At least I got a draft out of it.

[seajules]

My steampunk faerykrusher sword & sorcery story is "perfectly good," but not what they're looking for at S&S 24. Which means I can perhaps hang some tapestries and throw some rugs on the floor to mitigate the draftiness. Anybody up for beta duty? About one thousand words, with some blood.

Comments

[seajules]

I sent it out to the email address I've got for you, so hopefully it will go through. Thank you!

[kallistei]

I can read it too, if you need.

[seajules]

I definitely need. *G* Is it better if I share it on Google docs or if I email it to you?

[kallistei]

Either works! :)

[asakiyume]

I would simply *enjoy* reading it, but I'm not sure I feel qualified to critique. I could tell you what parts I especially loved, though, so you could know what worked for an Asakiyume-like reader.

[seajules]

Letting me know the bits that are good is very helpful, too. Shall I send a copy your way, or would you rather comment to the draft I put up?

[asakiyume]

Either way!

[seajules]

I shall send it to you. I figure that might make it easier to comment at your leisure.

[b_writes]

Now I'm worried she calls everyone 'perfectly good.' Although your story was damn fine.

[seajules]

In my experience, there are two main types of form rejection letters sent out by reputable markets. One is what they send when they like a piece, but it's not quite what they want. It usually includes a complimentary phrase, like "perfectly good." The other is the rejection they send for pieces that they didn't like, and usually just says, "Thanks for your submission, but we've decided not to use your piece."

There are a fair chunk of markets that only send that last kind, both for pieces they liked and pieces they didn't, so you can never assume the piece needs a rewrite if you get that one. I don't know of any market, though, that sends a form rejection that says, in essence, "Your piece was good," when the editor didn't think it was. Therefore I'd say it's safe to assume the editor really did like both our stories, but they just weren't what she was looking for.

Although your story was damn fine.

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to reading yours. Did you try Eric?

[b_writes]

Mmm, yes.

I did! He said it didn't hold his interest, alas. I think I'm going to sit on it for a week or two and see if I can sex up the beginning a bit more. (Not literally.)

[seajules]

and see if I can sex up the beginning a bit more.

More sax and violins! ;-) I may need to add more violins to mine, bump it up to an orchestra.