3/12/11

R.I.P. "Cocoon Man"

I’m starting to wonder whether my minimalist approach to flash-fiction is a contributing factor to all those rejection letters. Or am I “not getting it?” Or do I need one of those MFA’s (aka My Friends’ Association)? Or am I just plain too stubborn? Here’s the latest:

JR,

We love you. We really do. Thanks for sending “Cocoon Man” for the FF500 contest. Unfortunately, we are going to pass. Yes, we suck, we know. We are happy to say that your piece made the top 10, and it was a difficult top 10 to choose from.

Now go get this piece published. Like right now.

Best and always,

Mel Bosworth & Tina Prouhet
Editors of Flash Fire 500


Everybody “seems” to love “Cocoon Man” but nobody wants to publish it. Maybe it’s time to lay it to rest. If the Journal of MicroLiterature rejects it, then I'm going to request DNR status.

10 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

by the time you hit 15 or 20 rejections your piece is in fighting trim and ready to take on the world.

JR's Thumbprints said...

Charles, I'm already cutting into the bone; There's no muscle left.

C... said...

Maybe they are saying this should not be part of a collection of short stories that is eclipsed by what they choose for their magazines but to be showcased next to the rest of your work.

the walking man said...

Maybe you cut too much muscle and not enough bone. Either way you submit because it's a part of what you do so I doubt you're ready for a DNR yet.

Bobby said...

I think literary journals are going to go the way of big record labels and newspapers -- because of the internets. Keep blogging away man. That's where it's at, and it's definitely where it's gonna be at in the future. You probably get more hits on your blog than those suckas do to their little ole journal.

Julie said...

Noooooo! JR, don't ever let it rest. You're too good for a DNR (and no, I'm not just saying that to be nice or to suck up). It will find a home eventually.

There are many famous writers who were rejected repeatedly. It's called the publishing world, and it's rough. Yes, there is a lot of unfairness to it, too. Even in the "outside writer's" world, there are cliques. It's hard to get a toe in the door. I've had buddies who are now running with the big dogs and don't give me the time of day. But there are cliques in the blog world, too. That's just life.

Eventually, someone will take it and respect it. Or you can self-publish. Either way, put me on the list as a fan.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of DNR? It's time to get the license and go fishing. Huck

JR's Thumbprints said...

Huck,
I'm with you on that one. Perhaps I'll be getting more time off than I'd like. So, did you catch a glimpse of something in the photograph?

Anonymous said...

King Troller reads loud and clear on this monitor. Spells fishin. Huck

jodi said...

JR-I have no experience to refer to, but I say to just persevere in the way you think is best. When ya puttin' that boat in the water?