Rejection

[Sarahduk]

After submitting my first story I was disappointed to find it was rejected. The reasons given are unclear and I have read the story again and can't see the problem, I guess they just don't like it. I have been a reader on literotica for a couple of years and have read some really badly written stories, so I'm surprised mine has been rejected.

One of the things is perhaps that as a English woman, British English is sometimes different to American English. I suppose being a USA site I'm not in the best place to publish my story.

I'll probably be leaving the site if that's the case.

Sarah

 

[pandybear311]

What was the reason given? There is a thread in this board that explains the different reasons. I have worked with plenty of people across the pond who have been published and kept in their slang and often used terms.

Edited to include that using the fact this is a site within the US and that's how the stories are chosen is completely unfair to those who have put a lot of hard work into all areas. I do believe there is even a section of stories within different languages from all over the world.

I'm sorry that your story was rejected but instead of blaming others, let's try to find what's wrong and fix it.

 

[Bramblethorn]

After submitting my first story I was disappointed to find it was rejected. The reasons given are unclear and I have read the story again and can't see the problem, I guess they just don't like it. I have been a reader on literotica for a couple of years and have read some really badly written stories, so I'm surprised mine has been rejected.

One of the things is perhaps that as a English woman, British English is sometimes different to American English. I suppose being a USA site I'm not in the best place to publish my story.

I'll probably be leaving the site if that's the case.

Sarah

What were the reasons given?

There are plenty of stories here in British English; I post in Australian English and I've never had a problem. So I doubt it's that.

 

[PennLady]

After submitting my first story I was disappointed to find it was rejected. The reasons given are unclear and I have read the story again and can't see the problem, I guess they just don't like it. I have been a reader on literotica for a couple of years and have read some really badly written stories, so I'm surprised mine has been rejected.

One of the things is perhaps that as a English woman, British English is sometimes different to American English. I suppose being a USA site I'm not in the best place to publish my story.

I'll probably be leaving the site if that's the case.

Sarah

Sarah, I have to echo the others. Please tell us why the story was rejected, even if the wording seems vague. Many of us have dealt with it before. Click on the "rejected" link (if you haven't already) and you'll see a screen and the reasons are probably worded as a question.

British-isms are not enough to get your story rejected. There are plenty of UK and Australian writers on this site.

It seems to me the most common reasons a story is rejected are a) underage sexual situations, or scenes that appear to involve underage characters; b) very poor grammar and punctuation, which based on your forum post seems unlikely; c) formatting.

Let us know. We like to help.

 

[auh2064]

A solution

I once worked for an organization with a multi-national staff, and where English was was the official language. Whilst there was a plurality of Americans, the organization took into account that, in addition to Brits and Australians, many of the staff members from second and third world countries were more familiar with British English than American English.

The end result was that all the computers were configured to use Canadian English!

I do think that most people who regularly read stories on Literotica can handle Americanisms, the Queen's English, or the Australian version of the common language the separates us. "Knickers" can create some initial confusion, the but context usually takes care of that. "Fanny" is a word that potentially could be more problematic, as a British author could be describing normal intercourse, while an American reader be left with the impression that it is an Anal story.

 

[sr71plt]

The reality here is that this Web site is based on American English. That said, I don't see where use of British English is generally a rejection trigger. It's possible that use of a lot of British spellings different from American can set rejection off, but the editor has said there is no mechanical scanning for rejection--that she scans all of the entries herself. British spelling aren't generally being rejected by her, so that's not likely the reason. I do think that some British punctuation differences can pop out to her and that possibily she doesn't fully understand the differences (I don't fully understand them and I've edited for a couple of British publishers).

As the others have said, we can't give you much help if you don't note what, exactly, was said in the rejection--a reason is given. And, beyond that, you may have to send it to someone experienced here to take a look at it to see if there are problems they can see.

Sometimes there aren't really problems, and the editor, in the daily scan of 100 or more has just "seen" more than was there, and all it takes is a resubmission with a note responding the the rejection question in the notes box. Most of the few stories I've had rejected required nothing more than this to clear through as originally submitted.

 

[Sarahduk]

Thank you all for the responses.

I'm not going bother resubmitting, or trying to work out why the story was rejected. To be honest I'm quite disillusioned with the site.

I still believe the only thing that can have caused it is the subtle differences between British and US English, which is a great shame if that is the case. Not only are the owners if the site going to alienate their UK readers and writers, but they should also remember where the language originated.


Best wishes to you all

Sarah

 

[123Josh]

Thank you all for the responses.

I'm not going bother resubmitting, or trying to work out why the story was rejected. To be honest I'm quite disillusioned with the site.

I still believe the only thing that can have caused it is the subtle differences between British and US English, which is a great shame if that is the case. Not only are the owners if the site going to alienate their UK readers and writers, but they should also remember where the language originated.


Best wishes to you all

Sarah

I'd like to read it anyway if there's a way you can post it somewhere else and link to it??

 

[pandybear311]

Thank you all for the responses.

I'm not going bother resubmitting, or trying to work out why the story was rejected. To be honest I'm quite disillusioned with the site.

I still believe the only thing that can have caused it is the subtle differences between British and US English, which is a great shame if that is the case. Not only are the owners if the site going to alienate their UK readers and writers, but they should also remember where the language originated.


Best wishes to you all

Sarah

I'd have to say that it would be a shame to leave for reasons that aren't well founded or true. Most times I have seen stories rejected for paragraph length because there is a requirement of short paragraphs here. I have seen stories range from one end of the spectrum to the other. I don't believe you're giving this site a fair shot. I currently work with 2 authors overseas that keep many of the British expressions in their work. Their stories have been published within the past month without changes to those expressions.

I'm again sorry it was rejected. However, you are choosing to blame someone for something that a solution could be found to. You have several editors here who are willing to help explain the reasons given behind the rejection and yet you're unwilling to tell us what they are. It's not the site who is holding you back. Please reconsider letting us help you. As mentioned before, it may have been a simple mistake.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm not going bother resubmitting, or trying to work out why the story was rejected. To be honest I'm quite disillusioned with the site.

Then, sorry, your disillusionment should be with yourself. Because you are making unsubstantiated assumptions. Perhaps publishing isn't for you.

 

[PennLady]

Thank you all for the responses.

I'm not going bother resubmitting, or trying to work out why the story was rejected. To be honest I'm quite disillusioned with the site.

I still believe the only thing that can have caused it is the subtle differences between British and US English, which is a great shame if that is the case. Not only are the owners if the site going to alienate their UK readers and writers, but they should also remember where the language originated.

Best wishes to you all

Sarah

I'll try once again -- if a story was rejected, even in error, a reason is given. If you aren't going to share your story or the reason, we can't help you. And I think it's safe to say this site will not alienate UK writers or readers, b/c I see plenty of stories from the former and comments from the latter.

I think you need a little thicker skin, or perhaps, as sr71 said, publishing isn't quite for you.

One final word -- if you would still like to try publishing online, try a site like StoriesOnline.net, which has few restrictions, and fewer than this site.

 

[pandybear311]

That site allows a lot more than I thought would be acceptable. Frankly, I like the guidelines and restrictions here. There's thousands of stories that can be written without crossing some of the lines I saw there. It's not for me there.

 

[Sarahduk]

I'll try once again -- if a story was rejected, even in error, a reason is given. If you aren't going to share your story or the reason, we can't help you. And I think it's safe to say this site will not alienate UK writers or readers, b/c I see plenty of stories from the former and comments from the latter.

I think you need a little thicker skin, or perhaps, as sr71 said, publishing isn't quite for you.

One final word -- if you would still like to try publishing online, try a site like StoriesOnline.net, which has few restrictions, and fewer than this site.

No I don't need a thicker skin thank you. Nor will I will be publishing on any other site. I'm a UK writer and a reader and the site is alienating me, and I doubt I'm the only one.

The reasons given for rejection were spelling and punctuation. As I said previously , I have read a lot of stories on this site over the past couple of years and some that were really badly written ... In my opinion. I've also read many examples of bad grammar on this site.

To be honest, the only reason I decided to write was that I would like to share some of my fantasies with others, for their pleasure not mine. If Literotica won't publish them, then that's fine, their loss. I'm not particularly bothered. I was just trying to make the point that there it does seem to me that stories are probably run through some sort of spell checker that is based on American English.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I was just trying to make the point that there it does seem to me that stories are probably run through some sort of spell checker that is based on American English.

On a quick search of the site, I find:

9201 stories with the word "colour"
2613 with "honour"
915 with "programme"

etc etc. So clearly they're not rejecting everything with UK spellings.

Moderation does seem to be variable, but I wouldn't leap to assume that's because the site's biased against British authors. It might just be because the moderator is human and humans are variable.

 

[pandybear311]

Bramblethorn, that's what I was trying to point out. I, myself, have two authors who are steadfast in using the British spelling of things. One has published multiple stories that way.

I could take a quick look at the story and see if I can spot exactly what has been setting it off for you, Sarahduk. I wouldn't be a problem in the least. Sometimes it's not easy to see what's wrong when you've read over the material again and again. There's no telling what another pair of eyes can catch.

 

[PennLady]

That site allows a lot more than I thought would be acceptable. Frankly, I like the guidelines and restrictions here. There's thousands of stories that can be written without crossing some of the lines I saw there. It's not for me there.

I had reservations about SOL myself, but after some encouragement from other Lit writers who also post there, I took the chance. The feedback has been nothing but nice, polite and civil. In fact, I "met" my current beta reader via a story I posted there. I also think it's easier there to avoid stories you don't like via the tags (but that's of course if the author uses proper tags).

The reasons given for rejection were spelling and punctuation. As I said previously , I have read a lot of stories on this site over the past couple of years and some that were really badly written ... In my opinion. I've also read many examples of bad grammar on this site.

True, a lot of bad spelling and grammar gets through, which is unfortunate. I've edited stories that I thought remained almost unreadable even after changes are made.

I'd also be willing to look at this story for you. It may be that all you need to do is resubmit with a note that you've looked it over, and found no spelling or punctuation errors. It is possible the story was wrongly rejected. Nearly all of us have had stories rejected when they shouldn't have been. I had chapter three of a story rejected, the reason given that chapters one and two should go first; but chs 1 and 2 had been up for two weeks at that point. I resubmitted and pointed that out, and no problem.

To be honest, the only reason I decided to write was that I would like to share some of my fantasies with others, for their pleasure not mine. If Literotica won't publish them, then that's fine, their loss. I'm not particularly bothered. I was just trying to make the point that there it does seem to me that stories are probably run through some sort of spell checker that is based on American English.

From what we know, from what Laurel tells us, there is no spell checker or anything else used when she vets stories. She just uses her own eyes, which means there will be mistakes. As others have noted, there are plenty of stories about people in the UK, using UK words and phrasings, so I don't think anyone there is alienated.

 

[sr71plt]

The reasons given for rejection were spelling and punctuation. As I said previously , I have read a lot of stories on this site over the past couple of years and some that were really badly written ... In my opinion. I've also read many examples of bad grammar on this site.

There's no evidence yet that the rejection had anything to do with Briticisms. It could well be--especially from your attitude here--that you just suck at spelling and punctuation a lot more than you assume you do.

 

[Laurel]

From what we know, from what Laurel tells us, there is no spell checker or anything else used when she vets stories. She just uses her own eyes, which means there will be mistakes.

Actually, I do use a spellcheck. I check every story in Microsoft Word, which has a spellcheck feature among other things. However, as anyone who has edited anything using software has seen , spellcheck does not mean I won't miss homonyms and other errors.

As the pilot noted previously elsewhere, we do not edit stories. We expect authors to edit the stories themselves before submitting. We do check for basic spelling and formatting issues to make the story as readable as possible for our readers' sake, along with content issues. If we find issues, we send the story back to the authors for correction. The volume of submissions we receive makes it infeasible for us to edit all incoming submissions AND post stories in a semi-timely manner.

We do not reject stories based on regional dialects of English. We do expect consistency - so if you spell it "colour" in one paragraph then "color" later on, it may get sent back.

If you believe your story was rejected in error, please open the submission, respond to the rejection in the NOTES field of the submission, and hit SUBMIT.

Please do not add the word EDITED to the title, as that denotes someone editing an already approved story. Since we process all edits after the new stories are posted, adding the word EDITED to a title will cause a delay in the posting of your new story. If you are submitting an edit of a rejected story, simply open the rejected form, make the changes in that form, and hit SUBMIT. Do not start a new submission.

If anyone has any specific questions about this, please feel free to PM me anytime.

 

[PennLady]

Actually, I do use a spellcheck. I check every story in Microsoft Word, which has a spellcheck feature among other things. However, as anyone who has edited anything using software has seen , spellcheck does not mean I won't miss homonyms and other errors.

Thanks, Laurel. My mistake. And I think we've all been hit by the homonym bug at some point.

 

[ishtat]

Could have been worse.

Sarahduk might consider that, instead of being cross with Laurel, she should thank her for doing her a favour.

If the story's spelling and grammar were sufficiently poor for it to be rejected, imagine the shellacking the author would have got from the trolls had it been posted.

 

[Sarahduk]

I'm not cross or angry with anybody, certainly not Laurel.

Thank you to all who have replied in a positive manner and with a friendly attitude. Also thank you to all those who have sent friendly and helpful PM's , to the others I don't really have anything to say.

In hindsight I clearly shouldn't have posted this thread, I was simply curious to find out if the difference between my British English and the American English that is predominant on the site, was the reason for the rejection. That's it really, I could say more in response to some of the comments above, but I won't as it will only encourage further daft comments.

I have been coming to this site for a couple of years, quite regularly, and have read some very well written sensual erotic stories. For me it's a great way to escape from the reality of everyday life in a very safe environment. Obviously I'm not destined to be a writer, which is fine.

Once again thanks for the helpful and polite comments, I appreciate them.

 

[SevenSquared]

I think you're being a bit drama-queeny to be honest. I'm British and if stories can be rejected for using British spellings, then my first one would never have made it through the filter. My more recent ones I have changed to American spelling wherever possible, but not to make it publishable, but more as a nod to my readers, who are far more American than British.

 

[literot]

Hi Sarah, I see you've got your story published - loved it! Do Send me a message as I'd love to chat about it

 

[jackflash81]

I am in the UK, and have plenty of stories rejected, I don't really worry too much about it to be honest.

I get a buzz from writing them, have sent some to others to read...

It can be annoying as I agree I have also seen very badly written ones, but I am not sure it is a anti-UK bias at all.

Who knows really, but in the end, there is more to the site and I would keep trying. As I said, I find the joy in the writing and it would be a great shame to lose a fellow Brit from the site, especially one with a bum as nice as yours!

x

 

[davidmuleguy]

Reading this thread has made me wonder if Sarah is experiencing the same story submission problem as myself.

As a number of posters here have said, submissions don't get rejected on the grounds of their containing British English spellings, slang, phrases.

I'm English, and I have had no problems with my story submissions, on that score. So that's not the problem.

Sarah didn't say how she submitted her story. I mean – and this is the thing: was it submitted by email?

I submit my stories to Lit by email – it's the only way I know how to.

Sarah says her story was rejected on the grounds of spelling and punctuation errors.

Well ... I always put my stories through the spell checker before sending them in.
But they are usually rejected, with the reason given: 'Did you check that everything was spelled correctly?'

When I click 'Reason' (for rejection), and go into the box that contains the story text, I find that is littered with spelling and punctuation errors.

What I then have to do (which is time-consuming, and a right pain in the neck!), is go in and fix all of the errors that I can spot.
Then, preview it to see that all is okay (it usually isn't, and I have to go in again to fix the errors I missed first time).
Then re-submit. After which, the submission usually then passes muster.

I can only conclude that something must be going wrong during the procedure when Lit transfer the text of my email, to their ... story engine, as it were.

I would be interested to know if anyone else is having (or has had) this problem. And, if so, is there a way around it.

And, no – I don't mean learning how to actually work a computer!