Comments on The Eyesore Times: Ramblings and Additional Nonsense from K. Allen Wood: Gimme Back My Story!

I so feel your pain when it comes to publications ...

2009-08-11T14:10:18.397-04:00

I so feel your pain when it comes to publications that hold hostages, all the while Simon Says No Sims Subs. One held a story of mine captive for nine months...or was it ten? I forget. I finally called them to ask WTH, and was told my story was still with an editor, and I would have a response in two weeks. All right, I waited four. Still nothing. I called again, and it was still "with an editor". I finally got a response back from the editor themself a few days later saying, "Yeah, sorry about that. We're all volunteers here. o ya, btw, REJEKSHUN lol."

I was annoyed as hell, but the final kick in the crotch was when they told me that they'd send me a critique with the official letter. I figured I'd at least get some worthwhile criticism for all the time. When the critique finally showed up, it wasn't so much a critique as it was a handwritten sentence on the corner of the form rejection letter. I ran the sentence past a few of my writer and editor people who had actually read this particular story, and they all confirmed, as I had thought, that the "critique" made no sense. So yeah. That was a year of totally wasted time.

And there is my tale of woe. What that all boiled down to is, I hear you. :P

And though I think your writing is fantastic, I'm ...

2009-05-07T14:05:00.000-04:00

And though I think your writing is fantastic, I'm willing to bet their "final round" doesn't exist until they hold a story hostage for too long. Having to wait 237 days is a joke.

One publication has had a 560-word story of mine for 231 days. Nearly a year to read 560 words. That's two minutes of someone's time.

I shake my head...

Is this where I bring up my 237 day, "You made it ...

2009-05-07T12:56:00.000-04:00

Is this where I bring up my 237 day, "You made it to the final round, but no," rejection?

Yes. Yes, it is.

It's an awful feeling, knowing that your stuff is floating around in limbo. It's hard not to take it personally. Hey, this is my blood, sweat, and tears, and you can't even take the time to look at it? But that's where lots of Coke Zero comes in. And I won't even ask about your Burt blow-up doll. Is he wearing socks?

Nope. They both got my submission. I got a "Got it...

2009-05-04T22:08:00.000-04:00

Nope. They both got my submission. I got a "Got it!" reply from both of them.

It's unfortunate because these are two of the biggest horror publications out there. To have sat here waiting for so long is just irritating, but more disappointing. Worse, I'm not the only one waiting.

You guys over at TC rule, by the way. =)

I'd write to them and say "Dude, where's your resp...

2009-05-04T16:44:00.000-04:00

I'd write to them and say "Dude, where's your response?" The least an editor owes you is a form rejection. I know there are places where no response means no, which is ridiculous. Anyway, they may never have gotten your sub or they might have forgotten to let you know it was published (that happened to me once). I'm fine with poking an editor, especially AS an editor.

TC lets people know if a sub has been rejected or is still in consideration within a month. It's not until the end of our reading period that we notify of publication or pass for the ones that make first cut.

Also after NINE MONTHS, I'd say you could sub it elsewhere. If they accept it (after what, 10 months? 11 months? a year?), just say that in the X# of months they sat on it, you assumed they'd passed and sent it to a place that responds. If they hear from enough irate and disrespected writers, they might change how they treat submissisons.