*stares quizzically at publisher*

[erastes]

When a publisher *requests* a story on the sci-fi theme on "Robbery, Piracy,
Locked Room"

And you *write* a sci-fi story about, Robbery, Piracy and Locked Room.

And then they write back and say "Sorry, but it wasn't what we were looking
for"

What is one supposed to think??? Only one conclusion really. I suck.

*beats self to death with keyboard*

suk. sukity suk suk .

Comments

[liriaen.livejournal.com]

Beg to differ, your honour! Look at it like this: apparently, they already had something raaather specific in mind, and your interpretation happened to no fit the pigeonhole. Which says nothing of pertinence re:your skill and imagination and creativity as a writer. Rather, it speaks of the limited scope of the publisher. Imho. - Shh, you need that keyboard, stop smacking it around. Writing is a harsh mistress, so, well... sometimes we have to take her beatings.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I know... I was just smarting that Robbery Piracy and Locked Room wasn't what they were looking for! I should have (as EJ says below) added more bananas.

*G*

[eroticjames.livejournal.com]

Know how you feel. Everytime I do something for a specific call I get "ahhh, not quite what we were looking for." I figure it's their fault for not being more specific. We wanted Robbery, Piracy and a locked room, with frilly bananas and set in 2025....

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Now THAT's where I went wrong.. Not enough BANANAS!!!

Dr Who is right. If you go to a party, always take a banana.

[rwday.livejournal.com]

I don't think it means you suck. When I re-read that call for subs, the first thing I notice is the word 'mysteries,' so I'm thinking they may have wanted a more traditionally plotted mystery. What you wrote was more an SF adventure story, and a damn good one.

So quit beating yourself to death and submit it elsewhere. Jim Baen's Universe is supposed to reopen for subs on October 1 - you might try it there.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Aw, take no notice of me. I shouldn't rant from work, as I can't take the "no comments" off.

But I'll try that market. With Meninspaaace I think, as it seems obvious that it hasn't got in to Distant Horizons

[ejab62.livejournal.com]

No! They just should have been more specific, that's all! This has NOTHING to do with you!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I should be ashamed of myself for emo-ing. I apologise.

[ejab62.livejournal.com]

Stop apologising! You're human, for god's sake. It's only natural that you'd start to doubt yourself after such a rejection. After ANY rejection, really. I would!
Just rant, cry, pout and be as emo as you want. That's *normal*

(Besides, it's fun to read. *evil smirk*)
(Sorry, bit of sarcasm there)

[semioticwarrior.livejournal.com]

You don't suck. They had something specific in mind, and it wasn't what you wrote. Which has nothing to do with whether it was a good story, or how well written it no doubt was.

On a lighter note, you know the person responsible for rejecting your story has this kind of conversation all the time at home:

Them: Let's go out for dinner. You pick.
Their S.O.: Ok, how about blahdeeblah.
Them: No, no there.
Their S.O.: Where, then?
Them: I don't care. You pick.

[villainslair.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing, actually.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

*smooch*

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I can't blame them, everyone has their own likes and dislikes, mine was probably too basic and character led for them. Having read a few e-zines this arvo, it seems that Sci-fi has moved along a lot since 1950 (which is where I'm mired...)

*g*

But thanks!

xxx

[maidenform.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I really think this was their fault. The bastards.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

No, I can't agree (now I'm calmer) my 1950's style sci-fi (with gays) is probably a very niche market!!

no, no and no

[mystchainsister.livejournal.com]

They, the collective people who said, we need a story on sci-fi theme on "Robbery, Piracy, Locked Room", just simply do not recognize good or even great writing when they view it.

That puts it square back into their laps, not on yours.
Now back away slowly and put the keyboard down.

No sukity to you!

Myst

Re: no, no and no

[erastes.livejournal.com]

*snugs you*

Great writing it wasn't - it was very much more action and more dialogue than I ever normally write, but hell. I liked it. I may put it up for concrit under a very tight filter at some point.

*suks rebelliously*

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

I don't think it means that you suck. I think that any of the following is possible:

1. They were looking for a more traditional mystery in a sci-fi setting, rather than an adventure story.

2. The type of piracy that you focused on--human trafficking--may be too controversial for the publishing company. Most publishers (and that means magazines as well as books) have lists of topics that they prefer not to handle. This could be one of them.

3. The two heroes in your story are gay. That could also have been a topic that the magazine found too controversial to handle.

None of which means that the work is bad, or that it's unsalable. Do some research into the tastes of various magazines--the Writer's Market will give you clues about that, and yes, there is an online version--and send the story out again. And again. And again.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Take no notice of me, I was knee-jerky in posting.

*G*