I have waited a year, that's a long time to be patient, to hear from a certain children's magazine about a story I sent in, only to receive a from rejection this week. I know magazines are inundated, but a year is a long time and it's difficult not to take the long wait as a good sign, isn't it?
Also another two from WW, never mind.
I have been spending many an hour looking for places to send these stories. There's a few competitions I could have a go at. To be honest the entry fees always put me off, I understand the need for them of course, but don't always have a spare fiver. I'm planning on entering Spikethecat's Someone has to die, Volume 4, but that's running until end Nov, so plenty of time for that.
A bit nearer to deadline is Cooldog Publications, short story comp, 3000 word limit, £3 entry fee, by 31 July. Top three prizes, £100, £50 and £25, Top six go in their E Mag.
I also came accross Cazart, monthly comp ending 26th each month, £3 entry. Prizes are awarded dependant on number of entries though, so no definite figure. Winning stories published on their home page. 400 word Flash Fiction, or 400-3000 short stories.
Another thing my typing is dreadful! The number of times I've written 'stroy' instead of 'story' is quite unbelievable!
On a totally different subject, did anyone have one of these back in the good old 80's?
Strawberry Shortcake! How cute is she? I know she's had a revamp, there's a newer version around for the new kids, but I love these older ones. Got this one from ebay a couple of years ago for nostalgic reasons. Hehe, I know, I'm too old for dollies but who cares?
Commiserations on the rejections. I have allowed myself to be hopeful on more than one occasion simply because months elapsed before I received a response.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by the People's Friend acceptance that you mention in your sidebar. I have tried a few times, but without success.
Oh Penandpaints!! One is never too old for such sweeties as the ORIGINAL Strawberry Shortcake dolly!!! She is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry for the rejections and I do know exactly what you mean about the entry fees for some competitions - especially when you add up the monies!
When I first started blogging in January - I went crazy and sent off a load of stories for competitions and hopeful publications. And over the weeks I've had a trickle of rejections, one success. But that's 1 out of say 6. One I'd like to think I never stood a chance because they had over 500 entries!
Anyway!! Like Christine said above - you got published in People's Friend and that's just amazing. I do appreciate and understand that these rejections and looooong waits are all so disheartening and frustrating but I also firmly believe - yes I do!! - that your orphaned stories WILL find homes!
Take care
x
I never had a Strawberry Shortcake, but then I was a bit of a tomboy. She is cute, though!
ReplyDeleteCommiserations on your rejections. It does hurt. At least you are braver then me - I've only sent out two stories to paying markets. One was rejected and one is being used by Yours, so a 50% success rate. I think that percentage will drop if I send out more!
I submitted a story to Spikethecat's Someone Has to Die Volume three, but it didn't make it. I think I might try the Somewhere in Time and Space next.
I used to enter competitions all the time, but the cost was getting too high. I'm a bit more selective now.
Sorry about the rejections. It is disappointing, but try sending them out again to another market and they will succeed one day. I finally had success with several stories on their third and fourth outings.
ReplyDeleteWW didn't like one recently, so I altered it a little and submitted it to PF. They like it and have asked me to make a few small changes. Now they're looking at it again. I can't guarantee they'll take it, but it has a chance. If it fails, at least it will have come close. Then I'll try again somewhere else, possibly one of the competitions.
I like Stawberry Shortcake too. I seem to remember she was scented like strawberries. Gorgeous.
Hi Christine
ReplyDeleteThank you, I was very happy with the PF acceptance especially as it was my first, it did take four attempts with the same story. They're requirements are very specific!
Hi Old Kitty
Hehe, I'm glad you understand!
Good for you, sending out so much and congratulations on the acceptance, I'm sure there's more around the corner. It's good to have a submitting frenzy every now and then, I think I'm due for a fit of subbing fever about now!
Thanks for your encuragement!
x
Hi Ellie,
Thank you and congratulations on the Yours acceptance, that's brilliant! Well done!
I only ever tried them once, but it took a year for the reply, I don't know if that's always the case. Was your acceptance quite quick?
Hi Joanna
Wise words, you're right of course, try, try again.
Congratulations on the response from PF, it's lovely when you get advice from them, it's so encouraging. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Strawberry Shortcake did smell gorgeous, the one I have still has a faint scent.
I had four rejections today - so I really empathise. Just need to keep going until the next acceptance turns up!
ReplyDeleteHugs for the Rs - always rotten. I got one from WW this week.
ReplyDeleteStrawberry Shortcake is a real cutie.
XX
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteYou're right, just keep going.
Hi Suzanne, Thanks for the hug!
Sorry to hear about your rejections - that just plain sucks.
ReplyDeleteI used to love Strawberry Shortcake! Brings back memories.
If it's going to be a rejection I would much prefer it to arrive quickly. Like you, the longer something stays 'out there' then the more I allow myself to get my hopes up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the competition links. £3 entry is not too bad, but you're right that it does add up when you're doing a lot. Have you looked at the small press mags such as Scribble or Delivered? There are opportunities for publication there, and although most small press mags don't pay you might have a chance to win a prize in a readers' vote.