Bewildering Stories Editorial

About Multiple Submissions

by Don Webb

We often receive simultaneous submissions. When one of them is accepted elsewhere, contributors sometimes wonder whether they should withdraw it at Bewildering Stories. The answer is simple: in such cases we invoke our “ostrich” policy: we pay no attention to what other publications do. As far as Bewildering Stories is concerned, third parties have no standing; only the author may withdraw a submission. That clause is intended to protect our contributors.

By way of example, here are four cases that have occurred within the past month. The titles, names, and correspondence are entirely fictional, of course. Whatever’s left is real.

From best to worst:

“My ‘Red Hummocks of Mars’ has been accepted elsewhere. Should I withdraw it?”
“Congratulations. We like ‘Red Hummocks’ and it’s on our schedule. As long as you retain the rights to it, we’ll print it, unless you say not to.”
“My story ‘Downtrodden Deadbeat’ has been accepted by TopDollar Bigmag. Should I withdraw it?”
“Congratulations on your success. If Bigmag buys the rights to the story, you won’t be allowed to have it published elsewhere. In any event, ‘D&D’ is not quite suitable for us.” [Thought balloon: “Bigmag’s style always has seemed a bit deadtrodden...”]
“My story ‘Zipalong Sassity’ has been published by Xenomorph Outfit. Do you accept reprints?”
“Yes, but ‘Zipalong’ has a lot of of missed opportunities. Here are some suggestions.”
“Are you saying Xenomorph overlooked something?”
(Shrug) “There’s no accounting for taste.”
“You want everybody to write the way you do, you bloody tyrant.”
[Thought balloon: “Have you read anything in BwS besides your own stuff?]
“My story ‘Leather Lizardesses of the Lurid Lounge’ has been accepted elsewhere.”
“Congratulations. The story is under consideration; we shall proceed as usual.” [Thought balloon: “That’s all? That’s it? What are we supposed to do?”]

The gist is that we may accept works that have been accepted or published elsewhere as long as the author retains the rights to them.

And if you’ve ever wondered why we’re called Bewildering Stories, now you know.

Don