Friends, it is the last weekend of the month. You know what that means!
But first, a bit of news from yours truly. I, myself, had a lit mag acceptance last week. And I finally gave one particularly naughty lit mag a piece of my mind.
A lot of people resonated with this post and voiced similar frustrations with Pank Magazine. Time for them to change their ways or hit the road, wouldn’t you say?
But enough about me and enough about them. This weekend is all about YOU!
Where have you had work appear recently?
What’s the story behind the story?
How long did it take for your latest and greatest to find its cozy new home?
What was your experience publishing with this journal? How did you find them?
My poem "Liar Acrostic" found a home with NORTH DAKOTA QUARTERLY. Most people have probably never heard of it, but they've been around since 1911 and have published Louise Erdrich, Ted Kooser, Thomas McGrath.... This poem had been getting rejections for 23 years! Yes, you read that right. The acrostic was cemented with the first letters of each line which read "Liar Liar Pants On Fire".
I’ve been lucky this year so far, with a few great pubs running my work... (Electric Lit, The Normal School, HerStry..) but in addition to having an essay this month in The Massachusetts Review, they interviewed me in their online -- it was a fun way to talk about some other authors and poets I admire, books I’m reading, and even Joe Namath-- check it out under their interviews on their website
Wow, congrats on all the acceptances! Becky, I loved your note to Pank, and clearly they listened. Today I got my 381 day rejection from them with a nice and apologetic note and a free download of their latest issue. Looking at Duotrope, many other people heard from them today as well. It's heartening that they are acting on the feedback.
I've got a short short up at Bellevue Review, a journal I've long admired. This is the first time I've written a piece specifically for a call for submissions. This was written for a symposium "Can Storytelling Prevent Gun Violence?"
Scoundrel Time asked for one small change which was a huge lesson to me about stories. Many thanks to Paula Whyman for her help. I was so proud to be included among the other authors in that mag and I loved the way it turned out. Scoundrel Time also taught me how to make my stories better! It’s an essay called No Separate Joy” and one of my favorite pieces I ever write, especially now! Thank you Scoundrel Time! https://scoundreltime.com/no-separate-joy/
Oh! I so love this!! I teach (among other things) Infant and Toddler Development and will add this essay to my class. I love sneaking in literature to college students who are not in English/Literature majors... And this so perfectly encapsulates motherhood. <3
I had a wonderful experience with JMWW, a place I always wanted to have a story published in. The story needed a couple of parts revised, and of course they were right, so I revised them and learned so much from just that small interaction about how to make my stories better! They accepted it in October, let me pick my own picture, and I’m thrilled! It was a great experience. https://jmwwblog.wordpress.com/2022/10/05/fiction-just-one-more-thing-by-jennifer-woodworth/
I have enjoyed four recent acceptances, stories due to come out any time between now and next winter. They are:
“Snappy Dresser” in
Solstice
“The Deep Blue Sea” in
Arlington Literary Journal
“The Empty Room” in
Del Sol Review
“Four Crows” in
Off Course
A couple were accepted fairly quickly, others took months or a couple of years to find a home. Off Course has published several of my stories before; the others have accepted my work for the first time though I've submitted other pieces to them. That's how it goes, right?
Sorry, "stories," not "satires." Damned auto corrupt, and lack of proofing. Though the recently-published "Snookums" is self-satire on the narrator's part.
Brava to you for your authentic withdrawal letter! As for me, I have a book coming out in January, 2024. Finishing Line Press is the publisher and it’s a collection of my previously published short stories. Super excited over here!
Very encouraging & inspiring to read everyone's reports, and congratulations!
I will have a very short piece in Persimmontree magazine in a few weeks. It's an online magazine for women over 60. I published something many years ago in the mag, but since then have been rejected often. They have a new editor now, who sent out a call for shortt pieces on the state of women's rights in America. I pulled my comments together in 3 days & had a personal acceptance from the editor.
I am a political activist, and am currently working on getting out the vote in swing states with a local group, so these issues are very much top of mind, as they say.
It was a good opportunity for me to respond, as I am very busy on Twitter and don't have long stretches of time to work on anything.
I want to brag on Gone Lawn which has been kindly accepting many of my weird prose poems for a few years. I love that mag, and their focus on, in part, prose poems. Owen, one if the editors is a wonderful reader and if something isn’t up to snuff he lets you know in the nicest way. Last thing they published of mine was in September: “Of All the Ladders.” Guess what-- it is about fish.
These two poems by nineteenth-century French poet Louisa Siefert, in my translation, are new on Circumference this week: https://circumferencemag.com/the-part-of-me-that-dreams-will-break-unless-it-bends/ Circumference is a print and online journal with a focus on international poetry and drama. I really appreciate their side-by-side presentation of original poems and translations.
In January. 2023, I will have a cozy mystery short story published in the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. There was a contest earlier this year and my story earned third place. I was surprised and happy!
I am of the mind that editors don't care about bios, unless they already like your piece, and then they can be proud of themselves that they also like somebody who publishes in The New Yorker and The Paris Review. But maybe I'm naive. I have been called that!
Two hard copy zines showed up in the last week -- Over the Transom, edited by Jonathan Hayes, 120 San Lorenzo Blvd #3, Santa Cruz CA 95060 -- issue #30 includes chapters from my Autobiography of a Book, which is forthcoming from AC Books. The other zine is Trash Panda, edited by Lisa Anne Johnson, trashpandahaiku.org. Johnson doesn't seem to be super fussy about what a haiku is -- there are those who are -- those who would not consider this one of mine a haiku:
And finally -- I joined twitter. Just at the wrong time? I thought that Musk acquisition had fallen through! I resisted a long time, and now I am still trying to figure out how it's useful. Me:
What a neat story about discovering your poem had been honored in the Pushcart anthology, Glenn. So the 2022 anthology celebrates work published in 2021, is that right?
Here's a list of acceptances I received this month (they'll be published between now and Jan/23):
My first two visual/concrete/erasure poems were accepted (Streetcake Magazine & Wild Roof Journal), a 50 word (50 Give or Take), a humorous meta fractured fairytale (Bright Flash Literary Review), a micro in Ghost City Review, and a flash in micros/fractured nursery rhyme in Gone Lawn...
And, of course, a series of rejections particularly for one story that I love but is a magnet for "thanks, but no thanks"!
My essay "Wash or Wipe? - That is the Question" was published in the inaugural issue of the literary magazine, Arasi. The magazine is available in print and digital formats.
I don't think the editors care, Becky--as I've mentioned here before, I refused years ago to pay so much as a dime for the privilege of being rejected . [I see it as a potential racket, but I'm an old cynic.]
Some of the worst offenders are the 'hoity-toity' lit mags that one would think didn't need the money. Like you, I've written a few of them asking why not supply an alternative, like email or snail mail for those of us who do not have money to burn. Guess how many ever replied? Yep--zilch! But there is light and hope- in 5 years I've found --as of last week-- 118 lit mags that have published my work at least once and never took a dime to do so.
Becky, I thought your response to PANK was perfect, and congrats on your acceptance! On my end, LEON Literary Review recently published my prose poem "Leak," which I wrote after becoming aware of a national news story.
I discovered this journal, which publishes both fiction and poetry, on Duotrope. The entire process was painless. I submitted "Leak," along with two other poems (one of which was accepted elsewhere), on May 13, 2022 via Submittable, and received an acceptance on June 2, 2022. I don't think there was a submission fee. No revisions were suggested. I was given an opportunity to make any changes in the first week of September (I did not). I would recommend submitting to this journal, which has some great pieces and is on Clifford Garstang's 2022 list for poetry.
In addition, my poem "Devils and Details" (addressing fallout from the Civil War) was published this month in Michigan Quarterly Review (there is no link as this is a print publication). According to Duotrope, response times can be quite lengthy. However, I received a response in 37 days, perhaps because this is a theme issue? Edits were as follows: one letter went from capital to lowercase and a period went away. There were many emails from various editors along the way (re contracts, proofs, payment process, surveys, etc.). Everyone was very pleasant. I will say that the payment process was absolutely bananas in terms of the amount of paperwork involved--you need to create an online portal and provide tax info, among other things--but it was nice to receive a very official-looking check at the end. I was paid $50 for one poem, but I have no idea how payment amounts are determined or what one might receive for a work of fiction.
Wow, Colette, that's awesome. You slay all day! (Sorry. I've really been wanting to use that phrase with someone. But in this case it's true! You're getting so much out there. You slay! All day!) Congrats and Happy Halloween too.
This month, two of my stories debuted: "Ways to Grieve", a rare example of me writing in the horror genre for Parehelion Literary Magazine's Halloween issue (https://parhelionliterary.com/d-p-snyder/) and a flash piece, "The Hot Pink Forest", which emerged in Fictive Dream (https://fictivedream.com/2022/10/14/the-hot-pink-forest/). Neither of these are paying venues, nor do they charge for submissions. What they do have in common are women editors who treated my stories with care, were appreciative, and came through on their promises. Fictive Dream in particular wowed me with their choice of illustration, a gorgeous piece, "Nude Against Pink Background" by one of my favorite artists (they didn't know this when they chose it), Aurel Cojan. Appreciation and respectful presentation, I find, go a long way in my book. Interesting fact: I wrote both stories first in Spanish and then translated myself back into English to submit. I am a literary translator by trade; I find that translating myself (in both directions) is a powerful form of editing myself and getting distance from the work. Hot Pink Forest, first published in Spanish, was a quick acceptance in both language. Ways to Grieve, on the other hand, went through a ton of revision after 5 rejections. Lesson: keep revisiting and revising a story you believe in until the prose sings!
We were so happy to include "Ways to Grieve" in the Halloween issue! Rebecca read your submission first and sent me a message saying, "This story is so Parhelion." I'm glad you had a good experience publishing with us. <3
I really did, Elizabeth! From turnaround time on my submission, to geniality and timeliness of communication, to allowing me a last shot at a proof read, everything was smooth, professional and made my relationship with Parhelion one that I want to share—and repeat!
On the long odds of your bake ever getting a reply. I'd love to read it. ;-)
Successes for me in October include:
Over the last 5 years, Jason Splichal and Jeff Sommerfeld have published over 700 writers from around the world in their Sky Island Journal, reaching over 115,000 readers in 145 countries. I am deeply honoured and grateful that they have published three of my flash fiction stories in their Fall 2022 edition. https://www.skyislandjournal.com/issues#/issue-22-fall-2022/
101 Words have been kind enough to publish three of my microfiction pieces over the last 2 years, including this one in October, An Exclusive Interview with Genghis Khan. https://101words.org/page/3/
Overall, my recent publishing experiences have been great! I never pay to sub, except occasionally when I get crazy and spend 6$ but normally would never abs write essays against it. But some of the best charge...I used to pay but I was rich then. Some places will very kindly let you sub if you can’t afford it too, and I really appreciate that. Before I got so picky it wasn’t as much fun. Took too long, too many rejections, I don’t know. Maybe I’ve found part of my flock. And there are several other wonderful mags I’ve been in, these I write about are the mist recent with something special about them. I’m proud to be in every mag I’m in! So check these mags out! They have fantastic work.
Hi Becky. I’ve been concentrating lately on getting a whole book published. I have two collections and a novel, and despite about 40 stories published in different lit mags, no agent has expressed interest. And so, I’ve taken to submitting to contests (with a submission fee averaging $25). So far, I made finalist at Atticus Books. I guess that’s a semi-accomplishment! Nice to hear your story submitted to [PANK] for $5 eventually found an alternate home. If anyone knows of reputable full book contests, grateful for a suggestion.
And I also want to brag on Citrin Review who in 2019 published I think one of my best prose poems, “Fighting with God.” They nominated it for a 2020 microfiction too which was awesome of course. They write a letter for each section called “notes on the poetry selection” or notes on the fiction selections” which is one of my favorite things about the magazine. These notes pull the pieces together to make them a coherent collection which I think is lovely!
I have loved having my work published in the newish Blue As an Orange Magazine. The editor was very kind to me and seemed to really love my work, which is so pleasant after so many nos! He published all the poems I sent him (that weren’t spoken for already)--3 in the summer and 5 in the fall. They are my weirdest, most surreal and some of my favorites. I am so glad he liked them! They have a wonderful home. Give Blue As an Orange some attention--it publishes things that are surprising in a way you won’t see anywhere else. The editor loves short surrealist stuff, but other stuff too. Blueasanorange.Weebly.com ! Enjoy it. Some great poets are in there and I am proud to be among them. Extremely positive experience.
This should start a revolution of frustrated writers. These mags depend upon the idealized hopes of writers. They should at least tell the writers where their pieces stand in the queue of hopes. RT
Isn’t it cool that they are that devoted to our stories? I love that and will never forget it. Also my stories and essays will always be better for it!
My micro-flash CNF “But Closing ...” found a forever home at Five Minutes, aka Five Minute Lit. It took submitting to 18 different places over a year and a lake to find this placement but I couldn’t be happier with the experience at Five Minutes. It really is a case of finding the perfect fit. Would I have loved my mini in 100-Word Story or Tiny Beautiful Things or some other big-name venue? Sure. But Susanna and the Five Min crew seem sincerely delighted to publish everything they put out, and found the perfect photo to accompany the (many) social shout-outs they’ve given my piece. I am a fan for the long haul now.
My poem "Liar Acrostic" found a home with NORTH DAKOTA QUARTERLY. Most people have probably never heard of it, but they've been around since 1911 and have published Louise Erdrich, Ted Kooser, Thomas McGrath.... This poem had been getting rejections for 23 years! Yes, you read that right. The acrostic was cemented with the first letters of each line which read "Liar Liar Pants On Fire".
Wow
Congratulations!
Thank you!
23 years!!!!!!
I love your perseverance!
Thank you, Amy! I shared this news to bring encouragement...
It does!!! <3
Thank you!
I’ve been lucky this year so far, with a few great pubs running my work... (Electric Lit, The Normal School, HerStry..) but in addition to having an essay this month in The Massachusetts Review, they interviewed me in their online -- it was a fun way to talk about some other authors and poets I admire, books I’m reading, and even Joe Namath-- check it out under their interviews on their website
Fabulous! Feel free to share links so we can take a look!
Thank you sincerely!
I have four poems up at One Art today. They are always wonderful to work with.
https://oneartpoetry.com/2022/10/29/four-poems-by-rachel-custer/
"I cherried my lips
red with Lifesavers and smoked crayons"
"Smoke hangs like questions in the break shack’s air:"
"Break is for questions that can’t be asked at work."
Rachel, these are BEAUTIFUL.
Thanks so much, Becky! I'm glad you like them!
Wow, congrats on all the acceptances! Becky, I loved your note to Pank, and clearly they listened. Today I got my 381 day rejection from them with a nice and apologetic note and a free download of their latest issue. Looking at Duotrope, many other people heard from them today as well. It's heartening that they are acting on the feedback.
Oh, Laura, thanks for telling me that. That's great to hear!
I've got a short short up at Bellevue Review, a journal I've long admired. This is the first time I've written a piece specifically for a call for submissions. This was written for a symposium "Can Storytelling Prevent Gun Violence?"
https://blreview.org/nonfiction/semantics/
Scoundrel Time asked for one small change which was a huge lesson to me about stories. Many thanks to Paula Whyman for her help. I was so proud to be included among the other authors in that mag and I loved the way it turned out. Scoundrel Time also taught me how to make my stories better! It’s an essay called No Separate Joy” and one of my favorite pieces I ever write, especially now! Thank you Scoundrel Time! https://scoundreltime.com/no-separate-joy/
Jennifer, I nearly missed by bus stop reading this! Perfectly captures it all.
Oh wow thanks!! Sorry typos…I hate this damn phone! But you gut iff in time! Are you in scoundrel time too?
Oh! I so love this!! I teach (among other things) Infant and Toddler Development and will add this essay to my class. I love sneaking in literature to college students who are not in English/Literature majors... And this so perfectly encapsulates motherhood. <3
Wow!!! Thank you so much! That means so much to me!!!!
Where do you teach?
Cal Poly :)
Love your essay, and I echo your Scoundrel Time sentiments!
I’ll look for you There! Did you work with Paula at all? A delightful soul.
I worked with Meghana on my short story "Movie Night." She had some great suggestions.
Love Scoundrel Time!!!
Me too, always have. And the picked the most amazing photo to go with my essay it made me smile just to see the just-right photo!
I had a wonderful experience with JMWW, a place I always wanted to have a story published in. The story needed a couple of parts revised, and of course they were right, so I revised them and learned so much from just that small interaction about how to make my stories better! They accepted it in October, let me pick my own picture, and I’m thrilled! It was a great experience. https://jmwwblog.wordpress.com/2022/10/05/fiction-just-one-more-thing-by-jennifer-woodworth/
Congrats on getting into JMWW! Have a flash with them now. Hope to experience their editing process one day :)
It’s even more awesome you didn’t need it!
I recently had a great experience publishing a story in JMWW, too. They are a really wonderful publisher.
I have enjoyed four recent acceptances, stories due to come out any time between now and next winter. They are:
“Snappy Dresser” in
Solstice
“The Deep Blue Sea” in
Arlington Literary Journal
“The Empty Room” in
Del Sol Review
“Four Crows” in
Off Course
A couple were accepted fairly quickly, others took months or a couple of years to find a home. Off Course has published several of my stories before; the others have accepted my work for the first time though I've submitted other pieces to them. That's how it goes, right?
Yeah that is how it goes! Tell us the pubs do we can look you up! If link is up! I want to see your satire!
Sorry, "stories," not "satires." Damned auto corrupt, and lack of proofing. Though the recently-published "Snookums" is self-satire on the narrator's part.
https://writingdisorder.com/richard-risemberg-fiction/
Brava to you for your authentic withdrawal letter! As for me, I have a book coming out in January, 2024. Finishing Line Press is the publisher and it’s a collection of my previously published short stories. Super excited over here!
Very encouraging & inspiring to read everyone's reports, and congratulations!
I will have a very short piece in Persimmontree magazine in a few weeks. It's an online magazine for women over 60. I published something many years ago in the mag, but since then have been rejected often. They have a new editor now, who sent out a call for shortt pieces on the state of women's rights in America. I pulled my comments together in 3 days & had a personal acceptance from the editor.
I am a political activist, and am currently working on getting out the vote in swing states with a local group, so these issues are very much top of mind, as they say.
It was a good opportunity for me to respond, as I am very busy on Twitter and don't have long stretches of time to work on anything.
Awesome. We need to get political as we get older!
I want to brag on Gone Lawn which has been kindly accepting many of my weird prose poems for a few years. I love that mag, and their focus on, in part, prose poems. Owen, one if the editors is a wonderful reader and if something isn’t up to snuff he lets you know in the nicest way. Last thing they published of mine was in September: “Of All the Ladders.” Guess what-- it is about fish.
These two poems by nineteenth-century French poet Louisa Siefert, in my translation, are new on Circumference this week: https://circumferencemag.com/the-part-of-me-that-dreams-will-break-unless-it-bends/ Circumference is a print and online journal with a focus on international poetry and drama. I really appreciate their side-by-side presentation of original poems and translations.
In a totally different vein, for those with strong stomachs, my translation of this very creepy short story by contemporary French author Monique Debruxelles appeared in Another Chicago Magazine in the last few weeks: https://anotherchicagomagazine.net/2022/09/30/the-girl-who-died-on-our-doorstep-by-monique-debruxelles-translated-from-the-french-france-by-laura-nagle/
I think translations are generally impressive, but rhyming translations like yours are next level. Very cool.
Oh cool I love bilingual mags and books! Will check it out!
In January. 2023, I will have a cozy mystery short story published in the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. There was a contest earlier this year and my story earned third place. I was surprised and happy!
If it's about da brag ... http://lovesettlement.blogspot.com/2022/10/glenn-ingersoll-in-pushcart-prize.html ... That's a link to my story about finding my name in the 2022 Pushcart Prize anthology.
I am of the mind that editors don't care about bios, unless they already like your piece, and then they can be proud of themselves that they also like somebody who publishes in The New Yorker and The Paris Review. But maybe I'm naive. I have been called that!
Two hard copy zines showed up in the last week -- Over the Transom, edited by Jonathan Hayes, 120 San Lorenzo Blvd #3, Santa Cruz CA 95060 -- issue #30 includes chapters from my Autobiography of a Book, which is forthcoming from AC Books. The other zine is Trash Panda, edited by Lisa Anne Johnson, trashpandahaiku.org. Johnson doesn't seem to be super fussy about what a haiku is -- there are those who are -- those who would not consider this one of mine a haiku:
tired of thinking
I work harder
on clearing my mind
Two zines published poems of mine this month:
Poetry Super Highway -- http://lovesettlement.blogspot.com/2022/10/old-heart-at-poetry-super-highway.html
Lost Paper -- http://lovesettlement.blogspot.com/2022/10/short-prose-about-t-shirts-at-lost-paper.html
And finally -- I joined twitter. Just at the wrong time? I thought that Musk acquisition had fallen through! I resisted a long time, and now I am still trying to figure out how it's useful. Me:
@lovesettlement
What a neat story about discovering your poem had been honored in the Pushcart anthology, Glenn. So the 2022 anthology celebrates work published in 2021, is that right?
Yes. :-)
This has been a pretty exciting month for me!
Here's a list of acceptances I received this month (they'll be published between now and Jan/23):
My first two visual/concrete/erasure poems were accepted (Streetcake Magazine & Wild Roof Journal), a 50 word (50 Give or Take), a humorous meta fractured fairytale (Bright Flash Literary Review), a micro in Ghost City Review, and a flash in micros/fractured nursery rhyme in Gone Lawn...
And, of course, a series of rejections particularly for one story that I love but is a magnet for "thanks, but no thanks"!
Congrats on all these acceptances! Keep that one story that you love OUT THERE!
My essay "Wash or Wipe? - That is the Question" was published in the inaugural issue of the literary magazine, Arasi. The magazine is available in print and digital formats.
https://tinyurl.com/mvu6a8th
I don't think the editors care, Becky--as I've mentioned here before, I refused years ago to pay so much as a dime for the privilege of being rejected . [I see it as a potential racket, but I'm an old cynic.]
Some of the worst offenders are the 'hoity-toity' lit mags that one would think didn't need the money. Like you, I've written a few of them asking why not supply an alternative, like email or snail mail for those of us who do not have money to burn. Guess how many ever replied? Yep--zilch! But there is light and hope- in 5 years I've found --as of last week-- 118 lit mags that have published my work at least once and never took a dime to do so.
Yay!!! You should make a list!!
P.S. to my earlier comment: that's a great letter to Pank, Becky. I hope they read it.
Becky, I thought your response to PANK was perfect, and congrats on your acceptance! On my end, LEON Literary Review recently published my prose poem "Leak," which I wrote after becoming aware of a national news story.
https://leonliteraryreview.com/2022/09/colette-parris-leak/
I discovered this journal, which publishes both fiction and poetry, on Duotrope. The entire process was painless. I submitted "Leak," along with two other poems (one of which was accepted elsewhere), on May 13, 2022 via Submittable, and received an acceptance on June 2, 2022. I don't think there was a submission fee. No revisions were suggested. I was given an opportunity to make any changes in the first week of September (I did not). I would recommend submitting to this journal, which has some great pieces and is on Clifford Garstang's 2022 list for poetry.
In addition, my poem "Devils and Details" (addressing fallout from the Civil War) was published this month in Michigan Quarterly Review (there is no link as this is a print publication). According to Duotrope, response times can be quite lengthy. However, I received a response in 37 days, perhaps because this is a theme issue? Edits were as follows: one letter went from capital to lowercase and a period went away. There were many emails from various editors along the way (re contracts, proofs, payment process, surveys, etc.). Everyone was very pleasant. I will say that the payment process was absolutely bananas in terms of the amount of paperwork involved--you need to create an online portal and provide tax info, among other things--but it was nice to receive a very official-looking check at the end. I was paid $50 for one poem, but I have no idea how payment amounts are determined or what one might receive for a work of fiction.
Happy Halloween!
Wow, Colette, that's awesome. You slay all day! (Sorry. I've really been wanting to use that phrase with someone. But in this case it's true! You're getting so much out there. You slay! All day!) Congrats and Happy Halloween too.
Hahahaha thanks Becky!
This month, two of my stories debuted: "Ways to Grieve", a rare example of me writing in the horror genre for Parehelion Literary Magazine's Halloween issue (https://parhelionliterary.com/d-p-snyder/) and a flash piece, "The Hot Pink Forest", which emerged in Fictive Dream (https://fictivedream.com/2022/10/14/the-hot-pink-forest/). Neither of these are paying venues, nor do they charge for submissions. What they do have in common are women editors who treated my stories with care, were appreciative, and came through on their promises. Fictive Dream in particular wowed me with their choice of illustration, a gorgeous piece, "Nude Against Pink Background" by one of my favorite artists (they didn't know this when they chose it), Aurel Cojan. Appreciation and respectful presentation, I find, go a long way in my book. Interesting fact: I wrote both stories first in Spanish and then translated myself back into English to submit. I am a literary translator by trade; I find that translating myself (in both directions) is a powerful form of editing myself and getting distance from the work. Hot Pink Forest, first published in Spanish, was a quick acceptance in both language. Ways to Grieve, on the other hand, went through a ton of revision after 5 rejections. Lesson: keep revisiting and revising a story you believe in until the prose sings!
We were so happy to include "Ways to Grieve" in the Halloween issue! Rebecca read your submission first and sent me a message saying, "This story is so Parhelion." I'm glad you had a good experience publishing with us. <3
I really did, Elizabeth! From turnaround time on my submission, to geniality and timeliness of communication, to allowing me a last shot at a proof read, everything was smooth, professional and made my relationship with Parhelion one that I want to share—and repeat!
On the long odds of your bake ever getting a reply. I'd love to read it. ;-)
Successes for me in October include:
Over the last 5 years, Jason Splichal and Jeff Sommerfeld have published over 700 writers from around the world in their Sky Island Journal, reaching over 115,000 readers in 145 countries. I am deeply honoured and grateful that they have published three of my flash fiction stories in their Fall 2022 edition. https://www.skyislandjournal.com/issues#/issue-22-fall-2022/
101 Words have been kind enough to publish three of my microfiction pieces over the last 2 years, including this one in October, An Exclusive Interview with Genghis Khan. https://101words.org/page/3/
Great to see my story 'A visit from India' up on the wonderful Toronto-based CommuterLit. It's taken a year to find that one a home. http://commuterlit.com/2022/10/tuesday-a-visit-from-india/
Overall, my recent publishing experiences have been great! I never pay to sub, except occasionally when I get crazy and spend 6$ but normally would never abs write essays against it. But some of the best charge...I used to pay but I was rich then. Some places will very kindly let you sub if you can’t afford it too, and I really appreciate that. Before I got so picky it wasn’t as much fun. Took too long, too many rejections, I don’t know. Maybe I’ve found part of my flock. And there are several other wonderful mags I’ve been in, these I write about are the mist recent with something special about them. I’m proud to be in every mag I’m in! So check these mags out! They have fantastic work.
Hi Becky. I’ve been concentrating lately on getting a whole book published. I have two collections and a novel, and despite about 40 stories published in different lit mags, no agent has expressed interest. And so, I’ve taken to submitting to contests (with a submission fee averaging $25). So far, I made finalist at Atticus Books. I guess that’s a semi-accomplishment! Nice to hear your story submitted to [PANK] for $5 eventually found an alternate home. If anyone knows of reputable full book contests, grateful for a suggestion.
Good luck and I hope you can find some free subs!
https://massreview.org/node/10989
Is the interview — the other pieces can be seen via jbrookewrites.com — THANK YOU!
Becky, congrats on placing the story! You are a constant inspiration.
And I also want to brag on Citrin Review who in 2019 published I think one of my best prose poems, “Fighting with God.” They nominated it for a 2020 microfiction too which was awesome of course. They write a letter for each section called “notes on the poetry selection” or notes on the fiction selections” which is one of my favorite things about the magazine. These notes pull the pieces together to make them a coherent collection which I think is lovely!
I have loved having my work published in the newish Blue As an Orange Magazine. The editor was very kind to me and seemed to really love my work, which is so pleasant after so many nos! He published all the poems I sent him (that weren’t spoken for already)--3 in the summer and 5 in the fall. They are my weirdest, most surreal and some of my favorites. I am so glad he liked them! They have a wonderful home. Give Blue As an Orange some attention--it publishes things that are surprising in a way you won’t see anywhere else. The editor loves short surrealist stuff, but other stuff too. Blueasanorange.Weebly.com ! Enjoy it. Some great poets are in there and I am proud to be among them. Extremely positive experience.
This should start a revolution of frustrated writers. These mags depend upon the idealized hopes of writers. They should at least tell the writers where their pieces stand in the queue of hopes. RT
Isn’t it cool that they are that devoted to our stories? I love that and will never forget it. Also my stories and essays will always be better for it!
Can’t wait to see it! Is it live yet! Link me up if you want! Would love to read it. I think they are a class act.
Yes, I really appreciate their level of care!
Here's the link: https://scoundreltime.com/movie-night/
My micro-flash CNF “But Closing ...” found a forever home at Five Minutes, aka Five Minute Lit. It took submitting to 18 different places over a year and a lake to find this placement but I couldn’t be happier with the experience at Five Minutes. It really is a case of finding the perfect fit. Would I have loved my mini in 100-Word Story or Tiny Beautiful Things or some other big-name venue? Sure. But Susanna and the Five Min crew seem sincerely delighted to publish everything they put out, and found the perfect photo to accompany the (many) social shout-outs they’ve given my piece. I am a fan for the long haul now.
My illustrated story, "Still Cheap, Still Street" is in the new issue of Cerasus, out of London. The cover of issue #7 is a drawing by Ezra Pound!
I feel that!