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The story of a story
Apr. 25th, 2010 12:37 pmThe Underworld (not the criminal one, the metaphysical one) figures prominently in my book. (I'm delighted that I can now say "which one?" when talking about my books, but at this point, I can also pretty much determine that The Book is the one I've sold. Oh, liminal states, you never fail to entertain me.)
All that Underworld research led to a short story by itself. I started writing it blithely under the title "Thirty Rules for Commuting to the Underworld" and then, about three rules into the writing, changed it to "Five Rules for Commuting to the Underworld." I'm always amused when that sort of thing happens. You'd think I'd stop titling things before I write them, especially when there are concrete numbers involved.
Anyway, then this happened:
today before I checked my email
Pending responses for last 12 months: 3
Acceptance ratio for the past 12 months: 21.05 %
Congratulations! Your overall acceptance ratio is higher than the average for users who have submitted to the same markets.
today after I checked my email
Pending responses for last 12 months: 2
Acceptance ratio for the past 12 months: 25.00 %
Congratulations! Your overall acceptance ratio is higher than the average for users who have submitted to the same markets.
Yep, Duotrope and I are still locked in a battle of wills about what an acceptable acceptance rate is--they might not know they're locked, but they are. I've been watching my ratio creep slowly downward, feeling both depressed and triumphant. "See?" I would think. "Thirty percent was just a serious fluke. This is more how it is. Watch, they'll see me get like twenty rejections in a row--they'll see."
Then, I went and sold another story.
Duotrope, you and I aren't finished yet!
Also, my story will be out in August, at Strange Horizons, for they are the ones who purchased it. I find it quite likely that I will post a link when it comes out.
All that Underworld research led to a short story by itself. I started writing it blithely under the title "Thirty Rules for Commuting to the Underworld" and then, about three rules into the writing, changed it to "Five Rules for Commuting to the Underworld." I'm always amused when that sort of thing happens. You'd think I'd stop titling things before I write them, especially when there are concrete numbers involved.
Anyway, then this happened:
today before I checked my email
Pending responses for last 12 months: 3
Acceptance ratio for the past 12 months: 21.05 %
Congratulations! Your overall acceptance ratio is higher than the average for users who have submitted to the same markets.
today after I checked my email
Pending responses for last 12 months: 2
Acceptance ratio for the past 12 months: 25.00 %
Congratulations! Your overall acceptance ratio is higher than the average for users who have submitted to the same markets.
Yep, Duotrope and I are still locked in a battle of wills about what an acceptable acceptance rate is--they might not know they're locked, but they are. I've been watching my ratio creep slowly downward, feeling both depressed and triumphant. "See?" I would think. "Thirty percent was just a serious fluke. This is more how it is. Watch, they'll see me get like twenty rejections in a row--they'll see."
Then, I went and sold another story.
Duotrope, you and I aren't finished yet!
Also, my story will be out in August, at Strange Horizons, for they are the ones who purchased it. I find it quite likely that I will post a link when it comes out.
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