J F - August 17, 2010 writes:

Okay, I know we all get them but I'd like some advice etc on the following. I submitted a short story to a women's weekly mag and it was rejected. They said the ending was too predictable. I rewrote the ending and also parts of the rest of the story and re-submitted it to the same mag (on the advice of my tutor, by the way). Today I got another rejection and the reason was the storyline was "weak and wouldn't hold the readers attention." So this is two different reasons for rejection. If the story is weak I would have thought it would have been pointed out in the first place. Do you think it's time to bin it?? Would anyone stil consider sending it elsewhere? I'd be grateful for any comments. Thanks.

Carole M - August 18, 2010 replied:

I think it's good that they are giving you feedback. Which mag is it? I would put it on the backburner and look at it again in a few months. It obviously had some merit as they replied with advice.

J F - August 18, 2010 replied:

Thank you for your comments, Carole. The mag I submitted to is 'People's Friend' I understand they are quite a hard market to crack.

Carole M - August 19, 2010 replied:

Why don't you send it to another magazine such as 'Woman's Weekly' or 'My Weekly' as I think they have the same demography of readers as 'People's Friend'. If you live in the North of England there is a magazine called 'Northern Life' which publishes quite a number of short stories, (it has a website) I'm not sure if they pay though. Definitely don't bin it! Good luck!

J F - August 19, 2010 replied:

Actually, Carole, that's what my Tutor advised too (send it to another mag). I( don't live in the North but funnily enough, I'm off to Southport for the weekend tomorrow so I'll look out for 'Northern Life' in the newsagents. Thanks for the tip and I won't bin the story now!

Carole M - August 20, 2010 replied:

I don't think they sell it in the newsagents, I used to get mine from the Tourist Information (it's free, but is a very substantial magazine). I now subscribe to it.

Lucy M - August 26, 2010 replied:

I probably wouldn't re-send a story to the same mag if it has been previously rejected. Take the advice they give on board and then try someone else. When you next write for the original magazine take into account what they like (ie. an ending that isn't predictable!)

Best wishes