Tag: writing tips
Hook, Line & Sinker: Fine-Tuning the First Sentence
Last year, I wrote a blog post inspired by one of my favorite essays by Stephen King, “Great Hookers I Have Known,” from his collection Secret Windows. The title of the essay is, of course, not what it sounds like. It’s about crafting a… Continue Reading “Hook, Line & Sinker: Fine-Tuning the First Sentence”
Acceptance Rates: What are the Chances?
We all know that top-tier short story markets receive tons of submissions, likely hundreds every submission period, but how many of those submissions are actually accepted? Excellent question, and we have some data that can at least get us in the ballpark. Since I’m… Continue Reading “Acceptance Rates: What are the Chances?”
Submission Statement: November 2017
November was my most productive month of the year for short stories, maybe my most productive month ever. The reason? I finished some new stories and started sending them out, which led to a record number of submissions and a fair number of rejections.… Continue Reading “Submission Statement: November 2017”
Rejection Records Update
You may recall a recent post where I listed some of my favorite rejection achievements and records. These dubious accomplishments, however, are subject to change as I trudge ever forward in my quest for rejectomantic greatness. So, without further ado, here are two records… Continue Reading “Rejection Records Update”
The Standard Form Rejection Revisited
One of the first posts on this blog was about the standard form rejection. In the intervening years, my thoughts have changed some, and I find I have more to say about what they mean or might mean. First, as a refresher, what is… Continue Reading “The Standard Form Rejection Revisited”
Close Encounters: The Shortlist Letter Revisited
There has been a definite theme to my submission endeavors in 2017. I’ve received more shortlist letters this year than I have in years prior. So, it got me thinking, how close am I actually getting when one of my stories is shortlisted? Well,… Continue Reading “Close Encounters: The Shortlist Letter Revisited”
Submission Statement: October 2017
October was a slightly more productive month. I sent out more submissions than what I’ve been averaging, and I finished some new stories that’ll be going out soon. I also expanded into a new genre, mystery/crime, which will certainly be reflected on these monthly… Continue Reading “Submission Statement: October 2017”
The Oft-Rejected Story: A Rejectomantic* Analysis
*Adj. 1. rejectomantic – relating to or associated with the dubious practice of rejectomancy; “a desperate rejectomantic analysis” My current record-holder for most rejections is a story called “Paper Cut,” which was published after a whopping 16 no-thank-yous, though it’s picked up another as… Continue Reading “The Oft-Rejected Story: A Rejectomantic* Analysis”
8 Rejection Records & Other Dubious Achievements
I originally published a post titled 6 Rejection Records & Other Dubious Achievements back in June of 2016, and wouldn’t you know it, I’ve broken just about every one of those records in the last year and change. I thought I’d revisit these records,… Continue Reading “8 Rejection Records & Other Dubious Achievements”
Rejection Letter Rundown: The Good Story Rejection
If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you’ve certainly heard me say that a rejection does not (necessarily) mean you wrote a bad story. In fact, it can mean you wrote a good story that was rejected for a bunch of… Continue Reading “Rejection Letter Rundown: The Good Story Rejection”
Effectively Wild – A Baseball Horror Story
Night Walk & Other Dark Paths
Acts of War: Flashpoint
Acts of War: Aftershock
Acts of War: Stormbreak
Aeryn Rudel's Rejectomancy 