Almost Success - The "Mixed Feelings" Thread

[LDWriter2]

This doesn't really go here, but it's a closer fit than with the Five Minute rant thread.


The first half of the title for this one doesn't fit even though the second half does.


Got a rejection from C. C. Finlay. Story didn't grab him, but at the same time when he does guest edit again he wants wants to see more stories from me. (sigh) at least that is something even if not much.

[LDWriter2]

Another one so soon for me.


Still not an almost success--as far as I know--but at least BCS sent me another positive comment and it sounded like the story may have gotten further than my previous ones. How far is anyone's guess. Could be only a couple of "inches" or half way there.


Never mind it doesn't take much to know I didn't get far.

[ThomasKCarpenter]

Still not an almost success--as far as I know--but at least BCS sent me another positive comment and it sounded like the story may have gotten further than my previous ones. How far is anyone's guess. Could be only a couple of "inches" or half way there.

If the comments you get are from the Editor-in-Chief rather than the assistant editors, then you know you made it past the slush to the second round.

[LDWriter2]

I had to go back and check on who the rejection was from--for some reason I usually don't pay attention to who signs it with BCS. I have noticed a certain lady's name twice, but not enough to remember it now. This one seemed to be someone else because the wording seemed to be slightly different.

Amazing enough this one was from Scott Andrews--wow.

I was planning to send in another story soon, one that is along the same lines as this one. Maybe if it goes that far again he will like it better.

[LDWriter2]

Can't send the one I planned to since it's out, so I have to wait on the one.

[Benjamin Tyler Smith]

If the comments you get are from the Editor-in-Chief rather than the assistant editors, then you know you made it past the slush to the second round.

One of my stories from back in June received a rejection from Mr. Andrews, whereas the others have come from the assistant editors. That particular has since placed at the semi-pro Fictionvale.

That's good to know that if his name is on the e-mail, it really means he looked the story over.

Now, back to writing before this warm, fuzzy feeling fades away.

[LDWriter2]

Be nice if this one would find a home somewhere. It's fantasy, so I need to look over those markets I send stuff to. But so far even those very few stories that have made it to a higher level for one mag, haven't sold anywhere.

I can't send it to where I really want to send it though.

[Ishmael]

I can report my first ever rewrite request. Three very clear suggestions, each obviously justified, as I realised as soon as I went over the story again. It took me just one day to do the work and I can't believe how much better the story is after the changes.

So now it's back where it came from. Fingers crossed, but either way I have a much improved story as a result.

[E.CaimanSands]

I can report my first ever rewrite request. Three very clear suggestions, each obviously justified, as I realised as soon as I went over the story again. It took me just one day to do the work and I can't believe how much better the story is after the changes.

So now it's back where it came from. Fingers crossed, but either way I have a much improved story as a result.

Good luck!

[LDWriter2]

I can report my first ever rewrite request. Three very clear suggestions, each obviously justified, as I realised as soon as I went over the story again. It took me just one day to do the work and I can't believe how much better the story is after the changes.

So now it's back where it came from. Fingers crossed, but either way I have a much improved story as a result.

Very good.

And it sounds like you deserve a sell there.

[Elen Tel'Ithil]

I can report my first ever rewrite request. Three very clear suggestions, each obviously justified, as I realised as soon as I went over the story again. It took me just one day to do the work and I can't believe how much better the story is after the changes.

So now it's back where it came from. Fingers crossed, but either way I have a much improved story as a result.

Sweet!! Here's hoping for that sale!

[preston]

I can report my first ever rewrite request. Three very clear suggestions, each obviously justified, as I realised as soon as I went over the story again. It took me just one day to do the work and I can't believe how much better the story is after the changes.

So now it's back where it came from. Fingers crossed, but either way I have a much improved story as a result.

Ooh, that's exciting, Ishmael. Good luck!

[LDWriter2]

This one could almost go on the rant thread.

Finally got back my rejection from Urban Fantasy magazine. Looks like they are one that sends back comments each time. Two editors or readers has something to say. One was more positive than the other. He or she at least liked the opening, The other one didn't seem to like anything.

I will be sending in another story----I have three or was it four, stories to send out this weekend.

[Davian Aw]

From the Masters Review: "We think highly of your writing and wish you the best of luck placing this elsewhere."

Got another similar rejection from an anthology saying they'd held my writing for further consideration but eventually decided against it; and a high-tier rejection from CC Finlay at F&SF saying he hoped to see more.

2015 has been a year of close calls.

But another submission finally broke through to DSF's second round! It's the first time I've made it that far with them.

[s_c_baker]

But another submission finally broke through to DSF's second round! It's the first time I've made it that far with them.

Definitely an accomplishment! They're a hard nut to crack. Nice work!

(Master's Review signed me up for their newsletter at the same time they rejected me. Sigh.)

[Davian Aw]

Thanks! This is my 14th submission to DSF, and given that it was a flash piece I churned out in roughly 10 minutes I didn't expect it to get that far. XD Meanwhile, the stories I spend months or years crafting to perfection just gets me form rejections. I might need to revise my writing strategy.

Argh, they do the newsletter thing? I hate it when that happens.

[s_c_baker]

Thanks! This is my 14th submission to DSF, and given that it was a flash piece I churned out in roughly 10 minutes I didn't expect it to get that far. XD Meanwhile, the stories I spend months or years crafting to perfection just gets me form rejections. I might need to revise my writing strategy.

Argh, they do the newsletter thing? I hate it when that happens.

There is definitely such a thing as over-writing a story.

Interestingly, the only submission I've ever had accepted at DSF was also a flash piece written fairly quickly. And also my 14th submission to them. (Currently at 17 and counting, with nothing but more Rs since...)

[LDWriter2]

Thanks! This is my 14th submission to DSF, and given that it was a flash piece I churned out in roughly 10 minutes I didn't expect it to get that far. XD Meanwhile, the stories I spend months or years crafting to perfection just gets me form rejections. I might need to revise my writing strategy.

Argh, they do the newsletter thing? I hate it when that happens.

There is definitely such a thing as over-writing a story.

Interestingly, the only submission I've ever had accepted at DSF was also a flash piece written fairly quickly. And also my 14th submission to them. (Currently at 17 and counting, with nothing but more Rs since...)

Yeah, in fact it's way easy for beginners to get stuck on that and lose one's voice in the process. Or so says Dean Wesley Smith and his wife.

[LDWriter2]

But another submission finally broke through to DSF's second round! It's the first time I've made it that far with them.

Definitely an accomplishment! They're a hard nut to crack. Nice work!

(Master's Review signed me up for their newsletter at the same time they rejected me. Sigh.)

Master's Review? Not sure if i know of that one. Of course if it's what the title makes it sound like there is a reason I haven't heard.

[s_c_baker]

[
Master's Review? Not sure if i know of that one. Of course if it's what the title makes it sound like there is a reason I haven't heard.

It's a literary magazine which is (ostensibly) open to literary weird/slipstream type stuff.

[amoskalik]

I received a personal rejection from F&SF. CC Finlay had some nice things to say and this is my first personal, so I am happy about it.
On the Grinder it says 60% are personal from him. Wow. He's awesome.

[E.CaimanSands]

He is awesome, yes, but well done. I suppose I should have put my R from AE here too as it was clearly being considered.

[george nik.]

I'd always ignored F&SF because I don't do paper subs, but now with C.C.Finlay all this has changed.

So I've sent him a couple of stories and I've got a couple of personal rejections. Of course I've seen that he mostly does personal rejections so it's no big accomplishment, but those two were really nice, especially the latest one. A rejection is still a rejection, but having an editor of a top pro magazine compliment my story, coupled with the fact that it wasn't one of my best stories and I never held high hopes of it making F&SF anyway, made it not that bad altogether.

[LDWriter2]

I received a personal rejection from F&SF. CC Finlay had some nice things to say and this is my first personal, so I am happy about it.
On the Grinder it says 60% are personal from him. Wow. He's awesome.

Well indeed that is good.


Makes me feel worse though at the moment.

[bobsandiego]

I too have started sending to F&SF now that they take electronic.
I too have gotten a personal note on my rejection -- that is way cool
I particularly love the request to send more stuff. that's really rare.

[Ishmael]

Hey ho! My second visit to the Third Round at ASIM has ended the same way as my first. This surprised me since the story had progressed much more quickly through the first two rounds.

It is a triple POV, which is rare for me, and the comments from two readers nicely contradicted each other:

"three very different voices."

"the narrators all seemed to write alike."



What am I supposed to make of that?

[s_c_baker]

Hey ho! My second visit to the Third Round at ASIM has ended the same way as my first. This surprised me since the story had progressed much more quickly through the first two rounds.

It is a triple POV, which is rare for me, and the comments from two readers nicely contradicted each other:

"three very different voices."

"the narrators all seemed to write alike."



What am I supposed to make of that?

Possible that the first reader just does not know what "voices" means in writer-speak, and just meant "PoVs"?

[Ishmael]

Well I'm confused. If all these voices were in your head you'd be confused too. Basically I suppose we have Othello, Iago and Bosola in place of Casio. (I never met a tortured gangster I didn't like.) So anyone mixing up these personalities is conflicted to say the least. On the other hand, since they were all written by me, they are all, of course, entirely deluded.

[s_c_baker]

Well, I managed finalist again for the String of Ten contest run by Flash Fiction Chronicles. (Same as last year.)

Maybe third time's a charm and I'll break through to the top three next year?

[Ishmael]

Well, I managed finalist again for the String of Ten contest run by Flash Fiction Chronicles. (Same as last year.)

Maybe third time's a charm and I'll break through to the top three next year?

Inevitably. Unless they require three try / fail cycles, that is.

Well done!