And my string of "better class of rejections" continues.

[agilebrit]

So, I sent not!IronMan to one of the premier markets. They kindly said it "wasn't right" for them, but:

It's one of the best titles they've seen all year. (Clearly, its actual title is not "Not!IronMan.")

And they invited me to sub again.

So, that's... encouraging. I guess. Maybe I got someone's attention there, anyway. And I know exactly which story I'm sending them next. The timing is actually stellar on that, because I'll see the publisher where Won His Soul is during LTUE this weekend, and I can inquire about the status.

Today: More editing. I think I'll look over the new Janni story and see if I like it.

Comments

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the sooner you can get them another the story the better!

[werewolf-hacker.livejournal.com]

Well, I actually hope that the place it's at will publish Won His Soul, because bird in the hand and five cents a word. But if they don't want it, then off to Tor it goes.

And I think persistence pays. I once heard about an author who'd sent nine stories to this one publication. The editor had made the decision to publish the tenth-- and they never subbed again. If you keep crossing their desk, they will start to recognize you.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

And they recognize quality. Even if Won His Soul gets published where it is I'd still send them something relatively soon. You've got three stories you're working on right now, for instance.

[werewolf-hacker.livejournal.com]

Five. I have five stories I'm working on right now. Zombunnies, however, is going to F&SF, then Clarkesworld, then WotF, if it doesn't get picked up by F&SF or CW.

I'll have to see what I have. I've got two now, looking for homes (I think), plus the other five. Angry Bitter Angel is going to IGMS as soon as I whack it into shape.

OMG, I have so much freaking work to do. It's an embarrassment of riches, really.

[johncwright.livejournal.com]

It might not feel encouraging, but it is encouraging. Everyone who is now a published writer at one time was a collector of form rejection slips, then personalized rejection slips, then rejection letters asking you to try again.

So, congratulations! Next step: sale!

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Man, I hope so. I've had a recent spate of writing, which will turn into a spate of subs here pretty soon. Sure would be nice for one of those to get published in a major market. Hopefully more, but I'll settle for one.

Thanks for the encouragement. I know this all, intellectually, but it's nice to have a pro step in and say "yes, we've all been there." :)