My rejected story. I'm sad and clueless. Advice?

[EllaRegina]

My story was rejected. From what I can see the reason given had something to do with publishing a story with illustrations, as was my original intent, expressed in my author's notes. (I no longer have access to the page which listed the rejection reasons since I've just resubmitted the piece - I'm on a Mac - don't know if that's a glitch or what).

I was pointed to a FAQ on how to do this. I just wrote back to Laurel and Manu (I guess that's who I am writing when I email submit@literotica.com) and told them that in the meanwhile I decided that I cannot use the illustrations because, after re-reading the guidelines, I concluded that I cannot honestly use the images as they were not my original work. They were random pictures I collected off the internet. Sometimes I tinkered with them in Photoshop and there probably is no named photographer per se - most of them are catalog product photographs and the like - but even so as they were not taken by me I cannot include them. That's OK as far as my written piece goes. It can stand alone. Or so I think.

There was also the usual line about perhaps finding an editor to read my story but that didn't look like it was the specific rejection reason, but more like a sort of form letter thing. I have no way of knowing. In my email I asked for further clarification and explained that I am no longer planning on using the illustrations.

I don't know what my next step is. I had asked if the problem was the use of certain foreign accents - perhaps they came across as garbled symbols - but it seems this was all about the illustration thing.

I guess I will just have to wait and see what I hear back from Laurel/Manu but thought if any of you had some input I would be glad to hear it. All my paragraphs are within the limit except for a few that go over, like 306 words or so. But again, the only reason that I could see as being the cause of the rejection had to do with illustrations. I could post my story here, as I've seen you all suggest to others. I am frustrated and bewildered.

Thanks!

E.R.

 

[minsue]

Have you tried resubmitting the story in another category since you're no longer going to use your illustrations?

 

[EllaRegina]

Hi Minsue,

Thanks for answering. Actually, I never submitted it in the Illustrated Story category or whatever it's called. I submitted for the "Toys and Masturbation" area. It was only in my aforementioned "author's notes" box in the story's submission form that I said there were illustrations that went with it and I was unsure how to submit them. But, like I said, in the aftermath of submitting my story, I read the section about submitting illustrations and came to the conclusion that I couldn't qualify as they weren't my original artworks.

 

[minsue]

Hi Minsue,

Thanks for answering. Actually, I never submitted it in the Illustrated Story category or whatever it's called. I submitted for the "Toys and Masturbation" area. It was only in my aforementioned "author's notes" box in my story submission form that I said there were illustrations that went with it and I was unsure how to submit them. But, like I said, in the aftermath of submitting my story, I read the section about submitting illustrations and came to the conclusion that I couldn't qualify as they weren't my original artworks.

Ah, so you submitted a story with notes that there would be illustrations, but not in the illustrated category, right? If the only thing mentioned in the rejection was the illustrations, I would simply try resubmitting it now without them and with no notes about them. Or maybe a note stating that you no longer plan to have any.

 

[EllaRegina]

Precisely. That's what I just did. And I just resubmitted it, as per above, and in my resubmission I did explain that while I had originally intended to use illustrations I no longer do and I outlined why.

 

[EllaRegina]

Maybe I should have sent a followup to my submission saying "hey, I no longer want to send you the illustrations." I don't think I did that. I think I figured if they didn't pursue it on their end and I didn't submit the images then they would just treat my story as one without illustrations. Maybe that's why the rejection note pointed me to the illustration FAQ. Maybe the story is good to go otherwise. Who knows. And if it is I don't know if this means I must wait another week as it's now at the end of the queue or what. Sigh.

 

[minsue]

I'm pretty sure you're back at the end of the line. I could be wrong, though.

 

[EllaRegina]

Aw, rats. I guess time will tell. And here I was getting all ready to submit my second story! I think I should wait until #1 is published first. *IF* it's published, I mean.

 

[EllaRegina]

(Thanks for the nice flower.)

 

[CopyCarver]

I'm pretty sure you're back at the end of the line. I could be wrong, though.

I'd lay 20-to-1 odds that this is the case. Since the story has been resubmitted without the problematic illustrations, I'd just wait for a "verdict" on the newer submission.

There's nothing wrong with having a volunteer ed. look at it--that's why we're here--but if any changes are made due to the editor's suggestions, a third submission would be required. It might be easier--and certainly would be quicker--to make any desired tweaks after the story is up and running.

 

[EllaRegina]

Thanks, CopyCarver,

Yeah, I guess I'll just have to be patient and wait to see what happens here vis a vis my "verdict." Patience is not one of my virtues, alas.

It's too bad if it goes to the end of the line. I don't think that happens when one submits an edit while the submission is pending. But maybe once it's been rejected you must start from scratch. Oh well.

I will practice deep breathing and try to think about other things.

 

[minsue]

It's too bad if it goes to the end of the line. I don't think that happens when one submits an edit while the submission is pending.

I've been told that every time you go into a pending submission, it gets sent back to the end of the line. Otherwise, there's no way for them to know if you change something after they've read it but before it's been approved. I don't know if that's true or not, but I would suggest not going back into your pending stories unless you absolutely have to.

 

[EllaRegina]

See, that's one thing that confuses me. There are all these references in the guidelines about going back to access the story you've just submitted, and like you say, each time you do that I think it slows it up. I cannot do that. I'm on a Mac and maybe that's why but when I go to my submission page all I get is a readout of the name/description of my submitted story, whether it's pending (yes) or not and I have the option to turn on/off voting and comments. That's it.

As far as actually having the story in front of me to read I don't have that at all. The only time I had that was when I was submitting it and making changes. Once I pressed submit, "pouf" - it was gone and there is no way for me to read/review what I sent.

So am I still screwing myself up just by going to my submission page to see that my story is still pending? Can the rest of you go to your submission page and see your actual story? If so then I think it's a Mac thing and/or something is not working for me.

 

[LadyCibelle]

See, that's the thing that confuses me. There are all these references in the guidelines about going back to access the story you've just submitted, and like you say, each time you do that I think it slows it up. I cannot do that. I'm on a Mac and maybe that's why but when I go to my submission page all I get is a readout of the name/description of my submitted story, whether it's pending (yes) or not and I have the option to turn on/off voting and comments. That's it.

It has nothing to do with you being on a Mac. Nobody can access their pending stories anymore. That feature has been disabled for more than 6 months now.

As far as actually having the story in front of me to read I don't have that at all. The only time I had that was when I was submitting it and making changes. Once I pressed submit, "pouf" - it was gone and there is no way for me to read/review what I sent.

Normal. You can't see your story anymore once it's submitted.

So am I still screwing myself up just by going to my submission page to see that my story is still pending? Can the rest of you go to your submission page and see your actual story? If so then I think it's a Mac thing and/or something is not working for me.

As I said, no. This isn't something you or anyone can do anymore. Now that you've submitted it, you have to wait and wait and wait . 7-10 days is now my estimates of how long it takes for a story to be posted if it's not in a contest.

 

[CopyCarver]

As I said, no. This isn't something you or anyone can do anymore. Now that you've submitted it, you have to wait and wait and wait . 7-10 days is now my estimates of how long it takes for a story to be posted if it's not in a contest.

The good news is that it will be accepted. It's a thoroughly original theme and very well executed.

 

[EllaRegina]

Thanks, LadyCibelle. I'm a newbie and there are many things that confuse me, such as references in the various FAQs to things that do not work for me. It's comforting to hear that it's not just me. Maybe someday the FAQs will be updated to avert further newbie confusion.

Oh, CopyCarver, you're making me blush again! From your lips to God's ears, or whomever...

 

[LadyCibelle]

Thanks, LadyCibelle. I'm a newbie and there are many things that confuse me, such as references in the various FAQs to things that do not work for me. It's comforting to hear that it's not just me. Maybe someday the FAQs will be updated to avert further newbie confusion.

Oh, CopyCarver, you're making me blush again! From your lips to God's ears, or whomever...

If the awesome and delicious CopyCarver says that it's gonna be accepted....well you shouldn't worry anymore it IS gonna be accepted! CopyCarver is in a class of his own for editing and I trust his judgment implicitely.

 

[EllaRegina]

Yeah! I got that impression, too - that he is in a class by himself. I'm psyched! He was nice enough to look at my story and was very kind in his feedback. I was not carved up at all!

 

[EllaRegina]

Maybe the trolls will carve me up instead. We shall see.

 

[LadyCibelle]

Maybe the trolls will carve me up instead. We shall see.

Oh the trolls...that's another thing. If you do get carved up by them, please please, take my advice. Wear their filth like a badge of honour. If you're good enough to attract trolls, rejoice in it.

 

[EllaRegina]

If it happens, I will try to do as you say but I am a very sensitive flower and not known for being thick of skin. I probably shouldn't say that in advance of a story being posted. Maybe it will give the trolls time to lay out their vitriolic ammunition. Do they come in here to read posts or do they confine their activities to the story front?

 

[LadyCibelle]

If it happens, I will try to do as you say but I am a very sensitive flower and not known for being thick of skin. I probably shouldn't say that in advance of a story being posted. Maybe it will give the trolls time to lay out their vitriolic ammunition. Do they come in here to read posts or do they confine their activities to the story front?

You'll have to build yourself a harder shell then. You'll attract trolls no matter what you do, as long as your story is good and well written, you'll get someone complaining about some aspects that isn't to their particular liking. More often than not, they stay on the story front but it's been known that some of them frequent the boards also.

 

[CopyCarver]

Oh the trolls...that's another thing. If you do get carved up by them, please please, take my advice. Wear their filth like a badge of honour. If you're good enough to attract trolls, rejoice in it.

And if the philosophical approach wears thin, Li'lRedJammies probably wouldn't mind if you borrow her classic retort: "Welcome to the AH. Now quit being a fuckwaffle!"

 

[minsue]

It has nothing to do with you being on a Mac. Nobody can access their pending stories anymore. That feature has been disabled for more than 6 months now.

That shows how long it's been since I've submitted anything. Sorry for causing more confusion!

 

[LadyCibelle]

And if the philosophical approach wears thin, Li'lRedJammies probably wouldn't mind if you borrow her classic retory: "Welcome to the AH. Now quit being a fuckwaffle!"

Yep, Lil always had good things to say.....sadly we lost her