Some good pointers here on things you can tighten up about your story before submitting it, from a Writers of the Future judge.
The first point is one of the most important. I figured out a while ago that it’s very difficult to get a professional sale if you’re telling the kind of story that often works very well as a midlist novel: generic plot, generic characters, generic setting (the Federation of Space Opera, or West Sword-and-Sorceria). It can be done, but you usually have to be famous first.
Writers of the Future is a competition, not a magazine or anthology, so he doesn’t mention one important reason that editors may reject your piece: it may be good, but not fit what they’re looking for in that specific market. Research your market carefully before submitting.
Originally shared by David Farland
https://mystorydoctor.com/why-editors-reject-your-story/
It’s nice to know that my Honorable Mention from the Writers of the Future contest means I was on the right track, but it would have really helped if I knew where the story failed.
It’s nice to know that my Honorable Mention from the Writers of the Future contest means I was on the right track, but it would have really helped if I knew where the story failed.
They don’t tell you? That’s less than ideal.
They don’t tell you? That’s less than ideal.
Nope. I was told I made it to the top eight out of over eight thousand entries, received a really nice certificate and an invitation to the Awards Gala in Los Angeles.
In a way, that was probably better since it forced me to try and improve every aspect of the story. We’ll see how it goes once I’ve completed the entire project.
Nope. I was told I made it to the top eight out of over eight thousand entries, received a really nice certificate and an invitation to the Awards Gala in Los Angeles.
In a way, that was probably better since it forced me to try and improve every aspect of the story. We’ll see how it goes once I’ve completed the entire project.