tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post2067427238866710455..comments2024-03-28T15:01:21.285-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: Surviving in a Woman's WorldLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-76299115080664990782021-08-22T11:31:16.695-04:002021-08-22T11:31:16.695-04:00Judy, I hope you will try writing some of these st...Judy, I hope you will try writing some of these stories sometime--remember, they're really really short so you won't have to take a ton of time out of your schedule. <br /><br />Good luck on both the novels, and congrats once again on the recent (and wonderful) anthologies that you've edited.John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-10903590165988798222021-08-22T11:28:36.624-04:002021-08-22T11:28:36.624-04:00Hi Jay -- Guidelines are hard to find, for WW. If...Hi Jay -- Guidelines are hard to find, for WW. If you're on Facebook, send me an internal message, and meanwhile I'll find a file containing submission guidelines that I can send to you. Also, there's a Facebook group called WW Writers that has what I believe are updated guidelines.John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-73625843064939820162021-08-22T09:33:35.986-04:002021-08-22T09:33:35.986-04:00Love it, John, have added to my permanent reading ...Love it, John, have added to my permanent reading list. If I ever get writing short stories again...working on 2 novels now and don't seem to have the bandwidth for more. But...you never know! Judy Penz Shelukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14902576030875044159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-42033149421223008202021-08-22T09:27:51.961-04:002021-08-22T09:27:51.961-04:00John,
I would have never thought of Woman's W...John,<br /><br />I would have never thought of Woman's World as a potential market for short stories if it hadn't been for this article. I looked at the magazine's website, but didn't find the submission guidelines. Can you point me in the right direction, please?<br /><br />Many thanks.Jay Kinneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11526916705482897111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-60077297410999558252021-08-21T21:20:27.567-04:002021-08-21T21:20:27.567-04:00Hey Dan--good luck on your submitted story! I wou...Hey Dan--good luck on your submitted story! I would say the average time is more like three months than six. If you haven't heard back from them in three, I think you'd be safe to consider it rejected and send that story elsewhere. If you really want to do it correctly, wait three and send them a polite withdrawal note.<br /><br />As for finding my WW stories, I published a collection of those several years ago, in a book called FIFTY MYSTERIES. It's available via Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Mysteries-John-M-Floyd/dp/0983538670 and via my publisher at https://dogwoodpress.com/product/fifty-mysteries-the-angela-files/. The stories there are presented in exactly the same format as in the magazine, with the 50 stories in the front of the book and the solutions in the back. If you choose to get it, please let me know what you think.<br /><br />Thanks again, Dan. I wish you the very best in all your writing endeavors!John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-6786558240939395542021-08-21T20:53:16.881-04:002021-08-21T20:53:16.881-04:00Hi John,
Thanks for sharing this wealth of info. ...Hi John,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing this wealth of info. I’ve got a story submitted to WW, so fingers crossed. WW says if you don’t hear after six months, your toast. Any idea what the average time is before you’ve received a thumbs up?<br /><br />Also, I’d love to read some of your WW stories. (Research. 😀) Besides trying to dig through WW archives, is there another way to track down some of your 120?<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />DanC. Dan Castrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10705124533997711789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-56773470992165595892021-08-21T19:57:49.109-04:002021-08-21T19:57:49.109-04:00Hi Elizabeth. Thank you--I'm pleased that you...Hi Elizabeth. Thank you--I'm pleased that you liked some of my stories! <br /><br />Yes, they never respond if they decide to reject a story. If I haven't heard back from them in several months, I just reformat that story and lengthen it and send it someplace else. <br /><br />I hope you WILL submit something to them again (and let me know how it goes)!John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-16890609250059217272021-08-21T19:43:19.950-04:002021-08-21T19:43:19.950-04:00Thank you for this, John! I've been subscribin...Thank you for this, John! I've been subscribing to Woman's World for several years & have read many of your excellent stories there. I only ever submitted one story to them & that was two editors ago. Never heard back so I guess they don't want it! 😎Elizabeth Dearbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14714209544959819305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-83991946398702255862021-08-21T14:34:19.818-04:002021-08-21T14:34:19.818-04:00How kind of you, Bob. Thanks so much!How kind of you, Bob. Thanks so much!John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-49342081786394895412021-08-21T14:22:07.489-04:002021-08-21T14:22:07.489-04:00You remain an inspiration. The success is well-des...You remain an inspiration. The success is well-deserved.Bob Mangeothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07888391367916922601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-30131101548621126702021-08-21T13:56:43.995-04:002021-08-21T13:56:43.995-04:00Ha! Thanks, Liz. You and your Yiddish sayings. ...Ha! Thanks, Liz. You and your Yiddish sayings. <br /><br />The 120 figure really snuck up on me--it's hard even for me to believe I've cooked up that many story ideas, much less managed to sell them. But it has honestly been great fun, and mainly because the goofy characters I came up with are fun for me to be around. I feel that I know 'em pretty well by now.<br /><br />Thank you again, dear friend, and keep up the great writing! Will be thinking of you tomorrow when Henri makes landfall. We're used to hurricanes, down here, but it's strange to hear of one aimed toward your area. Wishing you the best!<br /><br />John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-10355615821535978372021-08-21T13:47:30.451-04:002021-08-21T13:47:30.451-04:00Hey Mary Ann. Thank you! And thanks for correcti...Hey Mary Ann. Thank you! And thanks for correcting me on the location of the solution box. The ones I remember most were on the same page as the story, and--you're right--I've noticed they've started making the reader go to a different page now to see the solution to the puzzle. (Question: Since it's on a different page, why bother to print it upside down?)<br /><br />I so admire you for being able to put together and sell those romances. The romance stories I did manage to sell to them relied heavily on misdirection, etc., so I guess I'm just not a typical romance writer, period. The mysteries, for some reason, seem to be much easier for me. Devious mind, I suppose . . .<br /><br />Thanks so much for your comment. Keep in touch!John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-51146923589298285772021-08-21T13:46:16.941-04:002021-08-21T13:46:16.941-04:00John, you're a marvel—but you already know I t...John, you're a marvel—but you already know I think that. There's a traditional Yiddish blessing, "biz hundert un tsvantsik." Most people think it's short for "May you live to 120," but we know it really means, "May you publish 120." Congratulations!"Elizabeth Zelvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944424094949207841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-48520517378965126512021-08-21T12:49:50.352-04:002021-08-21T12:49:50.352-04:00Congrats again, John, on your long career with WW ...Congrats again, John, on your long career with WW mysteries and of course, all your writing! I've had a few mysteries published by Woman's World and they are fun to write, but much more difficult for me than the romances. However, I do love to work that part of my brain and put together (sometimes working backwards) the short puzzle that a WW mystery is at its core. One thing I did want to mention, I think you noted that the solution is printed on the page upside down--and it is, but it's on the bottom of the Romance story page. I guess they want you to keep turning the pages! I'm always working on a romance idea or two, but right now I have a mystery in mind that I should be sending out soon. Thanks for the notes!Mary Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00947204195242982339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-8607325142189855922021-08-21T12:28:46.754-04:002021-08-21T12:28:46.754-04:00Hi Adam -- Thanks for the kind words! Glad you...Hi Adam -- Thanks for the kind words! Glad you've liked the stories. I realize this isn't a market for everyone--the stories are way different from what you and I are accustomed to writing--but you might find you enjoy it. Do give them a try. (And let me know what happens.)<br /><br />Best to you always, old friend. Take care!John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-38178367439580117572021-08-21T12:25:47.235-04:002021-08-21T12:25:47.235-04:00How kind of you, Susan--thank you. There is of co...How kind of you, Susan--thank you. There is of course no formula (unfortunately) to selling to any particular market--but I hope this might help. I also hope you'll submit something to WW, or submit to them again if you already have.<br /><br />Take care, and thanks again!<br />John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-16818941443300303172021-08-21T12:20:07.965-04:002021-08-21T12:20:07.965-04:00John, I've really enjoyed your WW stories, so ...John, I've really enjoyed your WW stories, so congrats and keep em coming! I haven't tried them as a market but this piece was good inspiration and has good insight, so I'm going to see if I can come up with one. Thanks for the tips!Adam Meyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13002576075065193119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-57304933087340414882021-08-21T12:08:29.434-04:002021-08-21T12:08:29.434-04:00Two things about you impress me, John. First, your...Two things about you impress me, John. First, your ability to write and sell hundreds of stories, and they all feel fresh. Second, your generosity in sharing your expertise--not lots of verbiage about creating characters, etc., but the nuts and bolts of what the magazine seems to want and how to go about it. A great help to many of us, me especially, since I've never sold WW anything.Susan Oleksiwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02693057997469296068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-43157096971118619522021-08-21T11:46:37.995-04:002021-08-21T11:46:37.995-04:00I think you're right, Jody. Don't hesitat...I think you're right, Jody. Don't hesitate to stab Aunt Ruthie with a butcher knife if you need to, in a story, but leave her poodle alone. I don't disagree with the feelings, regarding pets in jeopardy, but I do disagree with the overreaction.<br /><br />Oh well. John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-38054301922071062102021-08-21T11:24:47.537-04:002021-08-21T11:24:47.537-04:00I think killing a Boy Scout would go over better t...I think killing a Boy Scout would go over better than killing a dog. Not for WW of course, but in general. :)Jody E. Lebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777207515123248962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-88744562813324220952021-08-21T11:06:40.745-04:002021-08-21T11:06:40.745-04:00Keep trying, Tracy! The one thing I learned long ...Keep trying, Tracy! The one thing I learned long ago is that good stories get rejected every day. Don't give up!<br /><br />And keep me posted.John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-76273257739729349482021-08-21T10:55:09.436-04:002021-08-21T10:55:09.436-04:00Thanks for this! I've submitted a few stories ...Thanks for this! I've submitted a few stories to WW, but haven't gotten it right yet.Tracy Falenwolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10808496326911273416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-39232646765095827852021-08-21T10:51:45.250-04:002021-08-21T10:51:45.250-04:00Leone, thanks for stopping in at SleuthSayers. Ho...Leone, thanks for stopping in at SleuthSayers. Hope you'll find the hints useful.<br /><br />As for helping others, I try--but I'm sure I'll never be able to repay my fellow writers for all the assistance and advice I've been given, over the years. The writing community (and especially mystery writers, it seems) are a selfless and generous group.John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-33052896095032967792021-08-21T10:44:13.961-04:002021-08-21T10:44:13.961-04:00I've been fortunate there, Bob. Thank you so ...I've been fortunate there, Bob. Thank you so much!John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-29515083023858809682021-08-21T10:39:17.040-04:002021-08-21T10:39:17.040-04:00Thank you for these tips. You’re always looking to...Thank you for these tips. You’re always looking to help other writers, and that means a lot. Leonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13803251635902910126noreply@blogger.com