WRITING | PUBLICATIONS
Writing Rejected: “Not A Good Fit” — But What Does That Even Mean?
There’s a worrying disconnect between pubs and writers
Every publication is looking for the right “fit.”
Yet there’s a concerning void between what publications define as “acceptable genres/subgenres,” and what writers interpret from those same words. As a writer, I’m frustrated as hell.
As a publication owner, I’m anxious. The problem is wedged between a rock and a hard place, with no clear solutions.
Specific Guidelines, Please!
Most publications do their best to judge what content they will accept and what content they have no interest in. When setting up The Secret Alley, The Night Bunny and I painstakingly went back and forth about how to write the guidelines just right. And, honestly, there are still a lot of holes in the list. We couldn’t be exhaustive; there was always going to be a case where a piece would seem to fit, but we didn’t feel it did.
So when I submit to a publication and they tell me “it’s not a good fit,” I understand — it’s the editor/owner’s discretion.
However…
