Fantastic Stories is back
Fantastic Stories is back
And they want about anything in the spec field as long as Lapine likes it. They do give two or three writers Robert Davis and Warren Lapine likes but still it sounds like a lot goes. Length isn't a big deal even though the longer it is the better its has to be.
Right Here
Right Here
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
- Elen Tel'Ithil
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 3:17 am
- Location: Kinmen, Taiwan
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Thanks!
"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." - Ray Bradbury
"Write until it becomes as natural as breathing. Write until not writing makes you anxious." - Christina Katz
HM x 2
R x 2
"Write until it becomes as natural as breathing. Write until not writing makes you anxious." - Christina Katz
HM x 2
R x 2
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
They're very fast with returns, as well. Of my three submissions there so far, I got two back in under 3 days each, and am still waiting for the last one at around 40 days (which supposedly means it's gone to the second round).
Stewart C Baker - 1st place, Q2 V32
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
- T. R. Napper
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:09 pm
- Location: Vietnam
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
s_c_baker wrote:They're very fast with returns, as well. Of my three submissions there so far, I got two back in under 3 days each, and am still waiting for the last one at around 40 days (which supposedly means it's gone to the second round).
Yeah, I'm at 26 days. Duotrope says the average is 4.4 days, which is a great turnaround.
Good luck on the story you're still waiting for.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
T. R. Napper wrote:s_c_baker wrote:They're very fast with returns, as well. Of my three submissions there so far, I got two back in under 3 days each, and am still waiting for the last one at around 40 days (which supposedly means it's gone to the second round).
Yeah, I'm at 26 days. Duotrope says the average is 4.4 days, which is a great turnaround.
Good luck on the story you're still waiting for.
You too! Anything past five days seems to mean it's been passed up past the slush.
Stewart C Baker - 1st place, Q2 V32
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Well, I sent my first story to them. A WotF reject from a couple of quarters ago. I almost changed my mind when I saw how long it was--I had forgotten--since they say the longer the story the better it has to be. I have enough problems with shorter stories being written well enough, but with their fast turn around time I decided to go for it.
But I didn't see anything about cover letters or I just plain missed it three times. Do you guys send them too? Most want them but some give the option these days.
But I didn't see anything about cover letters or I just plain missed it three times. Do you guys send them too? Most want them but some give the option these days.
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
- T. R. Napper
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:09 pm
- Location: Vietnam
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
LDWriter2 wrote:Well, I sent my first story to them. A WotF reject from a couple of quarters ago. I almost changed my mind when I saw how long it was--I had forgotten--since they say the longer the story the better it has to be. I have enough problems with shorter stories being written well enough, but with their fast turn around time I decided to go for it.
But I didn't see anything about cover letters or I just plain missed it three times. Do you guys send them too? Most want them but some give the option these days.
Just checked. I sent a cover letter, but I don't think it matters that much. A lot of places don't even read the cover letter until after they've read the story.
S C Baker - your submission must be over the max waiting time by now (6 weeks). Might be worth shooting them a query.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
I'm just a squeak over 6 weeks, but am content to wait until I see the next batch of longer-than-5-days rejections go out on Duotrope. (I don't seen anything in the 10+ range for the past month, which suggests to me that there's an editorial hold-up somewhere.)
I sent a cover letter, but I always do unless the market explicitly says not to. Like TR, I don't think most markets really care these days.
Mind you, here's my standard cover letter in its entirety:
I sent a cover letter, but I always do unless the market explicitly says not to. Like TR, I don't think most markets really care these days.
Mind you, here's my standard cover letter in its entirety:
Dear [Magazine Name],
Please find attached my [wordcount]-word story, "[story title]."
My fiction has been published in [three most recent publications]. (Sometimes I leave this out altogether.)
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[name]
Stewart C Baker - 1st place, Q2 V32
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
- Beth Powers
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:12 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
You might have already gotten your responses, but the Submission Grinder is reporting 39-48 day responses. So, they might be reading the second round--I too am waiting for a 30+ day submission.
- T. R. Napper
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:09 pm
- Location: Vietnam
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Beth Powers wrote:You might have already gotten your responses, but the Submission Grinder is reporting 39-48 day responses. So, they might be reading the second round--I too am waiting for a 30+ day submission.
Still no response here, but can see 52, 49 and 38 day rejections in Duotrope.
Must be getting close.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Based on my unscientific analysis (stalking their Grinder page), they seem to do second round rejections about every two weeks. If you're over 10 days or so and didn't hear back yesterday, it will probably be a couple weeks.
Also they changed their query time from 6 weeks to 8.
Also they changed their query time from 6 weeks to 8.

- Beth Powers
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:12 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Strycher wrote:Based on my unscientific analysis (stalking their Grinder page), they seem to do second round rejections about every two weeks. If you're over 10 days or so and didn't hear back yesterday, it will probably be a couple weeks.
Also they changed their query time from 6 weeks to 8.
I was hoping that since this set of long responses took a bit longer, they would clean out the backlog, but I guess not. It's good to know that they extended the upper end of their response time, though.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
I got my 45-day rejection on Tuesday. It was essentially a form rejection, but one that confirmed I passed the first reader. Ah well!
Stewart C Baker - 1st place, Q2 V32
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
My contest history: Semi-finalist, R, HM, R, R, HM, HM, R, R, R, R, HM, R, R, R, R, Winner
My published fiction, poetry, &c.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
s_c_baker wrote:I got my 45-day rejection on Tuesday. It was essentially a form rejection, but one that confirmed I passed the first reader. Ah well!
Oh, Stewart! So sorry to hear that. They seem to be a pretty tough market. Don't see a lot of acceptances. I've got nothing but straight rejects so far, but I ain't givin' up!
Preston Dennett
2nd Place Winner V35 Q1
FX1
HMx12
Stories sold: 37
Latest three:
"Korba's Revenge" Stupefying Stories, Sep 8, 2018
"Dispell" Daily Science Fiction, Feb 6, 2018
"Forbidden" Sci Phi Jrnl, Nov 11, 2016
2nd Place Winner V35 Q1
FX1
HMx12
Stories sold: 37
Latest three:
"Korba's Revenge" Stupefying Stories, Sep 8, 2018
"Dispell" Daily Science Fiction, Feb 6, 2018
"Forbidden" Sci Phi Jrnl, Nov 11, 2016
- T. R. Napper
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:09 pm
- Location: Vietnam
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
s_c_baker wrote:I got my 45-day rejection on Tuesday. It was essentially a form rejection, but one that confirmed I passed the first reader. Ah well!
Bad luck mate. My rejection must be coming soon, I guess. At 33 days now.
They've got a 0% acceptance rate on Duotrope, so not an easy market to crack.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Keep expecting to hear about mine any day. I usually get the first rejects so mine won't take long.
I will be sending more stories--I got all types, except for hard SF and cyberpunk.
But as a side issue. I was thinking today that I wished I had a story to send to F&SF. But I thought I do...the one I just sent to Asimov's. And Q4's tale whenever it comes back.
I will be sending more stories--I got all types, except for hard SF and cyberpunk.
But as a side issue. I was thinking today that I wished I had a story to send to F&SF. But I thought I do...the one I just sent to Asimov's. And Q4's tale whenever it comes back.
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
- Beth Powers
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:12 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
T. R. Napper wrote:
They've got a 0% acceptance rate on Duotrope, so not an easy market to crack.
The acceptance rate is 0.31% on the Submission Grinder (I saw one acceptance logged there in September).
They seem to have stopped responding to longer submissions again for the moment, so perhaps we will have to wait until the next second round clean out.
- Beth Powers
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:12 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
I guess I spoke too soon--I just got a 35-day, it's-good-but-not-what-I'm-looking-for rejection 

- T. R. Napper
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:09 pm
- Location: Vietnam
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
34 Day rejection. "...quite good, but not what I'm looking for."
- Beth Powers
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:12 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
T. R. Napper wrote:34 Day rejection. "...quite good, but not what I'm looking for."
Those are the worst. I responded by submitting another story

Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Mine came tonight too. Three days.
At least they said try again. FlashFiction didn't even say that. Of course I'm not sure if they ever do.
But tomorrow I need to decide on the next story to Fantastic.
At least they said try again. FlashFiction didn't even say that. Of course I'm not sure if they ever do.
But tomorrow I need to decide on the next story to Fantastic.
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
- T. R. Napper
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:09 pm
- Location: Vietnam
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Beth Powers wrote:T. R. Napper wrote:34 Day rejection. "...quite good, but not what I'm looking for."
Those are the worst. I responded by submitting another story
Always the best response.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Five days. Also a 'Try again.' This was an old story reworked and it maybe can't be salvaged. Hard to know when all you get is a form rejection.
1 x SF, 2 x SHM, 11 x HM, WotF batting average .583
Blog The View From Sliabh Mannan.
Blog The View From Sliabh Mannan.
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
I'm at 14 days now...so it's looking like I might have finally gotten past the form rejection barrier. 

Preston Dennett
2nd Place Winner V35 Q1
FX1
HMx12
Stories sold: 37
Latest three:
"Korba's Revenge" Stupefying Stories, Sep 8, 2018
"Dispell" Daily Science Fiction, Feb 6, 2018
"Forbidden" Sci Phi Jrnl, Nov 11, 2016
2nd Place Winner V35 Q1
FX1
HMx12
Stories sold: 37
Latest three:
"Korba's Revenge" Stupefying Stories, Sep 8, 2018
"Dispell" Daily Science Fiction, Feb 6, 2018
"Forbidden" Sci Phi Jrnl, Nov 11, 2016
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Still haven't decided what story to send in next--too worked up on NaNo, but if I have a good week maybe I will take a a bit of time to send in another story to Fantastic and IGMS and one or two others. I can now send my last WotF reject to F&SF too. I sent it to IGMs, but they only took half as long as usual for me. So are they getting faster or do they know my writing by now and know what to expect?
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
43 days, and just got my first personal reject from these guys. Please do try me with your next, the editor said. 

Preston Dennett
2nd Place Winner V35 Q1
FX1
HMx12
Stories sold: 37
Latest three:
"Korba's Revenge" Stupefying Stories, Sep 8, 2018
"Dispell" Daily Science Fiction, Feb 6, 2018
"Forbidden" Sci Phi Jrnl, Nov 11, 2016
2nd Place Winner V35 Q1
FX1
HMx12
Stories sold: 37
Latest three:
"Korba's Revenge" Stupefying Stories, Sep 8, 2018
"Dispell" Daily Science Fiction, Feb 6, 2018
"Forbidden" Sci Phi Jrnl, Nov 11, 2016
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
Hmmm. They seemed to have changed a couple of things since I last submitted--or I wasn't paying attention.
They have no max for a word count but they only pay for 3,000 words? Or did they lower their max to 3,000 words?
They have no max for a word count but they only pay for 3,000 words? Or did they lower their max to 3,000 words?
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Re: Fantastic Stories is back
BY the way: I didn't notice if anyone else has said this but their first issue is free.
http://www.fantasticstoriesoftheimagination.com/store/products/fantastic-stories-of-the-imagination-august-2014-219/
http://www.fantasticstoriesoftheimagination.com/store/products/fantastic-stories-of-the-imagination-august-2014-219/
Working on turning Lead into Gold.
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
Four HMs From WotF
The latest was Q1'12
HM-quarter 4 Volume 32
One HM for another contest
published in Strange New Worlds Ten.
Another HM http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html
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