The secret to success as a debut author; finding success as an "older writer;" X account calling out ageism in the arts; profiles of lit mags; lit mags closing/on hiatus; Buellers!; markets + more
I published my first novel after turning 60 and that opportunity was the direct result of networking (echoing "friendship and community for the win!"). I knew a writer who knew a publisher and a good word got the submission opened after languishing "received" for months. So much for slumber. It took me 30 years to find my voice. To paraphrase a lyric from the 1980's (when I published my first stuff ever) - " and if I had the choice I'll take the voice I got 'cuz it was hard to find. You know I've come too far to wind up right back where I started."
Over 40 is old? I'd like to see a focus on over-60s. As it is, when people start giving grants and awards to over-40s, they rarely go to anyone over 45, much less 49.
Alas, I'm not submitting novels. It's also distressing to see that the so-called Older Writers Grant starts at 40 and tends to award 40-something writers.
Border Crossing closed. They had rejected a story of mine recently, I got an email from them last week.
As for the age thing, JUST DO IT. I started writing last year, I'm 57. I've had four stories published with another two being published later this summer.
Regarding "the tedious slumber of aging," I call this a stereotype and a naive impression. People age in many ways and at different rates. It was not until my great-aunt was in her upper nineties (she lived to 107) that she complained, "It isn't so bad, except I need more sleep, and that gets boring."
Totally agree. We are awash in crappy visuals, ideas and old stereotypes.
Advertisers have a lot to do with what amounts to a terror of aging in the images and words used to sell products promising to "keep you young."
Every self-aware person should think about checking self-talk and other possible evidence of their own aging-bias. Comments like "Oh, I'm just having a senior moment" have a totally different connotation than "Jeeze, my ADHD just kicked in." BTW, I was diagnosed with ADHD at 65. Wish I'd had that magic decoder ring in my 20's.
Also, the comment (paraphrased) "to resist vilifying younger authors "is just weird. Who does this, I mean?
My debut poetry book comes out this fall (GRATITUDE DIARY, Main Street Rag). I am 66, and how I got to this point is a story itself, but I'm banding with a woman in her fifties and two in their eighties who all have new books coming out. We're tired of dealing with everyone else's expectations and limitations. We still don't have a name for our "road show"--the next organizational Zoom is next Monday-- but briefly considered Emerging Writers My Ass. Very briefly.
Congrats on your book, Jessica! My debut was published in February (The Trouble With Being a Childless Only Child; Cornerstone Press) and I am 54. I live in a rural environment so if your Zoom road show group is open to vetting new members I'd be interested.
Reservoir Road Literary Review ominously stated "we are closed indefinitely" -- after issue # 11.
Ariel's Dream surely looks ossified.
* * Resurrection: T.L. Publishing Group a.k.a. The Torrid Literature Journal has been revived + renamed and is now the Ink of Genesis Literary Journal! I was too lazy to withdraw my old submission (2021) to T.L. -- but decided to answer their current submission call, whereupon they responded to the 2021 submission and accepted two poems. Mirabile dictu.
Unfortunately, a number of pop-up zines turn out to be one-hit-wonders - Issue #1 & then z z z z.
Thank you to everyone who offered market updates today.
I’m starting to think that Fairy Tale Review might be might be moving into Buellerdom. I submitted 2 stories to them almost a year ago (June 6, 2023). In February this year they sent an update via Submittable saying that editorial work had been put on hold in the fall but had now resumed; their usual March publication date had been moved to “summer,” and that everyone would receive a response by end April. April and May have passed without another peep--nothing on twitter, nothing via Submittable. Some submitters will have been waiting more than a year by now. I don’t know what’s up there.
I’m sorry to hear that your stories were declined, Kim, but thank you for letting me know. I withdrew one of my stories in February after another magazine accepted it, and informed FTR via Submittable. I can’t help wondering, given the disarray they seem to be in, whether they’ve assumed both stories were withdrawn. I have little hope of my remaining story being accepted, or even of receiving a response at this date, but time will tell I suppose.
I am hearing crickets from Bamboo Ridge, although they appear to be active on their website. I sent a submission on Jun 9-2023, so it's just about a year old now. Their Fall 2023 issue came and went. I sent a query on May 20-2024, again crickets. Now they have a closing date of June 30 for the Fall 2024 issue. Duotrope is showing two outstanding subs: one 342 days, and one 360 days (mine). Due to the lack of communication with very patient submitters, I nominate them for the Buellers.
A quick follow-up, for anyone still reading this thread! I heard from Bamboo Ridge today, apologizing for spam filters that may have interfered with my original submission. Their email was warm and apologetic, and I resubmitted my piece for consideration in their 2025 issue. Wish me luck! And know that they no longer qualify for the Bueller's. :)
I'm not sure if this is a possible Bueller, but I submitted to the Heduan Review in mid February and haven't heard a peep since. Not only that, they've been completely absent from social media since Feb. 25 or so, their website is currently defunct, and Duotrope has flagged their listing for possible removal next month.
Thanks, Becky. I don’t mind a $3 charge for submission – that’s about how much it cost in the olden days when submitting by post. But having to pay to see a list of potentially suitable publishers is a gouge too far for this chronic tightwad.
Becky – I saw this, but thought it was referring to another list called “Writers 40+.” Is the list comprised only of the 8 URLs that follow? "Thriving market" suggests a larger list.
I could not find the list referred to in Becky’s note from the June 3 posting: “At Winning Writers, Annie Mydla shares a list of lit mags and opportunities for ‘Writers 40+.’” Can someone help? Thanks for stopping by.
Western Humanities Review and The Carolina Quarterly have both been delisted on Duotrope. Also, I just received this from Valparaiso Poetry Review: "Thank you for offering your work to Valparaiso Poetry Review. Unfortunately, the journal is now closed to new submissions. Following the Spring/Summer 2024 release, the 50th issue that marks completion of 25 years in publishing since the premiere volume appeared in 1999, the decision has been made to suspend further production."
So I am not sure if agism is the obstacle I face as a 70yo+ poet or the understandable (but unfortunate) bias of some slush pile readers. I think if the readers are mature (not as in "old") in their artistic journey, they their bias is only in service to the poem.
I published my first novel after turning 60 and that opportunity was the direct result of networking (echoing "friendship and community for the win!"). I knew a writer who knew a publisher and a good word got the submission opened after languishing "received" for months. So much for slumber. It took me 30 years to find my voice. To paraphrase a lyric from the 1980's (when I published my first stuff ever) - " and if I had the choice I'll take the voice I got 'cuz it was hard to find. You know I've come too far to wind up right back where I started."
Over 40 is old? I'd like to see a focus on over-60s. As it is, when people start giving grants and awards to over-40s, they rarely go to anyone over 45, much less 49.
Joyce, Grid Books (and others) only publish "senior" writers.
No one focuses on curating a "seniors-only" lit mags but they are out there.
Alas, I'm not submitting novels. It's also distressing to see that the so-called Older Writers Grant starts at 40 and tends to award 40-something writers.
Grid Books publishes poetry.
Not a poet, alas.
Border Crossing closed. They had rejected a story of mine recently, I got an email from them last week.
As for the age thing, JUST DO IT. I started writing last year, I'm 57. I've had four stories published with another two being published later this summer.
It's never too late!
Regarding "the tedious slumber of aging," I call this a stereotype and a naive impression. People age in many ways and at different rates. It was not until my great-aunt was in her upper nineties (she lived to 107) that she complained, "It isn't so bad, except I need more sleep, and that gets boring."
Totally agree. We are awash in crappy visuals, ideas and old stereotypes.
Advertisers have a lot to do with what amounts to a terror of aging in the images and words used to sell products promising to "keep you young."
Every self-aware person should think about checking self-talk and other possible evidence of their own aging-bias. Comments like "Oh, I'm just having a senior moment" have a totally different connotation than "Jeeze, my ADHD just kicked in." BTW, I was diagnosed with ADHD at 65. Wish I'd had that magic decoder ring in my 20's.
Also, the comment (paraphrased) "to resist vilifying younger authors "is just weird. Who does this, I mean?
My debut poetry book comes out this fall (GRATITUDE DIARY, Main Street Rag). I am 66, and how I got to this point is a story itself, but I'm banding with a woman in her fifties and two in their eighties who all have new books coming out. We're tired of dealing with everyone else's expectations and limitations. We still don't have a name for our "road show"--the next organizational Zoom is next Monday-- but briefly considered Emerging Writers My Ass. Very briefly.
Congrats on your book, Jessica! My debut was published in February (The Trouble With Being a Childless Only Child; Cornerstone Press) and I am 54. I live in a rural environment so if your Zoom road show group is open to vetting new members I'd be interested.
The Offending Adam is on some long hiatus.
Reservoir Road Literary Review ominously stated "we are closed indefinitely" -- after issue # 11.
Ariel's Dream surely looks ossified.
* * Resurrection: T.L. Publishing Group a.k.a. The Torrid Literature Journal has been revived + renamed and is now the Ink of Genesis Literary Journal! I was too lazy to withdraw my old submission (2021) to T.L. -- but decided to answer their current submission call, whereupon they responded to the 2021 submission and accepted two poems. Mirabile dictu.
Unfortunately, a number of pop-up zines turn out to be one-hit-wonders - Issue #1 & then z z z z.
Thank you to everyone who offered market updates today.
Your input is most appreciated. x o
Age is a judgement.
I’m starting to think that Fairy Tale Review might be might be moving into Buellerdom. I submitted 2 stories to them almost a year ago (June 6, 2023). In February this year they sent an update via Submittable saying that editorial work had been put on hold in the fall but had now resumed; their usual March publication date had been moved to “summer,” and that everyone would receive a response by end April. April and May have passed without another peep--nothing on twitter, nothing via Submittable. Some submitters will have been waiting more than a year by now. I don’t know what’s up there.
They rejected two flash pieces of mine about a month ago.
I’m sorry to hear that your stories were declined, Kim, but thank you for letting me know. I withdrew one of my stories in February after another magazine accepted it, and informed FTR via Submittable. I can’t help wondering, given the disarray they seem to be in, whether they’ve assumed both stories were withdrawn. I have little hope of my remaining story being accepted, or even of receiving a response at this date, but time will tell I suppose.
I am hearing crickets from Bamboo Ridge, although they appear to be active on their website. I sent a submission on Jun 9-2023, so it's just about a year old now. Their Fall 2023 issue came and went. I sent a query on May 20-2024, again crickets. Now they have a closing date of June 30 for the Fall 2024 issue. Duotrope is showing two outstanding subs: one 342 days, and one 360 days (mine). Due to the lack of communication with very patient submitters, I nominate them for the Buellers.
A quick follow-up, for anyone still reading this thread! I heard from Bamboo Ridge today, apologizing for spam filters that may have interfered with my original submission. Their email was warm and apologetic, and I resubmitted my piece for consideration in their 2025 issue. Wish me luck! And know that they no longer qualify for the Bueller's. :)
I'm not sure if this is a possible Bueller, but I submitted to the Heduan Review in mid February and haven't heard a peep since. Not only that, they've been completely absent from social media since Feb. 25 or so, their website is currently defunct, and Duotrope has flagged their listing for possible removal next month.
Good for you. We are Zooming to organize for in-person readings. But if this moves to Zoom . . .
Thanks, Becky. I don’t mind a $3 charge for submission – that’s about how much it cost in the olden days when submitting by post. But having to pay to see a list of potentially suitable publishers is a gouge too far for this chronic tightwad.
Becky – I saw this, but thought it was referring to another list called “Writers 40+.” Is the list comprised only of the 8 URLs that follow? "Thriving market" suggests a larger list.
It is a short list, Richard! This might be of interest, though I think there's a paywall to access the magazine list.
https://subclub.substack.com/p/19-magazines-and-contests-looking?utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&publication_id=1599503&post_id=136826898&triedRedirect=true
I could not find the list referred to in Becky’s note from the June 3 posting: “At Winning Writers, Annie Mydla shares a list of lit mags and opportunities for ‘Writers 40+.’” Can someone help? Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Richard. Scroll down a bit on this post: https://winningwriters.com/resources/older-writers-and-finding-success
Western Humanities Review and The Carolina Quarterly have both been delisted on Duotrope. Also, I just received this from Valparaiso Poetry Review: "Thank you for offering your work to Valparaiso Poetry Review. Unfortunately, the journal is now closed to new submissions. Following the Spring/Summer 2024 release, the 50th issue that marks completion of 25 years in publishing since the premiere volume appeared in 1999, the decision has been made to suspend further production."
Wow. College campus magazines are going the way of the landline phone and the coal chute.
So I am not sure if agism is the obstacle I face as a 70yo+ poet or the understandable (but unfortunate) bias of some slush pile readers. I think if the readers are mature (not as in "old") in their artistic journey, they their bias is only in service to the poem.