you ever sit on the editor's side of the fence for a while you may end up feeling differently.I would never expect "special consideration" from editors in terms of selecting my (weaker) story over somebody's stronger one. But a line or two of WHAT didn't work for the editors is, in my opinion, a very reasonable expectation in such a case, and is helpful to both parties because I might be able to submit a more appropriate story next time, thereby wasting less of the editor's time, too.
For example, I am almost always getting a little personal note with my DSF R's now, because I've been submitting to them forever, sold to them, and generally interact with them on Twitter and elsewhere. Their comments are laconic but super helpful.
There is also a matter of market. Smaller markets can't compete on pay or the amount of exposure they offer, so at the very least they should offer reasonably fast turnarounds and a bit of personal feedback to set themselves apart from the more established markets.
When I want my form R, I can always submit something to Clarkesworld
I wouldn't feel differently! However, I would type the same personal message into every rejection since, let's face it, it's invariably true: "I liked the story concept but noted uneven prose."Heh--if you ever sit on the editor's side of the fence for a while you may end up feeling differently.
I wouldn't feel differently! However, I would type the same personal message into every rejection since, let's face it, it's invariably true: "I liked the story concept but noted uneven prose."
And for the winter holiday, "This story ruined my Christmas."For people you know it should be: "I like you, but your story makes bunny cry." Keeps it informal and lets them know there's no hard feelings. After all, you mentioned bunnies.
Thanks for sharing that, Alex. I guess mine was upper tier.The one I received from Unstuck was:
It did stick around there for 8 days, but seems like a low-tier form to me.