Craft Notes
Authotrope
There should be a Duotrope-like thing for editors, where editors can report info on their submitters, like how many times each author submits work that shows they’ve completely ignored the guidelines and/or even the general tastelines of the magazine, how many submissions and follow up emails they’ve sent within a certain period, the average rate at which those submitters are rejected, and how many issues of the magazine that submitter has actually bought, and some other bonus crud. “Man, Joey Larfdensen is so irresponsible! Another 40 second period between one rejection and the next submission? Another vampiric baby-biting neo-noir story to our parenting magazine? A personal response to our personal response saying what a bunch of ‘tasteless bongdicks’ we are? He’s just not treating us editors fairly, I say!” Democracy! Peeyawww!
Tags: joey larfdensen
you’re funny tonight blake
you’re funny tonight blake
Yes. Yes. Yes. Good times.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Good times.
would just lead to more writers using lame pseudonyms like george splittorf
would just lead to more writers using lame pseudonyms like george splittorf
is that a baby in a pot?
is that a baby in a pot?
i want red lobster now
i want red lobster now
very observant.
very observant.
They say they don’t feel anything in the boiling water but they scream like hell…
They say they don’t feel anything in the boiling water but they scream like hell…
But what if you are the majority of one who is correct that your work would fit in if seen? I know that most writers suffer from this delusion of adequacy yet there should be room for bubbling up beneath the feet of that which almost reflexively shuns the unfamiliarly unfamiliar. That the magazine in question has published similar work should be approximately respected, yet I believe in occasionally playing around a bit in a way that would (and probably should) have me Authotroped out of existence. I got into Grand Street years ago by a: having modestly written the best poems ever & b: researching Jean Stein’s extensive furniture collection and sending a five page letter mock-threatening to destroy a certain piece of it if rejected again. I also believe in mailing parodies of poems written by editors at POETRY fucking magazine etc. and then submitting them to POETRY fucking magazine. (I do not seek to waste their time, I seek to instruct) I had a poem rejected by EVERGREEN REVIEW yet I knew it would fit in so when it was rejected, I sent back my own form rejection rejecting their rejection and they looked again and took the poem.
Upon reflection, I guess if such an Authotrope existed I would become a publisher so I could publish the best of the writers who scored the worst ratings.
But what if you are the majority of one who is correct that your work would fit in if seen? I know that most writers suffer from this delusion of adequacy yet there should be room for bubbling up beneath the feet of that which almost reflexively shuns the unfamiliarly unfamiliar. That the magazine in question has published similar work should be approximately respected, yet I believe in occasionally playing around a bit in a way that would (and probably should) have me Authotroped out of existence. I got into Grand Street years ago by a: having modestly written the best poems ever & b: researching Jean Stein’s extensive furniture collection and sending a five page letter mock-threatening to destroy a certain piece of it if rejected again. I also believe in mailing parodies of poems written by editors at POETRY fucking magazine etc. and then submitting them to POETRY fucking magazine. (I do not seek to waste their time, I seek to instruct) I had a poem rejected by EVERGREEN REVIEW yet I knew it would fit in so when it was rejected, I sent back my own form rejection rejecting their rejection and they looked again and took the poem.
Upon reflection, I guess if such an Authotrope existed I would become a publisher so I could publish the best of the writers who scored the worst ratings.
“I sent back my own form rejection rejecting their rejection and they looked again and took the poem.”
That is interesting. Did you rewrite the poem? Did they apologize or what? Strange…
“I sent back my own form rejection rejecting their rejection and they looked again and took the poem.”
That is interesting. Did you rewrite the poem? Did they apologize or what? Strange…
editing’s a hard knock life yo
but in the immortal words of Raybeez (rip)
don’t forget the struggle. don’t forget the streets.
editing’s a hard knock life yo
but in the immortal words of Raybeez (rip)
don’t forget the struggle. don’t forget the streets.
that would fuck me up i think.
i would feel shame.
that would fuck me up i think.
i would feel shame.
once saw a panel discussion with magazine editors, and the fiction ed from a prestigious litmag said that one time an author wrote her to say, “just got an acceptance from [not so prestigious litmag] for the story you’re considering from me. i’d rather publish with you, though — could you read it today?”
the editor rejected the submission, then told the original magazine, who un-accepted it. so, haha, pwnd, don’t be a dick, etc.
but the best and most paranoia-inducing part is she said she then told the story on a “listserve that lots of lit mag editors are on — yes, we talk to each other.”
once saw a panel discussion with magazine editors, and the fiction ed from a prestigious litmag said that one time an author wrote her to say, “just got an acceptance from [not so prestigious litmag] for the story you’re considering from me. i’d rather publish with you, though — could you read it today?”
the editor rejected the submission, then told the original magazine, who un-accepted it. so, haha, pwnd, don’t be a dick, etc.
but the best and most paranoia-inducing part is she said she then told the story on a “listserve that lots of lit mag editors are on — yes, we talk to each other.”
wow. amazing. i want to hear more stories like this.
wow. amazing. i want to hear more stories like this.
Here’s looking at you, Mr. Erlewine.
Here’s looking at you, Mr. Erlewine.
Hello Mr. Schneider– There was no rewrite of the poem yet I think a rereading where it finally clicked. I like to think there was enough humor in my rejection of their rejection that it somehow was respectful of their time and the sad fact that maybe they (and many editors) valiantly slog and skim until their eyes glaze over. I don’t blame them. One can have a functioning antenna for only so long before the soul selects her society and the door shuts. I also had the title poem of my book form-rejected by The New Yorker years ago under Alice Quinn–who specifically (this can be confirmed) saw the poem when it appeared elsewhere and said she loved it and later confirmed that she’d never seen it before. Had it been passed on to her by her readers, it would have appeared in TNY. Yet maybe not. Quinn read it as typeset in another magazine she admired and that lent it an authority and familiarity that maybe it wouldn’t have had as typed on IBM Selectric Composer and unfolded beneath her.
Hello Mr. Schneider– There was no rewrite of the poem yet I think a rereading where it finally clicked. I like to think there was enough humor in my rejection of their rejection that it somehow was respectful of their time and the sad fact that maybe they (and many editors) valiantly slog and skim until their eyes glaze over. I don’t blame them. One can have a functioning antenna for only so long before the soul selects her society and the door shuts. I also had the title poem of my book form-rejected by The New Yorker years ago under Alice Quinn–who specifically (this can be confirmed) saw the poem when it appeared elsewhere and said she loved it and later confirmed that she’d never seen it before. Had it been passed on to her by her readers, it would have appeared in TNY. Yet maybe not. Quinn read it as typeset in another magazine she admired and that lent it an authority and familiarity that maybe it wouldn’t have had as typed on IBM Selectric Composer and unfolded beneath her.
If any of the Literary Rejection on Display people see this post there could be an internet lit war.
If any of the Literary Rejection on Display people see this post there could be an internet lit war.
Yes! There should be an editor at a really high-traffic magazine telling these stories regularly. I wanna hear!
And go ahead and name names, I say. Maybe it will shame people into behaving themselves.
Gotta love shame.
In the immortal words of Sarah Kane: Shame, shame, shame. Drown in your fucking shame.
I can’t tell if I’m in a good mood or a bad mood.
That’s totally lame of that editor. Probably a narc by day.
Yes! There should be an editor at a really high-traffic magazine telling these stories regularly. I wanna hear!
And go ahead and name names, I say. Maybe it will shame people into behaving themselves.
Gotta love shame.
In the immortal words of Sarah Kane: Shame, shame, shame. Drown in your fucking shame.
I can’t tell if I’m in a good mood or a bad mood.
That’s totally lame of that editor. Probably a narc by day.
I don’t know why I said an editor of a high traffic magazine – blah. I meant to just agree with Blake’s suggestion of a duotrope like site, but maybe a little more personal – not just stats.
I don’t know why I said an editor of a high traffic magazine – blah. I meant to just agree with Blake’s suggestion of a duotrope like site, but maybe a little more personal – not just stats.
what a fart on both ends
If only I’d gone to Oberlin, not Ohio Wesleyan, I’d have stopped submitting earlier.
Do you remember telling me that you hoped five Latino men raped the bad writing out of me? Great stuff.
what a fart on both ends
If only I’d gone to Oberlin, not Ohio Wesleyan, I’d have stopped submitting earlier.
Do you remember telling me that you hoped five Latino men raped the bad writing out of me? Great stuff.
‘yeah bro, there’s like this secret listserv. wish i could tell you more about it, but joey jarfenslefensensen at poetry would totally have my balls…’
‘yeah bro, there’s like this secret listserv. wish i could tell you more about it, but joey jarfenslefensensen at poetry would totally have my balls…’
I agree, I think it’s great to name names. I’ve outed myself for over-submitting to places like Eyeshot. I’m not submitting anything these days so I find it surreal how much I wanted to get into certain journals.
A place like Authotrope would have gotten me to stop submitting long before Lee stopped accepting unsolicited subs. I’m pretty sure.
I agree, I think it’s great to name names. I’ve outed myself for over-submitting to places like Eyeshot. I’m not submitting anything these days so I find it surreal how much I wanted to get into certain journals.
A place like Authotrope would have gotten me to stop submitting long before Lee stopped accepting unsolicited subs. I’m pretty sure.
as long as no one ever finds out how many times i’ve submitted to elimae, i’m totally cool with editors naming names.
as long as no one ever finds out how many times i’ve submitted to elimae, i’m totally cool with editors naming names.
I keep getting this image of editors chained to galley oars, and they all have long beards and are dirty and suffering, and nobody nobody is helping them with their pain.
I keep getting this image of editors chained to galley oars, and they all have long beards and are dirty and suffering, and nobody nobody is helping them with their pain.
ha ha
strong piece in abjective by the by, another place that i’ve accepted will never publish me.
my big diagnosis a few weeks ago has really put things into perspective for me. i haven’t opened duotrope “what’s new” since, a good sign.
ha ha
strong piece in abjective by the by, another place that i’ve accepted will never publish me.
my big diagnosis a few weeks ago has really put things into perspective for me. i haven’t opened duotrope “what’s new” since, a good sign.
My guess is that’s the first and only time that’s gonna work, but great story. You should put that on your cover letter.
My guess is that’s the first and only time that’s gonna work, but great story. You should put that on your cover letter.
Well, let’s see the poem.
Well, let’s see the poem.
So, name names!
Again, let’s hear some names tough guys.
So, name names!
Again, let’s hear some names tough guys.
pobrecitos…
pobrecitos…
i hope to fuck you are using “tough guys” ironically.
i already named names – mine.
Ok, so put your publish-worthy poems here:
i hope to fuck you are using “tough guys” ironically.
i already named names – mine.
Ok, so put your publish-worthy poems here:
she seemed sincere, but afterward i did wonder if it’s not just a scary story to tell in the dark she trots out whenever she meets large groups of young writers.
i’d name the ed, but i don’t want to go on the listserve. they could be monitoring this thread even now!
she seemed sincere, but afterward i did wonder if it’s not just a scary story to tell in the dark she trots out whenever she meets large groups of young writers.
i’d name the ed, but i don’t want to go on the listserve. they could be monitoring this thread even now!
Oh sorry yes you named yourself…and now you’re not interested in submitting anymore…so, great. “Hope to fuck” all you want, David.
Oh sorry yes you named yourself…and now you’re not interested in submitting anymore…so, great. “Hope to fuck” all you want, David.
thanks, david. i really appreciate that. also not going to mention how many times i subbed abjective before that finally happened.
thanks, david. i really appreciate that. also not going to mention how many times i subbed abjective before that finally happened.
you are a “recovering submitter” now?
you are a “recovering submitter” now?
Here she blows:
http://www.evergreenreview.com/119/17.html
Here she blows:
http://www.evergreenreview.com/119/17.html
I doubt I said that — I’d’ve said Orca whales, for we all know that Orca whales have monstrous apparati and care not about finesse.
naah, dp, i’m just not writing much short stuff these days. i’m sure down the road i’ll be back to my dumb tricks of oversubmitting to places.
mather, i hope you got the irony of my hope to fuck comment. it’s as ridiculous as tough guys. damn, man, you are one angry guy. i can picture you pounding your desk after every triumphant retort.
I doubt I said that — I’d’ve said Orca whales, for we all know that Orca whales have monstrous apparati and care not about finesse.
naah, dp, i’m just not writing much short stuff these days. i’m sure down the road i’ll be back to my dumb tricks of oversubmitting to places.
mather, i hope you got the irony of my hope to fuck comment. it’s as ridiculous as tough guys. damn, man, you are one angry guy. i can picture you pounding your desk after every triumphant retort.
well, yeah, that does sound more like you
would have been a double whammy since it would have referenced one of my favorite childhood movies
well, yeah, that does sound more like you
would have been a double whammy since it would have referenced one of my favorite childhood movies
as mentioned above, i don’t have any more names, senor schneider
if/when i acquire any, I WILL NAME THEM ASAP!
see: that’s why I’d reject his stuff. what does “hope to FUCK YOU are using tough guys” supposed to mean? Clarity, clarity, clarity . .
as mentioned above, i don’t have any more names, senor schneider
if/when i acquire any, I WILL NAME THEM ASAP!
see: that’s why I’d reject his stuff. what does “hope to FUCK YOU are using tough guys” supposed to mean? Clarity, clarity, clarity . .
Well, there it is. Thanks. It’s not that bad. I don’t love it, but I can’t bash it. And that is something if you know me.
Well, there it is. Thanks. It’s not that bad. I don’t love it, but I can’t bash it. And that is something if you know me.
Thanks, it’s pretty good.
Thanks, it’s pretty good.
What sort of childhood movie involves a Washington DC area lawyer getting gang-raped by killer whales for submitting too often to a literary website?
Alos, in my admittedly minor experience with the stuff, Orca Porn is ALWAYS NC-17.
Thanks Matt Jasper, that poem wasn’t too bad.
What sort of childhood movie involves a Washington DC area lawyer getting gang-raped by killer whales for submitting too often to a literary website?
Alos, in my admittedly minor experience with the stuff, Orca Porn is ALWAYS NC-17.
Thanks Matt Jasper, that poem wasn’t too bad.
Do I need to get Barry G on here, tall and violent guy?
Do I need to get Barry G on here, tall and violent guy?
was just referring to ORCA…nothing more
i think my reference was fairly clear, as much as i can be on such things
was just referring to ORCA…nothing more
i think my reference was fairly clear, as much as i can be on such things
Well, there’s nothing wrong with anger. I get angry. I get a lot of things.
Oh it would be juicy fun to list which ones never follow guidelines and any “high maintenance” people :)
Well, there’s nothing wrong with anger. I get angry. I get a lot of things.
Oh it would be juicy fun to list which ones never follow guidelines and any “high maintenance” people :)
I often think about calling out some of the people who submit one story after the other or otherwise behave badly but then I never pull the trigger. I could tell submission stories all day though. It’s so eye-opening to see the shit writers pull from the editorial perspective. It makes me feel bad for every ridiculous thing I’ve done as a writer. I recently had a writer send me a nasty e-mail because I responded too quickly and that clearly I don’t know how to evaluate great literature. Yes. He complained because I responded too quickly. That was fairly awesome. It didn’t take me long to read your story because it was BAD. Many writers also get snippity when you provide feedback. If you don’t want to know what I think about your writing, maybe don’t send it to me. Authotrope, NOW!
I often think about calling out some of the people who submit one story after the other or otherwise behave badly but then I never pull the trigger. I could tell submission stories all day though. It’s so eye-opening to see the shit writers pull from the editorial perspective. It makes me feel bad for every ridiculous thing I’ve done as a writer. I recently had a writer send me a nasty e-mail because I responded too quickly and that clearly I don’t know how to evaluate great literature. Yes. He complained because I responded too quickly. That was fairly awesome. It didn’t take me long to read your story because it was BAD. Many writers also get snippity when you provide feedback. If you don’t want to know what I think about your writing, maybe don’t send it to me. Authotrope, NOW!
“and he SAID that clearly….”
“and he SAID that clearly….”
Agreed, there is nothing wrong with anger.
I liked your Johnny Cash poem quite a bit. Good stuff. Made me go watch “Hurt” again.
Agreed, there is nothing wrong with anger.
I liked your Johnny Cash poem quite a bit. Good stuff. Made me go watch “Hurt” again.
yes I understood it David, I guess I thought you were an editor since so many around here seem to be editors of their own journals…
yes I understood it David, I guess I thought you were an editor since so many around here seem to be editors of their own journals…
Go ahead, list them.
Go ahead, list them.
Names?
Names?
not sure if that was sarcastic since I don’t know what “hurt” is but I’ll take it . Thank you.
not sure if that was sarcastic since I don’t know what “hurt” is but I’ll take it . Thank you.
I worked at one of the least-accepting lit mags, and we had situations like that, but we never turned around and got in touch with the other mags. That’s bullshit.
I worked at one of the least-accepting lit mags, and we had situations like that, but we never turned around and got in touch with the other mags. That’s bullshit.
Tao Lin.
Tao Lin.
Again, no names…this thread is amazing…
Again, no names…this thread is amazing…
Hey, there’s a name!
Hey, there’s a name!
Man this thread could be so good if everyone wasn’t afraid of naming someone who might end up as the judge of a contest they might want to enter some day.
Man this thread could be so good if everyone wasn’t afraid of naming someone who might end up as the judge of a contest they might want to enter some day.
wondering if someone can clarify a submissions ethic issue for me:
if an editor asks, even urges, me to submit again, should i still wait? because i feel like, i don’t want to forget, and i usually have somethings in the queue so i do it right then, figuring most of them won’t see it for a week anyway.
is that bad? am i a bad person? slap me in the face.
wondering if someone can clarify a submissions ethic issue for me:
if an editor asks, even urges, me to submit again, should i still wait? because i feel like, i don’t want to forget, and i usually have somethings in the queue so i do it right then, figuring most of them won’t see it for a week anyway.
is that bad? am i a bad person? slap me in the face.
It’s a great Johnny Cash video, covering the NIN song. You probably saw it years ago.
No sarcasm intended. And you’re certainly welcome, Mather.
It’s a great Johnny Cash video, covering the NIN song. You probably saw it years ago.
No sarcasm intended. And you’re certainly welcome, Mather.
If an editor really wants tyou to wait, they might say something like “Send me another piece in a month” or something. If you’ve been “urged” to resubmit, I don’t see any problem in sending back pretty quickly.
you should submit again.
i dont see problems with people resubbing quickly, as long as the work is actually ‘finished’ (in that, it’s not just something you dashed off, and more that it is a piece of work worth the time of considering). the main problem with the quick resub is that the person is sending out mediocre work and not taking time to consider what’s up, but in other cases an author might have a bunch of finished, solid stories and it might be just a matter of taste. you know whether the work is done or not, or at least how you feel at that moment, so as long as you feel like it’s something worth having someone consider, it’s ok i think. and especially when asked, that means you have their attention, and if you have finished other work you shouldn’t hesitate.
If an editor really wants tyou to wait, they might say something like “Send me another piece in a month” or something. If you’ve been “urged” to resubmit, I don’t see any problem in sending back pretty quickly.
you should submit again.
i dont see problems with people resubbing quickly, as long as the work is actually ‘finished’ (in that, it’s not just something you dashed off, and more that it is a piece of work worth the time of considering). the main problem with the quick resub is that the person is sending out mediocre work and not taking time to consider what’s up, but in other cases an author might have a bunch of finished, solid stories and it might be just a matter of taste. you know whether the work is done or not, or at least how you feel at that moment, so as long as you feel like it’s something worth having someone consider, it’s ok i think. and especially when asked, that means you have their attention, and if you have finished other work you shouldn’t hesitate.
You probably are a bad person but that is irrelevant. If an editor asks to see more send more right away. I find it hard to believe that you would even be confused if an editor “urged” you to submit again. Unless you’re the hard to get type.
You probably are a bad person but that is irrelevant. If an editor asks to see more send more right away. I find it hard to believe that you would even be confused if an editor “urged” you to submit again. Unless you’re the hard to get type.
ok, mather. your comments are kind of like submissions. and you are commenting a lot saying nothing that adds much of anything to anybody, except to whine or talk blank shit. so, i name you.
ok, mather. your comments are kind of like submissions. and you are commenting a lot saying nothing that adds much of anything to anybody, except to whine or talk blank shit. so, i name you.
Thanks, man. It’s nice to be appreciated.
Thanks, man. It’s nice to be appreciated.
I’ve never understood why it’s bad ethic not to wait even if not asked. At abjective I get submissions from authors multiply and often and I never think less of them for it. it just means they really want to get published by my journal and i take that as compliment. i read and consider every submission as its own entity. Editors, why does it bother you that people submit too often?
I’ve never understood why it’s bad ethic not to wait even if not asked. At abjective I get submissions from authors multiply and often and I never think less of them for it. it just means they really want to get published by my journal and i take that as compliment. i read and consider every submission as its own entity. Editors, why does it bother you that people submit too often?
i just said in the comment above why i felt so. it’s not an across the board kind of rule, but only annoying when the person seems to have no context at all to what they are doing, and is just blanket subbing, over and over again.
Ana
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda Alex
Bonnie
Colin
Danielle
Earl
Fiona
Gaston
Hermine
Igor
Julia
Karl
Lisa
Matthew
Nicole
Otto
Paula
Richard
Shary
Tomas
Virginie
Walter Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Florence
Gordon
Helene
Isaac
Joyce
Kirk
Leslie
Michael
Nadine
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sandy
Tony
Valerie
William Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dorian
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Nestor
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy Arthur
Bertha
Cristobal
Dolly
Edouard
Fay
Gonzalo
Hanna
Isaias
Josephine
Kyle
Laura
Marco
Nana
Omar
Paulette
Rene
Sally
Teddy
Vicky
Wilfred
i just said in the comment above why i felt so. it’s not an across the board kind of rule, but only annoying when the person seems to have no context at all to what they are doing, and is just blanket subbing, over and over again.
Ana
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda Alex
Bonnie
Colin
Danielle
Earl
Fiona
Gaston
Hermine
Igor
Julia
Karl
Lisa
Matthew
Nicole
Otto
Paula
Richard
Shary
Tomas
Virginie
Walter Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Florence
Gordon
Helene
Isaac
Joyce
Kirk
Leslie
Michael
Nadine
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sandy
Tony
Valerie
William Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dorian
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Nestor
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy Arthur
Bertha
Cristobal
Dolly
Edouard
Fay
Gonzalo
Hanna
Isaias
Josephine
Kyle
Laura
Marco
Nana
Omar
Paulette
Rene
Sally
Teddy
Vicky
Wilfred
i’d appreciate it if you relaxed. i like fire, but you seem to frequently comment with snide shit, as if you are just a monsterbaby lashing in the dark.
you got a contest coming up soon, Blake?
i’d appreciate it if you relaxed. i like fire, but you seem to frequently comment with snide shit, as if you are just a monsterbaby lashing in the dark.
you got a contest coming up soon, Blake?
i dont believe in contests.
I like your site, but I will lay off if it is too annoying.
i dont believe in contests.
I like your site, but I will lay off if it is too annoying.
you should watch the scene in planes trains and automobiles where steve martin tells john candy what’s up
then come back and comment as if you are talking to a person, not a robot child
yeah, i didn’t see your comment till after i did mine. ;)
I gues though, this… ‘the person seems to have no context at all to what they are doing’ doesn’t feel like it is my business as an editor to think about this. it’s the submiters issue, not mine. it’s no skin off my back, i just reject stuff or accept stuff. I’m not in the business to think about the nuances of why writers are submitting, or are they doing it in an honest way, or do they really care, etc. I’m just looking for words. anything more than that feels like political silliness to me.
you should watch the scene in planes trains and automobiles where steve martin tells john candy what’s up
then come back and comment as if you are talking to a person, not a robot child
yeah, i didn’t see your comment till after i did mine. ;)
I gues though, this… ‘the person seems to have no context at all to what they are doing’ doesn’t feel like it is my business as an editor to think about this. it’s the submiters issue, not mine. it’s no skin off my back, i just reject stuff or accept stuff. I’m not in the business to think about the nuances of why writers are submitting, or are they doing it in an honest way, or do they really care, etc. I’m just looking for words. anything more than that feels like political silliness to me.
Fine…A Public Space. Does that change things?
Fine…A Public Space. Does that change things?
I just got a sub from a two time book award winner!
I just got a sub from a two time book award winner!
have you ever had someone submit once a week, response from last week or not, with emails full of files after files, with the email addresses of tons of other journals also copied in the email?
that’s what i’m talking about.
i’m also talking about when you respond to someone who has sent like an old fashioned love story to your journal where you only publish noir fiction, and you respond privately saying, this isn’t what we publish really, and they respond with more of the same
and then slightly more watered down versions of those two instances, but in a general context
i agree with you otherwise: i’ve never been that annoyed when someone keeps sending new work, within the requested guidelines of the journal.
have you ever had someone submit once a week, response from last week or not, with emails full of files after files, with the email addresses of tons of other journals also copied in the email?
that’s what i’m talking about.
i’m also talking about when you respond to someone who has sent like an old fashioned love story to your journal where you only publish noir fiction, and you respond privately saying, this isn’t what we publish really, and they respond with more of the same
and then slightly more watered down versions of those two instances, but in a general context
i agree with you otherwise: i’ve never been that annoyed when someone keeps sending new work, within the requested guidelines of the journal.
i mean, say whatever you want. i’m just trying to let you know that i think people would give your opinions more consideration if you were a bit less snide in the way you disseminate them. sometimes snide is nice. sometimes it gets old.
i mean, say whatever you want. i’m just trying to let you know that i think people would give your opinions more consideration if you were a bit less snide in the way you disseminate them. sometimes snide is nice. sometimes it gets old.
that’s valid. probably i expect a lot of different kinds of submissions because the guidelines open themselves to cross genre, so I expect work that is anything, so I can’t make distinctions based on the kinds of work people submit, but i can understand others doing this. but yeah, just doesn’t bother me much in the end. it’s easy to just read a bit and send a rejection and move on and not get worked up over things.
that’s valid. probably i expect a lot of different kinds of submissions because the guidelines open themselves to cross genre, so I expect work that is anything, so I can’t make distinctions based on the kinds of work people submit, but i can understand others doing this. but yeah, just doesn’t bother me much in the end. it’s easy to just read a bit and send a rejection and move on and not get worked up over things.
I think I know that guy.
I can’t believe you named names!!!!!
I think I know that guy.
I can’t believe you named names!!!!!
If it wasn’t for snarky commentors you guys would probably turn on each other. But, I get the picture. I’ll try to keep it down.
If it wasn’t for snarky commentors you guys would probably turn on each other. But, I get the picture. I’ll try to keep it down.
Even if the submission is a 350,000 word international thriller about Al Qaeda infiltrating the US through the southern border, disguised as undocumented Mexicans, to blow us up, because Obama wants them to,* I tend to sit on it for a day just to avoid the “did you even READ it” thing.
* actual submission
cheddar bay biscuits
Even if the submission is a 350,000 word international thriller about Al Qaeda infiltrating the US through the southern border, disguised as undocumented Mexicans, to blow us up, because Obama wants them to,* I tend to sit on it for a day just to avoid the “did you even READ it” thing.
* actual submission
cheddar bay biscuits
Yes, it changes from the hypothetical to the real. Thank you.
Yes, it changes from the hypothetical to the real. Thank you.
saw one recently where the author’s previous book was “nominated for a pulitzer.” it was self-published.
saw one recently where the author’s previous book was “nominated for a pulitzer.” it was self-published.
Best comment exchange on HG I’ve read so far.
Best comment exchange on HG I’ve read so far.
name?
name?
not that i wouldn’t love it if a self-published book won the pulitzer.
not that i wouldn’t love it if a self-published book won the pulitzer.
1) It seems many obnoxious writers are also editors and therefore think their “editorial” experience gives them a seeing-eye to know that their writing is AWESOME. So authoptrope would probably also be hypocritotrope.
2) It is annoying when the guidelines do mention waiting between subs and writers do not wait. I bet Coop over at elimae gets too many subs from people all the time and I’m shocked he hasn’t killed someone.
3) When people don’t wait between subs it often seems that they’re not really paying attention. If someone sends you a honest good-faith effort than whatever, but if they’re not listening and not reading then it’s annoying.
3a) This is even more annoying when each new submission breaks the submission guidelines in new and exciting ways.
1) It seems many obnoxious writers are also editors and therefore think their “editorial” experience gives them a seeing-eye to know that their writing is AWESOME. So authoptrope would probably also be hypocritotrope.
2) It is annoying when the guidelines do mention waiting between subs and writers do not wait. I bet Coop over at elimae gets too many subs from people all the time and I’m shocked he hasn’t killed someone.
3) When people don’t wait between subs it often seems that they’re not really paying attention. If someone sends you a honest good-faith effort than whatever, but if they’re not listening and not reading then it’s annoying.
3a) This is even more annoying when each new submission breaks the submission guidelines in new and exciting ways.
Your quote 99 is very funny.
Your quote 99 is very funny.
The waiting between subs business isn’t black and white, though. It’s kind of grey, grey, grey. I don’t want to reopen the tedious old debate about rejections that give no clue about *why* a piece wasn’t suitable, but if editors say “it wasn’t right for us” or whatever, how is the writer supposed to know what was wrong with their submission? (Unless, yeah, they’ve submitted a 19th century love story to a journal about surrealist sado-masochism or something – then they deserve everything they get.) Is it any wonder, then, that if the writer particularly likes the journal, and the editor hasn’t given any clue what’s wrong with the piece, that they submit again? Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
The waiting between subs business isn’t black and white, though. It’s kind of grey, grey, grey. I don’t want to reopen the tedious old debate about rejections that give no clue about *why* a piece wasn’t suitable, but if editors say “it wasn’t right for us” or whatever, how is the writer supposed to know what was wrong with their submission? (Unless, yeah, they’ve submitted a 19th century love story to a journal about surrealist sado-masochism or something – then they deserve everything they get.) Is it any wonder, then, that if the writer particularly likes the journal, and the editor hasn’t given any clue what’s wrong with the piece, that they submit again? Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
When I explicitly ask someone to resubmit, I mean resubmit, whenever you want because I really like your writing and I want to see more.
When I explicitly ask someone to resubmit, I mean resubmit, whenever you want because I really like your writing and I want to see more.
Reynard’s question is actually a really good one.
Reynard’s question is actually a really good one.
I actually think a 19th century love story might make for some good s & m
I actually think a 19th century love story might make for some good s & m
The one thing I’ll say is that given the volume of our submissions, it’s really frustrating when writers submit over and over in the same day or even the same week. I recently instituted a once per week submission policy (unless you’re invited to send more) because it became too much to see so much work from writers whose work had the very same problems that were the source of the prior rejection. In many of these repeat submissions, it was clear the writer was just sitting at the computer, dashing off inane stories and submitting them again. That’s rude.
The one thing I’ll say is that given the volume of our submissions, it’s really frustrating when writers submit over and over in the same day or even the same week. I recently instituted a once per week submission policy (unless you’re invited to send more) because it became too much to see so much work from writers whose work had the very same problems that were the source of the prior rejection. In many of these repeat submissions, it was clear the writer was just sitting at the computer, dashing off inane stories and submitting them again. That’s rude.
agreed. that is a punk ass move. That editor should rot in hell
agreed. that is a punk ass move. That editor should rot in hell
@Tom
A Public Space has had something of mine for almost three years (I think – no longer have the spreadsheet I was using at the time). I assume I was rejected, but they never bothered to tell me. Yet they spam me constantly
@Tom
A Public Space has had something of mine for almost three years (I think – no longer have the spreadsheet I was using at the time). I assume I was rejected, but they never bothered to tell me. Yet they spam me constantly
thanks guys. this was very helpful.
wow, not being sarcastic feels really good!
thanks guys. this was very helpful.
wow, not being sarcastic feels really good!
sometimes i think something is done… i’ll even give it a couple of days to breathe and i’ll be like, yeah, this is really weird but it’s done (especially true of spontaneous pieces that involve very little thought given to meaning, etc) and so i’ll send it out to a bunch of people. then a week later i read it again and think i was out of my fucking mind.
should i give it longer before submitting? or am i just second-guessing myself?
sometimes i think something is done… i’ll even give it a couple of days to breathe and i’ll be like, yeah, this is really weird but it’s done (especially true of spontaneous pieces that involve very little thought given to meaning, etc) and so i’ll send it out to a bunch of people. then a week later i read it again and think i was out of my fucking mind.
should i give it longer before submitting? or am i just second-guessing myself?
I think if an editor asks you to submit something else you should wait about a month. I don’t like being on call to submit something. Just back off, then respect their words and submit.
Interesting thread, though. I think people do the whole submit thing so differently, but, as we know, the good work does get placed. Period.
I think if an editor asks you to submit something else you should wait about a month. I don’t like being on call to submit something. Just back off, then respect their words and submit.
Interesting thread, though. I think people do the whole submit thing so differently, but, as we know, the good work does get placed. Period.
Asshole. You didn’t name my name.
Asshole. You didn’t name my name.
you and i play this game very differently
i cant believe you read that whole list.
idiot.
you and i play this game very differently
i cant believe you read that whole list.
idiot.
Well, we must because I don’t think it’s a game.
Well, we must because I don’t think it’s a game.
My daughter was that lobster for halloween this year.
My daughter was that lobster for halloween this year.
in the picture.
in the picture.
Don’t mind the submission game so much. Long as my name or past simple is in the letter or poem somewhere. Plenty happy. I knew what I was getting into with this. However, don’t like it when I spend the time to send out a proof to an author. Author gives the ok. I say, OK, and publish it. Author comes back and wants to make changes. Ah ya, I didn’t just get done looking at these poems for hours and hours and fighting filezilla to get em uploaded and looking nice and now I am into my beer and happy and you want me to make a change? Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. You make the change.
Don’t mind the submission game so much. Long as my name or past simple is in the letter or poem somewhere. Plenty happy. I knew what I was getting into with this. However, don’t like it when I spend the time to send out a proof to an author. Author gives the ok. I say, OK, and publish it. Author comes back and wants to make changes. Ah ya, I didn’t just get done looking at these poems for hours and hours and fighting filezilla to get em uploaded and looking nice and now I am into my beer and happy and you want me to make a change? Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. You make the change.