I was very excited when you started to accept submissions on Sep 21st, but once I read that you received over 2000+ submission, it felt like it's gonna be a major uphill and a figure hard to compete against, especially that I have never written fiction before.
As an ex-slush reader for other publications, I'm here to give you hope. Over half of submissions can be rejected by the first paragraph for ignoring guidelines, containing gratuitous pornography (note the adjective), bring poetry, or containing far more spelling mistakes than spellcheck would ever allow. Half of those who get through are completely unaligned with the journal. So you're only really competing against 500, and that is of very wide quality.
Can I tell you something? I liked your comment and went to look at your profile bc I was curious. And that thing you restacked, about liking writing for oneself, and also liking it when people read it (or however exactly it was put) -- and those two things being able to co-exist...I so appreciate your putting that there/restacking that. I need to be reminded of that frequently, and it was a small bit of luck that I happened upon it on your profile. What drove/is driving you to write fiction for the first time?
And a very good question. I want to write fiction because it gives me room to imagine a world that isn’t tied to what I’ve lived. In essays, you owe the truth. From facts, memories, the people involved. You have to be careful, accurate, responsible. But in fiction, all of that collapses. You can invent, distort, reimagine. No one can say, “that’s about his life.” You’re not pinned down. You can ask what if? and follow wherever that takes you.
Kudos for how you're going about all of this! From the idea itself to the execution and follow through, what you've created has a palpable heartbeat. Thanks for all you're doing!
This is possibly one of the most exciting projects I’ve seen! The way that you’re so willing and excited to uplift writers warms my heart 🥹 Looking forward for what’s to come and I’m working tirelessly to submit something to you soon <3 Onwards and upwards!
1. submitted a flash CNF piece right away, I have begun to finally send things off though I have been writing for ages.
And
2. Am starting a Substack to curate pet flash stories <500 words called Pet Tales. I am a former veterinarian and I have A LOT of interesting animal stories and not too many places specifically to send them. (Though a few have been published in general publications.) It is going to be so much fun! (And I sent you a child story not a pet story! 😆)
Thank you so much for the inspiration and opportunity! All the BEST! 🙏🏾💜
Thank you so much @Karan Kapoor I am sure it will not be quite as huge a response as @Strange Pilgrims I hope you are getting through your AMAZING response!❤️🙏🏽👏🏽😅
I have a story which I think might be a good fit for you, but it has previously been released on a podcast. The text version has never been published. Would that be something you would consider? Thank you! 🙏🏼
Very flexible publication. Been coming across hard to join publications, throwing barriers here and there. This inspires me to write more. Cheers guys 👍🏿
Oh mate, after sending screenshot I have tried once and it uploaded file. So I have managed to submit the writeup. Please ignore the screenshot mail. Thanks for being prompt though.
Even your instructions are beautifully written, full of heart and sincerity. I hope you will accept one of my stories, as it would be a pleasure to be part of your magazine.
Brilliant statement on AI generated work.
Thank you, Melissa! :)
I was very excited when you started to accept submissions on Sep 21st, but once I read that you received over 2000+ submission, it felt like it's gonna be a major uphill and a figure hard to compete against, especially that I have never written fiction before.
As an ex-slush reader for other publications, I'm here to give you hope. Over half of submissions can be rejected by the first paragraph for ignoring guidelines, containing gratuitous pornography (note the adjective), bring poetry, or containing far more spelling mistakes than spellcheck would ever allow. Half of those who get through are completely unaligned with the journal. So you're only really competing against 500, and that is of very wide quality.
Keep the faith, Adam. You could be one of 5000 chosen. Let your work speak above the numbers.
Thanks, Sharon! I submitted to them couple of weeks ago. I can say right now that getting it published is secondary to putting the story on the page.
Can I tell you something? I liked your comment and went to look at your profile bc I was curious. And that thing you restacked, about liking writing for oneself, and also liking it when people read it (or however exactly it was put) -- and those two things being able to co-exist...I so appreciate your putting that there/restacking that. I need to be reminded of that frequently, and it was a small bit of luck that I happened upon it on your profile. What drove/is driving you to write fiction for the first time?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks-- I needed to be reminded of that, too.
And a very good question. I want to write fiction because it gives me room to imagine a world that isn’t tied to what I’ve lived. In essays, you owe the truth. From facts, memories, the people involved. You have to be careful, accurate, responsible. But in fiction, all of that collapses. You can invent, distort, reimagine. No one can say, “that’s about his life.” You’re not pinned down. You can ask what if? and follow wherever that takes you.
Well said, fiction is for you, for sure!
Yes! Thats why I write fiction, though to be honest I never stopped to think about it in those terms. How is it going?
Cool! Is there somewhere I can read em?
I started writing and turned out to be a very different idea of what my intention was but I'm glad with the rhythm so far.
Yes definitely! I'm serializing a novel right here…
Andrewwilsonwriter.substack.com
I‘m just popping over to say I lover your illustrations, every single one of them! You are a well-rounded talented team!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lillian. We’re happy you like the illustrations. We put a lot of effort into them.
Kudos for how you're going about all of this! From the idea itself to the execution and follow through, what you've created has a palpable heartbeat. Thanks for all you're doing!
Thank you so much for your kind acknowledgement, Derek🌻
I love this and I am excited to be a subscriber. Still have a lot of anxieties about submission but hopefully I will work through them!
Thank you Miro! These kind words always mean a lot, and they’re really encouraging for us 🥲🥹
I love the personal contact you have with Strange Pilgrims readers and writers. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Kay!🌻
Thank you for being so thoughtful and thorough about this endeavor. I look forward to watching it unfold!
You’re very welcome, Michele! Thank you for your support🌻
This is possibly one of the most exciting projects I’ve seen! The way that you’re so willing and excited to uplift writers warms my heart 🥹 Looking forward for what’s to come and I’m working tirelessly to submit something to you soon <3 Onwards and upwards!
Thank you so much Ximena, this means a lot and we certainly look forward to reading your work whenever it arrives in our inbox.
I am so inspired by Strange Pilgrims I
1. submitted a flash CNF piece right away, I have begun to finally send things off though I have been writing for ages.
And
2. Am starting a Substack to curate pet flash stories <500 words called Pet Tales. I am a former veterinarian and I have A LOT of interesting animal stories and not too many places specifically to send them. (Though a few have been published in general publications.) It is going to be so much fun! (And I sent you a child story not a pet story! 😆)
Thank you so much for the inspiration and opportunity! All the BEST! 🙏🏾💜
That’s wonderful, Jaime! All our best wishes to you and Pet Tales :)
Thank you so much @Karan Kapoor I am sure it will not be quite as huge a response as @Strange Pilgrims I hope you are getting through your AMAZING response!❤️🙏🏽👏🏽😅
Hello!
I have a story which I think might be a good fit for you, but it has previously been released on a podcast. The text version has never been published. Would that be something you would consider? Thank you! 🙏🏼
That’s an interesting question—one we haven’t encountered before. Yes! Send it our way :)
Thanks so much, it'll be with you post haste! 🙏🏼
Very flexible publication. Been coming across hard to join publications, throwing barriers here and there. This inspires me to write more. Cheers guys 👍🏿
That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you :)
I have tried several times to upload my write up file but keep getting "network error". Is there any other way I can submit please?
Hah can you email us the network error screenshot at editors@strangepilgrims.com, please? Thank you!
Oh mate, after sending screenshot I have tried once and it uploaded file. So I have managed to submit the writeup. Please ignore the screenshot mail. Thanks for being prompt though.
You’re welcome. Glad you were able to submit!
Thanks again please 🙏🏿
Ok please, let me forward it.
I can’t wait for the first publication!
Yayy, excited to find some treasure in the submission pile!
Whether it’s the piece I submitted to you last month, I cannot wait to be published by SP. thank you for starting this conversation and journey.
Looking forward to reading what you’ve sent us, Steven!
I Randomly found this.
And it's been a long time since I've found something that excites me as much as this substack.
Both as a possible submission from and as a reader.
I am looking forward to see how this processes.
Hugs
I really love this idea and am going to try and write something to submit by the deadline.
Even your instructions are beautifully written, full of heart and sincerity. I hope you will accept one of my stories, as it would be a pleasure to be part of your magazine.