I wrote an 8,000 word "short story". A kind of hybrid Fantasy/Science Fiction one, with some comic book stuff thrown in. Never actually wrote one before.
I didn't want it to look like every other story I'd ever read, so it's different. Probably too different. The hero carries swords, which actually locks the story out from some anti-sword publications. The big fight in the story is a draw, because he's fighting 'himself', so the action is limited. Stuff like that.
So far, three rejections from the Fantasy magazines. Some faster than others. I'm running out of decent paying publishers, so I could use some advice.
Should I explain in the cover letter that the story was MEANT to be read more than once, to 'get' some of the things I intended to be gotten? Do editors accept that kind of thing, or would they be too busy and reply to me that if they didn't get the story on one read-through, it wasn't GOOD?
There are other possible issues. Drama is very limited, since the only change is that this story has him losing rather than his standard of winning. I created a character that had no spectacular powers and abilities at the start, but had become SERIOUSLY over-powered by this story, and decided that the best way to introduce him was to kill him. Or, provide the story of his death, anyway. You'd have to read the story to understand that, which, at this point, I'm willing to provide if some sort of criticism would tell me if the story has merit outside my head.
Anyway, the thrill of finishing what I consider a decent story, one that I would not feel was a ripoff if it appeared in a magazine to which I subscribed, has been seriously damaged by "didn't grab me" from one place and "not what we're looking for" from another, rather than something more solid.
I'd hate to think it'll NEVER sell, but I'll keep submitting it until there's no hope. After some input, if any comes to me.
Thanks...
What to do when nobody will say why a story was rejected?
I didn't want it to look like every other story I'd ever read, so it's different. Probably too different. The hero carries swords, which actually locks the story out from some anti-sword publications. The big fight in the story is a draw, because he's fighting 'himself', so the action is limited. Stuff like that.
So far, three rejections from the Fantasy magazines. Some faster than others. I'm running out of decent paying publishers, so I could use some advice.
Should I explain in the cover letter that the story was MEANT to be read more than once, to 'get' some of the things I intended to be gotten? Do editors accept that kind of thing, or would they be too busy and reply to me that if they didn't get the story on one read-through, it wasn't GOOD?
There are other possible issues. Drama is very limited, since the only change is that this story has him losing rather than his standard of winning. I created a character that had no spectacular powers and abilities at the start, but had become SERIOUSLY over-powered by this story, and decided that the best way to introduce him was to kill him. Or, provide the story of his death, anyway. You'd have to read the story to understand that, which, at this point, I'm willing to provide if some sort of criticism would tell me if the story has merit outside my head.
Anyway, the thrill of finishing what I consider a decent story, one that I would not feel was a ripoff if it appeared in a magazine to which I subscribed, has been seriously damaged by "didn't grab me" from one place and "not what we're looking for" from another, rather than something more solid.
I'd hate to think it'll NEVER sell, but I'll keep submitting it until there's no hope. After some input, if any comes to me.
Thanks...
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