Last year I decided not to submit anywhere except to “Pro” markets. My story If Wishes… was written in September of 2010 and has spent the entire time since at Pro markets. The first 8 or so all rejected it quickly, but it spent a few months at one venue where they lost it and another 10 months at Tor.com. After 13 and a half months of twiddling my thumbs and 15 subs I finally withdrew it and started out at the Semi-Pro markets.

I went for the fastest Sem-Pro market first and today I opened my email to find that my story is being held for consideration for the Spring issue after only 3 days. It will be up against some stiff competition. This venue seems to get better stuff. At least my foot is in the door, and I can feel good about the story, even it is rejected. I should hear about the story some time near the end of February.

I am still waiting on a story that I sent to Electric Spec. It uses the F word so I have doubts of it ever selling to a genre dominated by young adult readers. I have another story out that should get a rejection this week. It is a Lovecraftian short that I wrote to make fun of my poker group. I doubt it will sell, and I will save it for the next collection of short stories.

By the way, my next collection of short stories will be titled “Not Safe for Work” and I want to include stories that have either work themes or stories with R-rated language or situations. I don’t really have many stories that will fit, but I’ve got some ideas.