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“SIMULTANEOUS”?
how dare you submit to multiple publications at once?
“No simultaneous submissions” is open to interpretation, I feel. I think one could reasonably take it to mean that the writer is expected to refrain from submitting the same piece to multiple venues on the same day or in the same week. It would be obnoxious/unreasonable for a publication to ask that a writer refrain from submitting anything that is currently under consideration at another publication, no matter when the submission to the other publication was made. I mean, if you sent something to Magazine A in mid-2009 and they never responded to the submission (even though you queried them), you can’t reasonably be expected not to submit that piece to Magazine B, which doesn’t accept simultaneous submissions, six months later.
My personal feeling is that the vagaries of the submission process are so extreme that “no simultaneous submissions” is a guideline that should be interpreted as “do not submit a piece here if you have submitted it in the last three weeks to any other publication at which you have a reasonable expectation of it being accepted.” And I think three weeks is a pretty generous interpretation on the part of the writer.
Tags: simultaneous submissions
I’m with you, Nick. Seems to me it’s all no-win until you win, and even then, what is it that you win?
I’m with you, Nick. Seems to me it’s all no-win until you win, and even then, what is it that you win?
I’m with you, Nick. Seems to me it’s all no-win until you win, and even then, what is it that you win?
no magazine should be so fucking arrogant to post this on their guidelines
these magazines will also take months and months and months to get back to you
and they get all sorts of butthurt when you send a query after a year with no reply
i boycott these mags all together now — fuck them
no magazine should be so fucking arrogant to post this on their guidelines
these magazines will also take months and months and months to get back to you
and they get all sorts of butthurt when you send a query after a year with no reply
i boycott these mags all together now — fuck them
no magazine should be so fucking arrogant to post this on their guidelines
these magazines will also take months and months and months to get back to you
and they get all sorts of butthurt when you send a query after a year with no reply
i boycott these mags all together now — fuck them
This is not universally true. There are magazines that respond very quickly who have a no sim sub policy, elimae being an obvious example.
This is not universally true. There are magazines that respond very quickly who have a no sim sub policy, elimae being an obvious example.
This is not universally true. There are magazines that respond very quickly who have a no sim sub policy, elimae being an obvious example.
That is true, and that is awesome.
That is true, and that is awesome.
That is true, and that is awesome.
elimae don’t lie.
I got my rejections within the weekend.
It makes sense for the no sim sub with them.
The year long waits though do seem ridiculous for no sim subs.
elimae don’t lie.
I got my rejections within the weekend.
It makes sense for the no sim sub with them.
The year long waits though do seem ridiculous for no sim subs.
elimae don’t lie.
I got my rejections within the weekend.
It makes sense for the no sim sub with them.
The year long waits though do seem ridiculous for no sim subs.
I’m pretty sure those magazines who indicate they don’t accept simultaneous submissions (excluding the rapid responders) don’t expect that rule to be followed because it rarely is. There was a time when simultaneous submissions were a real hassle, before the Internet age. Back in the day, when I was slushing it up and all submissions were delivered in bundles of ten and e-mail wasn’t super fashionable, tracking was not an exact science. A submission withdrawal in a paper-based submission system can be kind of a pain. I am not as old as this makes me sound. That said, I think it is absurd for any magazine in this day and age to not accept simultaneous submissions.
I’m pretty sure those magazines who indicate they don’t accept simultaneous submissions (excluding the rapid responders) don’t expect that rule to be followed because it rarely is. There was a time when simultaneous submissions were a real hassle, before the Internet age. Back in the day, when I was slushing it up and all submissions were delivered in bundles of ten and e-mail wasn’t super fashionable, tracking was not an exact science. A submission withdrawal in a paper-based submission system can be kind of a pain. I am not as old as this makes me sound. That said, I think it is absurd for any magazine in this day and age to not accept simultaneous submissions.
I’m pretty sure those magazines who indicate they don’t accept simultaneous submissions (excluding the rapid responders) don’t expect that rule to be followed because it rarely is. There was a time when simultaneous submissions were a real hassle, before the Internet age. Back in the day, when I was slushing it up and all submissions were delivered in bundles of ten and e-mail wasn’t super fashionable, tracking was not an exact science. A submission withdrawal in a paper-based submission system can be kind of a pain. I am not as old as this makes me sound. That said, I think it is absurd for any magazine in this day and age to not accept simultaneous submissions.
well yes, yes this is true
well yes, yes this is true
well yes, yes this is true
I think all the ones that don’t take them are still snail mail only. Except I guess Glimmer Train, unless they changed that policy.
I think all the ones that don’t take them are still snail mail only. Except I guess Glimmer Train, unless they changed that policy.
I think all the ones that don’t take them are still snail mail only. Except I guess Glimmer Train, unless they changed that policy.
Also, submitting the same piece a month or two down the line might actually be worse than on the same day, because you’ve given the second venue far less “time” than the first. That is assuming the first publication is the kind that actually tends to send you that merciful form rejection and not the deafening silence of indifference.
Haven’t you ever re-subbed a piece after a while only to hear back from the first place a few days later? Awkward.
Also, submitting the same piece a month or two down the line might actually be worse than on the same day, because you’ve given the second venue far less “time” than the first. That is assuming the first publication is the kind that actually tends to send you that merciful form rejection and not the deafening silence of indifference.
Haven’t you ever re-subbed a piece after a while only to hear back from the first place a few days later? Awkward.
Also, submitting the same piece a month or two down the line might actually be worse than on the same day, because you’ve given the second venue far less “time” than the first. That is assuming the first publication is the kind that actually tends to send you that merciful form rejection and not the deafening silence of indifference.
Haven’t you ever re-subbed a piece after a while only to hear back from the first place a few days later? Awkward.
Glimmer who?
Glimmer who?
Glimmer who?
The smaller the press the more likely I am to follow their rules regarding submissions. This may seem counter-intuitive but it is really my personal comment on the larger journals who only take those of pedigree in consideration. For the most part I only give as much time for consideration to journals as my memory allows, and smaller presses tend to be more respectful of time.
I keep record but I only refer to it when I am rejected or accepted and now while I am plotting out my first book of poetry which contains published and rejected poems only, each in it’s own category.
The smaller the press the more likely I am to follow their rules regarding submissions. This may seem counter-intuitive but it is really my personal comment on the larger journals who only take those of pedigree in consideration. For the most part I only give as much time for consideration to journals as my memory allows, and smaller presses tend to be more respectful of time.
I keep record but I only refer to it when I am rejected or accepted and now while I am plotting out my first book of poetry which contains published and rejected poems only, each in it’s own category.
The smaller the press the more likely I am to follow their rules regarding submissions. This may seem counter-intuitive but it is really my personal comment on the larger journals who only take those of pedigree in consideration. For the most part I only give as much time for consideration to journals as my memory allows, and smaller presses tend to be more respectful of time.
I keep record but I only refer to it when I am rejected or accepted and now while I am plotting out my first book of poetry which contains published and rejected poems only, each in it’s own category.
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
silliness about.
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
silliness about.
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
silliness about.
well if writers actually adhered to it then slush piles would be less overloaded with carpet bombs and editors could read faster and thus reject faster, which would be beneficial to both writers and editors.
well if writers actually adhered to it then slush piles would be less overloaded with carpet bombs and editors could read faster and thus reject faster, which would be beneficial to both writers and editors.
well if writers actually adhered to it then slush piles would be less overloaded with carpet bombs and editors could read faster and thus reject faster, which would be beneficial to both writers and editors.
lol
lol
lol
is glimmer train “good” “Lit”?
is glimmer train “good” “Lit”?
is glimmer train “good” “Lit”?
are you answering my Q above, sean?
are you answering my Q above, sean?
are you answering my Q above, sean?
yep, the faster the rejections, and everyone’s happy.
yep, the faster the rejections, and everyone’s happy.
yep, the faster the rejections, and everyone’s happy.
Carpet-bombers don’t take a competent editor any time to deal with. The myth that there are too many submitters and submissions is crazy. You don’t have to spend time on work that doesn’t interest you.
Carpet-bombers don’t take a competent editor any time to deal with. The myth that there are too many submitters and submissions is crazy. You don’t have to spend time on work that doesn’t interest you.
Carpet-bombers don’t take a competent editor any time to deal with. The myth that there are too many submitters and submissions is crazy. You don’t have to spend time on work that doesn’t interest you.
Even if you are only reading a page, or even only a paragraph, of each piece, sitting down to a stack of several hundred envelopes does take take time. Not a myth. Even if you were just ripping open envelopes, finding the SASE, rejecting without even reading it would still take time to go through the hundreds of submissions a normal magazine gets.
Even if you are only reading a page, or even only a paragraph, of each piece, sitting down to a stack of several hundred envelopes does take take time. Not a myth. Even if you were just ripping open envelopes, finding the SASE, rejecting without even reading it would still take time to go through the hundreds of submissions a normal magazine gets.
Even if you are only reading a page, or even only a paragraph, of each piece, sitting down to a stack of several hundred envelopes does take take time. Not a myth. Even if you were just ripping open envelopes, finding the SASE, rejecting without even reading it would still take time to go through the hundreds of submissions a normal magazine gets.
are normal magazines getting hundreds of submissions per day? thats a lot if thats the case.
i agree with mike in spirit, at least with the condition that submissions are email and the journal is run by no more than maybe two people, ideally one, who act as both initial reader and decider. but for journals with complicated mastheads, i could understand why stories would have to get read in their entirety often and more than once even if that editor is a no vote, in case other editors may want to publish it so you are prepared to discuss it.
regardless, i dont think the benefit to a writer of getting a quicker response by one journal at a time outweighs the benefit of getting thirty responses over the course of pretty much the same time.give or take some months.
are normal magazines getting hundreds of submissions per day? thats a lot if thats the case.
i agree with mike in spirit, at least with the condition that submissions are email and the journal is run by no more than maybe two people, ideally one, who act as both initial reader and decider. but for journals with complicated mastheads, i could understand why stories would have to get read in their entirety often and more than once even if that editor is a no vote, in case other editors may want to publish it so you are prepared to discuss it.
regardless, i dont think the benefit to a writer of getting a quicker response by one journal at a time outweighs the benefit of getting thirty responses over the course of pretty much the same time.give or take some months.
are normal magazines getting hundreds of submissions per day? thats a lot if thats the case.
i agree with mike in spirit, at least with the condition that submissions are email and the journal is run by no more than maybe two people, ideally one, who act as both initial reader and decider. but for journals with complicated mastheads, i could understand why stories would have to get read in their entirety often and more than once even if that editor is a no vote, in case other editors may want to publish it so you are prepared to discuss it.
regardless, i dont think the benefit to a writer of getting a quicker response by one journal at a time outweighs the benefit of getting thirty responses over the course of pretty much the same time.give or take some months.
No, normal magazines aren’t getting a 100 subs a day. Not even close. The Paris Review gets something like half that number, so I’m pretty sure that a “normal” journal isn’t getting anything close to 100 a day.
If all of the slush readers read a little bit each day, then reading slush would take 20-30 min’s a day per reader. Anyone whose read slush before knows that many of the readers often don’t pull their weight.
No, normal magazines aren’t getting a 100 subs a day. Not even close. The Paris Review gets something like half that number, so I’m pretty sure that a “normal” journal isn’t getting anything close to 100 a day.
If all of the slush readers read a little bit each day, then reading slush would take 20-30 min’s a day per reader. Anyone whose read slush before knows that many of the readers often don’t pull their weight.
No, normal magazines aren’t getting a 100 subs a day. Not even close. The Paris Review gets something like half that number, so I’m pretty sure that a “normal” journal isn’t getting anything close to 100 a day.
If all of the slush readers read a little bit each day, then reading slush would take 20-30 min’s a day per reader. Anyone whose read slush before knows that many of the readers often don’t pull their weight.
all this insider info is kinda discouraging. bottom line: does anyone really *read* when they have so much to read? (and write, and do…)
all this insider info is kinda discouraging. bottom line: does anyone really *read* when they have so much to read? (and write, and do…)
all this insider info is kinda discouraging. bottom line: does anyone really *read* when they have so much to read? (and write, and do…)
For me, it depends on how much I want the magazine to publish the story. If they are the #1 top-of-the-list place for me, then I probably won’t send it to a magazine I like less because then if the second one accepts it, I’ll always wonder if the first one would have.
Note the ‘probably’, though. I am impatient. Most of my unpublished stories are currently out at five or more places.
For me, it depends on how much I want the magazine to publish the story. If they are the #1 top-of-the-list place for me, then I probably won’t send it to a magazine I like less because then if the second one accepts it, I’ll always wonder if the first one would have.
Note the ‘probably’, though. I am impatient. Most of my unpublished stories are currently out at five or more places.
For me, it depends on how much I want the magazine to publish the story. If they are the #1 top-of-the-list place for me, then I probably won’t send it to a magazine I like less because then if the second one accepts it, I’ll always wonder if the first one would have.
Note the ‘probably’, though. I am impatient. Most of my unpublished stories are currently out at five or more places.
I feel like we’ve had this conversation before darby. Either way, the current situation is that everyone submits to a bunch of places and magazines don’t respond in a timely manner, so certainly I’d encourage writers to simultaneously submit given the current state of things.
I feel like we’ve had this conversation before darby. Either way, the current situation is that everyone submits to a bunch of places and magazines don’t respond in a timely manner, so certainly I’d encourage writers to simultaneously submit given the current state of things.
I feel like we’ve had this conversation before darby. Either way, the current situation is that everyone submits to a bunch of places and magazines don’t respond in a timely manner, so certainly I’d encourage writers to simultaneously submit given the current state of things.
I definitely did not mean that your average big journal gets hundreds of submissions a DAY, but I also don’t think most journals read slush on a daily basis.
I definitely did not mean that your average big journal gets hundreds of submissions a DAY, but I also don’t think most journals read slush on a daily basis.
I definitely did not mean that your average big journal gets hundreds of submissions a DAY, but I also don’t think most journals read slush on a daily basis.
http://kenyonreview.org/krsubmit/submissions/guidelines.php
I’ve submitted there because I really like the Kenyon Review a lot, but it’s kind of a huge pain for one good piece to be tied up for up to four months.
I’ve seen a bunch of others, too, that now take online submissions but still don’t take sim. subs–can’t think of them off the top of my head, but I know they’re out there. Maybe they haven’t gotten around to changing their submissions guidelines since they went online. I don’t know.
http://kenyonreview.org/krsubmit/submissions/guidelines.php
I’ve submitted there because I really like the Kenyon Review a lot, but it’s kind of a huge pain for one good piece to be tied up for up to four months.
I’ve seen a bunch of others, too, that now take online submissions but still don’t take sim. subs–can’t think of them off the top of my head, but I know they’re out there. Maybe they haven’t gotten around to changing their submissions guidelines since they went online. I don’t know.
http://kenyonreview.org/krsubmit/submissions/guidelines.php
I’ve submitted there because I really like the Kenyon Review a lot, but it’s kind of a huge pain for one good piece to be tied up for up to four months.
I’ve seen a bunch of others, too, that now take online submissions but still don’t take sim. subs–can’t think of them off the top of my head, but I know they’re out there. Maybe they haven’t gotten around to changing their submissions guidelines since they went online. I don’t know.
Editors absolutely read. At PANK, we receive 10-20 submissions a day but we both read them. The best way for us to keep up is to read them as they come in or that night. I happen to be a fast reader so that does help but I’ve found writers don’t believe we’re actually reading their work (you would not believe how many angry responses we get to rejections that come in less than 3 days) so that’s one of the reasons why we try to give personal feedback to most submissions.
Editors absolutely read. At PANK, we receive 10-20 submissions a day but we both read them. The best way for us to keep up is to read them as they come in or that night. I happen to be a fast reader so that does help but I’ve found writers don’t believe we’re actually reading their work (you would not believe how many angry responses we get to rejections that come in less than 3 days) so that’s one of the reasons why we try to give personal feedback to most submissions.
Editors absolutely read. At PANK, we receive 10-20 submissions a day but we both read them. The best way for us to keep up is to read them as they come in or that night. I happen to be a fast reader so that does help but I’ve found writers don’t believe we’re actually reading their work (you would not believe how many angry responses we get to rejections that come in less than 3 days) so that’s one of the reasons why we try to give personal feedback to most submissions.
They sure don’t. Just look at Duotrope. There are days when AGNI, for example, will have like 30 responses. They clearly read in bulk or at least respond in bulk.
They sure don’t. Just look at Duotrope. There are days when AGNI, for example, will have like 30 responses. They clearly read in bulk or at least respond in bulk.
They sure don’t. Just look at Duotrope. There are days when AGNI, for example, will have like 30 responses. They clearly read in bulk or at least respond in bulk.
“all this insider info is kinda discouraging. bottom line: does anyone really *read* when they have so much to read? (and write, and do…)”
Would you waste your time reading a twenty page story written in dull, lifeless prose that opens with a character looking at his alarm clock?
“all this insider info is kinda discouraging. bottom line: does anyone really *read* when they have so much to read? (and write, and do…)”
Would you waste your time reading a twenty page story written in dull, lifeless prose that opens with a character looking at his alarm clock?
“all this insider info is kinda discouraging. bottom line: does anyone really *read* when they have so much to read? (and write, and do…)”
Would you waste your time reading a twenty page story written in dull, lifeless prose that opens with a character looking at his alarm clock?
“I definitely did not mean that your average big journal gets hundreds of submissions a DAY, but I also don’t think most journals read slush on a daily basis.”
That was my point in response to your proposal that writers could take the initiative in decreasing the slush. Does it really matter if the readers will still read in bulk?
And for the record, I’m currently a slush reader and a full-time grad students. I know how busy grad school can be, but still, I find a way to get through 20-50 stories a week by simply reading a little each day. If all of the readers did the same, then the slush pile would move faster.
“I definitely did not mean that your average big journal gets hundreds of submissions a DAY, but I also don’t think most journals read slush on a daily basis.”
That was my point in response to your proposal that writers could take the initiative in decreasing the slush. Does it really matter if the readers will still read in bulk?
And for the record, I’m currently a slush reader and a full-time grad students. I know how busy grad school can be, but still, I find a way to get through 20-50 stories a week by simply reading a little each day. If all of the readers did the same, then the slush pile would move faster.
*student
*student
“I definitely did not mean that your average big journal gets hundreds of submissions a DAY, but I also don’t think most journals read slush on a daily basis.”
That was my point in response to your proposal that writers could take the initiative in decreasing the slush. Does it really matter if the readers will still read in bulk?
And for the record, I’m currently a slush reader and a full-time grad students. I know how busy grad school can be, but still, I find a way to get through 20-50 stories a week by simply reading a little each day. If all of the readers did the same, then the slush pile would move faster.
*student
On the other side of the coin, West Branch seems to do a good job of moving its slush pile (based on Duotrope). Colorado Review is another fast one.
On the other side of the coin, West Branch seems to do a good job of moving its slush pile (based on Duotrope). Colorado Review is another fast one.
On the other side of the coin, West Branch seems to do a good job of moving its slush pile (based on Duotrope). Colorado Review is another fast one.
What is the protocol if you do get published with a sim sub?
A letter to the editor of the other publication(s) where you sent your submission seems presumptuous…
Is there a protocol, other than silence?
What is the protocol if you do get published with a sim sub?
A letter to the editor of the other publication(s) where you sent your submission seems presumptuous…
Is there a protocol, other than silence?
What is the protocol if you do get published with a sim sub?
A letter to the editor of the other publication(s) where you sent your submission seems presumptuous…
Is there a protocol, other than silence?
I wrote a column at my blog about this, might be of interest to you all:
http://whatdoesnotkillme.com/2009/08/31/simultaneous/
@Amber – four months is long, but try a year. Or more. There are places that take that long, some very cool places for sure. What’s nice is that most of the “cool” mags, rags and online publishers understand the writers out here and do their best to reject in a timely manner.
For example, I have stories at McSweeney’s, Canteen, and Monkeybicycle that have been there over 300 days (and yes, I’ve queried, gotten SOME responses, some not). I had also about given up on this cool place, Murky Depths, that turns stories into graphic shorts and novels, only to get an e-mail out of the blue saying they’d get back to me in a week, sorry about they delay. 243 days so far.
@Jhon – i tent to agree with that too, the smaller and more independent they are, the more i try to honor their guidelines to the letter
it’s tough, but you just have to keep at it, and submit a lot, and really aim for the places you love
best of luck all, don’t get discouraged
I wrote a column at my blog about this, might be of interest to you all:
http://whatdoesnotkillme.com/2009/08/31/simultaneous/
@Amber – four months is long, but try a year. Or more. There are places that take that long, some very cool places for sure. What’s nice is that most of the “cool” mags, rags and online publishers understand the writers out here and do their best to reject in a timely manner.
For example, I have stories at McSweeney’s, Canteen, and Monkeybicycle that have been there over 300 days (and yes, I’ve queried, gotten SOME responses, some not). I had also about given up on this cool place, Murky Depths, that turns stories into graphic shorts and novels, only to get an e-mail out of the blue saying they’d get back to me in a week, sorry about they delay. 243 days so far.
@Jhon – i tent to agree with that too, the smaller and more independent they are, the more i try to honor their guidelines to the letter
it’s tough, but you just have to keep at it, and submit a lot, and really aim for the places you love
best of luck all, don’t get discouraged
I wrote a column at my blog about this, might be of interest to you all:
http://whatdoesnotkillme.com/2009/08/31/simultaneous/
@Amber – four months is long, but try a year. Or more. There are places that take that long, some very cool places for sure. What’s nice is that most of the “cool” mags, rags and online publishers understand the writers out here and do their best to reject in a timely manner.
For example, I have stories at McSweeney’s, Canteen, and Monkeybicycle that have been there over 300 days (and yes, I’ve queried, gotten SOME responses, some not). I had also about given up on this cool place, Murky Depths, that turns stories into graphic shorts and novels, only to get an e-mail out of the blue saying they’d get back to me in a week, sorry about they delay. 243 days so far.
@Jhon – i tent to agree with that too, the smaller and more independent they are, the more i try to honor their guidelines to the letter
it’s tough, but you just have to keep at it, and submit a lot, and really aim for the places you love
best of luck all, don’t get discouraged
The protocol is the second you get an acceptance you email all the other magazines (or use their online withdrawal system) and tell them to stop considering it. Definitely not silence. Let them know.
The protocol is the second you get an acceptance you email all the other magazines (or use their online withdrawal system) and tell them to stop considering it. Definitely not silence. Let them know.
The protocol is the second you get an acceptance you email all the other magazines (or use their online withdrawal system) and tell them to stop considering it. Definitely not silence. Let them know.
It’s not presumptuous at all, because they don’t want to waste a bunch of time on a story that’s unavailable. However, you don’t need to contact the main editor–just send an email to the managing editor (unless it’s a small outfit run by a few people). Keep good records, too, so that if a journal you withdrew from contacts you to accept a story that you’ve withdrawn, you can simply say, “I sent a withdrawal email to your managing editor on this date.”
It’s not presumptuous at all, because they don’t want to waste a bunch of time on a story that’s unavailable. However, you don’t need to contact the main editor–just send an email to the managing editor (unless it’s a small outfit run by a few people). Keep good records, too, so that if a journal you withdrew from contacts you to accept a story that you’ve withdrawn, you can simply say, “I sent a withdrawal email to your managing editor on this date.”
It’s not presumptuous at all, because they don’t want to waste a bunch of time on a story that’s unavailable. However, you don’t need to contact the main editor–just send an email to the managing editor (unless it’s a small outfit run by a few people). Keep good records, too, so that if a journal you withdrew from contacts you to accept a story that you’ve withdrawn, you can simply say, “I sent a withdrawal email to your managing editor on this date.”
I wasn’t really suggesting writers do anything, merely discussing a hypothetical. I’m not sure what should be done, but I do think there are problems with our current slush policies. I don’t think the solution is really reading a bit a day or anything like that because the real problem is that most readers aren’t really qualified to make these decisions (just speaking in general, I make no presumptions about you) and even if they are good readers their tastes might not be aligned with the editors, especially an editor who actually edits and can see the potential in works. The problem in short is not all the great work gets to the editor.
I wasn’t really suggesting writers do anything, merely discussing a hypothetical. I’m not sure what should be done, but I do think there are problems with our current slush policies. I don’t think the solution is really reading a bit a day or anything like that because the real problem is that most readers aren’t really qualified to make these decisions (just speaking in general, I make no presumptions about you) and even if they are good readers their tastes might not be aligned with the editors, especially an editor who actually edits and can see the potential in works. The problem in short is not all the great work gets to the editor.
I wasn’t really suggesting writers do anything, merely discussing a hypothetical. I’m not sure what should be done, but I do think there are problems with our current slush policies. I don’t think the solution is really reading a bit a day or anything like that because the real problem is that most readers aren’t really qualified to make these decisions (just speaking in general, I make no presumptions about you) and even if they are good readers their tastes might not be aligned with the editors, especially an editor who actually edits and can see the potential in works. The problem in short is not all the great work gets to the editor.
Thank you both.
Thank you both.
Thank you both.
the proliferation of online sub managers is making this a lot easier. just go in, click on “withdraw”, press yes you’re sure, and then you’ll have an e-mail in your inbox confirming your w/drawal.
the proliferation of online sub managers is making this a lot easier. just go in, click on “withdraw”, press yes you’re sure, and then you’ll have an e-mail in your inbox confirming your w/drawal.
the proliferation of online sub managers is making this a lot easier. just go in, click on “withdraw”, press yes you’re sure, and then you’ll have an e-mail in your inbox confirming your w/drawal.
hey lincoln,
you still haven’t answered my question. i will pose it again:
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
hey lincoln,
you still haven’t answered my question. i will pose it again:
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
hey lincoln,
you still haven’t answered my question. i will pose it again:
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
I’ve never worked for a journal with a no sim sub policy and don’t know any editors on a personal level who have one. There are only a few magazines left that really do that. So I don’t know how seriously they take it. Perhaps if someone violates it frequently they black list you or are less likely to read your work in a timely manner. Probably nothing happens.
I’ve never worked for a journal with a no sim sub policy and don’t know any editors on a personal level who have one. There are only a few magazines left that really do that. So I don’t know how seriously they take it. Perhaps if someone violates it frequently they black list you or are less likely to read your work in a timely manner. Probably nothing happens.
I’ve never worked for a journal with a no sim sub policy and don’t know any editors on a personal level who have one. There are only a few magazines left that really do that. So I don’t know how seriously they take it. Perhaps if someone violates it frequently they black list you or are less likely to read your work in a timely manner. Probably nothing happens.
LOL
lincoln, man i love you, but you aren’t paying attention.
you keep giving me reasons why an EDITOR would want to dictate submission restrictions.
i have yet to hear you speak on why a writer would benefit from a self-serving restriction put forth by publications to mitigate “work load”.
third time (to anyone, not just lincoln):
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
LOL
lincoln, man i love you, but you aren’t paying attention.
you keep giving me reasons why an EDITOR would want to dictate submission restrictions.
i have yet to hear you speak on why a writer would benefit from a self-serving restriction put forth by publications to mitigate “work load”.
third time (to anyone, not just lincoln):
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
LOL
lincoln, man i love you, but you aren’t paying attention.
you keep giving me reasons why an EDITOR would want to dictate submission restrictions.
i have yet to hear you speak on why a writer would benefit from a self-serving restriction put forth by publications to mitigate “work load”.
third time (to anyone, not just lincoln):
adhering to simultaneous submission restriction helps the writer in what way again….?
I thought I was pretty clear there, but if editors will blackball you for breaking their policy then it is smart for a writer to follow the policy or your chances of going into the magazine diminish. If editors don’t actually care, which is probably likely, then the individual writer does not benefit from adhering to simultaneous submission policies.
I’m not speaking from an editorial perspective there.
I thought I was pretty clear there, but if editors will blackball you for breaking their policy then it is smart for a writer to follow the policy or your chances of going into the magazine diminish. If editors don’t actually care, which is probably likely, then the individual writer does not benefit from adhering to simultaneous submission policies.
I’m not speaking from an editorial perspective there.
I thought I was pretty clear there, but if editors will blackball you for breaking their policy then it is smart for a writer to follow the policy or your chances of going into the magazine diminish. If editors don’t actually care, which is probably likely, then the individual writer does not benefit from adhering to simultaneous submission policies.
I’m not speaking from an editorial perspective there.
Jereme, to answer your question, I don’t think it benefits the writer in any way, particularly given the acceptance rates at the magazines that don’t take sim subs. That said, I do know there are magazines who will never give a writer’s work fair consideration after a writer ignores a no simultaneous submission rule. That’s crazy, of course, but that’s a publication’s right. It’s up to the writer to decide whether or not they a. have a realistic chance of getting into that magazine and b. how much fair consideration really matters to them.
Jereme, to answer your question, I don’t think it benefits the writer in any way, particularly given the acceptance rates at the magazines that don’t take sim subs. That said, I do know there are magazines who will never give a writer’s work fair consideration after a writer ignores a no simultaneous submission rule. That’s crazy, of course, but that’s a publication’s right. It’s up to the writer to decide whether or not they a. have a realistic chance of getting into that magazine and b. how much fair consideration really matters to them.
Jereme, to answer your question, I don’t think it benefits the writer in any way, particularly given the acceptance rates at the magazines that don’t take sim subs. That said, I do know there are magazines who will never give a writer’s work fair consideration after a writer ignores a no simultaneous submission rule. That’s crazy, of course, but that’s a publication’s right. It’s up to the writer to decide whether or not they a. have a realistic chance of getting into that magazine and b. how much fair consideration really matters to them.
Barry Graham has written forcefully about not adhering to the no-sim sub rule. Hope he sees this and does so again.
I tend to get turned off by journals prohibiting sim subs (almost as much as when journals don’t allow online submissions). As such, I rarely, if ever, submit to such places (Elimae is a great “exception” where they respond so quickly that the policy makes sense).
Barry Graham has written forcefully about not adhering to the no-sim sub rule. Hope he sees this and does so again.
I tend to get turned off by journals prohibiting sim subs (almost as much as when journals don’t allow online submissions). As such, I rarely, if ever, submit to such places (Elimae is a great “exception” where they respond so quickly that the policy makes sense).
Barry Graham has written forcefully about not adhering to the no-sim sub rule. Hope he sees this and does so again.
I tend to get turned off by journals prohibiting sim subs (almost as much as when journals don’t allow online submissions). As such, I rarely, if ever, submit to such places (Elimae is a great “exception” where they respond so quickly that the policy makes sense).
I’m not a fan of the no SS policy, so basically just avoid those journals both as a reader and a submitter. Quick ones like elimae aside.
I’m not a fan of the no SS policy, so basically just avoid those journals both as a reader and a submitter. Quick ones like elimae aside.
I’m not a fan of the no SS policy, so basically just avoid those journals both as a reader and a submitter. Quick ones like elimae aside.
lincoln & roxane,
so there is only an acceptance of this system? there is no other way to go about it?
lincoln & roxane,
so there is only an acceptance of this system? there is no other way to go about it?
lincoln & roxane,
so there is only an acceptance of this system? there is no other way to go about it?
Question for Roxane (and anyone else):
What are magazines that will blackball a writer who’s known to have broken simultaneous-submission rules? I think I’ve heard of Kenyon Review doing so, but don’t know of anyone else.
Question for Roxane (and anyone else):
What are magazines that will blackball a writer who’s known to have broken simultaneous-submission rules? I think I’ve heard of Kenyon Review doing so, but don’t know of anyone else.
Question for Roxane (and anyone else):
What are magazines that will blackball a writer who’s known to have broken simultaneous-submission rules? I think I’ve heard of Kenyon Review doing so, but don’t know of anyone else.
jereme,
for you as an individual or hypothetically if we could change it all? You can certainly just ignore the rules, most do. Honestly though, I really think there are only a small handful of journals I care about that have a no SS policy. Like I could count them on one hand that had a few fingers blown off. So as much as I think the no SS policy is bullshit, it doesn’t affect me at all.
i used to make a case that it benefits a writer to adhere to no sim subs as a kind of distancing mechanism within an ongoing writing process. that lets say my process is that i like to set something aside for some months after i finish a draft and want a way to force myself to not look at it. submitting to one place can be enough of a distance and enough of a deterrent to not look at it during that time. Then when it comes back rejected, its clean out of any submission cycle instantly (cuz it was never sim subbed) and ready to be revised with distanced eyes.
i pretty much do what i describe above, i dont sim sub any work, but i dont think what im saying above is a ‘benefit to adhere to no sim subs’ necessarily. its more like im using a particular kink in the system in order to control my own impatience.
jereme,
for you as an individual or hypothetically if we could change it all? You can certainly just ignore the rules, most do. Honestly though, I really think there are only a small handful of journals I care about that have a no SS policy. Like I could count them on one hand that had a few fingers blown off. So as much as I think the no SS policy is bullshit, it doesn’t affect me at all.
i used to make a case that it benefits a writer to adhere to no sim subs as a kind of distancing mechanism within an ongoing writing process. that lets say my process is that i like to set something aside for some months after i finish a draft and want a way to force myself to not look at it. submitting to one place can be enough of a distance and enough of a deterrent to not look at it during that time. Then when it comes back rejected, its clean out of any submission cycle instantly (cuz it was never sim subbed) and ready to be revised with distanced eyes.
i pretty much do what i describe above, i dont sim sub any work, but i dont think what im saying above is a ‘benefit to adhere to no sim subs’ necessarily. its more like im using a particular kink in the system in order to control my own impatience.
Jereme, that’s a great question. Most writers will just accept this system because they so desperately want to get into these “top tier” magazines. It’s worth the compromise for them. The no sim sub system is one that has been in place for so long that I don’t think it even crosses many writers’ minds to question it. There was a time when it made sense for a magazine to refuse simultaneous submissions but that time has come and gone. Unfortunately, many of these older, more established magazines simply have not evolved as quickly as they need to, and frankly, neither have writers. I used to not submit to those magazines at all and now I only do if I’m feeling patient but that’s very rare. I don’t know how writers could go about changing this system because I don’t think a bunch of writers sending notes about this issue to Kenyon Review (a magazine I respect a great deal, despite my abiding frustration with their sim sub policy) or protesting somehow, would do anything. These magazines can have these policies because writers will always want to be published in those magazines. In thinking about picket line crossers, you could never get enough writers to boycott, for example, in order to make some kind of impact. The desire to achieve that level of success (however impermanent, illusory, etc) is far stronger than a desire to create a better, more sustainable environment for writers to submit their work. I’m not as militant about this issue as this answer makes me sound.
Julie, I don’t know, these days because I don’t really submit to those magazines at all and haven’t worked for an older magazine in many years. The only one that comes to mind is Kenyon Review but I don’t have any firsthand knowledge, only things I’ve heard through the proverbial grapevine.
Jereme, that’s a great question. Most writers will just accept this system because they so desperately want to get into these “top tier” magazines. It’s worth the compromise for them. The no sim sub system is one that has been in place for so long that I don’t think it even crosses many writers’ minds to question it. There was a time when it made sense for a magazine to refuse simultaneous submissions but that time has come and gone. Unfortunately, many of these older, more established magazines simply have not evolved as quickly as they need to, and frankly, neither have writers. I used to not submit to those magazines at all and now I only do if I’m feeling patient but that’s very rare. I don’t know how writers could go about changing this system because I don’t think a bunch of writers sending notes about this issue to Kenyon Review (a magazine I respect a great deal, despite my abiding frustration with their sim sub policy) or protesting somehow, would do anything. These magazines can have these policies because writers will always want to be published in those magazines. In thinking about picket line crossers, you could never get enough writers to boycott, for example, in order to make some kind of impact. The desire to achieve that level of success (however impermanent, illusory, etc) is far stronger than a desire to create a better, more sustainable environment for writers to submit their work. I’m not as militant about this issue as this answer makes me sound.
Julie, I don’t know, these days because I don’t really submit to those magazines at all and haven’t worked for an older magazine in many years. The only one that comes to mind is Kenyon Review but I don’t have any firsthand knowledge, only things I’ve heard through the proverbial grapevine.
yeah, i’d like to know more about the mindset here too. what drives an obligation on the part of an editor to read every word of every submission. if i know i’m going to pass on something, i pass on it the moment i realize it. why waste time? unless i’m planning on imparting my wisdom into every young writers head, but then i wouldnt be an editor, id be a teacher or something.
yeah, i’d like to know more about the mindset here too. what drives an obligation on the part of an editor to read every word of every submission. if i know i’m going to pass on something, i pass on it the moment i realize it. why waste time? unless i’m planning on imparting my wisdom into every young writers head, but then i wouldnt be an editor, id be a teacher or something.
slush = bad
slushpuppies = good
“lifeless prose that opens with a character looking at his alarm clock?” = BAD
for some reason, i just thought of the movie, “Funny People”–was that a major letdown to anyone else?
slush = bad
slushpuppies = good
“lifeless prose that opens with a character looking at his alarm clock?” = BAD
for some reason, i just thought of the movie, “Funny People”–was that a major letdown to anyone else?
my novel starts with a character waking to his alarm clock. ive thought about cutting it but i never will.
my novel starts with a character waking to his alarm clock. ive thought about cutting it but i never will.
You see, but that is different.
Your character is “waking” not “looking.”
Changes everything.
You see, but that is different.
Your character is “waking” not “looking.”
Changes everything.
Tell me about it. Seems to happen to so many of my stories. Nearly all of them, in fact.
(Winky face.)
Tell me about it. Seems to happen to so many of my stories. Nearly all of them, in fact.
(Winky face.)
Yes, I’ve had a story at Opium for coming up on a year now. Says “Recommended for Acceptance” in the manager. I query them and they ignore me. It’s really making me feel good about the brand, you know? Hella supportive.
Yes, I’ve had a story at Opium for coming up on a year now. Says “Recommended for Acceptance” in the manager. I query them and they ignore me. It’s really making me feel good about the brand, you know? Hella supportive.
I didn’t mean to imply that editors should read crap from first word to last once it’s clear that it’s crap. Not at all. I guess I’m just wondering how closely or deeply readers-writers-editors read today, given the sheer volume of the reading load online and off. This is probably a tangent better discussed at another time, but the idea’s been on my mind lately as I’m researching litmags and indie presses, writing and revising parts of my book, hanging here and elsewhere online to communicate w/ other writers, freelance-writing and doing other work for mo-nay, reading widely online and off, and trying to live life outside of words on the screen or the page. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
I didn’t mean to imply that editors should read crap from first word to last once it’s clear that it’s crap. Not at all. I guess I’m just wondering how closely or deeply readers-writers-editors read today, given the sheer volume of the reading load online and off. This is probably a tangent better discussed at another time, but the idea’s been on my mind lately as I’m researching litmags and indie presses, writing and revising parts of my book, hanging here and elsewhere online to communicate w/ other writers, freelance-writing and doing other work for mo-nay, reading widely online and off, and trying to live life outside of words on the screen or the page. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
There, Lincoln, that’s it. That’s partly where I was coming from or trying to get to, I think, with part of what I was saying above re: how closely or deeply — maybe the better term is tuned-in-edly, yeah… that’s it — readers read.
There, Lincoln, that’s it. That’s partly where I was coming from or trying to get to, I think, with part of what I was saying above re: how closely or deeply — maybe the better term is tuned-in-edly, yeah… that’s it — readers read.
You should get a hold of Todd Zuniga, he’s a great guy. If you don’t have his contact i
nfo drop me a line at wickerkat@aol.com and I’ll see what I can do to help. I’m sure it
is an oversight of some kind. Happens all the time.
You should get a hold of Todd Zuniga, he’s a great guy. If you don’t have his contact i
nfo drop me a line at wickerkat@aol.com and I’ll see what I can do to help. I’m sure it
is an oversight of some kind. Happens all the time.