David J. Gibbs's Blog: Testing The Water, page 2
October 31, 2017
Rejection is the sweetest....yeah, no it's not.
But, it is a part of a writer's life. A big part.
I average about two rejections a week at this point. Doesn't seem like a whole lot, does it? Well, I've got news for you, it adds up.
Let me put it in perspective. I've sold 56 short stories in the last three years which is pretty awesome, right? Sure it is you say and I'd agree with you. Well, in order to get those 56 acceptance letters, I had to wade through 807 rejections. That's not so awesome. That's a lot of rejections! In mathematical terms, it's a whopping 7% success rate! Not a winning percentage no matter what game you're playing.
The funny thing is, at first, it hurt. Rejection always does, doesn't it? I got angry. After all, how could a publisher or a magazine not see how AMAZING my story was? How DARE they not demand to publish it immediately? Well given the fact the stubborness gene was bestowed upon me (yeah, it's a thing) I kept submitting and I kept getting rejected and rejected and a whole lot more rejected until I honestly felt like all the rejections ever written were being forwarded right to my inbox.
It sucked.
Then an even funnier thing happened. I began to get 'nicer' rejection letters giving me feedback and encouragement and the acceptance letters, while they didn't outpace the rejection letters, began to roll in too. I began to understand the market better and targeted my stories to magazines looking for specific types of work.
I think it's about perspective too. I once thought the rejection letters were personal stabs at my ability as a writer. I now know better. They are the badges of honor all writers wear on their sleeves to show they're serious about their craft and no matter how many times their noses are bloodied, they continue to work and continue to submit.
Never stop writing. Never give up.
I average about two rejections a week at this point. Doesn't seem like a whole lot, does it? Well, I've got news for you, it adds up.
Let me put it in perspective. I've sold 56 short stories in the last three years which is pretty awesome, right? Sure it is you say and I'd agree with you. Well, in order to get those 56 acceptance letters, I had to wade through 807 rejections. That's not so awesome. That's a lot of rejections! In mathematical terms, it's a whopping 7% success rate! Not a winning percentage no matter what game you're playing.
The funny thing is, at first, it hurt. Rejection always does, doesn't it? I got angry. After all, how could a publisher or a magazine not see how AMAZING my story was? How DARE they not demand to publish it immediately? Well given the fact the stubborness gene was bestowed upon me (yeah, it's a thing) I kept submitting and I kept getting rejected and rejected and a whole lot more rejected until I honestly felt like all the rejections ever written were being forwarded right to my inbox.
It sucked.
Then an even funnier thing happened. I began to get 'nicer' rejection letters giving me feedback and encouragement and the acceptance letters, while they didn't outpace the rejection letters, began to roll in too. I began to understand the market better and targeted my stories to magazines looking for specific types of work.
I think it's about perspective too. I once thought the rejection letters were personal stabs at my ability as a writer. I now know better. They are the badges of honor all writers wear on their sleeves to show they're serious about their craft and no matter how many times their noses are bloodied, they continue to work and continue to submit.
Never stop writing. Never give up.
September 5, 2017
Depraved Desires - Memoir to a Death Maiden Published!
Hellbound Books published my piece 'Memoir to a Death Maiden'.
In my piece, a young man courts death through his entire life, writing her a love letter of sorts, his infatuation growing until he can’t bear to be without her any longer.
Depraved Desires - An Anthology of Dark Erotica
In my piece, a young man courts death through his entire life, writing her a love letter of sorts, his infatuation growing until he can’t bear to be without her any longer.
Depraved Desires - An Anthology of Dark Erotica
August 17, 2017
Carson's Crackers Published!
My piece about an elderly guard working in an art museum was published in The Colored Lens for their Summer 2017 issue.
Carson keeps noticing something moving around on the floor of the museum. Unsure, he investigates and finds himself in the middle of something fantastic and terrifying beneath the glare of the watching art work.
The Colored Lens
Carson keeps noticing something moving around on the floor of the museum. Unsure, he investigates and finds himself in the middle of something fantastic and terrifying beneath the glare of the watching art work.
The Colored Lens
Mad Maggie Dupree
I signed with Astraea Publishing (CleanReads) for my middle grade thriller series entitled 'Mad Maggie Dupree'. It follows a twelve year old sling shot toting girl who lives on the grounds of the Stillwater Psychiatric Hospital when her dad takes the job of hospital administrator.
She knows it'll be the worst summer of her life until a neighbor boy shows her the suitcases left behind by patients discharged from the hospital. What they find inside leads them on a mystery that makes it the best summer ever.
She knows it'll be the worst summer of her life until a neighbor boy shows her the suitcases left behind by patients discharged from the hospital. What they find inside leads them on a mystery that makes it the best summer ever.
August 1, 2017
Colored Lens - Carson's Crackers
Received notification that my piece 'Carson's Crackers' which was accepted by The Colored Lens will be published in their Winter edition sometime in early October.
July 28, 2017
Uprising Review - My Interview
Check out my interview by Uprising Review. Also while you're on their site read my 'Starter Apartment' story for free!
David J. Gibbs Interview
Free Story Link - Starter Apartment
David J. Gibbs Interview
Free Story Link - Starter Apartment
July 3, 2017
Free Read! - 'Starter Apartment'
My piece 'Starter Apartment' was picked up by Uprising Review and free to read at the link below.
A young girl, moving into her first apartment, notices paint chips falling from the ceiling. When she finally realizes what they are, and what they mean, it's too late.
Starter Apartment Story Link
A young girl, moving into her first apartment, notices paint chips falling from the ceiling. When she finally realizes what they are, and what they mean, it's too late.
Starter Apartment Story Link
Bloody Kisses Press Release
Monsters Among Us - This Bloody Kisses Press anthology features my piece 'All Tied Up'. After living in an abusive relationship, the victim turns the tables in most satisfying way. I was so enamored with the main character that she went on to live in my Darke County mystery series.
Monsters Among Us
Monsters Among Us
June 2, 2017
Starter Apartment Published!
My piece 'Starter Apartment' will be appearing in The Uprising Review in the coming months.
This piece is about a girl moving into her first apartment noticing that bits of paint are flecking off the ceiling, clogging her shower drain. She realizes that the cracks seem to change and shift.
This piece is about a girl moving into her first apartment noticing that bits of paint are flecking off the ceiling, clogging her shower drain. She realizes that the cracks seem to change and shift.
