Validation Ho!

I want to preface this by thanking, personally, humbly, every editor of a pro, semipro, or amateur publication for providing feedback to your new writers on their submissions. I cannot express adequately [and dammitall, I'm trying to be WriterGirl(tm)] what it means to someone who's been writing for a while but is new to the business of it, to get cogent, useful feedback from a mentor of any stripe. I know it takes an incredible amount of time and commitment, but it is such a necessary encouragement that I hope you all will continue to make that effort. So. Thank you.

Now, all of that emotionalism on my part is for 2 very good reasons: the editors of Weird Tales, and the editors of Weird Tales.

One of my very, very, very first submissions ever [before I found some frickin' general manuscript guidelines, even, she muttered darkly], made last November, has just been rejected by WT, with -- wait for it -- useful and encouraging feedback. Pointing out very gently that I needed to review format guidelines, and going to the trouble of providing guidelines for me, and pointing out equally encouragingly [oh, okay, you win, more so] that it was a good story even though they weren't buying it. And until I came home today for lunch and checked my mail, here I was all feeling poorly on this fine and beautiful California Saturday.

All this on the heels of an equally useful and encouraging rejection for a story sent immediately after the holidays -- apparently I like to write horror around Christmas, don't ask me why...it's an allergic reaction to the season, perhaps. I'd say I'm speechless, except getting this feedback has motivated me to quite the opposite.

So, I dedicate this blog entry to you, Gentle Editor. Keep up the good work.