A small note, before the bigger note.

[seanan_mcguire]

So I have just finished my guest editor slot with Queers Destroy Science Fiction!, the latest special issue from Lightspeed Magazine. It's a follow-up to last year's Women Destroy Science Fiction!, and I am so excited for all of you to read it. So very, very excited

Comments

[queenoftheskies]

You do not give off that impression. Not that I can see, at any rate. But, with all these special issues, I understand why people who haven't made a name yet don't submit. So many people with big names are interested in submitting that all us little fish know we'd get eaten by the big fish in the pond.

I wanted to submit to the first special issue and was intimidated by all the folks on Twitter who were planning on submitting. I see their names, know they're already published, and figure they're better than me/have a better chance than me. It was nothing against the editor, no feelings that there would somehow be unfairness.

So, I understand where this person was coming from.

[seanan_mcguire]

But that's "I will have too much competition," not "the editor will favor her friends over me." One is self-rejecting based on logic. The other is ascribing negative motivations to me as a person and as a professional.

Also: lots of people say that they're going to submit to something like this. Most of them...don't. Or don't send in something we need, something that fits the guidelines, etc. All of those already published people became already published by submitting, not by self-rejecting before they stepped out of the gate.

I would say that there were three "big fish" in this issue, alongside multiple first-time authors and unknowns.

[queenoftheskies]

Yes, it is self-rejecting. I agree. I haven't ever felt like an editor would favor her/his friends over me. And certainly haven't felt those vibes coming from you.

It's good to hear, from the inside, that unpublished writers really should take the chance to submit.

[catsittingstill]

What a shame that they were misinformed like that. The person who spread the misinformation did no one any favors, really, though I suppose it was a simple mistake.

FWIW I haven't seen you or anyone involved with the project giving off any "friends only" vibes.

[seanan_mcguire]

Thank you.

[kk1raven]

I'd guess that nothing you did was responsible for this. When people tell other people things like that, there are usually some sour grapes involved. Maybe someone's story was rejected for a previous issue and that person can't accept that it was a fair rejection. Maybe someone is jealous of the author involved and just didn't want her to submit her story.

[seanan_mcguire]

That's entirely possible.

[carrie_tatum]

I agree that it was most likely someone acting out because they went through a rejection. It's something that should drive you to try harder rather than lash out and spread rumors. Something like this would have really hurt my feelings. Sorry that you had that happen.

[seanan_mcguire]

I just don't deal well with being accused of things I didn't do.

[carrie_tatum]

Which is completely understandable. I would think an accusation about your fairness and objectivity is pretty insulting, especially considering the situation. I can't imagine many people would like being thought of as someone who put their friends work into something just because they are friends. It directly attacks your ability to separate your professional and personal life. Word of mouth spreads so quickly that it's fortunate that you heard about it and were able to address the issue directly. Still the situation in which you heard it is no fun at all. Then again something like that would be no fun to hear in any situation. :/

[wolf_shadow]

I have to say I also agree that I certainly didn't notice anything in the Call that sounded limiting, and that I'm inclined to feel that whoever told that person had their own ulterior motive (or gripe). As a backer the whole thing seemed very open and clear.

[seanan_mcguire]

I am so glad to hear that.