Summer 2013

When I receive a submission for the Fiction and Nonfiction sections I usually know right away which pieces I want for future issues and which have strengths and weaknesses I cannot resolve with editing. Then there are the great Perhapses for which I need advice from my teammates.

Here is a peek into the process: I recently sent the team three very different pieces and asked for help deciding what to do. [You will undoubtedly notice the usual protective devices to keep from hurting anyone’s feeling.] The results came back:

Margaret loved Piece A and Piece B; didn’t think Piece C went anywhere.

MaryMargaret hated Piece A.

Maggie liked Piece A, was bored by Piece C, couldn’t open Piece B.

Meg thought Piece A was not well written, but found the story interesting, wanted Piece B to have a new ending, claimed Piece C was not original.

Molly hated Piece A, Piece B and Piece C.

Surprisingly, the responses helped me sort things out; I accepted two of the pieces.

On to more editing,

Sue