Another thread brought this to mind. Most magazines have submission guidelines, that short story writers would do well to keep in mind. Here are some nuggets from Clarkeseworld science-fiction and fantasy magazine - they state "Though no particular setting, theme, or plot is anathema to us, the following are likely hard sells": zombies or zombie-wannabes (seriously, I’m not kidding) sexy vampires, wanton werewolves, wicked witches, or demonic children stories about rapists, murderers, child abusers, or cannibals stories where the climax is dependent on the spilling of intestines stories in which a milquetoast civilian government is depicted as the sole obstacle to either catching some depraved criminal or to an uncomplicated military victory stories where the Republicans, or Democrats, or Libertarians, or . . . (insert any political party or religion here) take over the world and either save or ruin it stories in which the words “thou” or “thine” appear talking cats or swords stories where FTL travel or time travel is as easy as is it on television shows or movies stories about young kids playing in some field and discovering ANYTHING. (a body, an alien craft, Excalibur, ANYTHING). stories about the stuff we all read in Scientific American three months ago stories about your RPG character’s adventures “funny” stories that depend on, or even include, puns stories where the protagonist is either widely despised or widely admired simply because he or she is just so smart and/or strange stories originally intended for someone’s upcoming theme anthology or issue (everyone is sending those out, wait a while) your trunk stories stories that try to include all of the above The above list is produce verbatim from their site (https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/). I think I've broken at least half of these guidelines so far, although I have yet to write one with talking cats.
Literally Stories say they're unlikely to be interested in: Game of Thrones fan fiction even if it DOES make us laugh. Stories about clever kids that save the world. Stories with characters named Zorg or Klart. Or Klorg. Or Zart. Stories with talking animals, about talking animals or Kangaroos that can rescue children who have fallen down a well. Stories about children who fall down wells. Stories that make us recall either The Waltons or Little House on the Prairie and smile wistfully. Any story that was inspired by Kramer v Kramer. Any story composed whilst wearing beige, tweed and/or listening to Daniel O’Donnell.
Does that mean talking swords, or just swords in general? I'm assuming talking swords. Good thing Elric of Melnibone was published elsewhere... (or wait, did it talk? Or just eat souls and howl?) And I guess they wouldn't have published Neil Gaiman's Coraline.
I remember reading this list back in the day. Didn't it used to include "twee beings being twee?" That always struck me as funny. So it looks like they've slimmed it down. Clarkesworld is hard to get into. I even think Asimov's might be an easier submission. At least I can get out of the slush and talk to the editors there. Clarkesworld is like the entrance to Mordor. They don't even send out the Mouth of Sauron. You're left languishing at the gates.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I saw a longer list when I submitted to them. Now that you mention it, I think I saw the twee thing as well.
Different list. That one's from Strange Horizons. http://strangehorizons.com/submit/fiction-submission-guidelines/stories-weve-seen-too-often/
Ah, that's where it from! haha. Strange Horizons is really tough too. Still not as bad as Clarkesworld. I bow to the guys/gals that get through their selection process. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be in CW, but I gave up submitting with them years ago. I don't understand them or I'm not good enough for them. Maybe both.
Hah, I remember reading that one too. I don't like that they don't like twist endings. Most of my stories have twist endings. I took Roald Dahl's advice on that one, though I am trying to write other types of stories.
Yeah, I've only sent CW one story, and it got a quick form rejection. I prefer F&SF. At least there I generally get a sentence or two of encouragement when they rip my heart out.
You got me curious, so I checked out Duotrope's list of the most challenging fiction markets. Here are all the SFF-genre publications in their top 100. Uncanny, Escape Pod, and Interzone: No acceptances reported in the past year. Clarkesworld: 0.29% accepted Apex: 0.32% Fantasy Magazine: 0.38% Metaphorosis: 0.44% Three-Lobed Burning Eye: 0.48% Augur: 0.50% Black Static: 0.51% Pulp Literature: 0.54% Asimov's Science Fiction:0.58% Nightmare:0.58% The Dark: 0.70% Fantasy & Science Fiction: 0.99% Cossmass Infinities: 1.12% Fireside: 1.16% Strange Horizons: 1.18% Factor Four: 1.18% Bourbon Penn: 1.25% Uncharted: 1.29% Weird Horror: 1.49% Flash Fiction Online:1.58% Beneath Ceaseless Skies: 1.61% Wow! Turns out your chances are 4x better at Strange Horizons than at Clarkesworld. Still miniscule, though. I was a little surprised to see semi-pro pubs like Metaphorosis and Three-Lobed Burning Eye above genre stalwarts like Asimov's, but there are probably a lot of newer writers submitting to them who wouldn't dream of approaching the big shots, much like you've given up on Clarkesworld. Regardless, those stats make it clear that submitting is not for the weak. See you all in the rejection thread!
Sorry for the thread necromancy. Just want to say thank you. Saw this just in time. Three strikes and your spiked. Guess that's the end of that would-be masterpiece.
Artorg brushed the dried blood off his corduroy waistcoat, skipped a few tracks on the playlist, and began to type...
