Thought this was funny. My short, two part novella 'Beneath a Weeping Willow' (check the archive) has just been rejected by Thirteen magazine.

I suggested they publish it over two issues (I also suggested they have a letters page for reader's responses to stories), and they refused it on the grounds that by doing so, Thirteen magazine would, in affect, become twelve and a half. ???!!!

They said they may publish it in full next year in their bumper Halloween issue, so all is not lost, but...honestly, this is the strangest reason for a knock back I've ever had!

JB

A very inventive rejection. Funny too. Gawd Bless 'em.

Colin M

weird.

what's others weirdest rejection?

I had one that said my work just wasn't good enough! I mean, ridiculous! ;o)

Lol. Neometroplis, an online cyberpunk magazine, rejected 'Jesus in a Chat Room' on the grounds that they weren't Christian!

Does that mean the Church Times will have it after all. I don't think so...

JB

Actually, you'd be very surprised what the Church Times will look at - they're very broad in their views! They usually have a rather good Christmas flash fiction contest also, as a matter of interest, but I've (as a subscriber - yes, I'm "coming out"!!) not heard anything yet.

)

LoL

A
xxx

YOu're funny James... but I am sure you completely right!

that's a good one.

mine is a fairytale flash about a character's psychological reaction to moths and childhood dislike of them where she describes in an emotional heightened state about them 'biting' - or SEEMING to bite.. the word fairytale is mentioned etc - one editor said - lovely story, beautifully written but i can't get past the idea of moths biting...

I sent off a reply about oh dear I'd better tell Red Riding Hood that wolves don't dress up in granma's clothes and say all the better to see you with etc... as I really never wanted to be published in such a place that proves they can't truly READ....

Heavens no! Surely the whole sinister approach is what the agents you're going for should be looking at. Hell, if we wanted to write a PC girls-go-abroad-to-discover-they-are-women shite we would! (note:the same applies to men before the chain and garter brigade start a lynch mob)

JB

When I got home today I found one of my S.A.Es on the mat waiting for me. I've started to think of these envelopes as my homing pigeons, 'cause they nearly always find their way back home to Daddy.

Unsurprisingly, like the others, this one contained a story I had recently sent out. However, that is all it contained. It is one that I had sent to several publications, so I have no idea who this rejection came from. I suppose whoever it was didn't care for it too much. Or, perhaps they were so astounded by its literary brilliance, that in a fit of stunned confusion they accidentally slipped it into the envelope provided and sent it back. Hmmm, perhaps not...

Isn't it horrible though? The never knowing....

JB

One of the first 'complete' concepts I touted around publishers was tentatively called 'Mindlands' (about a virtual reality murder). I got a rejection from one publisher with the letter heading describing 'Midlands'. I've always wondered whether they rejected it because they were an SF house and they wouldn't handle gritty northern dramas...

J