Fiction with a Hook
I got blogbasted—flamed—for a story in the Spring issue.
A blogger who calls himself "Literary Rejections on Display" thought the story was a gimmick, accepted only because of its "hook"—the 91-year-old author had a stroke a while ago.
I don't read cover letters, so I didn't know when I first read the story about Roger D. Coleman's "disability." Nor did I know until he sent the contract back that he had published seven stories last year.
It is true that Coleman doesn't always write correct and coherent sentences; his plotting is, at times, rather strange. But what wonderful phrases.
If his story had been truly disjunctive and incomprehensible (flarfy), it would have been understood as avant. As it was, I thought it strange and marvelously maladroit.
If you'd like to read the story without the discomfort of actually subscribing or buying it on the newsstand, here is "Alien Fusion."
The issue also has a poem shaped like a tortured spine; it was written by a victim of scoliosis. I can't remember when I knew the source of the poet's inspiration. In any case, I'm always a sucker for concrete poetry. [Unfortunately, I don't know how to transfer its format to this blog. If you ask, I'll send you a xerox.]
P.S.: Since we're discussing Spring, may I point out that the cover is derived from an 1808 Ingres in the Louvre.
A blogger who calls himself "Literary Rejections on Display" thought the story was a gimmick, accepted only because of its "hook"—the 91-year-old author had a stroke a while ago.
I don't read cover letters, so I didn't know when I first read the story about Roger D. Coleman's "disability." Nor did I know until he sent the contract back that he had published seven stories last year.
It is true that Coleman doesn't always write correct and coherent sentences; his plotting is, at times, rather strange. But what wonderful phrases.
If his story had been truly disjunctive and incomprehensible (flarfy), it would have been understood as avant. As it was, I thought it strange and marvelously maladroit.
If you'd like to read the story without the discomfort of actually subscribing or buying it on the newsstand, here is "Alien Fusion."
The issue also has a poem shaped like a tortured spine; it was written by a victim of scoliosis. I can't remember when I knew the source of the poet's inspiration. In any case, I'm always a sucker for concrete poetry. [Unfortunately, I don't know how to transfer its format to this blog. If you ask, I'll send you a xerox.]
P.S.: Since we're discussing Spring, may I point out that the cover is derived from an 1808 Ingres in the Louvre.
posted by Howard Junker at 7:00 AM
1 Comments:
True that it got a little harsh, but then you came over and explained your p.o.v., and we all ended up saying that you are charming guy, and despite the fact that you are an editor, we really like you. Don't take our fickle opinions too seriously. We try not to take your editorial opinions too seriously either. Peace, dude.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home