Comments on: Lessons From the Slush Pile: What editors owe us http://inkhaven.net/2010/04/lessons-from-the-slush-pile-what-editors-owe-us/ it's okay. we're safe here. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:17:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Stephen R. Smith http://inkhaven.net/2010/04/lessons-from-the-slush-pile-what-editors-owe-us/comment-page-1/#comment-213 Stephen R. Smith Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:35:44 +0000 http://inkhaven.net/?p=1034#comment-213 I think this is an excellent point of view. I am an editor for 365tomorrows, and a writer, so I approach my role as an editor with the sensibilities of a writer, and quite honestly - that makes my job much harder. The writer in me wants feedback, so when rejecting a story I want to provide something to the person who took the leap and submitted a story such that they can learn from the experience and do better next time. Given that I'm quite often sifting through twenty or thirty stories in a sitting, that becomes difficult and at some point responding in a timely fashion take precedent over responding with any degree of critical depth. Editing for 365 is about finding the balance between selecting only the very best stories for the outlet and providing a showcase for new and talented writers. It's also about expecting more, and motivating writers to expect more of themselves. If you think it's hard getting a rejection letter, try sending them out by the hundreds. Help all of us, write to the very best of your ability, constantly push to expand your ability and give us the gems that we're looking for. With that, everyone wins. I think this is an excellent point of view. I am an editor for 365tomorrows, and a writer, so I approach my role as an editor with the sensibilities of a writer, and quite honestly – that makes my job much harder.

The writer in me wants feedback, so when rejecting a story I want to provide something to the person who took the leap and submitted a story such that they can learn from the experience and do better next time. Given that I’m quite often sifting through twenty or thirty stories in a sitting, that becomes difficult and at some point responding in a timely fashion take precedent over responding with any degree of critical depth.

Editing for 365 is about finding the balance between selecting only the very best stories for the outlet and providing a showcase for new and talented writers. It’s also about expecting more, and motivating writers to expect more of themselves.

If you think it’s hard getting a rejection letter, try sending them out by the hundreds. Help all of us, write to the very best of your ability, constantly push to expand your ability and give us the gems that we’re looking for. With that, everyone wins.

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