(no subject)

[mrockwell]

Writing

*Submission, Arkham Tales, 9/16
*Submission, Sybil's Garage, 9/16

I found out yesterday that my poem, "There is a Witch Here," will be published in next month's issue of Les Bonnes Fees. I'll let you all know when it's up.

Pet peeve of the day: publications that don't respond to status queries. I generally wait at least a full month (often MUCH longer) after a publication's stated response time has passed to query, so it's not as if I'm not giving you plenty of time to assess the submission, and if it's not enough time, fine. Just respond to my very polite query and tell me you need more time. I'm a reasonable person; I'm not likely to burn you in effigy for getting behind on your slush reading. What will earn my undying ire, however, is failing to respond at all. Your silence breeds nothing but my contempt, and I may respond by warning every writer I know away from your market like the plague. Like I'm going to do now.

Chizine: Submitted 8/18/05, queried 1/18/07. No response, which, sadly, is typical of this poetry editor. Will NEVER submit to this market again, and would warn all my poet friends away from here, as well.
Aeon Speculative Fiction: Submitted 7/4/07, queried 12/30/07, again on 2/29/08. No response. Will not submit to this market again. I've also heard from several people that they are very slow to pay (when they do respond). Submit with caution.
Weird Tales: Submitted 9/17/07, queried 7/18/08. No response. Will likely not submit poetry to this market again; I have no problems submitting fiction here. Submit (poetry) with caution.

I'll get my Happy Meal money elsewhere, thank you very much.

Everything Else

College football season is finally here, and my Huskers are on a roll. Perhaps we'll even make it back into the Top 25 soon. Oh, joyous day!

Comments

[emeraldlich.livejournal.com]

You've hit entirely on my #1 pet peeve when it comes to freelance writing.

I would much rather get a cursory "Thanks; we'll pass" rejection than to get zero response at all. I absolutely hate it when proposals or submissions disappear into the ether.

And thanks for the cautionary heads-up on Weird Tales. :)

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

I'm going to edit my post RE: Weird Tales to make it clear it's the poetry editor who is nonresponsive -- Ann generally responds to fiction within about three weeks, which is a very quick turnaround.

[stillnotbored.livejournal.com]

Wow. Your list of markets that will see my work again when hell freezes over matches mine! *g*

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

GMTA. ;)

[stephenhsegal.livejournal.com]

Ms. Rockwell: I apologize for the lack of response to your Weird Tales poetry submission. We are indeed suffering from a systemic problem; since our editorial reorganization in 2007, the fiction editor position no longer encompasses poetry, as it did previously. I have been attempting to maintain the poetry submissions inbox myself, but it has become apparent that I'm unable to do so in a timely fashion, between responsibilities as overall editorial and production manager, nonfiction editor, art director, and marketing/sales manager. I am going to temporarily close poetry submissions until we can recruit the right contributor to fill the role of a dedicated poetry editor or assistant editor; I hope when we reopen, you'll consider submitting again.

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

Mr. Segal -- thank you for the response. As a poetry editor myself, I understand how overwhelming the slush pile can be at times. I hope you are able to recruit a dedicated poetry editor soon, as I do think Weird Tales is a good market and would love to see my work published there some day.

[(Anonymous)]

Poe Little Thing is a dead market. The publisher closed down around half a year ago.

Aeon has treated me well, and I've had no problems with payment from them in the past year or so, since they rearranged who sent the checks.

I too have had problems with the poetry editor at Chizine, but I'd hoped that was a one time thing.

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

I did not PLT was dead, as I haven't submitted anything to them in over a year, but I will update my original post.

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting these market tips--it helps to have other folks share waters that have been tested!

Aeon

[(Anonymous)]

Dear Ms. Rockwell,
Please accept my apologies for the snafu with Aeon. We have gone through a number of changes in the past year, culminating in closing our doors today. Some submissions did fall through the cracks of our beta submission system, and we do regret that. We're also sorry that several people reported that we are very slow to pay. I am aware of some rare cases of late payments, though I believe that was the exception rather than the rule.

As for any authors who planned to submit to us again when hell froze over, we planned to accept those submissions on that same day.

Thanks,
Marti McKenna