Ouch! Rough Crowd.

seaaircarol · Aug 16, 2007

I heard from Woman's World about my Halloween-themed romance. The story had made it through Jimmy and on to Johnene. Johnene wrote at the bottom of my rejection letter "I enjoyed this romance, but unfortunately the editor-in-chief decided to decline."

So now *three* people have to approve the stories????

Ouch.

lrs · Aug 16, 2007

Yikes. I sent them one about a month ago. I'm sure i'll be rejected any moment. But at least they liked yours! I'm afraid my story is too dramatic. I dont mean to be rude, but i read two different romances in their magazine and to be honest, they were very bland. I just dont understand why it takes them so long to respond.

seaaircarol · Aug 16, 2007

I read somewhere that they get thousands of submissions, which I guess makes sense because of their pay scale.

I know what you mean about the stories. They definitely like ultra G-rated stuff.

Cathy C · Aug 16, 2007

Ouch, indeed. Sorry, Carol. I've still got my fingers crossed for my latest submission. It might be too dramatic too--a happy tear-jerker twist at the end.

Well, don't forget to keep sending it out elsewhere. It might find a happy foster home for a little less money, but an equally appreciative audience!

seaaircarol · Aug 16, 2007

Thanks, Cathy. Good luck on yours, and you, too, Irs.

Rye-Ting Noo-Bee · Aug 16, 2007

Sorry Carol! But getting this far is an accomplishment in itself, no?

Cathy: Where would one send rejects from Woman's World? I haven't really been able to find appropriate markets, given the rather specific requirements of WW.

seaaircarol · Aug 17, 2007

Thanks, Noo Bee. Yeah, I don't feel *too* terrible, because I know 2/3 people liked it.

Good question re. where to send rejects. I can't seem to find alternates, either.

MissAimee · Aug 17, 2007

Good Luck Carol..

ElleF · Aug 17, 2007

Rye-Ting Noo-Bee said:
Sorry Carol! But getting this far is an accomplishment in itself, no?

Cathy: Where would one send rejects from Woman's World? I haven't really been able to find appropriate markets, given the rather specific requirements of WW.

The Wild Rose Press! I know of at least 10 Rosettes that are WW rejects. However, they just upped the word count on subs for Rosettes, so you'd need to beef up your story a bit. Check their submission guidelines.

Carol, yeah. They get 2500 submissions a month. Making it past Jimmy is a major hurdle, so pat yourself on the back.

seaaircarol · Aug 17, 2007

Hi Elle,

Thanks very much.

I actually tried a WW reject with Wild Rose. I worked with an editor on a couple of revisions and the story was ultimately rejected. Still, I could try again. That's what we writers do, isn't it? LOL.

Carol

Gillhoughly · Aug 17, 2007

I got this bit of advice from one of the senior editors at Ace:

Write a story every week and send it out. At the end of the year you'll have at least 50 in circulation. If one comes back, then you've got 49 others with a chance of selling. That single rejection doesn't hurt so much.

The best part is you get into the solid habit of writing every day and meeting a deadline.

Writing is like learning the piano; you only get better when you practice.

Rye-Ting Noo-Bee · Aug 17, 2007

Ouch again--WW just sent me a form rejection, after sitting on the story for four months... I had high hopes for that one! *sighs*

seaaircarol · Aug 17, 2007

Oh, no!

Are you sure it wasn't at least from Johnene? I think Johnene is located in Washington state. Do you still have the envelope?

That's an awfully long time for it not to have made it through to Johnene.

Rye-Ting Noo-Bee · Aug 17, 2007

YES, the envelope says Seattle, Washington. Does this really mean it came from Johnene? That would make me feel a little better (or actually a lot better).

seaaircarol · Aug 17, 2007

Noo-Bee,

I really think that means it made it through Jimmy and on to Johnene. I had the same postmark, and mine was definitely from Johnene.

You're on your way!

Rye-Ting Noo-Bee · Aug 17, 2007

Thanks so much Carol! You've made my day.

Jenny · Aug 17, 2007

It might mean a bit of a re-write (eg setting changes) but some WW stories might suit English women's magazines like My Weekly or even People's Friend if the story is very G-rated. Good luck

I think I copied a link to a website listing these markets, and their guidelines, somewhere else on this site. If I find it, I'll come back and edit in a link here.

This was the site I stumbled across http://www.sallyquilford.co.uk/page13.htm Maybe to find the guidelines will mean a bit more hunting. Perhaps one of the writers' yearbooks will help.

seaaircarol · Aug 17, 2007

Thanks, Jenny!

Cathy C · Aug 18, 2007

Sorry, just noticed the question directed to me. There are actually quite a few regional publications that look for short fiction to fill their pages. One of them is even featured over in our Paying Markets forum--Spotlight on Pahrump.

And, the WW guidelines often make a perfect fit for rural trade magazines like for electric cooperatives, agricultural insurance (Farm Bureau, State Farm) and such. It takes a little searching around. Here's one called Prairie Times that I sold to long ago, that might work for a WW story.

Rye-Ting Noo-Bee · Aug 18, 2007

Thanks Jenny and Cathy! Very useful.

seaaircarol · Aug 18, 2007

Thanks, everyone!

Jenny · Aug 21, 2007

I just posted the fiction submissions address for English Women's Weekly magazine over in Short Fiction. They take 1,000 word stories. Good luck!

seaaircarol · Aug 22, 2007

Thanks, Jenny!

Renee Russell · Aug 22, 2007

I've got a submission over at WW too. I made it very G-rated, so I'm hoping they'll take this one. I've been rejected before (sigh). It's nice to know so many others out there in the trenches with me!

Renee

Rye-Ting Noo-Bee · Aug 22, 2007

Full guidelines for Women's Weekly (UK) are available here:

http://womagwriter.blogspot.com/2007/05/womans-weekly-full-guidelines.html

Good luck everyone!

Ouch! Rough Crowd.

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