Middling It

[O'Dandelo]

Good luck to all the middlers! KD, may the second straight time be the charm for both of us!

[alexshvartsman]

Originally Posted by quovadis

Think I'm about to go mad! Have had a story at Electric Velocipede since December 22 - it's "under review," and rejections generally go out in 1-2 days. Then again, it's in *a* queue (perhaps the "recommended" queue, another poster suggested), and it's only dropped 20-odd spaces in ten days, and has been at the same place (50-something) for several of said days! Watching this second queue inch its way down...

You've made it past the slush reader. John reads just a couple of stories a day. That's why the queue is ticking down so slowly

[Brynn]

That's awesome, KD! Good luck!

[quovadis]

Originally Posted by alexshvartsman

You've made it past the slush reader. John reads just a couple of stories a day. That's why the queue is ticking down so slowly

Alex, thanks - that's what I thought/hoped! Still, frustrating to be at the same place in the queue for a week at a time! But I'll cross my fingers and hope EV bites...

[Niccolo]

Originally Posted by DragonHeart

Not really related to publishing but I'm middling it in just about everything else when it comes to writing. In the middle of editing one story, in the middle of writing another story, and in the middle of those is one completed first draft. And I totally blame you guys because reading this subforum has inspired me to get back into the submission game.

Welcome back I'm one of the new guys here.

As far as middling it goes, i just found out the next issue of Abomination Magazine has been put on hold "indefinitely" for personal reasons relating to the editor.

I hope everything works out for them, but this means the story I sent to them 43 days ago (their max response time is 45 days) probably hasn't even been read. They encouraged everyone with submitted work to send it elsewhere *large sigh*

Well on the plus side of things, I think I've finally found my niche, right at the corner of Horror Street and Science Fiction Avenue. Good things are bound to come eventually, right?

[zanzjan]

Originally Posted by Niccolo

They encouraged everyone with submitted work to send it elsewhere *large sigh*

Welcome Niccolo!

And yeah, that's a bummer, definitely sub it somewhere else. That's pretty much market-shorthand for "we're never going to look at all the stuff we've got".

[Niccolo]

Originally Posted by zanzjan

Welcome Niccolo!

And yeah, that's a bummer, definitely sub it somewhere else. That's pretty much market-shorthand for "we're never going to look at all the stuff we've got".

Thanks And it's already been sent off to Waylines. I've only heard good things about them so far, so here's hoping.

[O'Dandelo]

More middling news: I've been informed I've made it to the final round at Nightfall Magazine and am a "serious contender." Between that and Apex middling this week, I'm going to have to start smoking again.

[Project Deadlight]

oooooh! Exciting! Which story?

[fihr]

Welcome, Niccolo, and good luck everyone middling!

O'Dandelo, I was wondering, did you get a confirmation when you first subbed to Nightfall? I subbed back in November, but didn't receive a confirmation, so I'm wondering now if I should query in case my sub got lost in the ether.

[O'Dandelo]

No, fihr, I didn't hear a peep until yesterday when I got the advancement email. I was at 50 days. I get the impression that they didn't send out confirmation emails.

[renard79]

Good luck with the middling!

[Marzioli]

Originally Posted by fihr

did you get a confirmation when you first subbed to Nightf@ll? I subbed back in November, but didn't receive a confirmation, so I'm wondering now if I should query in case my sub got lost in the ether.

I'm out at 44 days at that market. When I queried on Facebook (to a post that said resubmit if you hadn't received confirmation or a response by a certain date) they said my story was in the queue and they'd get to me shortly. Not sure what to make of your sub at this point, but I don't suppose an email query would hurt your chances. They've been responding to subs younger than yours already. Hope it works out.

[fihr]

Thanks O'Dandelo and Marzioli. Now that I know they don't send out confirmations, I'm not too fussed. But I may email them just to make sure they received it.

[williemeikle]

Made it through the slush in NIGHTFALL magazine... now under consideration... and the waiting continues :-)

[Marzioli]

Willie, when did you get your notification and how long were you out, if you don't mind me asking?

For some thoroughly middling news of my own, my guest blog is up at Penumbra eMag. http://penumbraezine.blogspot.com/20...d-fiction.html.

[Project Deadlight]

Oooh! Story percolating at C@m Obscura.

[Eliza C]

Originally Posted by Marzioli

For some thoroughly middling news of my own, my guest blog is up at Penumbra eMag. http://penumbraezine.blogspot.com/20...d-fiction.html.

Hey, that's not middling - that's braggage! Conrats! I'll try to take a look at it this weekend.

[Eliza C]

Some middling news finally - 2nd round bump at W@ylines.

[kd1984]

Has anyone heard anything lately from Untied Shoelaces? I have a sub out at 20 days with them, which is a bit longer than the norm, but at least according to DT (yes, I paid the money!), it looks their responses stalled out back in early January....

[squeaky pram]

Originally Posted by Project Deadlight

Oooh! Story percolating at C@m Obscura.

May I ask how you know this? Did they contact you? I've got one subbed there but have yet to hear anything.

[Project Deadlight]

They have a log in on their page Squeaky and you can check the status. They have three stages, PENDING REVIEW, UNDER REVIEW (Or something similar) and PERCOLATING. I've only ever percolated once before. Let me know where yours is at.

[squeaky pram]

Thanks, PD. I just checked and guess what?? I'm coffee!!! Nice to share the pot with you, sir.

Do other places do this? I always see people on "middling it" and other threads talking about a submission's progress, and I never know how they know. Back when I used to submit (the 90s), it was the old stuff-it-in-an-envelope-and-forget-about-it method. Should I be checking the status on all my electronic subs?

Oh, btw, congratulations on your recent acceptance. Looking forward to the reveal.

[kd1984]

Originally Posted by squeaky pram

Thanks, PD. I just checked and guess what?? I'm coffee!!! Nice to share the pot with you, sir.

Do other places do this? I always see people on "middling it" and other threads talking about a submission's progress, and I never know how they know. Back when I used to submit (the 90s), it was the old stuff-it-in-an-envelope-and-forget-about-it method. Should I be checking the status on all my electronic subs?

Oh, btw, congratulations on your recent acceptance. Looking forward to the reveal.

For what it's worth, my middling news always comes at the end of an email letting me know that I've been passed up.

[Project Deadlight]

Hopefully it means we've made it through slush.

I tend to only report middling it if I've had an email saying I've been put through or if I know the market and have a good idea their submission system status means something more than the submission has been opened. For example I wouldn't report anything "In Progress" on Submittable.

I think if you're not in the habit of checking stati then don't start; I drive myself mad.