I write mystery/crime short stories under my real name.  I wrote a short story back in October and submitted it to a publication that had a call for fall stories. I got a rejection a couple of weeks later. Just a standard, “thanks, but it isn’t right for us at this time.” Since I thought it was a wonderful, cute story that fit a Thanksgiving theme, after the rejection, I submitted it to a children’s emagazine. They loved it and wanted it immediately. I signed a contract and it was released in their November issue.
Fast forward to January 19, 2010- at 10:28, I got another rejection of this story from the first place I submitted it – same publication, same reason, “doesn’t fit”- but then the kicker- at 10:38, I got an acceptance. Said they loved it and wanted to include it in their collection of short stories. How odd is that? Of course, it is full moon. AND heck, my story was a mystery so maybe now I have a real life mystery that can’t be solved. HAHA
I’m a little bummed because this was my first choice of a home for this story but it’s out in the world now and has been for 2 months. Not much else I can do since I signed a contract.
Jillian Chantal 
That is strange. Maybe different editors read it and had different reactions? It’s too bad it’s already out though, but maybe it was meant to be? Maybe your story is going to change some kid’s life and turn them into a top notch cop or a mystery/crime writer 😉 Jillian Chantal…shaping the world one story at a time!
By: danicaavet on January 20, 2011
at 7:30 am
You crack me up, woman - LOL! Yes, the guy emailed me back after I wrote him and told him I had sold it after the first rejection. He said that the readers he’d sent it to differed on it. But hey, it was still 3 months apart.
By: Jillian Chantal on January 20, 2011
at 7:57 am
That is strange. I’d have to think twice about the magazine if they had an issue like that. Maybe your better off where your at now. Where can we see the short story? I’d love to read it.
By: Ciara Knight on January 20, 2011
at 11:40 am
Thanks Ciara. It’s a short story called “The Mystery of the Maize Maze” and it is with Irish’s Playhouse. Nov 2010 issue: http://irishstoryplayhouse.com/IrishBookStore.html
By: Jillian Chantal on January 20, 2011
at 1:23 pm