Submissions Statistics, Oct-Nov 2008

[Scott H. Andrews]

Here are some general statistics on the submissions to BCS from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30:

Total Submissions: 305
Rewrite Requests: 10
Acceptances: 9 (most of which were rewrites)
Personalized Rejections: 283
Form-Letter Rejections: 2

[Unregistered honu]

just wanted to say your rejection letter was the most helpful one I ever got in terms of steering me into a better writing path thanks, honu

[Scott H. Andrews]

Thanks very much. I always feel like I need to explain myself, and I'm a teacher, so I think it's those things coming together. Glad you found it helpful.

[travllight]

Scott,

Thanks for the statistics post - it's very interesting, if a little daunting. It's generous of you to offer as many personalized replies as you do... I certainly appreciated mine.

Have you picked up any first-time authors as of yet? Certainly you've had a lot of material to choose from, but the more hope you can give us aspiring authors, the better.

[Scott H. Andrews]

Thanks very much. I do have a compulsion to personalize the rejections, out of explaining myself and out of respect for all submitting authors. I am always glad to hear that people appreciate the effort.

I have bought from several first-time authors--off the top of my head, Michael Anthony Ashley, Saladin Ahmed, and Catherine S. Perdue who had "Precious Meat" in Issue #5. I've also bought from lots of "young" authors, authors with 3-5 total sales and/or a Writers of the Future contest win and/or 1-2 pro sales. I think their stuff is standing very well alongside the stories by pro authors.