Closed to Submissions until May 1st

[kaolin]

It's been a steady sort of flood--like the much-told tale of the crab and the slow-to-boil water.

[Max_Griffin]

Thank you for your courteous and professional note. This step seems both necessary and understandable. I'm glad to learn that my recent submission made it under the wire!

Max

[dewasden]

I think a set reading period is fine; I've never considered it an inconvenience as a writer. As others have pointed out, it's much better to accept subs during certain time periods than to massively increase the response times or to disrupt future issues.

Keep on rawkin'.

[jei_toh]

Good decision.

[Dichroic]

Francesca covered my question, except that I cut it even finer: I submitted my piece about three hours before the "closed until May 1" email was sent. (Uh-oh, was I the straw that broke the camel's back? But I didn't see any big red warning, so I guess I'm OK (she said, dubiously).

It does seem like a fair policy, though. Much better than letting submissions molder in the slush pile indefinitely.

[Debbie]

Almost broke the camel, Dichroic --there was one more after yours!

[Emaggard]

As long as you get the information and issue out- take as long as you need! I will be happy just to see the new issue out.
Best,
E.Maggard

[Debbie]

So say we all .

[jei_toh]

I'm interested in the increase of submissions. I've heard that is happening elsewhere, even with writers querying agents for representation. Why do you think this is? Tough economic times and people are trying to earn extra cash? Everybody is laid off and can turn their time to writing? The world had a giant ego boost and we all think that we're fantastic??

Perhaps the increase isn't as dramatic as it seems, but that chart was pretty striking. Have you seen an increase in quality, as well, or simply quantity?

Ah, the sociologist in me is coming out! Love it!

[kaolin]

Perhaps the increase isn't as dramatic as it seems, but that chart was pretty striking. Have you seen an increase in quality, as well, or simply quantity?

I don't see the chart as so striking--we spiked at the start because we were a new venue but knew a lot of people to ask; after that, we'd run through everyone who "trusted" the new venue, and it took a while for our reputation to grow. Since then, other than the drop in submissions for our themed issue, submission quantity has been surprisingly steady month to month.

As for quality, it's hard to say. On the one hand I want to think our issues are getting better; on the other, I want to think they started out stellar and are simply reconfirming our place in the world each issue

I don't think our acceptance %age has changed considerably since I started tracking. And a few hours in the slush pile is numbing almost regardless of the quality. I went through 100 some-odd in one night a few weeks ago (I think that took eight hours). When I noticed I was saving one in five for a second read because I wasn't sure, I realized it was time to stop.

Ah, the sociologist in me is coming out! Love it!

We do!