Comments on: What To Do About Editors?

By: bribiewriter

bribiewriter — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:51:30 +0000

Jody-Ann,

You know you should never go to a race track, don’t you?

Graham

By: j-a

j-a — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:23:11 +0000

by the way, i have a theory about rejections. the more you get, the closer you are to getting published!
j-a

By: j-a

j-a — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:20:45 +0000

hi, graham, i agree with luke that maybe we you need some more opinions (if not from us, then from someone who might be familiar with your field). also, what kind of publishing houses did you submit it to? maybe there’s a more experimental one out there that would love your story.
j-a

By: bribiewriter

bribiewriter — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:15:16 +0000

Thanks, guys. All kind words gratefully received. And for all you know, my story is utter dross, yet you still poured the tea and sympathy unstintingly.

I knew there was a reason I hang out here )

By: janettedalgliesh

janettedalgliesh — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:44:50 +0000

Yes, there should be room for Chekhov. But it seems the creative industries are more and more beset these days by the dreaded phenomenon of Risk Aversion.

When did we last see a big stage musical that wasn’t based on a movie or animation or featuring established pop music or written by Andrew Lloyd Webber? How many of the games put out by the big companies are based on existing licences from movies, music or books, etc – all due respect to Parrish of course!!!!

The economic risk at that end of the market is massive, so naturally there is a reluctance to gamble on something new or something that breaks the rules. And I may hate it, but I kinda get where it comes from.

The problem really occurs when that lesson is soaked up by those who operate much further down the economic scale. Truly, what do those editors risk by taking a shot with an unkown author writing something original?

I’m not sure who you’ve had this feedback from, Graham, but perhaps you need to look for a better class of editor Jo’s right, get it out there again.

And yes, if you want feedback from your posse, you know where to send it!

By: Jo A

Jo A — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:06:45 +0000

Your opinion of this story is ultimately the only one that matters. If you have listened to their feedback (and getting any feedback is a positive sign!), thought about it, and still don’t agree with it, then that’s fine. The story is yours, and can only do what you want it to do.

And mate, two rejections? Your story is at the beginning of it’s rejection life Send it out again.

By: bribiewriter

bribiewriter — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:07:22 +0000

Ah, sorry. The story was The Student.

By: bribiewriter

bribiewriter — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:01:09 +0000

Luke says:

I have nothing but sympathy/empathy for you Graham, having recently had a novel rejected by two publishers who both said: “Interesting…but we’re not interested.” Stephen King said he tacked his rejection letters to a wall with a nail, and had to switch to a desk spike because the nail got too full. I know the feeling.
Can I ask – can you post the story on the site for us to have a read? From your post, you’re obviously passionate about the piece and your intentions. Do you need some sober judges?
And which Chekov story is it? I followed the link to an e-book anthology. Any story in particular that broke all the rules?