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It was a landmark for
me when The People’s Friend accepted two of my stories. Having a
story published in a magazine has always been one of my writing
ambitions and I’d sent a few off in the past with no success. But
I was busy writing the novels so I didn’t try any more until
earlier this year, when, inspired by friends who were having stories
published, I decided to make a concerted effort. This time I did my
research, bought copies of The People’s Friend and Woman’s
Weekly, looked at their target audience and thought, OK, I can do
this.
As it turned out, I
couldn’t. Well, not straight off, anyway. A story I’d sent to
‘The Friend’ came winging its way back, but was accompanied by an
email from an editor in which she explained why my story wasn’t
suitable and advised me to try again. Of course I was disappointed –
you can’t help it, can you? – but my writing had caught the
attention of an editor sufficiently for her to give me valuable
feedback, and now I had a named person to send my stories to, rather
than posting them off to join the huge mountain of the submissions
pile.
Reading the feedback on
the rejected story, I could see why my previous stories hadn’t been
accepted either. Well, sort of. It’s a subjective business,
writing, isn’t it? Spurred on by the editor’s encouragement, I
sent her another story, having convinced myself that this one would
hit the mark. It didn’t. But again the feedback was useful, and I
wasn’t disheartened. I know all too well from my novel-writing
that rejections are the norm so you may as well get used to them!
Then, finally, came
success when two stories I’d sent together to PF were both
accepted. Seeing the first one in print with its lovely art-work was
a thrill. It was a simple tale called ‘Comfort Food’, inspired
by my mother-in-law’s passion for cooking, puddings in particular.
Novel
writing is my first love – for the time being, anyway – but
writing a short story feels like a breath of fresh air. One of the
best things about it, I find, is that you can set your story
anywhere, at any time, and that’s very freeing.
Deirdre’s latest
novel, Never Coming Back, was published by Crooked Cat Publishing on
8th December 2016.
6 comments:
Congratulations on the two sales Deirdre! I just sold my first story to TPF this month after going through a very similar process - they aren't the easiest market to break into, are they? But I think that makes the reward of a sale even greater!
Here's to many more sales to TPF!
Congratulations on the sales, Deirdre. I'm sure you'll have many more to follow. :)
Thanks for your comment Shane, and congrats on your sale too!
Thanks Carol. More would be nice ;-)
Deirdre
Well done with your sales. May there be many, many more!
Well done, Deirdre.
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