Rejection Poll!

[raefinlay]

Here's my latest rejection:

Thank you for submitting "Becoming" to Strange Horizons, but we've decided not to accept it for publication. We get a lot of stories about immortality and this one didn't stand out enough for us, but it is a nice take on a familiar story. The last line in particular is lovely.

So, here's the deal. For the first time since I began writing, I don't want to make any changes. I like this story. I find myself in the odd position of believing in it because it accomplishes exactly what I want it to. *takes a moment to adjust to this strange feeling* I really can't speak to the frequency of immortality stories, because I only started reading published shorts a year ago, and I've never read a single one on this subject. In other words, I wouldn't know how to make this story more unusual.

(I must insert, parenthetically, that I'm thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to get anything other than a form reject from SH, because, well, I don't write SH-y stuff. I confess to a quick happy dance on seeing this.)

The cliché-ness of this story will be a problem no matter where I send it. So...advice???



[Poll #572819]

Comments

[everyonesakitty.livejournal.com]

er... you know what my advice is. o.o

:D

[stillsostrange.livejournal.com]

On a totally unrelated note... How did you get an icon pic out of a Yahoo avatar?

[stillsostrange.livejournal.com]

But yay for personal rejection! :)

[raecarson.livejournal.com]

Control-print screen. Then paste into Paint and edit from there. You can make an icon out of anything you see on your screen.

[stillsostrange.livejournal.com]

Danke!

[ccfinlay.livejournal.com]

How many other markets has it been to already? What are they, and how did they respond? That affects my answer a lot.

[raecarson.livejournal.com]

Good point. :) SH was the first market.

[las.livejournal.com]

Well, shoot, if it was first market, I think you're worrying to much. Get back to us after 8 or 10 rejections before you declare your story cliche =)

(Seriously, I don't question a story's viability until after 10 rejections or so, because any paying market is headed by an editor who has his or own peculiar tastes and who is also completely inundated with submissions).

[ccfinlay.livejournal.com]

Well, doh!, try some more markets. :-)

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

If this is the first market you've submitted this particular piece to, I'd send it out again and get another openion or two before making a decision.

[ginny-t.livejournal.com]

Keep at it. You like the story, so don't change it to suit someone else.

[stillnotbored.livejournal.com]

Send it out again. I critted that story. While there are lots of stories about immortals, they aren't like yours.

Send it out. Go on now. We're waiting.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

One rejection a trend does not make.
Stamp that sucker up and get it out the door.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Send it right back out. Once you've hit the 10 rejection mark with it, then we can discuss what's to be done!

[navicat.livejournal.com]

Send it back out, sweetie :D

[wistling.livejournal.com]

Keep it out there. Even 10 markets isn't an absolute...I sold one story (with an immortal) on the 11th try.

[ericmarin.livejournal.com]

Editorial selection is a subjective process, Rae. The next editor may adore your immortality story. :-)

[mrsroberts.livejournal.com]

Buy some more stamps, send it out, and trust your instincts.

[cricketshay.livejournal.com]

Rae, I love that story as is. I didn't feel it was cliche. What made it different from other stories about immortality was the way you changed her voice when she changed personas. I loved it. Keep trying. You will succeed. Remember you are high school.
Much Love
Cheryl

[aimeempayne.livejournal.com]

Strange Horizons can be a quirky market, so their idea of cliche might not be universal. :)

[pjthompson]

I would give you a combo answer: 1) screw it and send it out somewhere + 2) if you send it out some more and it doesn't sell, try trunking it for a short while to get some perspective + 3) don't change it just for the sake of changing it--got with those gut instincts = 6

Six is a very mystical number, so pay attention to it. ;-)