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This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC |
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This will be a blog for my writing, maybe with (too much) personal thrown in. I am hoping it will be a little more interactive, with me answering questions, helping out and whatnot. It follows on from the old one, which is now full. An index of topics from old and new can be found here: "Writing Blog No.2 Index"  Feel free to comment and interact. And to suggest topics! |
| E-mail From A Publisher Thought you’d be uninterested in this response from someone who publishes me a fair bit. I asked, “What makes you not choose a story?” and what things he would like writers ready to submit to know. Hey Steven, I don’t mind answering your question. I would prefer you not use the name of [COMPANY] and so my name if you are going to use this in a public space but I have no issues with you using it verbatim otherwise. First let me say that I love getting stories to read. I became a publisher because I had friends who I thought were wonderful writers and they could not get a foot in the door. Now I read works from people all over the world and am so happy to have that opportunity. I am truly blessed. You asked what will make me not choose a story and I like that question. Choosing a story is more arbitrary. There are some writers I get to know and will move them to the top of the slush pile straight away because they rarely let me down. You are one of those writers. I am not sure if I have ever rejected you. [NOTE: he has, once, but has accepted 4 short stories.] We do have our favorites I’m afraid. But I will always pick the best I receive because I want my anthologies to be the best they can be. Not choosing a story can be easier. If it is not in Shunn formating I will reject it immediately. If they use tab indents instead of first line indents I will reject it. If I see too many spelling mistakes I will reject it. It is not difficult to use Word’s spell check. If I see too many punctuation and grammar errors I will reject it. We have had the discussion about Grammarly before and I agree with you. When it comes to the story fundamentals I will reject any story that starts with description or the lore of the world. This is a short story not LotR. I will also reject any story that tells me a character is perky. You have no idea how many perky characters populate short stories! Not just perky but any descriptor that should be shown and we are told. I have a great big disclaimer on my submission page that says please show do not tell! Do you know how many ignore that? One more thing that irritates me is something that was really bad during covid and still happens at times is when people send me stories that do not fit. You know that [COMPANY] is a horror publisher and our anthology calls are for specific themes but do you know how many fantasy and science fiction stories I get. Do you know how many have nothing to do with the theme? Do you remember the sea cryptid anthology. [NOTE: I do; it was my first acceptance by him.] I got more dragon stories for that than I cared to count. The worst offenders are teenagers and [redacted by me]. I am seriously contemplating putting a 21+ age limit on submissions. That won’t stop [redacted by me] from submiting but it will reduce the rejection pile. I hope that answers your questions Thank you for reaching out. I wish your writing friends all the best. All the best [PUBLISHER] |
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