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Preston Dennett
(@prestondennett)
Posts: 582
Silver Star Member
 

I'm thinking it's about time to hear about our isolated stories. Still time to enter for hyperspeed, though. Assuming you can put your story together with hyperspeed! wotf001

Yeah, it's been super quiet at Penumbra. My isolation story is the first one I've ever sent them. When do you all think they're start sending out responses?

I don't think they've ever been this late (not with me), so I'm thinking very soon.

Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)

 
Posted : April 26, 2014 6:02 am
(@rebecca-birch)
Posts: 625
Silver Star Member
 

Starting to get super-twitchy over the Isolation responses. I think last month the responses came out on the 28th-ish? It's got to be about that time.

Rebecca Birch
Finalist - 2, SF - 1, SHM - 1, HM - 18, R - 6
Words of Birch
Short Story Collection--Life Out of Harmony and Other Tales of Wonder

 
Posted : April 29, 2014 6:13 am
(@ember)
Posts: 85
Bronze Member
 

Good luck to everyone waiting on Isolation. I only just clued into the fact that they accept reprints which is a shame because I have a reprint that would have perfectly fit the theme!

I just subbed to Penumbra for the first time for the Hyperspeed issue. It was a decision that felt a little tricky because this is my close-but-no-banana story that has racked up a bunch of "oh so close" personal rejections (on its first outing it sat for 31 days at Clarkesworld and almost gave me palpitations), but at the same time, I have tried it at a lot of professional markets now and although they say nice things no-one has bought it yet. But I haven't exhausted the sfwa-listed markets yet, and if I did manage to sell it it would be my sfwa-active-qualifying sale. (I've made 4 pro-sales but as they are all flash length I haven't made enough money yet! And this story is not flash!!)

And of course Penumbra isn't sfwa-recognised.... BUT my story fits the theme so well! So it would be a shame to have one less market to submit to because of poor timing.

Anyway, I am happy I submitted it to Penumbra, and if they reject it I will have plenty of time to send it to the other markets for them to reject too.

And I should go and write other stories so that this is all a moot point! Glad we had this little chat.

---------------------------
Call me - "klevang" - my login if registration issues get fixed.

Volume 33: Q2 - R ,Q3 - SHM

The "real" Ember is a good friend and let me borrow her account, she won with "Half Past" in Vol. 31

 
Posted : April 29, 2014 11:33 pm
Preston Dennett
(@prestondennett)
Posts: 582
Silver Star Member
 

I see on the grinder that responses are now coming in.
goes to check email
Still waiting for my response.
Good luck all. Still a few hours for hyperspeed. Still starting/polishing mine.

Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)

 
Posted : April 30, 2014 2:56 pm
Preston Dennett
(@prestondennett)
Posts: 582
Silver Star Member
 

I'm in for hyperspeed. The next theme sounds like a real pain. Literally: pain. wotf021

Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)

 
Posted : April 30, 2014 6:27 pm
(@ishmael)
Posts: 793
Gold Member
 

wotf006 This topic of pain presumably refers to the spacefaring submarine unicorns' elfin blacksmith who cropped up in 31/q3.

That story is practically written already. Then again it could be a misspelling of 'payin', in which case it might refer to something best avoided if you live in Scotland.
wotf017 What? Did you never hear tell that a Yorkshireman is a bit like an Aberdonian with the generosity squeezed out?

1 x SF, 2 x SHM, 11 x HM, WotF batting average .583
Blog The View From Sliabh Mannan.

 
Posted : April 30, 2014 10:29 pm
Preston Dennett
(@prestondennett)
Posts: 582
Silver Star Member
 

I'm out of Isolation. And now working on Pain. I haven't missed a Penumbra theme in over a year. Still no sales ( wotf014 ) but at least it provides an extra story each month to shop around. I hope some of you are still in isolation, (and I mean that in the nicest way. wotf011 )

Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)

 
Posted : May 1, 2014 1:28 pm
(@rebecca-birch)
Posts: 625
Silver Star Member
 

I join you in being out of Isolation. I have a story that, if it comes back from the market it's at, will go in for Pain. Good luck and commiserations!

Rebecca Birch
Finalist - 2, SF - 1, SHM - 1, HM - 18, R - 6
Words of Birch
Short Story Collection--Life Out of Harmony and Other Tales of Wonder

 
Posted : May 1, 2014 1:53 pm
(@e-caimansands)
Posts: 872
Gold Member
 

"Your story made it to the final round of stories but unfortunately didn't get selected for the homage to Isolation issue. I'm looking forward to seeing more submissions from you for future issues of Penumbra--"

Blargh, pity. They do seem to like my stuff--when it fits the theme. wotf004 I suppose I ought to make more of an effort and send them more stories but those wretched themes, they make it awkward. wotf014 And the word length is very short too which rules out probably most of my stories these days. Oh well.

SF x 1 (Extreeemely happy snappy gator)
HM x 9 (Happy snappy gator)
"Europa Spring" - buy from Amazon
The Happy Snappy Gator Bog! Er, Blog...

 
Posted : May 1, 2014 10:48 pm
 MJNL
(@mjnl)
Posts: 505
Silver Star Member
 

Also out of Isolation.

I will say this about Penumbra's themes--my acceptances have both been what I considered long shots in terms of fitting. There really weren't any traditions in my story accepted for their 'family traditions' issue. And in my story for the 'lost' issue, the character knew exactly where she was--she wasn't lost at all in the typical sense--she just didn't have the ability to get back to her own time and place.

So if you think your story kinda sorta might fit the theme if you squint at it funny, send it. Don't second guess and self-reject .

~Marina

WotF Winner Q1 2012 (Vol. 29)

WotF Finalist Q2 2010 (Vol. 27)
WotF Finalist Q4 2011 (Vol. 28)
http://lostetter.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/MarinaLostetter

 
Posted : May 2, 2014 4:50 am
(@rebecca-birch)
Posts: 625
Silver Star Member
 

Also out of Isolation.

I will say this about Penumbra's themes--my acceptances have both been what I considered long shots in terms of fitting. There really weren't any traditions in my story accepted for their 'family traditions' issue. And in my story for the 'lost' issue, the character knew exactly where she was--she wasn't lost at all in the typical sense--she just didn't have the ability to get back to her own time and place.

So if you think your story kinda sorta might fit the theme if you squint at it funny, send it. Don't second guess and self-reject .

Good point. And for what it's worth, I thought my Isolation story fit the theme every well, and their comment was that while it was a good story, it didn't really fit the theme.

wotf017

So there you have it! Submit what you've got and let them make up their minds about it. wotf007

Rebecca Birch
Finalist - 2, SF - 1, SHM - 1, HM - 18, R - 6
Words of Birch
Short Story Collection--Life Out of Harmony and Other Tales of Wonder

 
Posted : May 2, 2014 5:27 am
(@e-caimansands)
Posts: 872
Gold Member
 

Also out of Isolation.

I will say this about Penumbra's themes--my acceptances have both been what I considered long shots in terms of fitting. There really weren't any traditions in my story accepted for their 'family traditions' issue. And in my story for the 'lost' issue, the character knew exactly where she was--she wasn't lost at all in the typical sense--she just didn't have the ability to get back to her own time and place.

So if you think your story kinda sorta might fit the theme if you squint at it funny, send it. Don't second guess and self-reject .

Good point. And for what it's worth, I thought my Isolation story fit the theme every well, and their comment was that while it was a good story, it didn't really fit the theme.

wotf017

So there you have it! Submit what you've got and let them make up their minds about it. wotf007

Interesting. I *did* think this story fit the theme, and clearly it got close. I've also submitted the odd story in the past as a long shot and got the comment it doesn't fit the theme. So as far as it goes I seem to pretty much agree with their judgement as to whether the story fits or not. wotf004

I spent the afternoon doing some submissions and had a little story in want of a home, which I squinted at, then tweaked, then submitted for "Pain." So, we'll see what they say, I guess. wotf017

SF x 1 (Extreeemely happy snappy gator)
HM x 9 (Happy snappy gator)
"Europa Spring" - buy from Amazon
The Happy Snappy Gator Bog! Er, Blog...

 
Posted : May 2, 2014 5:45 am
(@hazlett)
Posts: 220
Bronze Star Member
 

I didn't make it either.

This is my first submission to Penumbra and my rejection read like this:

"Thank you for your submission to Penumbra. Unfortunately, your story, while entertaining, did not make it to the final round of adjudication. We hope to see more of your work at Penumbra in the future and best of luck in finding another home for this story."

Does anyone know how many rounds there are?

If there are only two rounds: 1) the first and 2) the final, I'm not going to read too much into this. However, if there are more than two rounds I think this is an encouraging sign.

Sean Patrick Hazlett
Winner (2nd Place)
HM x 8
Stories sold: 48 original stories and 9 reprints
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can purchase a copy of my collection here and a copy of my anthology here.

 
Posted : May 3, 2014 4:26 pm
(@ishmael)
Posts: 793
Gold Member
 

Does anyone know how many rounds there are?

If there are only two rounds: 1) the first and 2) the final, I'm not going to read too much into this. However, if there are more than two rounds I think this is an encouraging sign.

Well, in addition to the form of rejection that you received and which I have also received, I have had:

"Thank you for your submission to Penumbra. Unfortunately, your story didn't advance into the next round of adjudication. Best of luck in finding another publisher." I take this to be a first round exit.

"Thank you for your submission to Penumbra. While your submission did make it to the final round, unfortunately it was not selected to be part of the ...... issue. But, I enjoyed your work and will be glad to see more of your stories at Penumbra in the future." I take this to be third round.

1 x SF, 2 x SHM, 11 x HM, WotF batting average .583
Blog The View From Sliabh Mannan.

 
Posted : May 3, 2014 9:26 pm
(@e-caimansands)
Posts: 872
Gold Member
 

Does anyone know how many rounds there are?

If there are only two rounds: 1) the first and 2) the final, I'm not going to read too much into this. However, if there are more than two rounds I think this is an encouraging sign.

Well, in addition to the form of rejection that you received and which I have also received, I have had:

"Thank you for your submission to Penumbra. Unfortunately, your story didn't advance into the next round of adjudication. Best of luck in finding another publisher." I take this to be a first round exit.

"Thank you for your submission to Penumbra. While your submission did make it to the final round, unfortunately it was not selected to be part of the ...... issue. But, I enjoyed your work and will be glad to see more of your stories at Penumbra in the future." I take this to be third round.

Yep, I think there are three, plus this, which I've had on at least one story... "Thank you for your submission to Penumbra. Unfortunately I did not feel that your submission was a good fit with the issue. Best of luck in finding another publisher."

SF x 1 (Extreeemely happy snappy gator)
HM x 9 (Happy snappy gator)
"Europa Spring" - buy from Amazon
The Happy Snappy Gator Bog! Er, Blog...

 
Posted : May 3, 2014 10:59 pm
(@hazlett)
Posts: 220
Bronze Star Member
 

Thanks!

All very helpful!

Sean Patrick Hazlett
Winner (2nd Place)
HM x 8
Stories sold: 48 original stories and 9 reprints
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can purchase a copy of my collection here and a copy of my anthology here.

 
Posted : May 4, 2014 6:09 am
Preston Dennett
(@prestondennett)
Posts: 582
Silver Star Member
 

I'm in for pain. That's a good thing, right?
wotf005
Anyone else? Still plenty of time to submit.

Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)

 
Posted : May 13, 2014 2:21 pm
(@rebecca-birch)
Posts: 625
Silver Star Member
 

I'm in for pain. That's a good thing, right?
wotf005
Anyone else? Still plenty of time to submit.

I am also in for pain. (Seriously, though, I've got to go to the dentist, and ACK!). But have also submitted to Penumbra.

Good luck!

Rebecca Birch
Finalist - 2, SF - 1, SHM - 1, HM - 18, R - 6
Words of Birch
Short Story Collection--Life Out of Harmony and Other Tales of Wonder

 
Posted : May 13, 2014 2:24 pm
(@leo-t-lion)
Posts: 44
Advanced Member
 

Got a final round rejection for the Lightspeed one today.

 
Posted : May 19, 2014 9:05 pm
storysinger
(@storysinger)
Posts: 1503
Platinum Plus
 

Congrats on making it that far Leo.
Maybe next time you'll make the next step and have a sale.

Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships

 
Posted : May 20, 2014 1:53 am
Preston Dennett
(@prestondennett)
Posts: 582
Silver Star Member
 

Congrats & commiserations, Leo. I also made the final round and then was cut. Darnit!
Next time!

Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)

 
Posted : May 20, 2014 2:05 am
(@jeffrey)
Posts: 46
Advanced Member
 

Looks like I'm in good company with Leo & Preston collecting a final round rejection slip. I wonder if there's a way with gmail to scan for rejection phrases & color those emails in pink.

HM x 6

Website: jaballard

 
Posted : May 20, 2014 3:08 am
(@leo-t-lion)
Posts: 44
Advanced Member
 

We're the nearly men of Penumbra
We're a giant asnooze and aslumbra
We write really good
Like nearly men should
Please call us- you've got our numbra.

 
Posted : May 20, 2014 4:46 am
(@tmaulhardt)
Posts: 67
Bronze Member
 

I feel somewhat victorious. Made it to the final round of the hyperspeed edition.

Terry Madden: http://www.threewellsofthesea.com/
V.30 Q1 W

 
Posted : May 20, 2014 5:08 am
(@e-caimansands)
Posts: 872
Gold Member
 

Congrats/commiserations to Leo, Preston and Terry. I didn't submit for hyper, but I'm in for pain. (The pain! The pain!)

Some of those recent rejects on the Subs Grinder must surely be for pain, as they're too short for hyper. wotf017 Am I right? wotf021

SF x 1 (Extreeemely happy snappy gator)
HM x 9 (Happy snappy gator)
"Europa Spring" - buy from Amazon
The Happy Snappy Gator Bog! Er, Blog...

 
Posted : May 20, 2014 5:53 am
storysinger
(@storysinger)
Posts: 1503
Platinum Plus
 

I'm in for pain. Good luck everyone.

Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships

 
Posted : May 31, 2014 6:22 am
(@t-r-napper)
Posts: 34
Advanced Member
 

I managed to trim the length of a story sufficiently to get it into the pain round. Good luck all.

Website: http://www.nappertime.com
Twitter: @DarklingEarth

R: 3
HM: 1
1V31: 1st

 
Posted : May 31, 2014 2:06 pm
(@s_c_baker)
Posts: 979
Gold Star Member
 

Also in for pain, as I realized at the last minute I had a story already finished that fit the theme quite well.

Stewart C Baker - 1st place, Q2 V32
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.

 
Posted : June 2, 2014 3:47 am
(@t-r-napper)
Posts: 34
Advanced Member
 

Duotrope tells me rejections for the Penumbra 'Pain' round have started.

Website: http://www.nappertime.com
Twitter: @DarklingEarth

R: 3
HM: 1
1V31: 1st

 
Posted : June 4, 2014 2:03 pm
(@s_c_baker)
Posts: 979
Gold Star Member
 

Duotrope tells me rejections for the Penumbra 'Pain' round have started.

Already? That's awfully fast. Seems like Damien is following a different method than the usual Penumbra reading, which normally takes about a month to send out any responses at all.

wotf007

Stewart C Baker - 1st place, Q2 V32
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.

 
Posted : June 4, 2014 2:30 pm
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