Tag: science-fiction

• June 2025 Submissions Recap

  During June 2025, I submitted seven stories to publications, including twice to NewMyths.com (7^th and 8^th subs), Haven Speculative (2^nd sub), Penumbric (4^th sub), The Colored Lens (9^th sub), Electric Spec (3^rd sub; 1 hold request), and The Paris Review (2^nd sub).

  I also received five rejections from publications, including NewMyths.com (7^th and 8^th rejections), Radon Journal (1^st rejection), Abyss and Apex (2^nd rejection; 1 positive), and The Colored Lens (9^th rejection; 6 positive; 1 hold request).

  Finally, I received one hold request from Allegory Zine (1^st sub).

  After submitting to the same publication twice in a month and getting rejected both times, the hold request feels good. This is also my sixth hold request since re-starting my submissions journey in 2022, and while none have led to a publication, I’ll still take them as promising signs. Let’s see what comes in July.

  July 10, 2025

  fantasy, fiction, publishing, rejection, science-fiction, short-stories, speculative fiction, stories, story submissions, submissions, writing

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• May 2025 Submissions Recap

  During May 2025, I submitted 11 short stories to publications, including Planet Scumm (1^st sub), Behind the Revolving Door: An Anthology of Choices (1^st sub), Allegory Zine (1st sub), The Cincinnati Review (1^st sub), ShortStory Substack (1^st sub), Joyland Magazine (1^st sub), The Colored Lens (8^th sub), Interzone (7^th sub), Radon Journal (1^st sub), Jerry Jazz Musician Short Story Contest (1^st sub), and Three-Lobed Burning Eye (3^rd sub).

  I also received 7 rejections from publications, including Electric Spec (2^nd rejection; held for consideration), The Future Fire (3^rd rejection), Just Keep Up Magazine (1^st rejection), The Colored Lens (8^th rejection, 5 positive; 1 hold request), Interzone (7^th rejection; 1 positive), Bannister Press: The Other Anthology (1^st rejection), and Three-Lobed Burning Eye (3^rd rejection).

  After receiving three hold requests in recent months, it was frustrating that none made it to publication, even though that’s how the process goes sometimes. This month I decided to get more aggressive with submissions, roughly doubling my usual number. No idea how that will pan out, but it’s worth a try. Let’s see what happens in June.

  June 10, 2025

  fantasy, fiction, publishing, rejection, science-fiction, short-stories, stories, story submissions, submissions, writing

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• April 2025 Submissions Recap

  During April 2025, I submitted five stories to publications, including Amazing Stories (1^st sub), Fusion Fragment (6^th sub), The Future Fire (3^rd sub), Bannister Press: The Other Anthology (1^st sub), and Strange Horizons (2^nd sub). It’s nice to see Amazing Stories up and running again, and I was glad to get a story sent to Strange Horizons—a dream publication—during their submissions window.

  I also received five rejections from publications, including McSweeney’s Quarterly (1^st rejection), Amazing Stories (1^st rejection), Fusion Fragment (5^th rejection), Fantasy Magazine (1^st rejection), and Andromeda Spaceways Magazine (2 rejections, both positive; 1 hold request). Technically, Andromeda Spaceways did not reject my story, but instead couldn’t find a place for it in the current issue, so it was released.

  Andromeda Spaceways sent some promising feedback, as well. One reviewer wrote, “Wow. This might be the best story I’ve read for Andromeda Spaceways,” going on to call it an “Exceptional story.” So, even though the story wasn’t picked up, I’m confident in its quality. Someone better publish it soon.

  Finally, I received one hold request by Electric Spec (2^nd submission). Diehard Daniel Kason fans might remember that I was published by Electric Spec way back in 2014, and it’s gratifying to know they are still interested in my writing.

  Overall, this was a big month, with a mix of promising and disappointing news, yet still no acceptances. Let’s see what comes in May!  

  May 5, 2025

  fantasy, fiction, publishing, rejection, science-fiction, short-stories, stories, story submissions, submissions, writing

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• March 2025 Submissions Recap

  During March 2025, I submitted three stories to publications, including Penumbric (3^rd submission), Just Keep Up Magazine (1^st submission), and Drabblecast (1^st submission).

  I also received four rejections from publications, including Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet (1^st rejection, and by mail, no less), Blackbird (1^st rejection), NewMyths.com (6^th rejection), and Penumbric (3^rd rejection). In their feedback, Penumbric mentioned that they thought “the characters were nicely developed, as was the interview and the eventual revelation of the creature.” So that’s positive, I guess!

  Overall, this was my quietest submission month since I starting keeping track. But that only means good things are on the horizon.

  April 10, 2025

  fantasy, fiction, publishing, rejection, science-fiction, short-stories, stories, story submissions, submissions, writing

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• February 2025 Submissions Recap

  Sorry for the delay, but I’m back. During February 2025, I submitted four stories to publications, including Electric Spec (2^nd submission since I was published there years ago), Graveside Press: Tiny Terrors Anthology (1^st submission), Abyss and Apex (2^nd submission; I received a positive rejection that stated my story was “well-received”), and NewMyths.com (6^th submission).

  I also received seven rejections from publications, including Penumbric (2^nd rejection), Noncorporeal III: Nightfall Anthology (1^st rejection), Graveside Press: Tiny Terrors Anthology (1^st rejection), Reckoning (2^nd rejection), Murderfish Anthology (1^st rejection), the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest (1^st rejection), and Spooky Magazine (1^st rejection).

  Not a super eventful month, although I heard back from a lot of spooky scary publications for some reason. Hopefully March will liven things up!

  March 21, 2025

  fantasy, fiction, publishing, rejection, science-fiction, short-stories, story submissions, submissions, writing

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• December 2024 Submissions Recap

  Compared to last month, December 2024 felt like a quiet month for submissions. Looking back, though, that wasn’t quite true. I submitted five stories to publications, including Interzone (6 submissions total), Port Crow Press (1^st submission), The Deadlands (2 submissions total), Spooky Magazine (1^st submission), and Electric Spec (1^st in a long time). Spooky Magazine looks rather spooky, if you ask me. I haven’t submitted to Electric Spec in many years, but my story, “The Family Tree,” was published there way back in 2014, and is still available to read.

  This month, I also received six rejections from publications, including Hexagon SF Magazine (1^st rejection), James Gunn’s Ad Astra (1^st rejection), Interzone (6 total rejections, 1 positive), Bourbon Penn (2 total rejections), The Deadlands (2 total rejections), and Apex Magazine (7 total rejections). I’m very insulted that James Gunn didn’t like my story. Now I won’t check out the new Superman movie.     

  That’s it for December 2024. No big news, but I’m still submitting and receiving rejections, and still writing. We’ll see what’s next in January.

  January 21, 2025

  fantasy, fiction, publishing, rejection, science-fiction, submissions, writing

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