Advice from the Editor

[jennifer_brozek]

If you are ever at a convention and an editor says, "Please come talk to me if you are a professional author," do go talk to them but do listen to what they have to say. Really. We do not randomly talk for our health (most of the time).

If you come up to me and ask about the anthology I am looking for submissions for and I say, "It's an anthology about Pigs and Cows." Don't say, "Well, I have this story about Dogs and Cats." If I say pigs and cows, I really mean that I want stories about pigs and cows. Not dogs, cats, snakes, bears or anything else.

If after you say, "Well, I have this story about dogs and cats," and I said, "No dogs or cats, please. That kind of story won't fit into this anthology," for the love of all that is bright and shiny, do NOT sent me the Dog and Cat story after I send you the invitation for the Pig and Cow anthology. All you will do is make me angry and I will remember you for all of the wrong reasons.

Yes, this really did just happen.

Comments

[calendula-witch.livejournal.com]

But I have such a nice lizard story...

[phoebe-k.livejournal.com]

but i iz exepshun 2 yr rulz ms. edeter! I iz talintted riter

[amandapillar.livejournal.com]

Lol, oh no. But you will simply love the story and use it for something else, I'm sure.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I was bemused to read the Shine anthology editor's blog where he was talking about reading a million and one stories for this "optimistic near-future SF" anthology that were...not optimistic. At all. It's just sad.

[jongibbs.livejournal.com]

Oh dear :(

[filamena.livejournal.com]

Drat. I had this really great Dogs and Cats story I was just about to send you... Back to the drawling board. What about Dogs and Cows?

[a-r-williams.livejournal.com]

You see what had happened was...

The Cows are disguised as dogs, because the farmer won't let them chase the pigs, er, cats, any other way.

;)

[eddyfate.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes. Oh god, yes.

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

Let me guess.

Superheroes?

[kmarkhoover.livejournal.com]

But I have this buffalo story I just finished. Sure you don't want to change your mind?

*ducks*

[eyezofwolf.livejournal.com]

I don't know whether to laugh or shake my head... how about both? People never cease to amaze me, and not in good ways.

[jennifer-brozek.livejournal.com]

Certainly. Thank you.