Editor's Notes: Today We Walked Away From An Anthology

I have a story that was accepted for publication in an anthology  but the publisher went belly up. I have since tried to place it but have met with three distinct rejections.

One told me the enjoyed it and then proceeded to criticize every aspect of it.

Another told me I don't know how to write a story and proceeded to explain how stories are written.

And today we find the third where I was told it was publishable but anti-climatic. Now this was after I was accused, in a off handed way, of plagiarizing a scene. I respectfully explained where the scene came from; in other words that it was part of a recurring childhood nightmare.

Right off the bat I can see the publisher and I are going to be really good friends.

I ended this story having the character who represents the embodiment of evil go off into the world to do his deeds. My idea is that evil is ever present. Yet anti-climatic for this publisher who wants a knock down Armageddon battle and he gives me two days to re-write it to fit this scene.

And by the way, going back and looking at the guidelines; the pay itself should have made me think twice about submitting in the first place.

I decided to walk away.

My opinion is that while horror should make you uneasy and make you jump it should not be simplistic.

Editors like doctors need to have a bedside manner.

Editor's Notes Part Five : IT IS TIME FOR MY CLOSE UP MR. DEMILLE

I am amazed how many writers and publications are now looking for author/writer photos. Generally writers, being the creative types they are generally will shoot their photos in a handful of overly staged poses including: standing outside smiling; while reading a book looking studious; attempting to replicate some long lost album cover from some long forgotten band; wearing a stupid hipster hat; etc.

Why is a photo necessary? Why is important to get to know the writer from how attractive or unattractive he/she is/isn't.

Photos concern me and they should concern writers looking for substance over fashion, that is style.

Also, photographs steal your soul.......

Winter Cleaning

As I get back to the novel, I have begun the job of tightening up some leftover short stories and short story fragments. Today ACCORD had the work done under the hood. Now to look for a publisher during the holidays for a story that is darker than originally conceived.

Oh well.....

Torment

I find the creative process to be that. As I sit here, having been up all night in my own filth....hey wait a minute. I could use that....

Faux Paus

Well I guess I am thrown out of another writers' group. This is getting to be a habit and yes, the common denominator is me.

Welcome to Facebook where people live out their fantasy lives in elaborate virtual games played along with family, friends and strangers from around the globe be it dating, farming, whatever. Welcome to Facebook where people can chart their travels and experiences right down to the second as they are sipping a beer in a dive right off the turnpike and close by. Welcome to Facebook where everyone is a success and life is happy. Welcome to Facebook the perpetual High School, family reunion...

And who gives a shit?

All I did was post a simple question. All I did in the spirit of community to writers and artists everywhere is ask what their favorite or most horrible rejection was and how that rejection was ultimately redeemed.

What is wrong with that?

I was looking for positive stories. I was looking for gold pulled out of shit. I was looking for editors who have blown it. The history of literature is chock full of famous cases, so why not add to it and join the illustrious ranks of the famous just before they became famous.

What did I get in return?

Cue crickets. Yeah, crickets. No I lie, I received worse than crickets. I was responded to in silence.

I realize we are an insecure bunch. Otherwise why write? We feel we are important and our thoughts count. We are showmen, exhibitionists and 'bully pulpiteers''. We are walking genitals spewing out waste the bulk of the day; miserable most of the time until we see our name in print and after those few seconds of euphoria and orgasm pass we are back to being small and miserable again as we await the next great rub from a sympathetic editor.

I realize our most important work IS THE NEXT ONE and to admit to any failure received in private in a proud and creative brain is compounded by having to admit to the failure in full public view.

But isn't it better to share the hope? Isn't it better to feel some relief that we are not alone in our quests?

We talk a lot about supporting each other; about being a community and picking each other up when the other falls; so why can't we just be true and truly give guidance once in a while rather than just become a receptacle for applause.

I'm out. I get it but at least denial won't bite me in the butt someday. I can stand by my creations knowing others feel they should be in print for their audiences as well and not just for an audience of one.

Hey He's Copying!!!

It has been drummed in our heads from every 'after school special'; every clueless adult with nothing else to say; that we are each 'unique' and 'special'. Yeah. Each of us possess unique and individual talents...

Then why do we as a public at large crave sameness? Why do the many flock to undersized bar and grills, stuff ourselves, not out stomachs, inside these dumps and go wild over cover bands? Especially pretending they are the original.

Personally I don't. I'd rather stay home and listen to a CD or YouTube. At least I know I the songs will be played in the proper tempo and on key.

And why do publishers constantly look for us writers to write 'like Lovecraft' or King or Bradbury?

Why not stick with the original when you want to read something and why not promote the originality of your writers?

We all have a style influenced by those before us. Some of it good and some of it crap.

I realize the marketplace craves the homogenized, the safe, the tried and true.

I also realize that if the arts continue to follow its' standard bearer, Hollywood, I may soon and begrudgingly be forced to change my name to Xerox; or, rather instead, to paraphrase the words of a wise, wise man, be forced 'to drive a truck.'

Journalism 101

I am glad I never studied Journalism. I am glad the writing decisions I make, and even those mistakes, are mine only. I am glad I don't follow a template drawn up by an insolated, pompous moron with initials following his/her name whose publishing credits are 'literary journals' no one ever reads and only use for coasters.

Look, it's bad enough working in the law dealing with empty headed hacks and politicians. Anyway...

You have to love the story on the MSN feed this morning concerning a migration of 'vicious piranha'....

This is a must read, after all I only know the piranha that are cuddly like Hello Kitty...

Whether it is the writer or the 'uninformed' reader; use the dictionary on your tablet and learn to write.