Guidance and constructive criticism for rejections

[missmeamea]

Hello,

I submitted my first piece on Friday in response to a public request. Today I received the rejection notice, and I'd like to know if there's a forum resource for critiquing rejected work. The email simply said that my submission did not meet guidelines. That could be anything from grammar to file format. I understand that the generalized rejection is intended, but I proofread the submission myself and had a friend look it over as well, so obviously if I "don't get it" then I may need to have an experienced author here bluntly point it out. No hard feelings, I just want to learn so that I can submit better material.

Regards,
Tracey Steele

[Ed]

Short summaries must be original and follow guidelines for short summaries. Please follow all of our guidelines.

[missmeamea]

Thanks. I managed to skim right over the section about the short summary needing to be unique and not a cut/paste.

[Elizabeth Ann West]

Tracey,

The easiest thing for new authors, because our submittal process and guidelines are a little different, is to make yourself a checklist from the guidelines. For example:

-- No personal accounts, no "I"
-- No links, if a website must be referenced, take out the http://www so it is not an active link
-- Single spaced
-- Short summary is a sell summary, not cut and paste, where you entice the buyer to read your full article

etc.

Many new authors have found this helpful, especially with the submittal process. Then, you just check of down the list, and don't have to worry about a rejection for a small oversight. Even experienced authors sometimes forget to do something, I know I've rushed myself before and forgot to attach the file! :) Good luck!

[MeggieHardy]

Hi;

I had an article rejected and the explanation given was "improper colon and semi-colon usage." You suggested a link to a site that explains that particular grammar usage; however, the site explains semi-colons but not colon usage. I've scoured the internet for examples but can't find an explanation for the way I used it.

My article is an explanation of new technologies in hair care. I've concluded each paragraph with a cost analysis of the procedure. Example:
Cost: About $75 at most salons.

I'm sorry to ask a direct question about grammar, but I can't find the answer. I want to resubmit but I don't know what to change. The semi-colon rules do not seem to apply here.

Meggie

[jak]

I wouldn't follow a colon with an initial cap. That may or may not be the answer. Perhaps Ed can help.

[Ed]

I'm sorry, but it is impossible for me to address the problem this long after the fact. The author is lucky if I can remember the reason for rejection within an hour. Using a colon to precede explanation of cost does not seem like a problem. Using a colon incorrectly within a sentence would be a problem.

[grouchy]

The rule I follow is to follow a colon with a cap if it makes its own sentence, but no cap if it is just a phrase or clause. E.g.

This is what I like about CC: It values the opinions of its writers.
This is what I like about CC: its respectful treatment of its writers.

Hope this helps.
gigi

[Ed]

The following document addresses using colons correctly:
http://www.uhv.edu/ac/grammar/colons.asp

[MeggieHardy]

Okay, thanks all. Ed, thanks for the link.

Meggie

[JD]

UK English writers might want to note Gigi's advice. I also believe that this is correct - for US English users that is. In UK English, as far as I know, the word following a colon is never capitalized, even if it makes a complete sentence. And even now that I write in US English (or at least attempt to), I still don't follow the US English colon/cap. letter rule as detailed in Gigi's post.

Maybe I should give it a go.

Anyway, just thought that I would highlight yet another difference in the use of the language on either side of the Atlantic.

Thanks.

Jane

[jak]

Jane, I wondered if that was the case, as being a UK resident, I've been taught never to put a cap after a colon. Thanks for clarifying. I've learnt something today.

[barrywiki]

So, following on from that last post (a while ago, I know. Sorry) if there is a marked difference in a punctuation rule between US English and English, will US English be the rule and English usage cause a rejection?

I have had a rejection for misuse of the semi-colon (no problem with that, guilty as charged in any variety of English) and I am currently revising my article to resubmit it. I have bumped into this colon rule as a consequence. here is a precis of my sentence. Should I capitalise the 'L' in lemons or not, do you think?

What we are going to do is add to that: 2 Lemons and oranges, sliced of course, 6 tablespoons of honey, half a teaspoon of finely chopped......

Suggestions gratefully received but soon please as the article is Christmas related and therefore time sensitive

[Lysis]

Hmmmm, might want to cut "we." I'm dumb when it comes to semicolons, so I avoid them entirely. But, you can't do first person for CC unless the customer specifically asks for it. Is this further down the article? I would stick to second or third person to avoid the POV rejection.

Also, I think I read Ed state that the queen's English is ok as long as it's consistent throughout the article. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's how it goes.

[Celeste Stewart]

Since it appears to be a recipe, I suppose the '2' and '6' are okay. As far as capitalizing "Lemons" goes, I wouldn't. It follows another word (2/two) so there's no need to capitalize it regardless of the colon issue or US/UK differences (unless the UK has some grammar rule about words following numerals that I obviously have no clue about).

Original:
What we are going to do is add to that: 2 Lemons and oranges, sliced of course, 6 tablespoons of honey, half a teaspoon of finely chopped......

If it were me, I'd go with:
Now add: two lemons and two oranges (sliced of course), six tablespoons of honey, a half teaspoon of finely chopped. . .

or:

Add the following:
2 sliced lemons
2 sliced oranges
6 tablespoons honey
1/2 tablespoon fine chopped___

I'd spell the measurements if using a sentence and use numbers in an actual list such as a recipe/bullet list.