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

[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. :-)