Frustrated with Mod constanly denying story.

[Fryloc00]

I've seen many stories on here that have incorrect spellings as well as things that are inappropriate as far as what the rules say they're not allowed to do and yet my story constantly gets declined while these stories are already posted. Very frustrated by this and I believe I will stop posting on here and go to a different site.

I have even had 2 separate editors check the story and say there should be no issue and it gets declined again.
I don't know what the problem is with the moderators as after I correct all the issues it says to correct, that you still have no idea how to describe exactly what I need to do to fix the story even when asking.

I want to thank the editors that did help me and their frustration is known as well. They also cannot understand why this cannot get posted after being reviewed by myself ,then a them and another editor ...get your head out of your ass mod and post the story

 

[ElectricBlue]

There is a single site editor on Lit, and I see that you have just endeared yourself to her.

You will not get specific feedback on the issues with your story, just the generic feedback note you have received. There are half a dozen generic notes, couched as questions, depending on the reason(s) for rejection.

I take it from your post that you've received the "grammar and punctuation" rejection - but you've not said. If so, and you say you've had two editors look at your work, you might need to find other editors, because the regulars know the grammar and punctuation criteria. If you've been bounced on content, then the regular editors know the rules.

Venting here without specifics is just silly - no-one can offer any guidance because you've not said why your story has been twice rejected, and you've just flamed the person who will let your story pass, once it's fixed.

If you take a big breath, calm down, and copy here the rejection note received, some-one should be able to give some guidance.

 

[KeithD]

What electricblue66 has said.

It might be added that the single submissions editor also owns the site and has full control over what does/does not get posted to the file. I think you can figure out what that means in terms of what you choose to post about the free service as concerns your entitlements here.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I don't know what the problem is with the moderators as after I correct all the issues it says to correct, that you still have no idea how to describe exactly what I need to do to fix the story even when asking.

I want to thank the editors that did help me and their frustration is known as well. They also cannot understand why this cannot get posted after being reviewed by myself ,then a them and another editor ...get your head out of your ass mod and post the story

Without seeing either the story or the rejection note it's impossible to be sure, but there are several grammatical errors in this comment and a spelling error in the thread title. If the story is at the same standard, I'd expect it to be bounced for spelling/grammar issues.

Is it possible that your editors have missed something?

 

[AuthorMommy]

Similar issue

I'm having a similar issue, but I made a change to my first chapter and then updated the note to the mod to let them know that there was nothing inappropriate in the first chapter.

When mine was rejected, it was because they wanted to know what my prior handle was on Lit. My new stories are back and still pending though, so I'm just trying to be patient and hope that if they get rejected again, I'm given more details. I've also had multiple editors look at them, so I know where you're coming from.

 

[KeithD]

Once again, the submissions editor is a solitary "she," not a "they," and she isn't a "mod"--she's the submissions editor and site owner. The moderators operate here on the discussion board only. They have nothing to do with the story file submissions.

 

[AuthorMommy]

The "they" I referenced, was multiple submissions of my own, not people. And when a story gets rejected, btw, it has two names on it, Laurel and Manu. I was just trying to provide support to someone who is frustrated by the lack of acceptance of their stories. It's been over 2 weeks since I initially submitted mine for approval, even though I've made some changes in the hope of improving the story. And I'm still waiting. Must you critique my support and empathy for the author who asked for help? Goodness.

 

[KeithD]

Umm, no. The "to let them know"; "they wanted to know" references are definitely people, not stories. But, OK. You can't be helping anyone if you don't know how this works here. This already had been explained earlier in the thread. You can't be helping clear the air at the same time you're revving up the smoke machine.

 

[AuthorMommy]

Laurel and Manu are two different people, genius. Both names were on the "rejected" letter. Seriously. Must you argue over semantics? I'm just letting the author know she/he isn't alone in their frustration. God Almighty.

 

[KeithD]

Laurel and Manu are two different people, genius. Both names were on the "rejected" letter. Seriously. Must you argue over semantics? I'm just letting the author know she/he isn't alone in their frustration. God Almighty.

I think I can understand why you're both frustrated. Interestingly, I'm not having any such problem.

 

[AuthorMommy]

Do you think I give a shit that you don't have a problem with our frustration? No, I don't. So If you're not going to be supportive or helpful in any way, shape or form to this person, then please, find someone else to pick on.

 

[NotWise]

So, we have two people with no experience here, arguing with the site and with experienced author's trying to help them.

It's the funniest thing I've read here in quite a while.

 

[AuthorMommy]

W/e

Last I checked, KeithD didn't offer ANY help. He just acted like a jerk. And I've already had multiple editors on the website take a look at my stuff, and they're baffled as well. I had a librarian and author read over it as well. He made some suggestions, and I took them all to heart and made the suggested changes. And I'm still waiting. So please, tell me what else I'm supposed to do???? All I was doing, or at least, my attempt, was offering support for the other frustrated person. Is that really so awful?

 

[_Lynn_]

I've seen many stories on here that have incorrect spellings as well as things that are inappropriate as far as what the rules say they're not allowed to do and yet my story constantly gets declined while these stories are already posted. Very frustrated by this and I believe I will stop posting on here and go to a different site.

I have even had 2 separate editors check the story and say there should be no issue and it gets declined again.
I don't know what the problem is with the moderators as after I correct all the issues it says to correct, that you still have no idea how to describe exactly what I need to do to fix the story even when asking.

I want to thank the editors that did help me and their frustration is known as well. They also cannot understand why this cannot get posted after being reviewed by myself ,then a them and another editor ...get your head out of your ass mod and post the story

You've had helpful replies from trusted Lit authors. I'll add a suggestion: post three paragraphs (no more) of your rejected story here on the thread. That allows others to look for issues that need correcting.

Oh, and I promise my head isn't in my ass.

EF mod

 

[Jada59]

Laurel and Manu are two different people, genius. Both names were on the "rejected" letter. Seriously. Must you argue over semantics? I'm just letting the author know she/he isn't alone in their frustration. God Almighty.

Laurel is the one who approves and rejects stories. Manu does the tech. stuff. But arguing with people isn't going to help you.

 

[Jada59]

Okay... Let me ask both of you a few questions.

What is the genre of the rejected story?

Could there be anything in there that might be construed as underage sex?

 

[AuthorMommy]

Content

There isn't any underage sex in my stories. There are children who are characters in the stories, but nothing sexual happens with them, and they're not exposed to sex at all.

 

[Jada59]

There isn't any underage sex in my stories. There are children who are characters in the stories, but nothing sexual happens with them, and they're not exposed to sex at all.

But what is the genre? And is English your native language?

 

[AuthorMommy]

Yes, English is my native language. Good grief. You're the second person to ask me that in the least two weeks. The genre is sci-fi for mine because it takes place in the future in a post-apocalyptic setting. I changed it from erotic couplings.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Yes, English is my native language. Good grief. You're the second person to ask me that in the least two weeks. The genre is sci-fi for mine because it takes place in the future in a post-apocalyptic setting. I changed it from erotic couplings.

You've stated the reason you were having a hard time was the old account new account thing. If that's resolved, and you've waited a week or so, then a polite PM to Laurel is justified, I reckon. Submissions do fall through cracks in the processing mill.

If you've also had content or grammar/punctuation rejections, do as Lynn suggests - post the rejection reason(s) stated, include three representative paragraphs, and some one will give some guidance.

 

[AuthorMommy]

I already did that, but I didn't start this thread and I don't know if the person who did contacted Laurel. I was merely trying to show support for them since they were frustrated too. Amazing how people can take support shown for someone else and make it sound like the people having the issue should've never said anything in the first place. What's the point of mentioning an issue if you'll just be treated like you're stupid?

 

[MetaBob]

I already did that, but I didn't start this thread and I don't know if the person who did contacted Laurel. I was merely trying to show support for them since they were frustrated too. Amazing how people can take support shown for someone else and make it sound like the people having the issue should've never said anything in the first place. What's the point of mentioning an issue if you'll just be treated like you're stupid?

Supporting those who request assistance is good. I appreciate it when it happens. But this place, and the couple dozen usual contributors on subjects like this, is decidedly mixed. I was greeted similarly last year. Some seem actively hostile, especially to newcomers. I've used my ignore button on two of them, with satisfactory results except when someone feels compelled to respond in kind. Those who are occasionally (reflexively?) disparaging can contribute something useful elsewhen. Others have been unreservedly wonderful.

Don't sink to the lowest common denominator, please. Not everyone who contributes is being negative, even if some clearly are.

I thought your piece began well, though I haven't seen (and commented on) more than its first 5 paragraphs.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'm having a similar issue, but I made a change to my first chapter and then updated the note to the mod to let them know that there was nothing inappropriate in the first chapter.

Once again, the submissions editor is a solitary "she," not a "they," and she isn't a "mod"--she's the submissions editor and site owner. The moderators operate here on the discussion board only. They have nothing to do with the story file submissions.

"they"/"them" has a long-standing use in English as a singular pronoun for a person of unknown or non-specified gender. See e.g. sense 3b in Merriam-Webster. From AuthorMommy's use of singular "mod" rather than plural "mods", it's pretty clear she was using it in that sense, so this "correction" was misplaced and unnecessary.

So, we have two people with no experience here, arguing with the site and with experienced author's trying to help them.

I agree that KeithD is an experienced author.

 

[SimonDoom]

I already did that, but I didn't start this thread and I don't know if the person who did contacted Laurel. I was merely trying to show support for them since they were frustrated too. Amazing how people can take support shown for someone else and make it sound like the people having the issue should've never said anything in the first place. What's the point of mentioning an issue if you'll just be treated like you're stupid?

I think you're misinterpreting the response. The OP's initial comment about frustration is something that those of us who've been on this forum for over a year or so see a lot. There are recurring features of such posts that are frustrating because they make it impossible for anyone to give constructive advice, and that make it difficult for the person who's frustrated to move forward.

Many authors who express frustration about their stories being rejected for grammar/spelling problems, for instance, are simply not being honest with themselves about the grammar/spelling problems in their writing. They don't cite Laurel's reason for rejecting the story, and they don't offer a fair sample of their writing to illustrate what the problem is. Usually, when they do, it's crystal clear to me immediately why the story was rejected, and its rejection makes perfect sense. That's not to say Laurel never makes mistakes; she does, and she'll correct them if you give her a reasonable response and time. She rejected one of my stories recently and erroneously for violating the "no bestiality" rule, and she allowed the story once I provided a response.

Be open-minded and patient and give people the information they need to provide a meaningful comment about one's writing and its problems, and you'll find this process will be much more helpful.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I think you're misinterpreting the response. The OP's initial comment about frustration is something that those of us who've been on this forum for over a year or so see a lot. There are recurring features of such posts that are frustrating because they make it impossible for anyone to give constructive advice, and that make it difficult for the person who's frustrated to move forward.

I don't see anything in AuthorMommy's posts that argues otherwise, though?

IMHO, EB's and Keith's initial replies to the OP were appropriate and constructive, and I hope mine was too. All of those were focussed on the practical angle of "here's how the system works, this is what you ought to do to fix the situation".

AuthorMommy came in from a different angle, "I feel your frustration". She wasn't arguing against anything that the three of us had already said, just offering a bit of sympathy, which is no bad thing.

And then Keith misinterpreted her post, criticised it on that basis, and dug in hard when the misunderstanding was pointed out instead of just saying "whoops I misread that singular 'they'". By my reading, the comment you're replying to was reacting to that behaviour, not to the original attempts to help the OP.