tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post1065485738540833799..comments2024-03-10T10:34:02.181+02:00Comments on The Alliterative Allomorph: What goes through a literary magazine editor's head when writers don't follow guidelines?Jessica Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-10196173295614287382013-02-03T00:22:52.627+02:002013-02-03T00:22:52.627+02:00Jessica-
Interestingly enough, those same thought...Jessica-<br /><br />Interestingly enough, those same thoughts go through almost any manager's head when his or her staff do not follow direction.<br /><br />I usually repeat thought (1) several times at first, and then between all of the others.<br /><br />Sometimes it's out loud, which I am told is not the best for morale.<br /><br />LarryDiscConnectedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013919800637508392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-50013802754623939272013-02-01T18:47:15.798+02:002013-02-01T18:47:15.798+02:00I am obsessive about following guidelines, because...I am obsessive about following guidelines, because I honestly thought it would be 1) Delete and move on. I didn't realise there would be such angst. Although I still plan to follow guidelines, because some editors might not be as understanding as you.Annalisa Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943610814274794998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-67133286528053863362013-01-30T03:25:36.308+02:002013-01-30T03:25:36.308+02:00See, I don't think I would feel too badly... M...See, I don't think I would feel too badly... Maybe if it's one wee slip up. But giving them a chance isn't fair to those who DO follow guidelines...Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-34606135827477380492013-01-29T22:45:52.440+02:002013-01-29T22:45:52.440+02:00I think it’s worth mentioning too that some magazi...I think it’s worth mentioning too that some magazines are just too damn fussy in their demands telling us what fonts to use, what line spacing, what size text. The more petty their demands the less inclined I am to be bothered submitting to them. I think you should all get together and agree a standard set of guidelines that apply to every site and every magazine and be done with it. I’d sign that petition.<br /><br><br />Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-33943950808728409852013-01-29T18:47:18.727+02:002013-01-29T18:47:18.727+02:00I remember that feeling.
Also, I love the new cov...I remember that feeling.<br /><br />Also, I love the new cover. Sharp.Bryan Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09555071335245492790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-33135023911539772252013-01-29T01:46:39.273+02:002013-01-29T01:46:39.273+02:00That sounds like a really long day for you...That sounds like a really long day for you...Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-50044388456873329872013-01-28T23:02:56.506+02:002013-01-28T23:02:56.506+02:00As is said in a certain pirate movie, they're ...As is said in a certain pirate movie, they're "more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules." Which is to say: If you're a pirate, you can get away with such behavior. Otherwise, you should do what you're told. It's about respect, people.Nate Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690171790664252309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-86580655658709850322013-01-28T20:31:08.054+02:002013-01-28T20:31:08.054+02:00uhhh! I can just SEE you fretting over this. ((hug...uhhh! I can just SEE you fretting over this. ((hugs)) Great post! Hopefully submitters will read it. :P<br /><br />I've actually bloopered on subs before, and I usually follow up with a REPLACEMENT email. In which I apologize for the oversight, etc. My point? Delete away. And if they realize and resubmit, they get a cookie. :D<br /><br />You're awesome~ <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-35136106897784161342013-01-28T20:15:52.563+02:002013-01-28T20:15:52.563+02:00Hi Jess .. just so pleased I'm going through t...Hi Jess .. just so pleased I'm going through the slush pile .. but I'm so looking forward to reading String Bridge and the new book will be out shortly - excellent .. <br /><br />Good luck with all things .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-26659090297883816842013-01-28T18:27:30.500+02:002013-01-28T18:27:30.500+02:00I hear you, and I work on a magazine for people in...I hear you, and I work on a magazine for people in academia who often have PhDs, so it's not like they're functionally illiterate.<br /><br />I use form letters to respond to the handful of most common guidelines breaches: too long, doesn't use the correct citation style, wrong file type. It's a polite way to say "revise & resubmit" when I want to scream "follow the guidelines you moron!" Copy, paste, done. :-)<br /><br />LOVE the new cover! Hope it draws lots of new readers.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-11272356622367677742013-01-28T18:16:41.739+02:002013-01-28T18:16:41.739+02:00I can understand your frustration there Jessica. ...I can understand your frustration there Jessica. That is an absolute fantastic idea concerning your soundtrack. I think readers of the book would greatly appreciate it. As you know, I'm a big fan of the soundtrack.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854475822366615748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-42812769252409398192013-01-28T18:13:32.436+02:002013-01-28T18:13:32.436+02:00In my day you could get noticed from the slush pil...In my day you could get noticed from the slush pile (this was MANY decades ago, in the 1950s and 1960s, to be exact), but no more. Publishing houses are now INUNDATED.<br /><br />That new cover is awesome, Jessica. A cover really can make a lot of difference in sales. I am definitely drawn to the cover, both the front and the back.<br /><br />Your book is SO good and I wish you great success with this new "look."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-3240708947827375262013-01-28T17:54:54.659+02:002013-01-28T17:54:54.659+02:00I'm still just amazed by all the hard work you...I'm still just amazed by all the hard work you put into this.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-57380481049590537052013-01-28T17:22:24.229+02:002013-01-28T17:22:24.229+02:00Ros, I'll look into that. But what is boggling...Ros, I'll look into that. But what is boggling is the amount of attachments that get sent despite it saying NO ATTACHMENTS in caps right at the top of the guidelines page. This obviously indicates that they've found our email somewhere and not even bothered to look at the site.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-26416159039063826172013-01-28T17:06:35.547+02:002013-01-28T17:06:35.547+02:00Are there things which appear more often than not?...Are there things which appear more often than not? I mean, is it a grab-bag of mistakes which are contrary to submission rules or are there particular ones which are repeated more often? And is there a level of cultural misunderstanding? <br /><br />I realise one cannot be absolute simply on names but I am guessing you have some idea of country of source. In other words, are the errors made more by some cultures than by others?<br /><br />Or is there an 'age factor?' Sadly, after many years as a sub-editor and then manuscript editor I have watched the increasing decline in younger generations - clearly there are exceptions to the rule - in terms of their ability not simply to write and spell but to read and comprehend.<br /><br />There was an interesting article the other day on research showing that too much computer or internet time results in a decreased ability to not just understand the written word but to remember things. <br /><br />I only ask because I am sure as you shake your head and think: 'Didn't they read it?' that perhaps there is something in how it is presented or what is requested which is hard for people to understand or take on board.<br /><br />And clearly the less of these you get the better and the less time wasted so if there is some way of taking action to ensure it is less not more at your end, then it might help.<br /><br />Roslyn Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15700960108357035957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-61894088112423131282013-01-28T17:01:54.650+02:002013-01-28T17:01:54.650+02:00I've always been a rules-follower kind of gal....I've always been a rules-follower kind of gal. Doesn't make me the most interesting person ever, but it sure does help with submissions guidelines. :) I'm actually quite grateful for the guidelines. Makes it so much easier!Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-27421808923591075052013-01-28T15:28:10.292+02:002013-01-28T15:28:10.292+02:00I guess that's why some editors have assistant...I guess that's why some editors have assistants who go through the slush pile first, passing on only the stuff that works. At least, that's what I've heard.writing and living by Richard P Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814139767151989286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-142736185858945802013-01-28T15:14:49.157+02:002013-01-28T15:14:49.157+02:00Sweetie, I can only imagine the frustration. I can...Sweetie, I can only imagine the frustration. I can hear your struggle as well as kindness in this post. I'm going to second Theresa. Subbing was rather easy, and I've subbed elsewhere where I felt like I was performing surgery. There are only so many hours in a day, and you have to do what you have to do. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-77066106929310798492013-01-28T14:23:33.458+02:002013-01-28T14:23:33.458+02:00*GULP* I've done it a few times, like sending ...*GULP* I've done it a few times, like sending a sample chapter in an e-mail query, or left out some info the agent requests in a query. I'll think better next time I submit anything. Thanks for the inside info.Karen Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-2323374280613384592013-01-28T13:26:15.546+02:002013-01-28T13:26:15.546+02:00I feel your frustration. Speaking from experience,...I feel your frustration. Speaking from experience, submitting to Vine Leaves is pretty easy. I've had to jump through hoops on some queries, and then it's easier to make a mistake. <br /><br />As you know, I LOVE the new cover!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.com