On the heels of the VQR’s blog post detailing editorial reactions to rejected submissions, here comes BookFox’s sharing of the slushpile.
The VQR apologized and later redacted the editorial commentary on the submissions (they’d also had a list of positive reactions to submissions, also later redacted). I am not so sure they should have apologized–part of me thinks that albeit at times brutal, the post was a very honest communication with readers.
The whole litblog atmosphere is going to open a lot more dialogue channels on submissions and editorial relationships. Before the advent of litblogs, you didn’t have any communication with the editor prior to publication–now you’re reading his/her thoughts and wondering, “Did he/she read my manuscript today?” You’re wondering if that particular post might be a reaction to your submission! You’re reading into their sense of aesthetics, you’re getting to know them, you’re building a relationship, even if you’re a lurker and don’t pipe up. 
And in the case of the VQR blog post on rejections–you’re getting the feedback straight on.
One thing the VQR did NOT do was post the actual submissions. (Thank goodness). Bookfox didn’t post the actual submission either, but a cover letter from a rejected writer–in particular, a prison inmate (the actual subject of his post is that the litmag does not accept submissions from inmates–he explains why). Though I do worry about the ramifications he might face for publicly posting that letter!
Howard Junker of ZYZZYVA likes to post excerpts from cover letters on the litmag’s back cover. I have savored them for years. Some of them are funny some of them are charming! Sometimes I wonder if writers write oddities just to get on to that back cover. Those excerpts have encouraged me to keep my own cover letters short and unembellished.
Now–I wonder what kind of relationship we’re building here–who’s reading? Have you submitted work to Kartika? What opinions do you have on litblogs, and the sharing of the slushpile on litblogs?
1 Comment
September 11, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I view the rantings of the editors about their slushpile as just whining. After you’ve heard/read a few, there’s no need to read more. Yes, I get it that it’s a lot of work with little to no reward, but you get no sympathy from me, Mr. or Mrs. Editor. Ranting about it on the internet is just a cry for attention. Why would someone want to read a blog post about how you don’t want to read a story?