Alan Beard's site

This isn't a blog really, just a record of all rejections I receive with editorial comment (when there is one) and my comment. Might not be a good idea but useful for my records and maybe of interest to others. I also put occasional entries on what I'm reading, my PLR statement etc..

Story: At Gloucester Docks

Mag: Bristol Story Competition

Editorial comments: none

My comment: Congratulations to all on the longlist, I didn't make even the notable list. Ah well...

Story: The Flabby Man 

Mag: 100 word story

Editorial comment:

Thank you for sending us "The Flabby Man". We appreciate the chance to read it because we believe that making art is such a daring, wonderful act.

It's difficult for us because despite the number of great pieces we receive, many of them don't quite fit into our editorial needs. We're glad you thought of ...

Story: At Gloucester Docks

Mag: Fish Short Story Competition 2016

Editorial Comment: None

My comment: Congratualtions to the winners announced this week. I wasn't among them..

Story: Ladybird; The Room Peels; Ice Cream

Mag: Conium Competition

Editorial comment: Even though "Ladybird; The room peels; Ice Cream" was not selected by this year's judge, we appreciate your submission and your interest in our small press.

My comment: send 'em off again...  (later: Ice Cream has been accepted by Skelp.

Story: Ladybird; The room, the house, the whole thing

Mag: Bridport Flash Fiction Competition

Editorial comment:

My comment: heard that winners had been contacted, so not me again. Congratulations to the winners.

Story: November

Mag: Fish Flash Competition

Editorial Comment: -

My comment: Same as last year:  Not even on the very long long list, again. Anyway, congratulations to the winners.

This year I have earned a whopping £2.86. Might buy a half pint to celebrate.

Story: Ice Cream

Mag: Fish Flash Competition

Editorial Comment: -

My comment: Not even on the very long long list, again. Anyway, congratulations to the winners.

Story: Ice Cream

Mag: Every Day Fiction

Editorial comment: 

Dear Alan Beard,

Thank you for your submission to Every Day Fiction. I regret to inform you that we are unable to use it at this time.

There is a vivid image of Rodge at the end. Apparently something has happened to him? But is the man talking to the pov character responsible? What has ...

Story: The Brilliant Wife

Mag: Gemini Flash Fiction Competition

Editorial comment:

GeminiMAGAZINE

Thanks so much for participating in our Flash Fiction Contest this year. It was truly an honor to read your work. We received over 1,300 stories and they brought us much enjoyment. Watch for our next Flash Fiction Contest in April or May. Our Short Story Contest opens late t...

Story: No Beatles' Song

Mag: First Stop Fiction

Editorial Comment:

Dear Alan,

Thank you for the opportunity to read your work. There's a lot to like here, but we are going to pass on this piece.

I appreciate the concise language and I like the "box no bigger than an eye." But I had a hard time making sense of what was actually happening, and some of th...

my royalties statement came today: minus 75 pence on 'You Don't Have to Say' (three returns) and minus 43 pence on 'Going the distance' (I edited): four returns. So that's 75p off the royalties I didn't get on Feb 28th (see below). I did once get a royalty cheque for £2.95. I was thrilled...

Story: Ice Cream

Mag: Bridport Competition (Flash Fiction section)

Editorial comment: None

My comment: just found out winners and those on the shortlist have been informed. I haven't been informed, therefore not a winner. Curses.

Story: Two parties

Mag: BBC Short Story Competition

Editorial comment: nil

My comment: realised i hadn't made it when they announced the all-women shortlist.