05.19.2007
The nice editors at Abysss & Apex got back to me after fifteen days and nicely declined to accept my story Ayla Athena.
Am I surprised? Nah. I'm pretty used to the concept at this point.
Am I disappointed? Yes. I'll admit it. I got the nicest rejection from them thus far for my story The Three Lives of Slugger Joe, after which I figured they were my best shot at publication. I've since gotten three - I think - other rejections from them for other stories. It's kind of a bummer.
But check out what they told me:
(You do not need, at any time, to admit that you have no prior publishing credits.)
Hmmm... something's starting to seem familiar here. I think when two editors at totally different publications tell you the exact same thing, it might do you well to listen. Which totally throws my pity angle out the fucking window... Mind you, I sent this letter at the same time that I sent #22.
So now it comes down to a matter of etiquette. They only open to submission four times a year for a month. I really like this market. So... do I consider my one shot this quarter over? Do I instantly submit my next piece? Or should I wait a week? Choices, choices... I'll have to do some research.