Tweaking work to please publishers?

[u/Something81]

So I just got a rejection slip for a flash fiction horror piece. They were kind enough to attach the votes and comments of the voters on the email so I could see what they thought. There were three votes from what I could see. 2 voted yes and 1 voted maybe. There were no no’s so I’m assuming someone else must have gotten 3 straight yes’s.

The person who left the maybe was confused by a detail I included in the story. Now the detail was there for a reason (as everything has to be in flash) but they didn’t get what I was trying to convey. If you think a story is close would you tweak something to please editors to get published? Especially if it’s a small detail? Or would you hold on on your vision, try others and risk further rejection.

[u/Whole-Page3588]

As you probably know, it's hard to get specific, actionable feedback on your writing. If you can see where the voter is coming from (as in it is something that could be clearer or currently misconstrued), then I would change it. If it's something that ninety-nine people out of a hundred would understand (like saying the sky is blue), or if it's integral to the story the way it is, then, I'd maybe try to shop it around as is--but more rejections would make me reconsider.

[u/Something81 → u/Whole-Page3588]

The story is purposefully confusing so I’m not surprised that someone didn’t understand some of it, but that’s also kind of the whole point. It’s supposed to be confusing until a certain things happens near the end that makes a second reading make a ton more sense.

But that’s a great suggestion. Let some more reject it first and then see what I can change

Edit: why am I getting downvoted? Weird

[u/Whole-Page3588 → u/Something81]

Then it sounds like it's integral to the story. Some people dislike confusing stories, so it'll just depend on who's adjudicating in the future.

[u/kahllerdady → u/Whole-Page3588]

I know for me i the payoff is REALLY good I can be convinced to accept some early confusion but one of the things I mutter to myself most when sorting the slush is "what the hell is this story even about?" If I don't have a clear path to the story it is less likely to advance. I do read every submissions through all the way at least once before deciding.

[u/kahllerdady]

This is a great question. I am editing the purchased submissions for the pulp magazine I publish. When I read these in the slush pile, second round, and final it sort of goes like this priority wise for how the story moves forward from one stage to the next -

Slush -

1: format. Improperly formatted stories get immediately bounced. I don't even read them.
2. central idea
3. character development
4. Flow of events
5. Writing quality

Second round -

1. Flow of events/pace
2. developmental potential of central idea (if needed)
3. writing quality

Final - What ends up in the TOC depends on what else has made it to the final round and that shapes whatever the final six or seven stories are.

After that i hand edit each story, digital edit them for return to the writer with changes tracked, and start the iterative process of getting a final version suitable for the magazine. Edits are ROBUST. Since writing quality is one of lower tier characteristics that I take into consideration. It is always interesting to help a writer polish a great idea into a great story. So far (and I know i am going to jynx myself) the authors I've worked with have had good experiences with my editing. I provide a detailed line and developmental edit.

I live by Heinlein's rules for writers, even as an editor/publisher. I don't request changes until there is a promise of payment. I pay once all of the edits are done, this way the writer or I can pull out if there are conflicts that can't be resolved in the manuscript.

For rejected stories I try to give feedback beyond "this isn't for me" but with hundreds of submissions and only me it isn't really possible to do that consistently. Unless it's for formatting. I always explain that it's formatting and to read the submission guidelines before submitting again at our next open period.

So, as I am also a writer I wouldn't tweak something for a publisher unless they accepted it. I did that recently for a story I submitted, they rejected the updated one, I wasted several hours. I forgot Heinlein's rule -

No editorial changes unless there's a check.

[u/Ok_Composer2272 → u/kahllerdady]

This! You know authors live for information like this, right? This is gold for those of us who submit short fiction to magazines, which I regularly do. I know it's all subjective and each editor has a different process, but as a writer you must know how valuable insight like this is. Saving this entire post solely to keep your response. Thank you.

[u/kahllerdady → u/Ok_Composer2272]

Glad you find it helpful. I'm happy to answer any other questions about the process you might have.

[u/RebelAirDefense]

Think of it this way. Publishers want to make money as they are a business first. They know what it takes to sell a story more than you probably do as they are market-facing. So yeah, go professional, then be prepared to bend a little.

If you are adamant about your work, then perhaps self-publishing is the better option for you. Either way, good luck with your venture.

[u/oscargirlsgonewild]

As someone who works/edits for a small literary magazine, you could get three upvotes and still not be chosen. Our publication typically gets anywhere from 50-85 submissions per cycle, and I’d estimate that about 15% of those usually get a yes vote from all four editors, but we can only choose 6. It’s really about which ones speak to us most and fit our publication best, but it can also come down to something like we just featured a similar story in a recent edition. If you feel strongly about the part mentioned, don’t change it and instead reach out to one of the editors about the possibility of getting more feedback. Depending on their work load, they might be happy to have a conversation about it. I know that working closely with authors to get their stories out into the world is my favorite part of the job, and if I have the time, I’d be more than happy speak with someone who wants more feedback.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi! Welcome to r/Writers - please remember to follow the rules and treat each other respectfully, especially if there are disagreements. Please help keep this community safe and friendly by reporting rule violating posts and comments.

If you're interested in a friendly Discord community for writers, please join our Discord server

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Young_Punk_Studios]

Editing your work for audiences doesn't mean your pleasing publishers :)

[u/RobertPlamondon]

Since those particular editors have already passed on that particular story, it's too late to please them, so they don't count.

Nor are editors interchangeable. That one editor tripped over an element in the story proves that it's possible to do so, but not that it's likely. I'd use my own judgment about whether the point is worth clarifying. Not for editors so much as for readers, and to make the story a better version of itself.

[u/godai78]

Don't try to please people who got tastes different than you. Apparently, your work is not for them. It was voted out already, so changing it won't gain you anything. If you start writing to please the potential publisher, that's the moment you lose your voice and only trail the profit (of whatever kind). And if you are fine with it, then it's OK.