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Five Minute Rant

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(@dantzel)
Posts: 299
Silver Member
 

Come on, Shimmer! It's 49 days now, and no other submissions have taken this long!

I was told that 'Weird Tales' subs are being given special consideration - which I think is an elegant way of saying they received so many that they are just reading the rush of 'Weird Tales' retractions a little bit at a time, but the wait is killing me, especially since I know how tough it is to get a story accepted at Shimmer. And technically my story is just a weird tale, not a 'Weird Tale'... But I understand the mixup.

Anyway, I'm done. I'll go fiddle over here now.

Vol 29 Q3 Semi Finalist

http://www.dantzelcherry.com

 
Posted : October 9, 2012 4:14 am
(@e-caimansands)
Posts: 872
Gold Member
 

Anyone's May submission still at Abyss&Apex?

I'm at 139 days now and I'm itching to query (they suggest querying after 90 days) but if there are others also in the same boat maybe it should be best to wait a little longer...

I subbed on 30 May and waited 120 days. Looking at Duo the longest wait there is 134 days so I'd certainly start thinking about querying if I was you. I can't believe it does any harm, as long as you're polite and a little grovelly. (If that's not a word, it should be.)

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 : October 9, 2012 6:19 am
(@nick_t)
Posts: 51
Bronze Member
 

Bad reviews suck. What’s worse is when you realize they’re right about some very specific things and what’s even worse is when you knew they were in there, but you put them in there to appease critiquers instead of trusting your gut and doing the hard work of improving the story.

I’ve also doubled-up my self-inflicted wounds by withdrawing an accepted story from a pro-market due to non-communication. In the interests of honesty, I stated that I’d put the story out to another market (which rejected it pretty quickly, though it was a long wait by their standards).

The venue then contacted me a week afterwards saying that they’d had a transition in ownership and never received my (numerous) emails. So, pro-sale sacrificed in the interests of honesty. Sigh.

End of rant.

Nick Tchan
2 x HM
1x Finalist
1 x winner Q2 2011

 
Posted : October 9, 2012 11:15 am
(@martin-l-shoemaker)
Posts: 2135
Platinum Plus Moderator
Topic starter
 

Bad reviews suck. What’s worse is when you realize they’re right about some very specific things and what’s even worse is when you knew they were in there, but you put them in there to appease critiquers instead of trusting your gut and doing the hard work of improving the story.

I’ve also doubled-up my self-inflicted wounds by withdrawing an accepted story from a pro-market due to non-communication. In the interests of honesty, I stated that I’d put the story out to another market (which rejected it pretty quickly, though it was a long wait by their standards).

The venue then contacted me a week afterwards saying that they’d had a transition in ownership and never received my (numerous) emails. So, pro-sale sacrificed in the interests of honesty. Sigh.

End of rant.

Ouch! But I wouldn't call the last one self-inflicted. Sometimes circumstances just suck, and you have to try to pick the best path with no good path.

http://nineandsixtyways.com/
Tools, Not Rules.
Martin L. Shoemaker
3rd Place Q1 V31
"Today I Am Paul", WSFA Small Press Award 2015, Nebula nomination 2015
Today I Am Carey from Baen
The Last Dance (#1 science fiction eBook on Amazon, October 2019) and The Last Campaign from 47North

 
Posted : October 9, 2012 1:13 pm
(@dantzel)
Posts: 299
Silver Member
 

Personal rejection from Schubert at IGMS - that's the second one. Oh la, I need to stop sending him things that too closely resemble flash. He says he likes my writing and my prose, but these flash-ish stories just don't dig deep enough as a story for him...

We'll see what happens with my Q3, I suppose. If that doesn't place then I think it might fit well at IGMS.

Vol 29 Q3 Semi Finalist

http://www.dantzelcherry.com

 
Posted : October 15, 2012 5:34 pm
(@izanobu)
Posts: 341
Silver Member
 

I just wrote the worst novel ever.

Go me?

... ... ...

 
Posted : October 15, 2012 6:30 pm
(@thomaskcarpenter)
Posts: 441
Silver Star Member
 

I just wrote the worst novel ever.

Go me?

... ... ...

You know what I'm going to say...

Writers are the worst judge of their own work.

Thomas K Carpenter
http://www.thomaskcarpenter.com
SFx2, SHMx1, HMx12 (Pro'd Out - Q4 2016)
EQMM - Feb 2015 / Abyss & Apex - Issue 50

 
Posted : October 15, 2012 11:10 pm
(@strycher)
Posts: 667
Silver Star Member
 

Personal rejection from Schubert at IGMS - that's the second one. Oh la, I need to stop sending him things that too closely resemble flash. He says he likes my writing and my prose, but these flash-ish stories just don't dig deep enough as a story for him...

We'll see what happens with my Q3, I suppose. If that doesn't place then I think it might fit well at IGMS.

How many days out, if I may be so bold as to ask? Also, as a data point, I did hear on another forum that he bought a couple flash stories, so it's possible to sell them to IGMS . . . just even harder than it is to sell short stories.

I just wrote the worst novel ever.

wotf006 That's a major accomplishment! You'll have a cult following in no time. wotf013

"The Filigreed Cage" || "Bitter Remedy" || "Heartless" || "The Newsboy's Last Stand" || "Planar Ghosts"

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 12:49 am
(@dantzel)
Posts: 299
Silver Member
 

I had to go back and check - the Shimmer sub is still a mote in my eye. wotf012

58 days, as a bootcamper. I really should get on Codex.

Vol 29 Q3 Semi Finalist

http://www.dantzelcherry.com

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 4:12 am
(@strycher)
Posts: 667
Silver Star Member
 

58 days, as a bootcamper. I really should get on Codex.

Thanks!

Also--yes, you should. wotf007

"The Filigreed Cage" || "Bitter Remedy" || "Heartless" || "The Newsboy's Last Stand" || "Planar Ghosts"

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 5:42 am
(@rebecca-birch)
Posts: 625
Silver Star Member
 

I keep thinking about Codex, but am not sure if my Penumbra sale counts as 'pro' or not, so I haven't tried. Probably should just get off my duff and just ask.

wotf004

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 : October 16, 2012 6:09 am
(@katsincommand)
Posts: 230
Bronze Star Member
 

N/M. question answered. I'm about a week+ behind on forums. I think I'll just go write instead. 😛

Dawn Bonanno
http://www.dmbonanno.com

SF 2 / HM 6 / R 16 / Total 24 Entries

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 6:30 am
 Jess
(@jess_1617100647)
Posts: 88
Bronze Member
 

I just wrote the worst novel ever.

Go me?

... ... ...

<deleted>

Edit: Inside joke between a couple of RL friends and I. Upon further consideration, better left unsaid here.

Oh dear. I need a signature.
And an avatar.
And probably other things I don't even know about.

I feel naked.

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 8:53 am
(@gower21)
Posts: 757
Gold Member
 

I keep seeing references to Codex and IGMS. What is the connection? (I know what both are, just wondering what the connection is).

Tina
http://www.smashedpicketfences.com

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 12:29 pm
(@greenroom)
Posts: 55
Bronze Member
 

I keep seeing references to Codex and IGMS. What is the connection? (I know what both are, just wondering what the connection is).

I'd hazard the following guess:

One of the ways to qualify for Codex is to attend certain workshops. I'm not sure of the full list of them, but I know OSC's Bootcamp is one that does qualify a person for membership. That same workshop also allows the participant to then use the Bootcamp submission method at IGMS.

So it's not a direct connection between Codex and IGMS, but rather that OSC's Bootcamp qualifies a person for 2 separate things, one being Codex and the other being the bootcamp option for IGMS submissions.

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 2:02 pm
(@alex-kane)
Posts: 244
Silver Member
 

I keep thinking about Codex, but am not sure if my Penumbra sale counts as 'pro' or not, so I haven't tried. Probably should just get off my duff and just ask.

wotf004

It should. Just depends on what Luc Reid's (Codex's) opinion is on a particular market.

If it pays pro rates, and has been around for a few issues, it should be qualifying.

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 2:04 pm
LDWriter2
(@ldwriter2)
Posts: 1292
Gold Star Member
 

I may have a rant about F&SF. More tomorrow but they might be taken two weeks and four days so far with my last story.

Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 5:08 pm
(@gower21)
Posts: 757
Gold Member
 

Thanks Greenroom for the answer. That makes sense.

Also Rebecca, I bet you could get in to Codex. It's not just sales, but also workshops, so make sure when you send him the query email that you outline the workshops you've attended and past sales (like Abyss and Apex, even though a "semi-pro" is an impressive semi-pro. Along with your Penumbra sale). It wont hurt to try and you can always try again later if it's not enough.

Tina
http://www.smashedpicketfences.com

 
Posted : October 16, 2012 6:42 pm
(@e-caimansands)
Posts: 872
Gold Member
 

I tried to get into Codex ages ago, when I first got my SF. Mostly stating that I'd just got a SF, and am a general smart arse, and that I have a large alligator looking over my shoulder, but it didn't work. wotf017 Just saying.

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 : October 16, 2012 11:47 pm
(@rebecca-birch)
Posts: 625
Silver Star Member
 

Yep, no go on Codex for me at this time. That's okie-dokie, though. Gives me another goal to work towards. I like a good challenge.

wotf008

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 : October 17, 2012 7:45 am
Kary English
(@karyenglish)
Posts: 688
Gold Star Member Moderator
 

Ditto what Greenroom said. The thing about Codex and IGMS is that all Codexians, even those who have not gone to OSC's Bootcamp, are allowed to check the Bootcamp option during submission, thus skipping the regular slush and going straight to Eric James Stone.

WOTF: 1 HM, 1 Semi, 2 Finalists, 1 Winner
Q2,V31 - Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Hugo and Astounding finalist, made the preliminary Stoker ballot (juried)
Published by Galaxy's Edge, DSF, StarShipSofa and TorNightfire

 
Posted : October 17, 2012 1:55 pm
(@dantzel)
Posts: 299
Silver Member
 

I need to remember to stop asking my husband to read my stories. He really pisses me off. Every time.

Vol 29 Q3 Semi Finalist

http://www.dantzelcherry.com

 
Posted : October 17, 2012 4:53 pm
LDWriter2
(@ldwriter2)
Posts: 1292
Gold Star Member
 

Finally heard from F&SF. As I said before it took them either two extra days or one week and five days extra. I can't remember when I sent it in and I forgot to list it...(Rolls eyes upward) wotf002

But in either case nothing extra just the story didn't work for him comment...of course.

I think I've said before I have no idea if Stephen makes personal comments, I've heard that some editors--even assistant editors--do a few, others do barely any and some don't do any.

It would be nice if he said something like "You barely missed it" but I give up on getting a story to work for him...again.

Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html

 
Posted : October 17, 2012 5:10 pm
(@j-scott-marlatt)
Posts: 22
Active Member
 

I need to remember to stop asking my husband to read my stories. He really pisses me off. Every time.

I hear you. It cuts too deep from that close! I'd been telling my fiancee that she better start with at least one good thing when she opens her mouth after (and during) reading. Then one day, I was watching this video from Brandon Sanderson's online lectures:
http://www.writeaboutdragons.com/home/brandon_w2012/lecture-13/a-little-writerly-psychology/
Go to about 7:55 in
After watching that, i snatched up the laptop, took it to her and said THIS! You, THIS!

My blog: http://vindurhast.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JScottMarlatt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JScottMarlatt

 
Posted : October 17, 2012 8:00 pm
(@strycher)
Posts: 667
Silver Star Member
 

I need to remember to stop asking my husband to read my stories. He really pisses me off. Every time.

I have the opposite problem. If the story's got any major flaws--my husband gets pissed at me. In a "I was really enjoying that story until you did this dumb thing" kind of way. Which has been oddly helpful.

"The Filigreed Cage" || "Bitter Remedy" || "Heartless" || "The Newsboy's Last Stand" || "Planar Ghosts"

 
Posted : October 18, 2012 1:35 am
(@rebecca-birch)
Posts: 625
Silver Star Member
 

I need to remember to stop asking my husband to read my stories. He really pisses me off. Every time.

I had to learn this lesson. It makes my marriage much less stressful. He won't read anything unless it's been sold or won at least and HM in this contest.

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 : October 18, 2012 2:52 am
(@trdixon)
Posts: 37
Advanced Member
 

I need to remember to stop asking my husband to read my stories. He really pisses me off. Every time.

What's pissing you off? Is he pointing out issues in the stories? Or is he not pointing out anything and just saying "It's fine"? Or is it just the way he does it?

 
Posted : October 18, 2012 2:53 am
(@dantzel)
Posts: 299
Silver Member
 

Well, he is bored by almost every science fiction and fantasy story he has ever read, including my own. So you'd think I'd just stop asking his opinion. But he's a scientist, so he really catches the scientific flaws. He just happens to try to explain my mistakes OVER AND OVER again - as well as any word choices that he disagrees with. And then 20 minutes later he comes back and says 'hey I just read this article about that guy you're writing about, and he had no actual involvement with the project he's known for, so your story is invalid.' He doesn't say the invalid part but that's the feeling. And then he goes on a monologue about how boring and illogical my stories and everyone else's stories are, and by then I'm deciding where to hide his body.

I should stick to my brother and sister, who ARE interested in sci-fi and fantasy, and still give good critiques with smothering me.

Vol 29 Q3 Semi Finalist

http://www.dantzelcherry.com

 
Posted : October 18, 2012 3:15 am
(@trdixon)
Posts: 37
Advanced Member
 

Okay, completely understandable! wotf007

 
Posted : October 18, 2012 3:19 am
(@bobsandiego)
Posts: 394
Silver Member
 

Well, he is bored by almost every science fiction and fantasy story he has ever read, including my own. So you'd think I'd just stop asking his opinion. But he's a scientist, so he really catches the scientific flaws. He just happens to try to explain my mistakes OVER AND OVER again - as well as any word choices that he disagrees with. And then 20 minutes later he comes back and says 'hey I just read this article about that guy you're writing about, and he had no actual involvement with the project he's known for, so your story is invalid.' He doesn't say the invalid part but that's the feeling. And then he goes on a monologue about how boring and illogical my stories and everyone else's stories are, and by then I'm deciding where to hide his body.

I should stick to my brother and sister, who ARE interested in sci-fi and fantasy, and still give good critiques with smothering me.

He is not your audience. He's still your sweetie, but getting feedback from someone who is not your audience isn't helpfull.

Literary saboteur
Blog: http://www.robertmitchellevans.com/
HM X 5
SF X 3
F X 1
Current Rejection Streak: 0

 
Posted : October 18, 2012 4:27 am
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