Publishing 101

For the past month I've been revising a short story based on feedback from the editor of a literary journal who has been dangling the carrot of publication. The first round of revision requests were an interesting batch of additions that had me looking at my story from a slightly new, or rather expanded, angle. One change was a simple search and replace. Elsewhere, I added needed shading to a couple scenes. One of the additions was too difficult to work in; there was so much going on in the story that another layer toppled it.

When I was done I felt the story benefited from the revision. They liked my additions but sent another round of requests. I was happy to make those first rounds of edits. This round seemed more subjective. They mentioned phrases and words that struck them as cliched or pedestrian. They also recommended the reorganization of certain sentences. Again, I took the suggestions and looked at my story from another new angle.

I reorganized the series of sentences as suggested, but I couldn't tell if it made that page better. I know it didn't make it worse. I took out the cliched idea of one of my characters'. Once out, I couldn't think of a replacement, so I reworded the preceding sentence. It changed the meaning a little, but I think the result in the reader's mind remains as intended. I made a few more clarifications, and that finished the second round.

The last time I had a story published, the editors told me they were making small edits and sent me the changes for my review. I couldn't tell what they had changed. The requested edits of my current story were unexpected but not surprising. The editors' reasoning behind them was so thoughtful that I was honored they had given my work such a close read and taken the time to try to make it better. I felt I was in good hands as I made the changes. I expect every journal editor has an idea of what works and what doesn't for his or her publication. Maybe the changes I made better reflect the attitude of the journal.

It's still my work, and I wouldn't have made the changes if I had felt strongly against them. My writing group read the same story earlier in the summer, and I incorporated many of their suggestions before sending it out. If I weren't open to others' ideas I wouldn't be in a writing group or participate in intense novel workshops where a thin critique skin leads to hard feelings and misunderstanding.

I'm excited to have another story published*, but don't feel I sold my soul to get it done. I told a writer friend about the edits, and he told me about an editor who once asked him to change the tense of one of his stories. Did that make it a better story? Who knows, but maybe it fit in more with how that editor wanted to present his publication. What are some of your experiences with journal editors? Were you ever asked to make a change that you didn't agree with? Did the changes make the story better?

*Pending final approval.

Literary Magazine Review

Check out my review of Sonora Review's double issue, number 55 and 56, just posted at The Review Review. You'll find out about their tribute to David Foster Wallace and how the winners of their annual short short contest fare.

As I mention every couple months here on Unreliable Narrator, The Review Review hosts a siteful of great reviews of your favorite literary magazines and interviews with lit mag editors. There is also a section called Writers Speak where you can read personal reflections on the importance of lit mags by writers like Jenna Blum and Dan Chaon. If you're a writer interested in writing reviews for the site, contact Becky Tuch. She's a one-woman dynamo, the sole engineer behind this site, and she's always looking for new reviewers and essayists. Tell her an Unreliable Narrator sent you.

Literary Magazine Interview

This month on The Review Review website, check out my interview with R. T. Smith, editor of the literary magazine Shenandoah. Mr. Smith (no relation) discusses what it’s like to edit a historically prestigious literary magazine, how the Internet has changed the way lit mags operate, and what it’s like to wear the duel hats of editor and writer.

Need another literary magazine fix? Read my review of Salt Hill #22.

Literary Magazine Review

I wrote a review for the online literary magazine review site, The Review Review. I take on the feisty bluster of Salt Hill #22. Check it out here. The Review Review is a tireless engine of lit mag reviews, covering the literati rainbow, from the esteemed Agni and Glimmer Train, to upstarts you've never heard of like MacGuffin and Subtropics.

The Review Review is for readers and writers alike. Readers will love it for the reviews and information about specific issues. The site's stable of reviewers don't hold back, letting you know when something strikes a resonant chord and also when a magazine drops the ball. Writers will come back for all the tasty contact information supplied for each magazine, such as website URLs, publishing guidelines, response time, and the always popular pay scale (cash, copies, first born).

So, whether you're a reader, a writer, or somebody who wishes they could be, check out The Review Review. Come for the reviews. Stay for...more reviews.

The Review Review Review

Okay, all you writers of short (and maybe not so short) lit, here's a website to help you navigate those busy literary journal waters. Check out The Review Review, based just down the road apiece in Boston. The Review Review reviews the latest in literary journals and mags. This is very handy if you can't find independent journals at your local bookstore, library, or online. When you're ready to send out that short gem you've been spit-polishing, the site's a great source to find out if a journal is right for your genre (or non-genre). It's also a good way to see what journals are publishing, and to whet your appetite to pick up a copy even if you don't think they're the right home for your stuff.

The latest review on the site has a thorough go at the fall 2008 issue of Post Road. Along with each review is a rundown of vital stats. For example, if you'd like to know if Post Road accepts multiple submissions (yes) or what their circulation numbers are (that'd be 2000) you can find them here. Each review links directly to a journal's online presence, if there is one. So torque up your favorite browser (make mine Internet Explorer 7!) and settle in for some enlightening reading.