Rejectomancy

Bloody hell, they're quick aren't they?

Yes ma'am. Waiting on the probable F&SF reject so I can send it to DSF.

3 day rejection from F&SF, Finlay is a machine. Got a "Beginning hooked me but lost steam in the middle, ending was nice but not strong enough." I'm making rejection progress, whoohoo!

Great feedback, machinist! It helps so much to know what to work on. And having a good opening hook is great.

I'm pretty happy all things considered. Although now I'm deliberating whether or not I should revise before re-subbing somewhere else. He said he couldn't see what larger character arcs or themes were developing in the middle, and I'm afraid if I try making it more obvious I'll just break it. I think I'll sit on it for a couple days.

I just got a form rejection for Unlikely Story's clown issue. I only have one sub still out, but I am beginning to think it is a no-response rejection.

Got a form R back form Daily Flash Fiction. I sort of expected it - not sure how to make what I've written any better, but it's definitely the weakest piece in the stable atm.

I may sit on it for a bit...

Got a detailed personal rejection from Diabolical Plots. Will definitely be taking their comments into account for the next revision.

Is Clarkesworld really holding 81 stories? Subbed at 82 in queue and haven't moved, but still Under Review. That's a first for me... or I have a bad memory?

4-day nope from McSweeney's (Internet) on a humor piece. Editor included a funny note about the piece, so perhaps he at least got a chuckle from reading it.

That's awesome. I'm at 461 days w McSweeney's (Quarterly) and not sure I believe Submittable that it's still "In Progress."

BethanyCM said:

That's awesome. I'm at 461 days w McSweeney's (Quarterly) and not sure I believe Submittable that it's still "In Progress."

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Damn, I checked SG last night and saw my Quarterly submission is coming up on one year so I thought, "I'll bet I'll be getting a response any day now." LOL Guess not.

William Green said:

Damn, I checked SG last night and saw my Quarterly submission is coming up on one year so I thought, "I'll bet I'll be getting a response any day now." LOL Guess not.

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It's....only making my eye twitch a smidge. Just a smidge.

BethanyCM said:

Is Clarkesworld really holding 81 stories? Subbed at 82 in queue and haven't moved, but still Under Review. That's a first for me... or I have a bad memory?

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I think they're slowing down a little. Usually I'm in and out within a day, but I've been hovering at 47 for a bit now and I doubt it's because of an improvement on my end.

Yeah I went from 82 to 30 suddenly and stayed there overnight and just got my form R. Sooo. There you have it.

3-day no way from Flash Fiction Online for a crime story reprint.

Drabblec@st sent me a form R right in the middle of the Hugos on Saturday night. That seemed like particularly mean timing, and it definitely put a damper of the rest of the ceremony. Then an R rolled in tonight from Periheli0n. It's been a really discouraging weekend.

3 day form from Asimov

I almost think I would rather Rs of under 10 days. All mine take at least 20, which gets my hopes up, and then it's just a form R....

You're right, "didn't grab me" is lost him very close to the beginning, "isn't quite what I'm looking for" (or similar) means he read all the way through but then didn't think it had a place. His personals, yes, are usually quite personal/detailed/helpful.

Peace
Ty

Well, I got my wish. 7 day rejection. Although the other one out is nudging up to 35 days.

*spins* *resubmits* *merry-go-round*

You might as well laugh about these things, eh?

Form R from Asimov's in two days, that was lighting fast. Trying to decide if I should wait a few days and resub to Uncanny.

10-day hard cheese, pal from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. My spotless record of rejection by pro-paying markets remains intact!!

Ty Schalter said:

You're right, "didn't grab me" is lost him very close to the beginning, "isn't quite what I'm looking for" (or similar) means he read all the way through but then didn't think it had a place. His personals, yes, are usually quite personal/detailed/helpful.

Peace
Ty

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Thanks for confirming that, Ty. I wish more publications used slightly tailored rejection forms like F&SF does.