Friendly editors encouraged me at critical points in my
writing life. My first writing year, Cecilia Tan took the
time to write a two page letter telling me what was wrong
with the story.
A year later, Loring Emery accepted a few poems and a story
for his publications. If I had not received a little
encouragement by this time in my writing career, I would
have given up.
James B. Baker bought a few poems and several of my stories
for his publications in 1996. His letters of encouragement
and his support -- publishing my work and paying for them, also arrived at a critical point in my life. Jim B.,
if you're reading this, thanks again and the writing is
still going very well.
One of my stories, "Back to the Fifth Dimension" appeared
in the June 1996 special issue of The Fifth Di--.
When accepting that story for publication, Mr. Jim B. said, "This is the best out and out hard SCI FI I've received
since I started trying to learn to be an editor...." and he
paid $75.00 for the story.
Much later, I sent the story to Warren Lapine, editor of Absolute Magnitude and received his reply in about two weeks. A form letter with his handwritten note at the bottom, "This is well written, but it just doesn't strike me as an SF story. Let me see more of your work."
"Let me see more of your work." Exciting words to see on a rejection slip! I didn't have anything suitable to send him. aarrg.
I now believe there is truly no accounting for taste (likes/dislikes) when it comes to editors.
Or, in the immortal words of Lawrence Watt-Evans, "If you write a good enough story, someone will buy it..." (SF & F Newsletter, March 1997 issue.)
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Over the past couple of years, I've encountered other friendly editors. Here are some editors who took the time to write personal encouraging comments:
Steve Algieri - Eternity Press
Scott A. Becker - Fantastic Worlds
T. L. Craigen - Shiver (Canada)
John DiDomenico - Black October (closed)
Marie Gerules - Murderous Intent
Rebecca Anne Jansen - Strange Wonderland (Canada)
Michelle Keener - Strange Fiction! (folded)
Gary Leftridge - Talers Tales (closed)
Edward J. McFadden - Pirate Writings
Pat Nielsen - Crossroads - where evil dwells
Mike Olson - Dark Regions (closed)
Tom Piccirilli - Epitaph
Nancy Purnell - The Catbird Seat
Paul Recchia - Age of Wonder (closed)
David Rogers - Freezer Burn (closed) very friendly ed.
Harvey Stanbrough - The Roswell Literary Review
Jacob Weisman - The Thirteenth Moon (hiatus)
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