The Plague Documents

Very encouraging rejection from The Late Late Show. Editor had nice things to say about the story, but they've changed their guidelines since I subbed and no longer accept stories over 5,000 words. He asked me to send anything else that might be suitable--which I would do, except that all the horror stories I have are currently in other slush piles, and are over 5,000 words. *headdesk*

I think I will try The Harrow with "White Death" next, and hope for the best.

Must train myself to write shorter horror stories...

Got my rejection for the 4th quarter of 2005 back in January. Form letter with "Send more soon!" hand written at the bottom. Licked my wounds and got on with things. Then today I get a letter from the contest folks. "...one of the semifinalist entries, though it did not place in the final selections for the 4th quarter.... Due to the close proximity to a win of your entry, you will receive a certificate of Honorable Mention.... Enclosed is a critique of your story by coordinating judge, K.D. Wentworth..."

Yes. It's a very useful critique, actually. The story is currently in the slush at Aeon, but whenif it comes back, I think I will see what I can do before subbing it elsewhere.

So, that's nice, as in, it really did put a smile on my face :-). Though *cough* a win would have been way better.