I still want a hula hoop

[gwyn]

As I expected, Slate turned down my article. Or, specifically, one editor did. I pretty much figured they would, because all the other copyeditors warned me that the editors almost never let the copyeditors write. We're too stupid, you know -- all we do is fix commas and publish and save their asses from their mistakes. We're not worthy of being published in a big magazine! The thing that bothers me, though, is that this column is frequently written by the world's most boring man, and his stories amble and are pointless, witless, dry things, but the way you get articles in Slate is that you know someone or are a cool NYC cat (or Washington cat). I am pretty picky about stories, and I'd have gladly printed my article -- because I was always such a picky bitch editor, I learned how to slant, style, all of that, really well when managing my own publications. I mean, I knew what to look for in the stuff submitted to me. And the other CEs who read it all agreed it was better than much of the pointless drivel we do publish (sometimes we all sit and wait for others to take the copyedit of an article that we know will drive us mad, and if we were all in the same room, I think we would draw straws or something, as if going off to be executed), so it's incredibly disappointing. I'd hoped to break the curse of the copyeditors, but alas, I could not. I've enjoyed working here, but that's the one thing I think I really do dislike about this place -- that snobby east coast "who you know" shit that has overtaken it. So I'm downer girl today.

And then I also remembered the one song I completely forgot from my old Perfect Christmas tape -- the Chipmunks song! I mean... for god's sake, how could I forget that? AAAlll-viiin!! What was I thinking? I don't know. Not thinking, really. Anyone have an mp3? I'll trade you Otis Redding's White Christmas, which is up here now and it is a delightful rendition with Otis's soulful, crazy delivery.Thanks again, JM, for sending this to me! (Click to download to your drive, pliz)

Even though I don't do Yuletide SeSa thingies, each year I've had a sudden flood of beta requests around posting time. I'm amused by this. People I sometimes don't even talk to all year suddenly ask for a beta, which is cool because then I get to have sneak previews of all the interesting, unusual fic that's going to get posted. It's like when I was a film writer -- I'd get to go to the private screenings at the special critics' screening room and you felt all speeee-cial.

Though I do not have a Yuletide story or other thing like that, I am sending off my next part of Ciudad to the beta tonight and then continuing to work on it for a while. Christmas, Christmas time is here, time for toys and time for cheer... or in this case, a lot of angst and some smut.

Comments

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

Bummer about the rejection. That's incredibly annoying, and I suspect you're right that it's a status thing. Feh.

I'll bet your article was terrific, too.

I'm glad you're amused by the flood of beta requests, though. :-)

[mystic-savage.livejournal.com]

Stupid, stupid, stupid editor. I have some creative ideas for vengeance, but you probably don't want the karma. If you do want the karma, I'll be happy to brainstorm petty comeuppances with you.

[wolffire.livejournal.com]

Bummer babe. I bet we can find another market for your article. Don't give up on it just because one editor took a pass. Please.

[mlyn.livejournal.com]

"The beta"? So now I have just a title? *G* I like it. I need an icon.

Unless you're sending it to someone ELSE, and I'm a big tard. In which case: *ducks head*

PS

[mlyn.livejournal.com]

I'm too quick on the enter key. Also wanted to say: sorry about the rejection letter. Bastards!

[varina8.livejournal.com]

Slate's always had a Beltway fixation. Try Salon.