woman's weekly.bmp I had my first woman's magazine short story back in yesterday's post, from Woman's Weekly. The story was one I'd written a while ago inspired by my second Dr Midas book. I'm not really surprised I got a standard rejection back as it was a bit dark - with more of a 'Tales of the Unexpected' vibe. It certainly wasn't a typical woman's magazine story but I thought it was worth a shot at WW as I've read they don't just want boy meets girl stories. I sent the story out on September 11th so a response has taken seven weeks, which is quicker than I'd expected given they receive so many submissions every month. I have sent them other stories, including one earlier than that which I'm a little more hopeful about as I've also read they look at them in strict order of arrival. Other writers have also mentioned that the magazine sometimes includes a tick box form with stories that are closer to acceptance. I received just a nicely worded, standard letter that says: "The Editor thanks you very much for submitting the enclosed manuscript, but regrets that it is not quite suitable for her requirements." Followed by details of where to write for fiction guidelines. Now I have to have a think if it's worth sending it somewhere else, I'm thinking of maybe Writers' Forum or The Weekly News. I'll have to start a new file for my short stories submissions now, oh and I've still got to find a way of stopping my dog getting to them first. Yet again this one will be put away looking like it's been hole-punched all over!
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You may have noticed but autumn has arrived - in fact at the moment it seems more like winter. It's dark when I wake up, dark when I'm going home and next week the clocks go back. Then there's the wind, rain and hailstone. I've already got my hat and gloves out. I love this time of year, I love Bonfire Night, Hallowe'en and of course - whisper it - Christmas is approaching. All very inspiring for short stories. This morning for example on the drive to work I started thinking about an idea for a children's story. I wanted it to be about a witch and soon I could hear the characters in my head - I know that sounds crazy to non-writers. I'm hoping the story will be suitable for The People's Friend's childrens page but the problem is it's too late to send it in for Hallowe'en - or much too early. Although I suppose I could make it less dependant on the actual event. I've also had a couple of ideas for Christmas stories but again it's too late for this year. You need to submit seasonal stories at least three months in advance according to the advice I've seen. My question to any writers reading this is how do you get round this? Do you write spring stories in Autumn? Summer holiday stories in January? I can't imagine writing about lambs and daffodils in between my Christmas shopping. Or do you hang on to stories? I sent my People's Friend (writers' Forum) competition story off this morning having decided on the title and fixed a typo. I'm also trying to keep a proper record of what I've sent where and when, I thought I had a good track of my story submissions until I couldn't remember where I sent one! Luckily I found a note in the back of one of my many notebooks.
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