tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post1215009683719120758..comments2024-03-28T11:16:30.313+02:00Comments on Thoughts from Botswana by Lauri Kubuitsile: Rules of SubmissionLaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-36373886636418632892008-10-14T12:03:00.000+02:002008-10-14T12:03:00.000+02:00No tender spot at all, Lauri, it is just that I ha...No tender spot at all, Lauri, it is just that I happen to think highly of the writer you talk of, and the point I was making was merely that she is not responsible for her reception. I will readily admit my bias, I both admire and like the writer in question, who is one of the hardest working and professional people I know, and it is maybe that which has led me to these "naive" views, for which I hope you will have understanding:):)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-78117163804306842512008-10-13T17:46:00.000+02:002008-10-13T17:46:00.000+02:00AO, P! You tend to read what you want to read not ...AO, P! You tend to read what you want to read not what is written. I never said that the writer should not have success, I was just saying the flavour of today may not be the flavour of tomorrow and that editors like all of us are swayed by trends. <BR/><BR/>Seems I've hit a tender spot but be clear- I think all writers should get the success they deserve, I begrudge no one their success. But you're naive to think that some writers don't cruise along on past success at a level of mediocrity that is not quite recognised by the bedazzled editor. Feel free to replace African with American with English- they can be found anywhere.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-29733508742731212712008-10-13T16:09:00.000+02:002008-10-13T16:09:00.000+02:00"I’m thinking of a certain wildly famous African w..."I’m thinking of a certain wildly famous African writer. She is a good writer, but not always to the extent that she is adulated. She, by name only, will be grabbed up by all editors."<BR/><BR/>Hmm, Ms K, this is a tad unfair, don't you think, on this "good writer" who is "wildly famous" but not good to the "extent that she adulated"? She does her work, and sends it in; her reception, surely, is out of her control? I am not sure she sits there thinking, "This is not very good, but my wildly famous name will get me through". <BR/><BR/>And why pick on one wildly famous African writer, especially as African writers have barely made a dent in the high money world of commercial publishing? Your observation is equally true for Tom Wolfe, for Martina Amis, Salman Rushdie, Zadie Smith, Philip Roth, Paul Auster, Alice Walker etc? But I would also say that it is not their fault that they are perceived as super stars, rather it is the nature of the business; if you wrote one super excellent or super successful book, which sometimes means the same thing, the industry will look on your subsequent work with favour.<BR/><BR/>It all seems unfair, but let's not attack the writers for their success. This is not the problem of the writers, it is the problem of the industry. It is also rather unfair to target one African writer when many, many, white males, dead and alive, have benefitted from this.<BR/><BR/>To this wildly famous African writer, I say, more power to your elbow, sister, write on. May the wind be always at your back, and may some of your good fortune blow towards this wildly unfamous African writer, and towards you too, Ms K; as African writers, we should, in the spirit of ubuntu and the African rennaisance, celebrate each success that comes our way, Lord knows there are few of them!<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the long post:):)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-84910475720133849162008-10-08T13:05:00.000+02:002008-10-08T13:05:00.000+02:00This comment has been removed by the author.omniovohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936573383328954002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-83807437958562991722008-10-03T11:14:00.000+02:002008-10-03T11:14:00.000+02:00Hi Tania- I absolutely agree with you. I've never ...Hi Tania- I absolutely agree with you. I've never written a perfect short story I doubt anyone has. I'm always teaking them. <BR/><BR/>You do find though, like you've alluded to, that many writers take the whole process as if it is written in concrete, and that is a bit sad.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-69869666387543901072008-10-02T12:48:00.000+02:002008-10-02T12:48:00.000+02:00Lauri, I just found your blog, a great post about ...Lauri, I just found your blog, a great post about submissions, I wholeheartedly agree. However, on the flip side, I must add that a story that has won competitions etc... is not necessarily a story that might not benefit from being looked at with fresh eyes after a while. Editors have their opinions, as do competition judges, but I don't believe any of my stories are ever perfect and just as I don't necessarily take a story's rejection as proof that it is deeply flawed, I try also not to take its acceptance or a win to mean it should not be worked on more. <BR/><BR/>But, all in all, it is incredibly helpful to remember what a subjective business this is. I sent a story that won a comp to another comp, and it wasn't even shortlisted. That's the way it goes. Lovely to meet a fellow short story writer!Tania Hershmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15781460794034586895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-26515919622973399262008-10-02T11:40:00.000+02:002008-10-02T11:40:00.000+02:00That lit mag may resurrect, it's done it before. L...That lit mag may resurrect, it's done it before. Let's cross our fingers.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-48184610674646602632008-10-02T08:32:00.000+02:002008-10-02T08:32:00.000+02:00Dandelion Wishers is one of my favourites of yours...Dandelion Wishers is one of my favourites of yours - what a pity about that lit mag going under!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-3310645893597261562008-10-01T20:28:00.000+02:002008-10-01T20:28:00.000+02:00Emmanuel- You can try here http://book.co.za/Some ...Emmanuel- You can try here http://book.co.za/<BR/><BR/>Some lit mags are linked on the home page but others have pages within the site so just use search.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-35645863321918744232008-10-01T19:36:00.000+02:002008-10-01T19:36:00.000+02:00Lauri, Can you recommend a database where I can ac...Lauri, <BR/><BR/>Can you recommend a database where I can access submission guidelines for Southern African journals and magazines? I'm actually grateful for the ones in your photo for this post because I sent a short story to one of them yesterday and received an acceptance today. You see, your post just added to my publishing prospects! Thank you.Emmanuel Sigaukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-24704821721517263012008-10-01T09:42:00.000+02:002008-10-01T09:42:00.000+02:00Rejected 34 times- Now that IS resiliance!! Impres...Rejected 34 times- Now that IS resiliance!! Impressive. My worst is a story I love, Dandelion Wishers, that has been rejected about 7 times and finally got an acceptance and the lit mag went under before it got published. <BR/><BR/>Daoine-Yes, 23 novels is a mission unless you're Barbara Cartland- you're right. But those two or three novels should get their butts moving. As for editors not reading- their loss as far as I'm concerned. Why ask for submissions if you don't want to read??? Stupid -and who wants to be associated with stupid.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-85287834102541119922008-10-01T02:43:00.000+02:002008-10-01T02:43:00.000+02:00I remember you telling me this a few years ago... ...I remember you telling me this a few years ago... and, of course, you're right.<BR/><BR/>My fear is not of rejection; it is of my manuscripts not even being read - not even glanced at - before they are turned around and sent back to me. <BR/><BR/>I could handle it if an editor had a (negative) opinion on my writing (gosh! my kingdom for honest feedback!) but being ignored is hard. It does make you wonder if it is worth the printing costs. <BR/><BR/>And it is hard to get 23 novels "out there" at any one time when they take more than 2 years each to write.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-40653361771470585162008-09-30T20:34:00.000+02:002008-09-30T20:34:00.000+02:00your advice is right on. one my most successful st...your advice is right on. one my most successful stories (won a lit mag contest, won an award for my story collection) was rejected 26 times before it "hit." another was rejected 34 times before it got taken by the gettysburg review. if you believe in a story, keep sending it out. and while it's out, work on the next one. rejection's never personal.Kelly Lucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12704165342662341501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-74173804044730153282008-09-29T15:01:00.000+02:002008-09-29T15:01:00.000+02:00Glad I could be helpful. Christopher, though I tal...Glad I could be helpful. Christopher, though I talk a big game some rejections do cut a bit close to the bone. I had one that told me basically I should reconsider my vocation. That took a bit to get past. <BR/><BR/>Selma, anything I can do to get your lovely words out to the masses I am happy to be part of.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-54266758436175787302008-09-29T12:41:00.000+02:002008-09-29T12:41:00.000+02:00What excellent advice. I really need to start subm...What excellent advice. I really need to start submitting a bit more than I have been. You are right when you say we are doing our stories no favours by leaving them to rot in our computers. I can't tell you how much I needed to hear this today. Thanks for the push!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052453698252224336.post-64361620553752462852008-09-29T11:47:00.000+02:002008-09-29T11:47:00.000+02:00Very helpful. Just started writing, both a blog a...Very helpful. Just started writing, both a blog and sending the occasional 'story' to magazines. I surprised myself at how 'hurt' I was to be rejected. <BR/><BR/>I even stopped writing for a bit...<BR/><BR/>So much for being impervious...<BR/><BR/>Thx for the tips.CMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01198304032472618185noreply@blogger.com