So, I subbed a piece to Clarkesworld and get a rejection in four hours flat.
Four hours.
That is a huge plus in their favour. Less of a plus is that they no longer do personal rejections, which were a definite highlight for me. I was getting really encouraging feedback from former editor Nick Mamatas, and I was sure this piece would suit his style. Of course, he has since moved on, and now I’ve got to go back to the drawing board to see what kind of fiction they’d like to publish.
Jim Baen’s Universe will probably be my new first market to sub to (because of the personalize comments at the Bar), but Clarkesworld will remain high on the list, not the least of which because I’ve had several conversations with Publisher Neil Clarke and the man is a class act.
In any case, I will leave you with a short poem posted by Brian K Lowe on the Codex forums. He couldn’t remember the original author, so step forward if it’s you, and I’ll attribute it.
There once was an editor named Bright,
Who read slush much faster than light.
He judged stories all day
In a relative way,
And returned them the previous night.