What Am I Doing Wrong?

[Lord Bitememan]

I've had a story that's been getting held up for a while now. I submitted the thing about three weeks ago. After a week it was rejected with only the vague explaination that there were "spelling errors." I checked in the word file I wrote it in, and there were no issues it noticed. I read it over again, and there were no homophone errors of any kind that spellcheck would miss. I resubmitted it with an author note asking that if there are spelling errors could they get back with me and get more specific. That was two weeks ago. Since then it has been "pending."

1. Does anyone know what is holding up approval of this story?

2. Is there any way I can get specifics on what they would like changed so I can expedite the process of its approval?

 

[OmegaWolf179]

May be more than just spelling

There is a good possibility that there may be spelling errors that you may think are correct but are actually incorrect, homophone or not. Technically, that would make it a grammatical error. I would heavily suggest rechecking your grammar, because I feel that the spelling errors may not be the only problem.

What you need to do is get an editor. There is a directory of people who would be willing to volunteer edit for you somewhere on Literotica. Also, check out the Editor's section of the forum - I'm sure many people are willing to help you there.

The very kind people who post your story on Literotica are not proofreaders, and I'm sure with the hundreds of submissions they get weekly, they don't have time to fool around with any quirky or grammatically-nasty submissions. I don't know if they are just busy, but I would highly suggest to not ask them what is wrong with your piece next time. Get someone to help you first. They don't have time to help you, and I'm sure your request for their help was a bit of a turn off to them.

I hope that was a little helpful.

 

[Lord Bitememan]

I think you misunderstood. I didn't ask them for help or to proofread. I asked them to identify the exact errors that caused them to reject it. Their initial rejection explaination was vague in the extreme. I don't think it is unreasonable that if they notice a particular error in the thing that causes them to reject approval to think they might at least identify the exact error when they do. I've read the thing over, and it's not like its slathered with a foreigner's grammer held together on disjointed sentences. It's cogent. I've gone over this thing three times. If you like I can fire a copy off to you and you can see for yourself.

 

[OmegaWolf179]

Yeah, if you wish, you may send a copy for me (if it is not too long). creative179@hotmail.com

But I also think you misunderstood. The people who post your story don't necessarily have enough time to read through your entire story. They probably skim and read brief parts to see if everything is OK. They don't have time to write down exact points of why the story was rejected - they have HUNDREDS of stories to put online. If I were put in that position, I know that I wouldn't have time to identify all the errors for you. I do believe it would be respectable for you to understand why they were vague - they are probably really busy.

My suggestion for an editor was for a reason. They always reject a story for a reason, and it is generally because a story is not proofread very well. I know, I know, you may hate me for saying that, but it may be true. Even I know for a fact that although I can proofread the hell out of a story, it can still be a grammatical mess in the end - EVEN if I feel that it is perfect. That's why editors are there - they find the stuff that even you, the writer, cannot fix. It's impossible for you, the biased author, to fix everything.

If your story isn't that long, I'll proof it for you, if you wish.

 

[LadyCibelle]

I think you misunderstood. I didn't ask them for help or to proofread. I asked them to identify the exact errors that caused them to reject it. Their initial rejection explaination was vague in the extreme. I don't think it is unreasonable that if they notice a particular error in the thing that causes them to reject approval to think they might at least identify the exact error when they do. I've read the thing over, and it's not like its slathered with a foreigner's grammer held together on disjointed sentences. It's cogent. I've gone over this thing three times. If you like I can fire a copy off to you and you can see for yourself.

Coloured parts are to draw your attention to it.

Red: Do YOU really think they have the time to send mails to every single writers who makes mistakes in his story with every SINGLE one of them outlined????????

Blue: I DO think it's unreasonable for you to think they'd have the time. Lit's owners and reviewers have Lives outside of Lit you know.

Now MY comments: Unless it's a gross misunderstanding on my part or Lit's reviewers were asleep when they read your story, I'd really suggest for you to send it to an editor (NO......NOT ME) and have him/her work on it. If said editor doesn't find anything wrong with your story.....well then please, complain about it, loud and clear, but for God's sake....get someone who knows the first thing about editing and not just anybody that is ready to stroke your ego.

No harm or insults intended to OmegaWolf179 above me as he/she put his/her fingers on the heart of the matter.

 

[CopyCarver]

Coloured parts are to draw your attention to it.

Red: Do YOU really think they have the time to send mails to every single writers who makes mistakes in his story with every SINGLE one of them outlined????????

Probably so. I receive about a dozen letters a week from authors demanding detailed page-by-page critiques of books we've rejected; demands that I rewrite the book for them (without changing anything, of course); threats of lawsuits; and--not kidding--several death threats. My favorite came from a dude whose western shoot-em-up received a standard "we don't publish genre fiction" rejection--he self-righteously reminded me that it's a free country, that he's entitled to write anything he likes, and that I'm obligated to publish it. Seems to me that he was about 2/3 correct.

And this is at a university press. When I worked at commercial houses, it was worse.

 

[LadyCibelle]

Coloured parts are to draw your attention to it.

Red: Do YOU really think they have the time to send mails to every single writers who makes mistakes in his story with every SINGLE one of them outlined????????

Probably so. I receive about a dozen letters a week from authors demanding detailed page-by-page critiques of books we've rejected; demands that I rewrite the book for them (without changing anything, of course); threats of lawsuits; and--not kidding--several death threats. My favorite came from a dude whose western shoot-em-up received a standard "we don't publish genre fiction" rejection--he self-righteously reminded me that it's a free country, that he's entitled to write anything he likes, and that I'm obligated to publish it. Seems to me that he was about 2/3 correct.

And this is at a university press. When I worked at commercial houses, it was worse.

LOl....some people are funny huh

 

[fieryjen]

Coloured parts are to draw your attention to it.

Red: Do YOU really think they have the time to send mails to every single writers who makes mistakes in his story with every SINGLE one of them outlined????????

Probably so. I receive about a dozen letters a week from authors demanding detailed page-by-page critiques of books we've rejected; demands that I rewrite the book for them (without changing anything, of course); threats of lawsuits; and--not kidding--several death threats. My favorite came from a dude whose western shoot-em-up received a standard "we don't publish genre fiction" rejection--he self-righteously reminded me that it's a free country, that he's entitled to write anything he likes, and that I'm obligated to publish it. Seems to me that he was about 2/3 correct.

And this is at a university press. When I worked at commercial houses, it was worse.

Bwah!

 

[CopyCarver]

Bwah!

Your submission has been received and will be given serious consideration by our editors. Although five characters is somewhat beneath our customary minimum length, it could be expanded with footnotes, tables, bibliography, and recipes for homemade chicken soup. Large typeface and wide margins are also a distinct possibility.

 

[Lord Bitememan]

Do YOU really think they have the time to send mails to every single writers who makes mistakes in his story with every SINGLE one of them outlined????????

When I go through some stories and see that they were obviously written by someone who learned English as a second language, and their work got approved, and then I re-read my story for the fourth, fifth, sixth time and can't find what their issue is, then maybe, just maybe, when they reject it, they might refer to a particular error in the rejection message by way of having the author resolve the issues.

I DO think it's unreasonable for you to think they'd have the time. Lit's owners and reviewers have Lives outside of Lit you know.

If it's unreasonable for me to think they'd have five seconds to c & p a major error into their rejection message, then I'm unreasonable. Contrarywise, perhaps it is unreasonable for you to assume it takes onerous amounts of time to draw attention to a particular error rather than being something easy to do.

Unless it's a gross misunderstanding on my part

Quite possibly it is. I'm being vague because I want to avoid being accusatory, and was hoping someone involved with the approval process might catch this thread and give me a bit more of a heads-up about what's going on. That hope may have been naive on my part, but I know there's a bit more going on here than a simple spelling error (and yes, when there's an obvious quick-fix spelling error, they usually just correct it and approve the story).

If said editor doesn't find anything wrong with your story.....well then please, complain about it, loud and clear

If your reaction to this is any indication, more than likely the result of further complaint even after taking this step might just be more self-righteous condemnation.

get someone who knows the first thing about editing and not just anybody that is ready to stroke your ego.

As I said above, more than likely if I did get an editor (which, you don't know that I didn't, since I didn't say specifically anywhere in this thread that I didn't), your next complaint would be something along the lines of "well get a real editor, not just someone stroking your ego."

 

[LadyCibelle]

When I go through some stories and see that they were obviously written by someone who learned English as a second language, and their work got approved, and then I re-read my story for the fourth, fifth, sixth time and can't find what their issue is, then maybe, just maybe, when they reject it, they might refer to a particular error in the rejection message by way of having the author resolve the issues.

Refers you to the countless posts suggesting you to find an editor. Nobody and I mean NOBODY can self edit his/her own stuff. We all know what we're trying to say and numerous times that's exactly what we see as our mind/eyes tricks us into believing that's what's on the page.

If it's unreasonable for me to think they'd have five seconds to c & p a major error into their rejection message, then I'm unreasonable. Contrarywise, perhaps it is unreasonable for you to assume it takes onerous amounts of time to draw attention to a particular error rather than being something easy to do.

What's unreasonable here is to not understand that they don't HAVE the time to do something different FOR YOU. They don't do it for anybody....why should they do it for YOU?

Quite possibly it is. I'm being vague because I want to avoid being accusatory, and was hoping someone involved with the approval process might catch this thread and give me a bit more of a heads-up about what's going on.

The ones involved in the approval process don't come into threads like this one and the thousands others. They have lives, and let us (lowly Volunteer Editors) to deal with complaints such as yours.

That hope may have been naive on my part, but I know there's a bit more going on here than a simple spelling error (and yes, when there's an obvious quick-fix spelling error, they usually just correct it and approve the story).

Absolutely NOT true. The reviewers don't do any such sorts of corrections on anybody's stories. They review, make sure nothing too major is happening in the story, make sure it respects Lit't guidelines etc.... but they certainly don't do any corrections.

If your reaction to this is any indication, more than likely the result of further complaint even after taking this step might just be more self-righteous condemnation.

Condemnation?!?! You haven't seen me get on someone's case if you think that what I said before was condemning you. If refuting your arguments is judgments and condemnation for you...well...so be it.

As I said above, more than likely if I did get an editor (which, you don't know that I didn't, since I didn't say specifically anywhere in this thread that I didn't), your next complaint would be something along the lines of "well get a real editor, not just someone stroking your ego."

True, you haven't said you didn't get an editor....but.....the assumption on my part is easy to make as otherwise you'd have said so (logically) and furthermore, you'd also have said that aforementioned editor didn't see anything wrong either. Then, and only then, my next question and not complaint would have been to ask you about said editor's credentials.

 

[Lord Bitememan]

What's unreasonable here is to not understand that they don't HAVE the time to do something different FOR YOU. They don't do it for anybody....why should they do it for YOU?

Quote from a thread on this very forum:

If your story is rejected for this, feel free to send the story back with a polite request for an explanation and we will tell you why it was rejected.

So, appearantly I'm NOT asking for something they don't give out to other people. In that case, it's NOT unreasonable to think some manner of feedback might occur when requested.

The ones involved in the approval process don't come into threads like this one and the thousands others.

Than that was an erroneous assumption on my part. Mea culpa, mea culpa.

to deal with complaints such as yours.

Much like you weren't condemning, I'm not complaining. I had two specific questions. . . neither one of which has been answered, so I could take steps on my own. You interpret it as complaint much as I interpret your tone as condemning.

Absolutely NOT true. The reviewers don't do any such sorts of corrections on anybody's stories. They review, make sure nothing too major is happening in the story, make sure it respects Lit't guidelines etc.... but they certainly don't do any corrections.

Bullshit, I've seen it happen before. Even on one of my stories they changed the subtitle because of some profanity in it. So, yes, they do make corrections on quick fixes.

You haven't seen me get on someone's case if you think that what I said before was condemning you.

If you're driving 70 but you normally drive 80, it doesn't mean you aren't speeding. But okay, I'll credit you 2 for 1 and say you aren't condemning.

Then, and only then, my next question and not complaint would have been to ask you about said editor's credentials.

And suppose the editor's credentials were impecable. Then what could I expect?

 

[LadyCibelle]

Quote from a thread on this very forum:

If your story is rejected for this, feel free to send the story back with a polite request for an explanation and we will tell you why it was rejected.

So, appearantly I'm NOT asking for something they don't give out to other people. In that case, it's NOT unreasonable to think some manner of feedback might occur when requested.

Okay, I'll give that quote to you. Maybe at one time Lit's owner and reviewers had time to do it...but in all my years I've been here, I"ve never seen them do it for anyone. I'll even concede that if it isn't true anymore they should delete/take it away/get rid of it....but unless they do....there isn't much that I, or anybody else for that matter, can do apart from telling you that it's simply not done.

Than that was an erroneous assumption on my part. Mea culpa, mea culpa.

Forgiven as you're gracious enough to recognize your error

Much like you weren't condemning, I'm not complaining.

Semantics and misunderstanding on both our parts.

I had two specific questions. . . neither one of which has been answered, so I could take steps on my own. You interpret it as complaint much as I interpret your tone as condemning.


1. Does anyone know what is holding up approval of this story?

I, certainly don't know. Apart from knowing that being in the middle of a contest and contest entries take precedence on any other stories.

2. Is there any way I can get specifics on what they would like changed so I can expedite the process of its approval?

None that I know of...unfortunately. The rejection form email they send is the same for anyone in your situation. They don't give specifics and you have to wade through your story to find out what's wrong.

Bullshit, I've seen it happen before. Even on one of my stories they changed the subtitle because of some profanity in it. So, yes, they do make corrections on quick fixes.

Once again semantics.....yes they do change subtitle if it's not suitable for them....no they don't make any changes IN a story.

If you're driving 70 but you normally drive 80, it doesn't mean you aren't speeding. But okay, I'll credit you 2 for 1 and say you aren't condemning.

Credit as much as you want hun; ask anyone who knows me....I don't wear kids' gloves and if I had condemned you.....rest assured you'd have known.

And suppose the editor's credentials were impecable. Then what could I expect?

Then, you could expect me to be surprised that it's still being rejected. And I'd suggest you send it to another editor....just to be on the safe side.

When you've been working for a while with a writer sometimes you miss things...not because you want to but because you're so accustomed to the writer's thoughts that...you (the editor) gets to see what he/she expects to see and not necessarily what's on the page.

 

[Lord Bitememan]

Look, I'm sorry if I came across as rude. I really don't want to start a fight. I just want someone to give me what changes I need to make to get my story approved. I certainly don't want to throw a tizzy and sidetrack this goal. I do currently have someone offering some suggestions for changes. We'll see where it goes from there.

 

[LadyCibelle]

Look, I'm sorry if I came across as rude. I really don't want to start a fight. I just want someone to give me what changes I need to make to get my story approved. I certainly don't want to throw a tizzy and sidetrack this goal. I do currently have someone offering some suggestions for changes. We'll see where it goes from there.

You didn't. You came across as someone who wanted an answer and wanted it NOW but not rude...at least not to me.

You could have started flaming me, calling me names when I replied to your quotes with more quotes of mine and you didn't....THAT deserves some recognition and applause.

Good luck with your suggestions.....if you ever find yourself in need of us (VE) don't hesitate to come back....there'll always be someone willng to help you I'm sure.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Look, I'm sorry if I came across as rude. I really don't want to start a fight. I just want someone to give me what changes I need to make to get my story approved. I certainly don't want to throw a tizzy and sidetrack this goal. I do currently have someone offering some suggestions for changes. We'll see where it goes from there.

If you need another pair of eyes, PM me with it, I'll look it over for you... as long as it isn't huge... ya know, like 20K words or something...

 

[FallingToFly]

Tossing my two cents into the ring, LBMM-

I do think, in a large degree, it depends on which anonymous reviewer reads your story.

I had a story rejected, not too long ago, for a single typo. And then I had a story accepted that I forgot to run through the spell check (I was on a deadline, shoot me) that has so many errors that I literally spazzed when I read it and submitted an edited (IE, spellchecked) version five minutes later.

Sometimes, it seems silly to the author when we get rejected. The best you can do is fix what YOU can find wrong, or your editor can find, and then resubmit and wait it out.

As to the wait time- right now we ALL have long wait times. Too many contests this year- I really hope they cut back next year.

 

[Lord Bitememan]

Okay, I got the editor, submitted the edited version, and waited patiently. The thing remains on pending, and has for several weeks now. It keeps getting viewed, but has yet to be approved or even rejected.

 

[fieryjen]

Okay, I got the editor, submitted the edited version, and waited patiently. The thing remains on pending, and has for several weeks now. It keeps getting viewed, but has yet to be approved or even rejected.

How much is "several weeks", do you know? I mean, do you remember when exactly you submitted this latest version? If they get backlogged, it may very well be that that's the only explanation and has nothing to do with yout story. I submitted a story recently and it took rather long as well, more so than I expected.

 

[Lord Bitememan]

It's been sitting since about the 25th of June.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

It's been sitting since about the 25th of June.

How many views does it have?

sometimes previously rejected stories take WAY longer than regular submissions (for some reason? )

 

[kbate]

A month is a long time for approval, even with a contest running for most of that time.

If it does not appear as approved with the Monday morning batch. (7/17) - you should PM the management and ask about your story.

 

[Lord Bitememan]

Views: it's got 17 views.

PMing management: I never saw in any of the FAQ pages and review things who to PM. How would I go about it?

 

[snooper]

Views: it's got 17 views.

PMing management: I never saw in any of the FAQ pages and review things who to PM. How would I go about it?

Send your PM to Laurel which is the generic name for all of Lit's content management. FYI the technical equivament is Manu for problems with the web site itself.

 

[Lone_Dove65]

I agree

Send your PM to Laurel which is the generic name for all of Lit's content management. FYI the technical equivament is Manu for problems with the web site itself.

This could be one way of requesting information, but many have offered to read through your story in hopes of being able to assist you. I, along with them, offer my services to review your story.