Recently I was invited to participate in an anthology and I submitted a short horror story. The editor returned with notes and suggestions for changes to the story but like its dark cruel ending.

Sadly, the changes felt ‘a bridge too far’ for my vision of the story and what it needed to achieve my goals. So, I have withdrawn the story from consideration for the anthology.

This is the first time I have run aground on this particular shoal in the treacherous sea of publishing. It’s not the editor’s fault, they are not wrong because as the person putting together the anthology  it must reflect their taste and their vision for what works in speculative fiction. I am not wrong. I have a very clear idea and vision for how this story and how horror stories work to me. It is simply a conflict of different artistic takes and vision.

I am not naming the anthology or the editor. This isn’t about complaining, whining, or bitching but a recognition that sometimes things simply can’t be made to work out for all parties involved.

I wish them the best and now the story will sail off into the storm of submission once more.