Monday, February 22, 2010

1 Rejection and 3 Maybe's

Submissions update! I post this for every author out there wondering what's going on in the submission pool.

Beneath Ceaseless Skies rejected my Rainbow story. Here is what they said,

"Thanks very much for sending this story to Beneath Ceaseless Skies. Unfortunately, it's not quite right for us. I really liked the opening few pages, with Tora's colorblindness gradually revealed and the vivid description of how she saw things. But when her mother figured it out, and when things moved to the second scene many years later and the conflict there seemed to me to be about weaving execution rather than Tora's struggle to deal with colorblindness, things didn't feel as engaging to me as I was hoping.

I appreciate your interest in our magazine. Please feel free to submit again.

Regards,

Scott H. Andrews
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
_Beneath Ceaseless Skies_
http://beneath-ceaseless-skies.com"

Not that bad, actually it was pretty nice. I've already re-polished the story and sent it to Shimmer Magazine. Which would also be really neat to have a story with them.

And Pill Hill Press short listed all three of my stories! Here's what they said,

"Thank you for submitting to Flesh & Bone: Rise of the Necromancers short story contest. Your story has been read by the editor and is being held for consideration for the prize money and/or publication in the anthology.

Making the short list is no guarantee of publication. We constantly reevaluate the short list, and final determination may take up to two weeks after the deadline (31 July 2010). If you choose not to wait, please notify us that you are withdrawing your story.

Sincerely,

Alva J. Roberts & Jessy Marie Roberts, Editors"

Has anyone been short-listed before?

19 comments:

Roxy said...

I have never been short-listed, but I certainly have been rejected. I think the rejection you received was very positive. He wrote about your story specifically, and that is good. Great things are coming your way, I can tell!

Julie Dao said...

That rejection letter was pretty nice! Good for you for being upbeat about it :) I haven't sent my work out to many places, so I don't know much about the process, but I think getting on the list is a pretty encouraging sign! Sending lots of good wishes your way - keep us posted on how it goes!

Lynnette Labelle said...

That's exciting!!! *crossing fingers for ya*

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Angie said...

Hey, congrats! That's great, and a pretty positive rejection letter to boot. It's always nice to get some feedback about why the story didn't work for that editor. Good luck with it!

Cherie Reich said...

Congrats for being short-listed!

I was short-listed for my story "Wishes," which was eventually rejected, and my story "Hell Hath No Fury," which was accepted.

It's always nice to be short-listed, even if it is eventually rejected. At least, you know your story was good.

Lindsey Duncan said...

I've been shortlisted, to varying results, and I always look at it as affirmation.

I very much respect the editor at BCS - even when I don't agree with his comments, they're thoughtful.

Best of luck!

Diana Paz said...

That was a very kind rejection letter. I would have appreciated how clear and specific it was; I always wonder with my rejections, where did I lose them?

Mary Gray said...

Wow, what a great rejection letter. She actually said what made her turn it down. Now if everyone could do that!!

I'll cross my fingers for your others!!

Lisa Rusczyk said...

Grats on getting short-listed! Good luck with the rest of the process.

That is a good rejection - they took the time to explain their reasons. When I get rejections like that, I want to write them a thank you note! I never do, having read that editors don't like that. But I still wanna.

Chandra Ryan said...

Congratulations on being on the short list. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I'll also keep them crossed that Shimmer Magazine will pick up your Rainbow story. :)

Aubrie said...

What an outpouring of support! It makes me smile. Thanks so much, guys!

Nicole Zoltack said...

I've been shortlisted twice so far. One with Pill Hill Press for their Four Horseman anthology (was then rejected) and the other with Rebel Books for their supernatural creatures anthology (another rejection). I'm hoping that you have much better luck with your shortlisted stories! Speaking of Pill Hill Press, I really need to finish my Atlantis story....

Btw, I just received a rejection from BCS myself today. For the short story I wrote for the Four Horseman anthology. I would love to have a short published there but so far, all I've received are rejections. All personalized though! They really are such a personable market, unlike a lot of places.

Abby Annis said...

Congratulations! Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for following! :)

Anonymous said...

Aubrie,

This is great!

A personal rejection is almost as good as an acceptance, at least in my book. It means someone actually felt it was good enough to take the extra time. Which means a lot when you are talking about an editor.

I made the short list with one of my stories. It didn't make it though. I think that was the most upsetting rejection, I've received. You know, got my hopes up and all.

Good luck with your new submission and your place in the short list.

Arlee Bird said...

Submissions are good, and nice rejections are a step in the right direction. You're on your way! Don't stop and keep us posted what happens next.
Lee

Carol Kilgore said...

This write-submit thing is a constant rollercoaster for writers. We never know what the response will be. Sometimes our work needs improvement. Sometimes we're at the right place at the right time with the right story. Those times are great.

CMZ Art/ Rustic Goth said...

Good luck with your stories! Very exciting...

Roxy said...

I am back to tell you how cool I think you are! I posted an award for you this morning on my blog. :)

Theresa Milstein said...

Congratulations on being short-listed. That's a good rejection letter, for a rejection letter. Beats a form letter. I have more of those than any other type.