Dealing with change · 3:49pm Apr 2nd, 2014
Despite my support for alternative energy sources and genetic engineering, I don't really like change. I absolutely hate the new IOS update, can barely stand Windows 8, and do not care for this generation's line of gaming consoles. I wish I still got notifications for group treads, even if they created a bit of a cluster and am deeply sadden by how the cafeteria Subway at my university no longer serves five dollar 12 inch sandwiches.
What I want to talk about, however, are the recent changes to the Equestria Daily fanfic reviewing process. This morning, so I know it wasn't some cruel April Fools prank, I received an email saying that they could not accept Patience, She Said at the time. The rejection was probably enough to ruin my entire day, but what made everything so much worse was the utter lack of feedback.
See, in order to speed up the reviewing process, reviewers are no longer supposed to give reasons for rejections. In return, EqD would do away with the whole three strikes penalty system. At the time I figured that was a fair trade. Now, I'd give my left kidney or something just as radical just to return to the old system. Having unlimited attempts are fine and all, but where am I suppose to start? The reason why I bothered submitting a story was because I thought it was good. Giving me the giant guide to writing mistakes and how to fix them is useless to me because I have absolutely no idea where to begin. Was it a technical issue that could be easily fixed or a narrative problem which would require extensive revision? Was there something wrong with my submission?
The next thing that bothers me is the claims of more leniency toward submitted fanfics. That might explain why Temporary Hiatus or The Dragon Who Would Not Sleep were accepted, but that claim goes completely contrary to this situation. I consider Patience, She Said superior to either of those two, but somehow they got accepted and this one didn't.
Maybe it was just a difference of opinion, I don't know. I love Equestria Daily. I love the drawfriends, the music of the days, the news. I go there to find new games and animations and, for a time, relied on that blog for reading material. Today, I can do nothing to express my disappointment with the new system.
If you can think of any reasons why Patience, She Said deserved to be rejected, I'm all ears/eyes. I considered joining an editing or prereader group for more help, but I'm wondering if it's even worth it.
Rant over. See you all around.
Well, I think that story of yours was really good. In my own personal experience with Equestria Daily, the main reason why they rejected my stories was because of grammar and punctuation issues (English isn't my first language) and they only accept perfectly polished stories.
I saw no error in your story, but MAYBE there is some wrong coma around it?
If the grammar and punctuation are perfect, then I don't know why would they reject your story.
Have you tried asking them for feedback? I remember EQD saying that that 90% of first time rejects never re-submit. If you reach out to to your prereader perhaps they'll give you more details.
There's always ways to improve a fic. You'd be surprised by how much a prereader can identify when you give them the chance.
Never assume you're beyond improvement. That is the fool's gravest mistake.
1977458
I'm not arrogant enough to think my story was perfect, but without any feedback I have absolutely no idea where to start revisions. I might as well start from scratch.
1977458
I'm not upset at the rejection (okay, maybe a little), just at the complete lack of feedback. Just a few bullets would have helped immensely. Plus I'm awfully confused about how my other stories got accepted when this one didn't.
Your story was amazing, i really mean it, I had read a lot of stories, and yours stands in my top 5
Maybe, just maybe, you forgot a coma, a point, there is a word bad writtten...
For me it was perfect ( but, I don't know, english is not my first language).
Get a prereader, check it, and resubmit it!
Don't let this bring you down, you are gonna make it
1977826
1977840
It's more that I'm suggesting that a prereader and / or editor would be able to see what you cannot yourself. Don't underestimate them. They can always improve your story.