Are you researching, writing, subbing? Had any acceptances or rejections? Any other news?
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27 comments:
Not too much to report, I'm afraid. I had my fourth serial accepted by The People's Friend, though no publication date as yet. To be fair, I'm starting to look at other markets, more speculative fiction, which is one of my great loves.
I really like that photograph, Patsy. Very inspiring
I had a ‘yes’ from PF last month. The story was submitted back in April 2019, so I’d pretty much given up on it... so the acceptance was a really nice surprise.
I haven’t submitted to any of the women magazines for years. I tried pocket novels but I’m not romantic enough and I include too many handsome men in my plot line 😂🤣😂
I have a story appearing in The People's Friend this coming week, and a few more have been accepted but not scheduled yet. It's all down to following the information and advice you've provided via your blog, Patsy. So I owe you a very big thank you and I encourage you to continue posting information about submissions. I really appreciate it.
I have nothing much to report I'm afraid!
Someone in our email crit group sold to Woman's World USA recently, which we were all pleased about.
We still don't know who the new fiction member is at TPF.
No acceptances sadly - it's all been a little quiet. But I have a story in the next PF special coming out on 25th March.
Alyson
After the article about what to do next with a pocket novel last week, I wondered whether anyone would be interested in finding out about what to do next with a short story? I know I would! I have self-published short stories and I've seen a competition where they don't mind if your entry has already been self-published (Blandford Rotary), but is there anything else you can do with stories after publication? I have sent a couple to Allas but not had any luck (or even a reply!). Any advice would be gratefully received. Many thanks.
I sent off a story to My Weekly a few weeks ago but haven't heard. I'm not sure if no news is good news. I'm also kicking off a new pocket novel which is going very slowly but I'll keep at it! Good luck to everyone for their writing projects!
Jenny, I have a non- fiction piece on my website called 'What can you do with your unsold stories?' on my website. Find it under Articles.
Please visit: http://sbee.orgfree.com.
I hope this helps. Sharon.
Even though I've not had any success with womag subs, and therefore am not eligible to submit to a number of them now, I still read this blog. After all, there may be changes in allowing subs that I wouldn't otherwise know about. You have been the main source of all my information about this market and I think this blog is fantastic. Plus many of the comments have useful snippets of info too.
It's so good to hear all these success stories. I've just had my first 'long read' accepted for The People's Friend Special and I'm very excited about that. I will say that I made a close study of other successful long reads before I even started thinking seriously about trying my hand at this. Meanwhile, I'd be interested to learn how other womagwriters deal with the inevitable rejections. It seems to me that, in order to write stories which connect with readers, we have to make ourselves significantly vulnerable. However, in order to cope with rejections, we have to dissociate ourselves a bit from our work, and almost become like our own literary agents and not take the 'no' too personally - we have to split ourselves in two, in a way. What do other womagwriters think? Best to Patsy and all from Eirin Thompson
I've just had a story accepted by PF which I submitted six months ago. Maybe there's been some disruption in communication due to the handover to the new fiction editor, Lucy Crichton. It'll be interesting to see if this also means we'll see any change in the style of stories accepted from now on. One good thing about deciding to isolate myself is that I'll now have oodles of time to get on with my pocket novel. As others have said, Patsy, the blog is an invaluable resource of information and encouragement and I really appreciate the great deal of work you do to keep us informed.
I confess to being a 'lurker'and, so, echo Lindsay's comments. The start of social distancing is my sign that I should use the time to fix some stories and be brave enough to send them out! Stay well, everyone.
Thank you, Sharon. very interesting, particularly about the lip reading site. I have already seen your excellent letter about this in the March Writers' Forum, in fact have just submitted a story! Fingers crossed...
Do you (or anyone else?) know much about opportunities to publish stories again eg in Allas and other foreign magazines? I can't seem to find much information about this, especially up to date information. Thank you and thanks due as always to Patsy for the great opportunity to connect with other writers and ask questions.
@ Lynn – Congratulations on the serial sale!
@ Jane – Congratulations on your sale too.
@ Paula – you do know they're supposed to be fiction?
@ Wendy – congratulations on your sale too.
@ Sharon – I don't know the name, but someone has been chosen. Thanks for the link to the lip reading service.
@ Alyon – Things do seem quiet.
@ Jenny – self publishing, competitions (some) and a very few magazines are the main options. A post on reusing magazine stories might be a good idea – if anyone has info or would like to do a guest post, please let me know.
@ Dawn – Waiting times are generally months rather than weeks for most mags.
@ Lindsay – there are still 10 magazines you can sub to (although 2 don't pay!)
@ Eirin – Congratulations on the long read success (where would we all be without PF?) I cope with rejections by trying to always have several stories out, so there's hope of better news in the next email.
@ Patricia – Well done on your sale. I'm sure the changes at PF, and the fact they've been a person short since Shirley left, have contributed to the delays. A new person will be joining the team next month, so that should help.
@ Bendy – good luck with the subs.
@ Jenny – Allas will consider stories which were previously published, as will a few other places, but these are becoming fewer.
My own news – Since the last 'Over to You' I've sold stories to My Weekly, Take a Break, Yours and Allas – and had rejections from just about everybody!
I'm also collecting Stuff for another serial, currently at the 'totally muddled' stage. I keep hoping that will change!
This is the first time I've tried to adapt an idea from a previous NaNo novel - which may of course account for the confusion. Ah well. If it doesn't work, something else will...
Congratulations on all the successes, and keep well, everyone!
Penny A.
Lots of interesting points here. I guess social distancing will probably result in more writing, although at the moment I'm finding concentration difficult in this dystopian universe. Anyone else finding the same? My writing group is currently setting up our next meeting via Skype.
Very interested to read about vulnerability versus dissociation in terms of dealing with rejection. I use the phrase 'rejection dejection' to describe the feeling. I tend to leave the rejected stories on one side and only come back to re-write and resubmit when I feel ready to do so.
As a new writer who's banned from submitting to certain publications I'd really like to have the list of 10 which we can submit to, please Patsy. I don't think I have all of them. Many thanks.
Hi Patsy
Interesting to know that you have had an acceptance from Fiction Feast. As someone who has 8 stories with them going back over a year - I'd love to know if this was from a recent sub or one going back a while? I must admit I've all but given up with this market but would be interesting to know. Congrats on your sales btw. Linda
New girl on the block - you're not alone. I'm finding concentration a bit lacking atm too. Just keep going.
Good to know that TPF have now chosen the new editor - I'm sure that things will then continue to pick up...hopefully.
Things been a bit quiet for me, but staying optimistic.
I agree that it would be good to perhaps have an article on all the different things you can do with sold stories and also which mags accept second rights. I know Allas does. I already submit to the excellent Lip Reading Project :)
Stay well and safe everyone.
Just wondering if womag staff are now working from home, like so many of us are now. Obviously that's fine for those who accept submissions by email, but what about the ones who ask for submissions by post? Will our offerings be left lying on the mat for months, do you think? Not the most important issue in the world right now, but.....
@ Penny – The totally muddled stage seemsto be an important part of writing any longer work – at least that's been my experience.
@ New Girl – Yes, I think there will be a lot more writing going on, which sadly will mean more rejections.
The list – Ireland's Own, The People's Friend (and all specials). Woman's World, Woman's Weekly, Woman's Way, Allas, You (when subs reopen) Love Sunday, The Weekly News and Prima. You should find info on each in the guidelines quick links.
@ Lionshare – one was from so long ago I'd assumed it was a rejection and the other was very recent.
@ Carrie – I'll see what I can come up with. All suggestions and contributions will be very welcome.
@ New Girl – The People's Friend now allows subs by email from those who are self isolating.
Many thanks for all the info, Patsy
Yes, thanks for the information. Always so helpful. Hopefully People's Friend will switch to email submissions permanently as posting is such a faff and costly.
Congrats Jane - I’m still waiting on my first acceptance with PF they got one of my stories since Oct 2019 I nearly given up hope so I’ll hang in there fingers crossed 🤞
Thanks patsy regarding coping with rejections - as had quite a few and preying on an acceptance soon thank you for that tip - I’m defo going to get some more sent out instead of waiting on just one 🤞
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