Sihdaahn: anything will do
At times, Cantonese phrases get abbreviated. For example, "si-mouh-geih-daahn" means "without restraint of any kind." The shortened term becomes sihdaahn.
When I think about submissions, I'm in a sihdaahn mode. Any positive response will uplift me. Last month, I participated in Khara House's Submit-O-Rama challenge. For October, I queried three literary magazines a week, for a total of 15 entries.
Here are my results: 1 acceptance, 1 return to sender, and 13 non-responses.
As an added bonus, I also did some extra submissions in October:
-1 flash fiction contest (winners not determined yet)
-1 short story contest (winners not determined yet)
-1 pitch slam for my completed manuscript (2 partial requests). Out of the two sent, one decided to pass.
-7 literary agents via query letters (1 full request then rejection, 6 non-responses)
Looking back on Khara's challenge, I found submitting to magazines quite addictive. Maybe it's because I invested less time in my shorter works, or because I went in with low expectations. Submitting feels like fishing; it requires patience and a lot of waiting, but when you reel in a catch, the flood of pride and achievement overwhelms you.
At times, Cantonese phrases get abbreviated. For example, "si-mouh-geih-daahn" means "without restraint of any kind." The shortened term becomes sihdaahn.
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| Please accept my submission. |
When I think about submissions, I'm in a sihdaahn mode. Any positive response will uplift me. Last month, I participated in Khara House's Submit-O-Rama challenge. For October, I queried three literary magazines a week, for a total of 15 entries.
Here are my results: 1 acceptance, 1 return to sender, and 13 non-responses.
As an added bonus, I also did some extra submissions in October:
-1 flash fiction contest (winners not determined yet)
-1 short story contest (winners not determined yet)
-1 pitch slam for my completed manuscript (2 partial requests). Out of the two sent, one decided to pass.
-7 literary agents via query letters (1 full request then rejection, 6 non-responses)
Looking back on Khara's challenge, I found submitting to magazines quite addictive. Maybe it's because I invested less time in my shorter works, or because I went in with low expectations. Submitting feels like fishing; it requires patience and a lot of waiting, but when you reel in a catch, the flood of pride and achievement overwhelms you.
Comments (2)
You are doing great! I am so impressed - you went to the writer's conference and took Khara's challenge. Good for you!
Thanks! With the holidays coming up, though, I might relax a little these next few months.