Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Second Round

This is topic Second Round in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :

Well, I just got an e-mail that the newly-revised short story version of "Mage Storm" made it to the second round before they rejected it.

That means is was good enough, right?

I'm trying to see this as a positive. Maybe it's just too early in the morning.

Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :

Where was it sent? Not all second rounds are equal. Some are more equal than others.

I wonder if that line will catch on somewhere? It seems to be calling for a Babe sequel, do you think?

Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :

This was Daily Science Fiction.

Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :

That is great news! That was the story that won the trigger contest a few months ago, wasn't it?

Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :

Thanks.

Didn't win. Satate won, I think. "Mage Storm" was fourth, I believe.

But yes, it was written for the Cinders of the Great War challenge.

BTW, there are now two versions of "Mage Storm". The above-mentioned short story and . . . a novel currently in third draft. It probably won't surprise anyone who read the short story that MAGE STORM the novel is middle grade.

Maybe I should just concentrate on the novel.

Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :

Second round is great. The lingering doubt comes as to whether it was something lacking in the story that kept it out, or if it just didn't fit their mix for the issue or anthology.

I take it as a good thing any time I know it got past the slush readers.

Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :

Thanks. I wanted to think of it as a good sign.

Well, I have to decide where I'm sending this next. Or if I'm just going to wait until the novel is published and use it as a teaser. Ha! That'll show 'em.

Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :

Sounds good to me, but how good depends on how many levels they have.

I know I made it past the first reading twice, well maybe six times but four were when I was doing better about three years ago. I knew I did something right so you, as it sounds like you do, should know you did something right.

And since different editors have different tastes the next one may buy it. Or say they rejected it at the last level. Kinda frustrating but a nice consolation price since you will know you did a few things right.