Why is a story not being published?

[MitziNorton]

Okay, so I have a problem. I've had a story pending for 9 days now, with two more backed up behind it. It's not controversial (no non human, no cnc, no bondage) but it isn't being published. I haven't heard from Lit to say there's a problem with it - it's just pending. What can I do? It's incredibly frustrating when other people are waiting two days.

 

[Sappho_CGN]

I know that feeling ...

I had that problem with my English story and learned that my story had 2 problems:

1. I mentioned that I had sex the first time with 13
2. I did not make for each direct speech text a paragraph.

After that was changed, my story was published. The German original was published without any changes.

 

[MitziNorton]

Nope, none of those problems. I haven't mentioned anything underage and all of my speech begins a new line

 

[jaF0]

Do you have any other stories up, or is this your first?

It can take a bit of extra time for new authors to get approved.

 

[MitziNorton]

I have two stories published already. They were published within four days. It's putting me off any more writing because why bother if it won't be published? I have no issue if it needs to be edited or amended - I just need to know

 

[ragal2]

MitziNorton is right.
It is frustrating to wait for our stories to be published, sometimes for a long time, without knowing what's the problem.
If the reviewer lets us know the issue, so next time we won't repeat it , that's one thing, but waiting without knowing IF it's going to be published or what are the concerns - It is very annoying, especially in cases of series (Readers lose the plot, atmosphere, name of participants...).

 

[ClockworkFox]

Good evening,

I wish to jump in here with MitziNorton and ragal2. Jump in in the neutral sense, naturally. I submitted an elegantly smutty and smuttily elegant little poem well over a week ago, on 17 May. It was sent back, telling me that the problem was likely the poem's lines, which should have been in another format. I corrected this, but it is still very much in schtook.

Meanwhile, a short story I submitted just after the initial submission of the poem was posted quite promptly, no questions asked.

I would be most grateful if you could look into this. Many thanks.


Mistress S

 

[ragal2]

Spunkylady, I am with you.
I have no issues with a reviewer who thinks a story/poem/illustration should be rejected/corrected/changed.
However, the guidelines should be more detailed. Right now, they are too vague, and when a work is not accepted, the reasons are not always clear enough. When it's about minors or unacceptable grammar writing, I get it. But sometimes, it says AI with no proof (I know because I had to deal with this issue twice before).
The acceptance & publishing times are another subject that can be improved if the administration prioritizes it. If this is impossible, at least try to explain what we should expect time-wise, REALISTICALLY.

 

[Britva415]

It's putting me off any more writing because why bother if it won't be published?

Do you mean "if it won't be published in four days?" Or do you mean "won't ever be published at all?"

They'll get to it. Nine days is not unheard-of for "unknown" publishers - that is to say, people other than those who have quite a few stories published already, going back a significant period of time. Your two stories were first published this month. It's great that they got to them in only four days. Woohoo! We've been hearing from other newer authors that it took two or three weeks, but they finally did pass review and get published.

That's just how it goes around here. Up to you to decide whether that's too long and you'll take your business elsewhere.

 

[ClockworkFox]

My poem was sent back today. They said I had to send it to the Poetry section, which I believe I had originally looked for, but was unable to find. So I did. I resubmitted, it was accepted, but then I saw that my publication records stood as "Sent Back - 1", "Pending - 0".

I thought there had been a mistake with the submission (despite the "Submitted OK") message, and tried to submit again. A message appeared to say I had already submitted a work with the same title, and did I want to replace? I said no, cancelled that, came out, and my publication records still stand as "Sent Back - 1", "Pending - 0".

Therefore I do not know whether it has been submitted or not. Could it be that poetry submissions are treated differently? Laurel? Manu?

 

[ClockworkFox]

Just to report that my poem was finally published this morning. Thank you very much, Manu and Laurel.

 

[MitziNorton]

I'm really glad to hear that. Hope it's well received

 

[ClockworkFox]

Thank you, MitziNorton. I am not sure if "Hope it's well received" is a pun, given the content of the poem, or unintentional, but it works in either of those cases.

 

[MitziNorton]

I'll find you and follow you! Drop me a line too if you want. Writing friends are always good to have. M

 

[ragal2]

Most of the time, this discussion board is used for complaining about something we don't understand (or like).
Now and then, it's good to hear positive/successful stories like the one above.

 

[KeithD]

Okay, so I have a problem. I've had a story pending for 9 days now, with two more backed up behind it. It's not controversial (no non human, no cnc, no bondage) but it isn't being published. I haven't heard from Lit to say there's a problem with it - it's just pending. What can I do? It's incredibly frustrating when other people are waiting two days.

A story of yours was published on Monday, 27 May. Is this the one you posted about on Sunday? Published now?

 

[ragal2]

Lately, it happens quite often that a story is stuck as 'pending' for more than 5 days. The longest time one of my stories waited was 13 days.
When it's a single chapter-story, it's annoying but tolerable.
However, if this is part of the series, it's much worse: Readers have no idea if the author wrote the chapter or decided to concentrate on another story. Many readers direct their focus somewhere else and never return to this series.
The overall result: The number of readers interested in the series drop, the score/rating decline, and everybody is frustrated/upset.
Wouldn't it be nice if somebody (Laurel, Manu, senior-reviewer) tells us what are the logistical issue/s ( Which may be legitimate!), so we know what to expect?...

 

[MitziNorton]

A story of yours was published on Monday, 27 May. Is this the one you posted about on Sunday? Published now?

Ironically it was a story that had been sitting for a day waiting to be checked a story I submitted on 17 May is still waiting

 

[KeithD]

Ironically it was a story that had been sitting for a day waiting to be checked a story I submitted on 17 May is still waiting

Thanks. Know that's frustrating.

 

[ragal2]

Often it happens to me too. God is my witness I write all my stories the same way.
Since half my life I lived in countries which didn't speak English, I took an online course to improve my grammar.
At present my English is far from perfect, but some grammar suggestions I remember and apply in my stories.
Are these sentences triggering the AI tracker?!...

 

[Naked_Nomad]

Okay, so I have a problem. I've had a story pending for 9 days now, with two more backed up behind it. It's not controversial (no non human, no cnc, no bondage) but it isn't being published. I haven't heard from Lit to say there's a problem with it - it's just pending. What can I do? It's incredibly frustrating when other people are waiting two days.

Mine was submitted on 6/14 and took a week to go to draft stage where it is still sitting. Starting to wonder if it is still going to be sitting there when the contest ends.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Mine was submitted on 6/14 and took a week to go to draft stage where it is still sitting. Starting to wonder if it is still going to be sitting there when the contest ends.

Did you add in the Note to the Editor that it's a contest story? Contest entries usually get priority.

 

[Britva415]

Mine was submitted on 6/14 and took a week to go to draft stage where it is still sitting. Starting to wonder if it is still going to be sitting there when the contest ends.

If it's in "Draft" status then that means you haven't submitted it for publishing. If you do that, its status will immediately change to "Pending."

"Pending" is the status it sits in while waiting for approval. Once it's approved its status will change to "New", and it'll be published overnight.

 

[Naked_Nomad]

Did you add in the Note to the Editor that it's a contest story? Contest entries usually get priority.

Yes I did. Copied and pasted the "National Nude Day" as instructed.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Yes I did. Copied and pasted the "National Nude Day" as instructed.

Try sending a polite PM to Laurel, saying your story is in the Contest. That might shake it loose.