Rejection, rejection, rejection...

Discussion in 'Traditional Publishing' started by deadrats, Aug 19, 2016.

  1. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    I wouldn't say duotrope is inaccurate. I've only caught this a handful of times when something was listed as non-paying and then when I was on the publications website it mentioned pay. I don't think it's a big deal. I have a feeling that some of them were non-paying before like when the listing was created. I think the publications could fix that on duotrope if they wanted to. And some of the ones that pay say "unknown." Quite a few of those are paying markets. But, for me, I've got a wish-list of places based on other things. And I still think duotrope is a short story writer's best friend.

    There are so many places out there. It can be hard to know where to send what. And really the best way is to read as many publications as you can. There are places I don't submit to because I don't think what they publish is very good. But then there are the good ones. Art on the page. I love the form so much. If you love reading short stories more than you love writing them, you become a better writer. That's what I think. And you get a real feel for all the players.
     
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  2. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Interesting statement that. I often think that writing is like sculpting with words. I've sculpted with clay and it does feel a little like you are sculpting as you push and pull around words on a page, trying to connect with that inner vision.
    And stories are so many far-away worlds, awaiting discovery.
     
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  3. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    @Krispee -- I totally see that. And draft after draft we mold then more, fine tuning all the nooks and crevasses. Sometimes I can make a story look pretty good after a week, but then I can always find more ways to make my vision clearer and cleaner. The first story I sold went through so much. I spent years on that one, returning to it, reformatting, rewriting. They say art is never finished, only abandoned.
     
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  4. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Yeah, probably true that, I have many such abandoned ideas and projects; well not abandoned just hibernating, waiting for me to return to it.
     
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  5. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    I probably have a dozen short stories, beckoning my return. Those ones haven't been put on submission or shown to anyone. I'm actually hoping to finish with one of them this weekend. For this story, I took the approach of opening a new document and starting over with a blank page. I'm not even looking at the original. I know the story, and I know it was slightly off. This one's coming out so much better. Maybe? You got anything close to done? From trading stories with you and seeing multiple drafts of a story from you, I totally see how you sculpt and continue to sculpt. I think this really pays off.
     
  6. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Or I get almost nothing actually finished lol. I do have something but it's really part of a larger work, from what I can feel about the piece anyway. The first part is finished but you probably wouldn't like it because there aren't enough people in it, well only two anyway. I have been re-writing other pieces but not for a while. I have actually started a new story about some asylum inmates who have powers but aren't believed because they are inmates of an asylum.
     
  7. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    @Krispee -- Trade after the weekend? It would be good motivation for me. Sometimes all it takes are two characters to tell a good story. Your asylum story sounds cool, too. I think you're a great writer, and it's always a pleasure to read your work. :)
     
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  8. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Well, kind as always. It's not long in its present form (being in my opinion, and ideas, a part of a larger story) but you are welcome to read it.
    Early stages for the asylum piece, still trying to conjure up some unusual powers, to inject it with something different.
     
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  9. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    A 376-day form rejection from The Gettysburg Review.
     
  10. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    Feeling discouraged...
     
  11. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Chin up, DR, you'll make it, as Dory said (paraphrased) just keep writing. Sent you a message and a mail, don't know if that will encourage you or not but it might give your mind something else to do.
     
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  12. Woodstock Writer

    Woodstock Writer Senior Member

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    I don’t blame you, but I’m in awe of how you manage to submit so much! You’re due some good luck soon, surely.
     
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  13. John Calligan

    John Calligan Contributor Contributor

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    Hang in there boss.
     
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  14. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    A 42-day personal rejection from The Masters Review.
     
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  15. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    And another one... Am I insane? I have to question that sometimes.
     
  16. matwoolf

    matwoolf Banned Contributor

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    I also got rejected by them this afternoon...

    serves me right for copying you :)...shh was planning the rest of my life around their acceptance, downer.
     
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  17. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Don't tell me, you had the boat all planned out.
     
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  18. matwoolf

    matwoolf Banned Contributor

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    I saw one on Gumtree for £950, a 28 footer.

    ...If I got a budget from the wife, say £300 a month, she might be sea-worthy for Canarian adventure by 2025? Barbados 2026. My annual 1000 from the civil service kicks in literally months after that date, maybe the lump sum? Sorted.
     
  19. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Hmm, Gumtree eh? Nearly caught out with Gumtree once...you've given this a bit of thought, a round-the-world trip, stopping only half way round. Are you planning on staying in Barbados? Is this a one-way adventure?
    You could chart your adventures in a journal...and there's your next grand.
     
  20. matwoolf

    matwoolf Banned Contributor

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    Well, y'see it's a tough nut.

    - With ocean adventure lifestyle you have to consider the absolute romance of the journey v the reality of 'sailing is so fekking boring' perspectives [& the 'I'm so lonely on my boat alone I could cry into the whisky']...and I wouldn't really purchase a £950 yacht. Even the pauper's outlay would be 10k.

    - UK --->Canaries -->WI is just the (a) traditional route given prevailing winds. I think it was Knox-Johnson who circumvented the globe never having set foot in a boat before, him or Chichester? Having conquered the departure, the buoys and ferries, first challenge is Biscay, and once the Bay is mastered one has one's sea legs set for the decade ahead. Round the Horn and breadfruit ahoy...

    I'd take you with me but frankly I sense land-lubber. If you might teach me a fail-safe bow-line by memory method I shall reconsider. Also is the pressing issue of sexual release at sea. Perhaps 'port/starboard' or perhaps 'go for it' with/or without the whisky. Perhaps actually I require an angel in the fullest sense of the word? Not too full..
     
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  21. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    It sounds like you have some experience with this, and I like boats, been on a few, wouln't say I would be happy to be on one on my own, given my dislike of large bodies of water, especially the swimming of them. If it was a race between me and the stone to the bottom, the stone would be left so far behind it would probably retire in protest.

    And as for sexual release, surely you would take the wife, or were you referring to me. If so then I have some sudden reservations vis-a-vis this trip. I think I'll leave you to your one way sail, despite the generous non-offer and the lure of sunny climes.
     
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  22. matwoolf

    matwoolf Banned Contributor

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    Yeah - I was goofing re the sex. Geezus vicar gimme a break...

    ...

    Back on thread.
    I have some experience. I like the 19c John Masefield/sea stories. I'd like to raise the 'experience' to bluff more fully, more wholly - in the genre.
     
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  23. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Ha, I was similarly joking, although in your defense my humour was so subtle as to be almost diaphanous.

    So, your experience is writing about sailing?
    Unless I've got hold of the small end of the stick
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
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  24. matwoolf

    matwoolf Banned Contributor

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    1. No, you did me, and I failed..

    ...

    2. I was worrying about my response all the way back from the nautical/market/Tesco re my salt & credentials. Grandfather was a chief engineer in the Battle of the Atlantic, Compass Rose kind of person, and I did try and join the Royal navy once at a Tower Hill Open night. That went wrong. Also used to share digs with the remnants of 3 commando/2 Para/Goose Green Royal Marine Yeoman Beefeaters forever monarchist types...that was nice...umm...and Dad had a boat.
     
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  25. Krispee

    Krispee Contributor Contributor

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    Is that true, about your Grandfather?
    I don't think I would work in the forces, too much rigidity for me, I need space to work in. But I have the utmost respect for those that feel they can serve.
     
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