Just after eight this morning, I received a response to my request for information about the future of the magazine. As I'd said I was asking on behalf of my blog readers, I'm sure it's OK to share it.
Hi Patsy
Thank you for your email. We hugely value the relationships we have with all our contributors and your continued support of Fiction Feast over the years.As part of an ongoing review of Fiction Feast to ensure its long-term sustainability, we are exploring new ways of producing the magazine. As a result, we are pausing external commissioning of fiction stories for the time being.We want to emphasise how much we value your work and the contribution you’ve made to the magazine. We are not closing the door to commissioning in the future and will be in contact should opportunities arise.Thank you again for your support.The Fiction Feast Team
That's a little vague, but does suggest the magazine will continue. I've asked a further question. If I learn more, I'll share it in this post.
17 comments:
I've had time to absorb this information, even though this message hasn't been sent to me personally.
I sense that the mag will continue, however, I suspect that the majority of the stories in it will be re-prints.
I feel that they will be in touch to ask writers for a new story, just to freshen the material up. I reckon it's going down the BOWW route.
If you can recall, many moons ago, there used to be a WW fiction special every month, with all new stories in.
Then the fiction team left, the mag changed and they began to call it 'best of WW'. It's now mainly re- prints, with around 4 new stories in to perk it up.
I could be totally wrong but judging by the message above, I think this is the road FF will be going down.
It's such a pity and a shame.
I don't know how other FF writers feel but there's not much point me penning new stories for them now. If I do, it'll be ones that fit on one page - the 800-900 word ones.
It's just not worth me writing longer ones that have twisty, meaty plots.
I can't help feeling that it's a waste of people's talent, skill, ability and potential, but if the market has changed, there isn't a lot we can do about it.
I'm also wondering if it's leading to the mag being phased out completely.
@ Sharon - You could be right, but there are other possibilities. They could restrict the number of submissions writers are allowed to send per month / quarter (Similar to how MW operate) to reduce the workload reading all the submissions.
Perhaps they haven't decided yet, which is why we've not yet had any details?
Thanks for this information, Patsy, and all the work you do on our behalves.
Maybe Patsy and I really hope your theory proves to be right. But if this is the case, why halt submissions and send out all those batches of rejects?
Does this mean everything subbed is a reject, or are we in a holding pattern waiting for more mass emails?
They told people the mass rejects were just admin – lying to writers they ‘value’.
While I sympathise with the writers who are affected by this, I can't help wondering how much TABFF's potential market is impacted by the fact they have used a closed list for years now. I started writing for the womags in 2019 and TABFF and My Weekly already operated a closed list back then. Hence I've never bothered buying either magazine as there's absolutely no point doing so. If I can't submit, I can't sell to them, so none of my family or friends are going to buy the mag for my story. The same thing applies to so many talented writers who've come along since 2020. Big ripple effect there, IMO.
@ Bubble – I wish I could bring good news!
@ Sharon and anonymous – If they're considering the future of the magazine, I think it makes stock to do a bit of housekeeping, so they can see exactly how things stand.
I've had stories accepted and not yet used (one going back to 2024!) and know of other writers in the same position, so it's likely they have stories in stock they can use for a few issues.
@ Liz – Interesting point. I know writers do buy magazines both to research the market, and to see their work in print. And I know friends and family of authors buy magazines which have their stories in. I have no idea what percentage that makes of the total sales – I wonder if the publishers do?
As Sharon has said, I also hope FF doesn’t go the same way as BOWW - reprints. I wouldn’t be too happy to find that the magazine contained stories that were published years ago. I first discovered FF back in 1998 and have probably bought every issue since. It’s also the magazine that got me into writing to start with. I did submit a few stories to them in the late 90’s/00’s, without any success. When I picked up writing again in 2019, their list was closed and has remained so ever since. I just feel it’s a shame that us newer writers have never had the opportunity to submit to them and get to be accepted. If FF does go down the reprint road, I’ll probably cancel my subscription.
Michael
The next issue is a new summer special- a first for FF. I'm wondering if any re- prints will be in this? If they are, then I suspect that's the route they are going down.
And me, Liz. I have had some success with BOWW with the open subs, albeit the rights issue, but I wrote to MW and TABFF a few years ago and asked if their policy still stood: no change... and yes, it deters you from buying them. It is a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy when the circulation is likely to be dwindling. A shame all round. How I wish I'd been doing this 20 years ago!
Tough to see another market disappear even if I couldn't submit to them. I don't really read stories online as I like to relax with a magazine (& I never feel like that with my phone or laptop).
Thanks for sharing this information, Patsy. I hope there will be further clarity to come. I always counted myself very lucky to have joined TABFF contributors just in time to make 'the list' and I've had much fun writing stories for Fiction Feast's particular recipe ever since - mainly comedies, in my case. Fingers crossed the magazine will continue, hopefully with inclusion of original material.
Thanks for the info patsy - shame another mag going down the same route. On another note do you or anyone know if the latest BOWW mag is out in shops? I’m in it apparently but can’t find a copy. Charlie
Today: I have one...? Not sure what your writing name is but... ah, worked it out! Cocktails? 😃
Yes that’s me!!! Charlotte sabin. Oh I have been to three stores and can’t get it - most annoying, I’ll try tomorrow. Thank you.
Frustrating! There are only two copies in my local high st newsagent, one is reserved for someone else. Nothing in the one enormous Sainsbury's. Circulation seems very light. Shame. Congratulations! There are 4 of us! I'll let the others know Saturday :)
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