Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I quit

This month is not going well. This morning my sixth rejection came. It was for my Dead Bait story, Undertow. I realize that my longest dry spell in rejections came last year when I received no good news between January and July. In July things started picking up and I made six sales the rest of the year. Now as anyone in my family would say, 'stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something about it.'

Okay, now that the moment has passed, I need to find a market for that story. Too bad their aren't any other creature antho's out right now. I didn't use fish as my bad 'guy' in that story but instead a giant pond slug with a tendency to travel in packs and eat anything that bleeds. I like the image. I just don't find fish all that scary. Not even sharks. Mostly because I live in Iowa and sharks aren't an issue. Leeches and stuff are nasty though. It only takes seconds for them to attach to you and then they won't let go. They are good to fish with and fish seem to like them however.

I had better get to work. I have a book to finish drafting and a market to research. Happy Wednesday.

update: I just sent it off to Big Ol' Face Full of Monsters. We'll see what happens- in a couple of months. I am a glutton for waiting I guess. Speaking of waiting, has anyone heard back from Devil's Food yet?

15 comments:

Rob Brooks said...

I got my dead bait rejection today, too. Your slug idea sounds interesting. I don't think fish are that scary, either--I used a lake monster in mine.

Jamie Eyberg said...

I am glad I wasn't the only one. Comfort in numbers I say.

Anonymous said...

Every time I think of leeches, that bad bad bad scene from Stand By me pops into my head. Ick.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Actually I find that to be one of the funniest scenes in the movie. It is the pie eating contest that gets me.

Cate Gardner said...

Another Dead Bait rejection here Jamie. Now I have to find somewhere interested in zombie mermen. :)

Jamie Eyberg said...

You all are just trying to make me feel better. It is working.

Aaron Polson said...

I love the slug idea. Love it. The idea that they travel in packs and eat anything that bleeds...terrifying. That story will find a home, no sweat.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Aaron I hope so. It is the sequel to the story you helped with.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Just sent it off to big ol' Face Full of Monster. We'll see in a couple months what happens.

K.C. Shaw said...

Damn, I'm sorry about the rejection. Maybe they just thought slug things were a bit outside of the theme. Good luck with it at BOFFOM!

Jamie Eyberg said...

I have fairly thick skin anymore. I don't take things too personally. That and I can't travel to Australia on a whim to beat up editors who reject my stuff. They could be bigger than me anyway. :)

Fox Lee said...

I haven't even written for Devil's Food yet. The story has been very patient at how much time I'm frittering away on the pointless sex novella.

Danielle Birch said...

Bring on February and better things!

Jameson T. Caine said...

I got a confirmation from Devil's Food that they received my story, but that was the last I heard (and that was about three or four weeks back).

My Dead Bait story is in limbo due to the computer issue, but hearing of all these rejections, I figure after all this time of me dying to work on it, if I do get the file back and send it in, I'll be yet another reject.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Danielle- February Rocks. Birthday months always do.

Jameson- I still am holding out hope with every other antho I sent out to. Dammit they were good stories.