Inquring Xelas Again

Well, “Home and Home Again” is only out to Xelas. The last time I heard from them was on March 27, 2007. So today I sent the following email to them:

[quote]
Dear Editors,

I was inquiring about my story, “Home and Home Again.” I submitted it on November 9, 2006. On March 27th, I received word that my story was still under consideration.

I was wondering if you could update me on how my story is standing. Is it still in the slush pile waiting to be read, or has it moved on past that point?

Thank you for your time and for the work that you do.

Sincerely,
W. Joy Robelen
[end quote]

Only 1 out of 4

Well, I heard from Haruah yesterday about my four photo submissions. I must admit was a surprised and hurt.

Out of 4 only 1 was accepted.

Illustration-“My Heart Aches: But Goodbye” was submitted on March 29th. This is the only one that was accepted.

[quote]
This is wonderful!
[end quote]

Illustration-“Falling Through” was submitted on March 30th.

[quote]
It was just too hard to see. Sorry.
[end quote]

Cover Art-“The Long Bridge” was submitted on April 24th.

[quote]
This photo is nice, but has no center. The flowers in the foreground,
tree in the background overshadowing it all, and the bridge itself all
seem to be fighting to be the focus of the photo. Too crowded.

******

Wow, it's so pretty there.
[end quote]

Illustration-“Prayer” was submitted on April 26th.

[quote]
This piece has already been illustrated.

Thanks anyway. It's a very cute pic.
[end quote]


I don’t mind that last one so much. The author, herself, illustrated the piece. I do wish that when I wrote Haruah expressing my interest to illustrate it, that they would have written me back and let me know that the author sent a photo in.

The “Falling Through” is a nuisance as I went out three times during two different storms to get the shot and they say it still isn’t good enough. I thought it went with the poem very well and the picture wasn’t that bad. Oh, well it isn’t my magazine.

The real heartbreak of them all was with the cover art, “The Long Bridge.” That shot was just beautiful. I don’t understand the comment on it. This bridge has been photographed over and over again and my shot is as good as the one on the website. Oh well. Maybe I can find another place for this beautiful picture.

Only one out of four photos accepted at Haruah is a real discouragement. I normally do so well there. Maybe they are tried of me submitting. I guess I’ll give this magazine a rest.

"Artistic" Southern Pictures

Here are some more shots from our vacation in South Carolina:

1: Taken at North Myrtle Beach – trails in the sand

2: Taken at North Myrtle Beach – shadow fisherman

3: Taken at Medieval Times – swords

4: Taken at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens – Azalea bushes

5: Taken at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens – The Long Bridge

6: Taken at Hunting Island – lighthouse

7: Taken at Hunting Island – looking to the top of the lighthouse, while inside it

8: Taken at Hunting Island – lighthouse shadow

9: Taken at Hunting Island – millions of fiddler crabs

10: Taken at Hunting Island – wave action upon the sand of sandbar

Pictures of my daughter

Ok, so this blog is about my writing and my photos. I can't put my stories or pictures here that I desire to publish. But I can put stories and photos that I don't plan on trying to publish.

So, lets add some color and fun to this site, shall we?

Here are some shots I took of my duaghter in early April 2007 while we vacationed with my parents:

Whats Still Out There

What I have out waiting to be accepted:

Photos:
“Living History,” a photo gallery, at Gambara sent March 21
“My Heart Aches: But Good Bye,” an illustration, at Haruah sent March 29
“Falling Through,” an illustration, at Haruah sent March 30
“The Long Bridge,” cover art, at Haruah sent April 24
“Prayer,” an illustration, at Haruah sent April 26

Story:
“Home and Home Again,” to Xelas Magazine sent November 9, 2006

19th Rejection for "Home and Home Again"

Update total rejections for “Home and Home Again”:

Happy-11 days
Haruah-12 days
Gambara-126 days (but made final reading)
The King’s English-25 days
Plunge-111 days
Bewildering Stories-2 days (after re-write request)
The Pedestal-28 days
Literary Mama-64 days
Four Volts-8 days
Front Porch Journal-59 days
Euphony-59 days
Eclectica Magazine-23 days
GUD-4 days
Fiction Warehouse-20 days
42Opus-76 days
Armada Quarterly-92 days (letter received-magazine closed)
Dicey Brown-163 days (assumed rejection-magazine seems to be down)

On May 2nd I got a 44 day rejection from Whistling Shade:

[quote]
Hi Joy - our editors didn't select "Home and Home Again" for Whistling Shade, but thanks for considering us.

Kind regards,
Joel Van Valin
Whistling Shade
[end quote]

Yesterday I just got a 59 day rejection from Avery Anthology:

[quote]
Hi Joy, Thanks so much for letting us read your work. Unfortunately, we can't find a place for it in Avery. We wish you the best of luck as you continue to find a place for your stories, and we hope that you’ll consider us in the future.

Sincerely,
Stephanie, Adam, and Andrew
[end quote]

This story is as of right now, only out to one place – Xelas. It has been there for180 days. Over a month ago I got word from them that my story is still in consideration. Now what I don’t know is if that means that someone has read it and passed it on or if no one has had time and it is still sitting in the slush pile.

I’m going to find some more places to send this out. Or maybe I need to workshop it again and get some fresh eyes to read it. When I first started to send this story out, I got positive feedback from the editors. Now, I’m just getting form letters.