A little over a month ago I submitted a short-story I wrote to the online speculative fiction magazine Strange Horizons. This was kind of a spontaneous decision that I fully expected to be shot down. My expectations really weren't that high, especially after reading through it again I saw several ugly things staring back at me. But still, deep down, I think I kept a hope candle burning.
Today I received this in my inbox: "Thank you for submitting "The Bombing of Morrta" to Strange Horizons, but we've decided not to accept it for publication. We appreciate your interest in our magazine."
Alas, the hope, the small flame that somehow managed to stay alive, was snuffed out this afternoon. But honestly, I'm not even upset. I expected this, after all. And it's not like it's a novel that's been rejected. I only poured a week or so into my short story, not the months/years it takes for a novel. Still, it doesn't feel good getting rejected, especially over something you're proud of.
So now I'm undecided what to do. I could try submitting it again, but I don't particularly like that idea. Truly, I want to share it and get feedback on it, and one way for that would be to post it here on Rememorandom. Ideally, I'd be involved in a writing group where I could share this, but sadly, such a group does not exist close enough to my residence.
I think I'll think on this some more before I do anything else. Probably do a bit more editing. And who knows, maybe I'll submit it again, or maybe I'll just put it up here as a long-forgotten Writing Wednesdays serial.
Many thanks to all of you.
6 comments:
Ah rejection letters. Oh how they punch you in the gut, even when you don't expect anything from the place you submit to. Been there, done that once so far with my novel. And really, I didn't expect a thing from this particular agent. But it still hurts.
Anyway, if you want, I can take a look at it and critique it as much as I would from any of the folks in my own writing group. If you're up for it shoot me an e-mail at jay [dot] r [dot] belt [at] gmail [dot] com.
I enjoted the story quite a bit, actually... I think perhaps its the intro (as we talked about) that might be the initial stumbling block. It's not that bad, as an intro, really... it's just it could be more effective, I think, if it were more straightforward and consistent with the rest of the piece.
Maybe we could get an online writing group going or something. I could get behind that. Although there's something to be said for meeting in person...
Chin up! You've definitely got the chops to be a good writer, no question.
Man, I've had my share of those ugly things!
Re-submit it Logan! I've seen your writing, you can get your stuff published.
@Jay: Thank you. I very well may take you up on your offer.
@Dave: Hmm, an online writing group. I'm not sure how that would work, but I'm somewhat keen on the idea. Regardless, thanks!
@Brandon: Thank you for the kind words.
Congrats at your rejection letter! Hang it up on the wall, and leave a space next to it for your first acceptance letter as well.
(I have six rejections from Sundance- ever since I was 14)
@Mattson: Haha! That's a good idea, friend. Thanks.
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