Lately, I’ve been reading through a lot of submissions, and honestly, most of them don’t make it past. There are plenty of pieces that are decent but still end up being a “no” and even more that just the writing isn’t strong enough. It can get pretty uninspiring when submission after submission feels unoriginal either the language isn’t fresh or the plot has been done a hundred times before. Sometimes I’ll come across a piece with a solid plot, but the grammar is so weak that I have to turn it away.
One experience really stuck with me. I finally got a piece that was strong, great plot, good style, and it felt like something worth a second read, but then I hit one detail that completely ruined it, was an emoji. I was quite upset because it was the first truly good piece I’d seen in weeks and that one choice forced me to disregard it. It was disappointing.
It’s also tough when plots drag on, get overly complicated, or just lose focus. Reading those can feel like a chore, but I remind myself that every submission is someone’s work, something they’re proud of and brave enough to share. That’s why I still give each piece my best read and critique.
There’s also a new trend I’ve noticed that often lands pieces in the “deny” pile, using breaks with **** in the middle of the text to mark a time jump or flash forward. Instead of helping the story, it usually disrupts the flow, forcing the reader to stop and figure out where they are again. I’ve seen it a lot lately, and while I think it could be done well, it’s even heard others say they dislike the technique because it feels like shortcut, to cheat the writing instead of creating a smoother flow.
At the end of the day, reviewing submissions is about balance. There are disappointments, surprises, and plenty of “no’s”, but each piece deserves a fair read. Every now and then, even with the flaws, you can see a piece that reminds you why you’re doing this work in the first place.
