*fuming*

I just got a story back, the slightly raunchy one I mentioned last week. The editor said she was getting a number of stories on this theme and suggested it had been a workshop prompt. I also got the distinct impression (although she didn't say) that she found the theme distasteful. Oh, and she said the story was too long for the punchline.

You know, I'm to the point where I don't want to get personal rejections. A form reject is no problem--big deal, the editor just didn't want the story for whatever reason, move along. A personal rejection, unless it's extremely positive (and let's face it, a reject can never be positive enough) is just an extra kick in the pants. Particularly one like this, which in a few short sentences made me decide I'm unoriginal, wordy, and unfunny. Which may be true, but I didn't need to hear it from an editor at a two-bit non-pro ezine.

*checks to make sure I didn't mention where I sent that piece*

Okay. Yes, I'm being a big baby here. So what. It's my blog, I'll whine if I want to.

I happen to think this is a good story. In fact, I reread it last night and thought, "That's funnier than I remembered, and I like the characters." I had expected to get the story back, and had planned to send it to ASIM or even Strange Horizons, but hell...I'm afraid those editors will think, "Oh, another one of those lame workshop stories." Which embarrasses me just thinking about it. Even though I thought up the damn idea while filing at work.

I guess I'll go trawl Duotrope for another victim.