44th Rejection: Semi-Encouraging and Definitely Personal

On Saturday (yesterday) I received a kind note from Liz Sauer at cream city review.  She said she liked "the abstract form of the story," "Fair Trade: A Fairy Tale," but that it ended too abruptly for her.  I think I might have a problem with ending stories abruptly.  I am trying to make a decision about whether I am committed to abrupt endings or just lazy.  I hate endings in everything especially when the expected ending comes at the expected point.  Am I trying to prevent this by putting an ending where it doesn't belong or do I get tired of working on a piece and abandon it?  Thanks for your input, Ms. Sauer.  Thanks also for all the disclaimer after your comment that you aren't trying to be prescriptive. You actually made me feel like you mean it.  You're the best, Liz Sauer.

43rd Rejection

I should now define my definition of rejection: It is only a true rejection if the letter was either impersonal or insulting.  That said, I received a very disappointing rejection card from Black Warrior Review.  They are apparently not interested in my poems, "Contours," "Convictions," or "Relations," which is fine because I feel somehow certain they will find a home.  However, I had a written and extremely specific, complimentary and personal note to Black Warrior Review about how much I enjoy what they've been doing lately.  To receive a card with neither my name or piece titles on it, is disappointing from a journal I thought so highly of.

Perhaps I have been spoiled by Brian Clements at Sentence, who so kindly just wrote a thank you note for my letter itself, before he had a chance to read my submission. 

At least Emily Post is still alive in Mr. Clements' heart.

"Rita" finds a home with Lark!

 

The illustrious new journal Lark has taken on my little poem, "Rita."  If you don't know Lark, check it out (link on the side).  They publish a new piece every week and I've been tickled by what I've seen (and heard) coming from them so far.  Look for my poem in early July-ish.

2 Retroactive Rejections in One Day!

I received 2 rejections for my chapbook, My Neighbor Is Dead, today, after their websites had already announced the winner (not me) almost a month earlier. The first notification was from The Ledge who sent a form letter to "Poet."  Let me just say that I'm not consoled by a handwritten signature when you couldn't even bother to plug my name into the greeting line.

The second letter made me feel much better.  It was from James Grinwis at Bateau for their Boom Chapbook Contest.  Mr.  Grinwis said it was an "interesting concept/ sequence for a chapbook," but that it was perhaps "stretched to unnecessary white space."  I had already sensed a negative reaction to my white space and so My Neighbor Is Dead has since been circulating as "My Neighbor Is Dead," a longer poem-type thing.  Mr.  Grinwis also informed me I was in the top 25 for the contest.  While I don't feel certain he counted and it might be that he tells everyone that to make them feel better, I'll take it, Mr. Grinwis.  Thanks bunches!

Encouragement from Jensen Whelan

Jensen Whelan of Hobart kindly rejected "Saveliy Kramarov" today.  He said the story was "compact and fun and funny and tightly put together," but "truncated," which is pretty much what Pindeldyboz said a couple months ago.  I happen to like the ending so we shall see how many times Mr. Kramarov will get turned down.

Encouragement from G.C. Waldrep

Well, Mickey Potato Chips has been rejected again, but this time, kindly.  G.C. Waldrep from Double Room says he lingered long over "The Ballad of Mickey Potato Chips" which he found "raucous and fun," but that ultimately he didn't have space.  I say, Thanks, Mr. Waldrep!  You made it hurt so good!

42nd Rejection

"The Ballad of Mickey Potato Chips and the Big Ladder" was not so personally turned down by The Normal School.

Hollywood

I'm actually writing something on this blog.

I claimed this blog name back in February.  Why?  That's a good question as I'm pretty sure I'm the only Jac Jemc and that would be a pretty random combination of letters to choose as your blog name. But what if someone really really liked me and wanted to name their blog after me?  That could totally happen and then I would have been out of luck.

Jac Jemc is a writer in Chicago.  She's maintaining this blog so that you can find her writing if you're looking for it.