So the Candlelight anthology just accepted my story "Call and Answer."
Long story short, I sent out this story on a whim, I'm not particularly proud of it, and now I'm worried this might be a detriment to my career (or lack thereof).
Is any publication a good thing, or can a bad story in print discourage further publication?
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Well just because you've published a story doesn't mean you have to go out of your way to take credit for it. But yes, I think saying you're published is generally a good thing because it shows that someone somewhere is willing to pay for it, so your writing has the potential to make money, good or bad.
Posted by Reagansgame (Member # 8149) on :
There is always the fact that the author is generally a work's harshest critic. I think you should definately list your pub. peice, because its a part of your bio, or if you truly think its that bad, you should ask a variety of folks to read the piece and give you their feedback. I have found that once something is written, I get "Suddenly worried" about how it will be taken until the first coupla reviews start rolling in.
It may be you are right about your worry, but it may just be a little publication anxiety. Maybe you should hook some of us up with the link if there is one so we can settle your mind. I'm sure you will get an honest thumbs up or a "yeah don't list it", and you'll have some initial reactions to go from.
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
I would consider that this anthology editor likes your story so it could just be a matter of taste.
I did some research about this kid, and he is a kid at only about 23 years old, and he has published several shorts in some reputable publications so he isn't a hack.
Any pub is typically a good pub. Since you submitted this story to what ralan.com would call a 4thelove pub, I assume you've exhausted all of the pro/semi-pro options. You've found a home for the story and someone will read it and enjoy it.
That's why we do this isn't it?
Anthony
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, you may just be a poor judge of your own material. Asimov wasn't overly fond of his "Nightfall," I gather...David Gerrold thought the submitted story outline that became "The Trouble With Tribbles" was the least of the five he sent in...A. Conan Doyle thought nearly everything he wrote was better than the Sherlock Holmes series...
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
Yeah, I guess I just got a little anxious. I'll just wait and see how well it's received. Thanks.
