(Untitled)

[tigermilkdrunk]

Since I continually bang on about my failings, some kind words from a peer review. As seems to perenially be the case these days, of three reviewers, one loved my work, one was ambivalent and one strongly disliked it, leading, of course, to a rejection. But from the positive

Comments

[canonfire]

Keep at it! Sojourn on! And remember: there's always going into publishing. ;)

[tigermilkdrunk]

You'll be happy/horrified to know that I was just looking at the application page for Yale Div - because clearly another degree is the answer...

How does one jump into publishing from this point, roughly? At least over here (and my memory of trying to join the publishing legion after undergrad) long periods of unpaid work are required, and to be honest, I'm a little bored with not making any money at all. Where do the sorts of publishers interested in people like you and me advertise?

[zoe_and_me]

Are there any themes to the rejections? Surely there must be some coherent feedback to try and improve with (or at least conform to). What do your former professors say when you discuss this with them?

[tigermilkdrunk]

The only real theme is a general 'This is interesting, but requires too much background knowledge for our readership' (especially with the Scottish fiction, as it's assumed - perhaps correctly - that no one outside Scotland has read anything from here). The sort of theory I deal with is pretty unpopular, too, although there are certainly sympathisers out there.

I haven't really brought this up with any former professors in a while - my constant requests for references has made them all pretty sick of me, and this university in particular is not especially interested in the career development of its graduates (this isn't me being bitter - it just seems to be the way of things).

[zoe_and_me]

So I suppose no one caring is to be expected, then? But what a bummer, especially since you seem to be a good teacher.

I'd say do it until either:

- you can't anymore
- you get a job

If the second happens, no worries. If the first happens, then make a right turn in your life and try something very different. It worked for me! :)