Taking a long time to have a story published.

[travelenman]

I have a story sitting in pending, and it is taking longer than normal to publish. Initially, I thought it was the Christmas break. Who can I chat with?

 

[TarnishedPenny]

You could always PM Laurel, the owner.

 

[EmilyMiller]

No one here. We have no control or influence over the publication process. Suggest you start a convo with the only person who does: @Laurel

Good luck.

Emily

 

[M_K_Babalon]

How long has it been? if less than a week, then wait.

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

How long has it been? if less than a week, then wait.

This, UNLESS it's an entry in the Valentine's Day story contest. In that case, contact her if it's been more than three days since those usually get priority (since they require enough votes to be eligible for the contest).

 

[M_K_Babalon]

This, UNLESS it's an entry in the Valentine's Day story contest. In that case, contact her if it's been more than three days since those usually get priority (since they require enough votes to be eligible for the contest).

Yes, unless it's a contest or challenge, those get priority because of the deadline. The less scrutiny your work needs, the quicker it can be posted.

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

Good point, MK. I was thinking specifically at the moment, but there's at least one or two challenges going now too.

 

[travelenman]

How long has it been? if less than a week, then wait.

I originally submitted it on the 11th of January and resubmitted it again on the 23rd of January and again on the 30th. I understand we go back to the bottom of the list, but it was longer than a week.

This is not a complaint but if there is an issue I want to deal with it.

 

[AchtungNight]

I originally submitted it on the 11th of January and resubmitted it again on the 23rd of January and again on the 30th. I understand we go back to the bottom of the list, but it was longer than a week.

This is not a complaint but if there is an issue I want to deal with it.

Did you address the issue Laurel should have pointed out with each rejection?

 

[travelenman]

Did you happen to address the issue Laurel should have pointed out with each rejection?

There was no rejection; I resubmitted to see if I needed to include something.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I originally submitted it on the 11th of January and resubmitted it again on the 23rd of January and again on the 30th. I understand we go back to the bottom of the list, but it was longer than a week.

This is not a complaint but if there is an issue I want to deal with it.

This isn't clear.

Did the story get rejected, or have you been resubmitting for no reason except impatience? Ever time you pull it back to Draft then resubmit, the story goes to the end of the queue and the clock starts running, all over again. If that's the case, the 11th Jan is now irrelevant.

EDIT - you just answered my question. You reset your own story clock.

New writers always take longer to get their first stories through, because you get a closer screening for content compliance. Also, if there's a contest or anthology running, those stories get priority.

 

[karina_jayde]

I originally submitted it on the 11th of January and resubmitted it again on the 23rd of January and again on the 30th. I understand we go back to the bottom of the list, but it was longer than a week.

This is not a complaint but if there is an issue I want to deal with it.

Each time you re-submit puts you back at the bottom of the queue. So your latest submission would be the 30th, less than a week ago. A week or more is not unusual, especially if you're a newer writer and if there's a contest going on. I've had stories take almost 2 weeks to post, depending on the time of year and the length of the story.

I wouldn't worry about it if it's only been a week. Just don't try re-submitting again as that will once again reset the clock.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I originally submitted it on the 11th of January and resubmitted it again on the 23rd of January and again on the 30th. I understand we go back to the bottom of the list, but it was longer than a week.

This is not a complaint but if there is an issue I want to deal with it.

Each time you resubmit, the story goes to the back of the queue. You've been shooting yourself in the foot, my friend. I'm guessing Laurel is also busy with the valentines entries and all the 750 word stories @EmilyMiller has been submitting. (love you Em )

 

[EmilyMiller]

Each time you resubmit, the story goes to the back of the queue. You've been shooting yourself in the foot, my friend. I'm guessing Laurel is also busy with the valentines entries and all the 750 word stories @EmilyMiller has been submitting. (love you Em )

It’s only 11… oh wait, 12

Emily

 

[travelenman]

Thanks for all the responses, team. It looks like I'm just impatient.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Thanks for all the responses, team. It looks like I'm just impatient.

No worries, we all want our babies delivered as quickly as possible. We all feel the same way.

 

[jhealy55]

But pushing the button a bunch of times in a row still makes the "walk" sign turn green faster...right?!?

(asking for a friend)

 

[KeithD]

Thanks for all the responses, team. It looks like I'm just impatient.

No, you're not being impatient. Both the wait and the lack of communication are on the site, not you. Part of the problem, though, as already noted, is that each time you refile it, you move it back to the bottom of the queue.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

No, you're not being impatient. Both the wait and the lack of communication is on the site, not you. Part of the problem, though, as already noted, is that each time you refile it, you move it back to the bottom of the queue.

That's like complaining that the cruise time from San Diego to Honolulu is too long and wishing the Pacific Ocean was smaller. You have no control over the wait. Only choice is to adjust your expectations.

 

[KeithD]

That's like complaining that the cruise time from San Diego to Honolulu is too long and wishing the Pacific Ocean was smaller. You have no control over the wait. Only choice is to adjust your expectations.

Well, no, I think that's too apologetic for the Web site. As has already been noted, the author can post to a site with better communications. That would be them controlling the issue.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Well, no, I think that's too apologetic for the Web site. As has already been noted, the author can post to a site with better communications. That would be them controlling the issue.

Controlling their half of the issue, Might get you a slightly faster boat, but does nothing guaranteed to impact the other side. Hence, manage expectations.

 

[KeithD]

Controlling their half of the issue, Might get you a slightly faster boat, but does nothing guaranteed to impact the other side. Hence, manage expectations.

Unless the decision is to move elsewhere because of nonresponsiveness here--and is then multiplied by a couple hundred other authors here.

What is your need just to say "suck it up"?

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Unless the decision is to move elsewhere because of nonresponsiveness here--and is then multiplied by a couple hundred other authors here.

What is your need just to say "suck it up"?

You do you, whatever that means.

All I'm suggesting is to control what you can and let the rest go. Basic stress management technique.
What good does it do to fret over something we have absolutely no control over.

The systems and resources behind this site are in place and are what they are. Once we submit a story, it takes as long as it takes. You want to get all upset over that and feel like it's unfair or inconvenient, or lacking on some way, that's your choice. I choose not to.

Call it 'sucking it up' if you want. I call it not worrying about things outside my control. When you come up with a concrete action we can take, I'm all on board. Until then, I'm going to enjoy my tea and have another cookie.

 

[KeithD]

Controlling their half of the issue, Might get you a slightly faster boat, but does nothing guaranteed to impact the other side. Hence, manage expectations.

I'll go with managing expectations. I've been here a long time (eighteen years from the initial account), I post a lot of stories, and I get communications from Laurel when I need it (perhaps because I don't make many demands). So, I can manage expectations OK here. If I was just starting here and I was getting rejections on false AI calls or most everyone else was getting published in two days and I couldn't get published in a month and couldn't get the Web site to respond to my attempts at communications, managing expectations for me quite possibility would be to find another story site that responded better. As far as I'm concerned the OP has a legitimate gripe that "suck it up, baby" doesn't go far to satisfy.

The particular issue here isn't a "for everybody" this-is-the-time-it-takes response. It's that some of us get posted in two days and can get a response from Laurel and far too many report that they don't get this level of response.

 

[Seadog777]

Give it at least 3-5 days before you send a DM/PM to Laurel.

There are currently 2 different contests running right now, so normal stories do not have priority right now.

Laurel does all of this on her own, and shit falls through the cracks.

I know and understand that it can be frustrating at times, lord knows with my temper, I can't cast any stones. LOL.

I suggest while you wait on a reply, to focus on your next story or two. Get a nice, good jump on it.

Hope things work out for ya.