Break that down for me, please. Particularly the "delisting" part.
Things AI can do (but there aren't many)
- Thread starter Naomasa298
- Start date
Basically, Submission Grinder is one of the two main sites where we look for places that are open for submissions. If they get delisted, i.e. just removed from their searches, very few people will find them to submit stories for their anthologies.
The generative AI part is the responses we're getting. The contracts bit, I have to say I didn't notice - nothing I got suggests that you agree to publish by submitting. Their T&Cs say "You are free to withdraw your work at any time before we make you a formal offer of publication. If we do make an offer, you will receive our full Publishing Agreement to review and sign before any binding commitment begins." So I don't know where that bit is coming from.
I have only had a first response from them. If their responses when it comes to the full editorial review sound like AI, I will probably withdraw, $0.08 a word be damned.
Gotcha. Submission Grinder would remove the publisher from their searches, thereby greatly restricting the publisher's ability to publish. That's an interesting stand on the part of Submission Grinder, if I understood it correctly.
Is that good?
Yeah, I think that's the minimum rate you have to sell three stories at to qualify to join SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America). It's a low pro-rate. Pro rates go from $0.14-$0.08, semi-pro from $0.07-$0.01, token is $0.01 or a token, like $25 for a story.
I received this email from them this morning:
Dear Writer,
I wanted to reach out with a quick update on the Soo Generis anthology call.
Since the beginning of this year, I've received over 3,000 submissions. That's more than I ever anticipated. On a daily basis, I'm reading through dozens of manuscripts, providing feedback where I can, and trying to keep up with the incredible volume of work coming in.
To handle this, I've taken on five permanent beta readers – talented editors I couldn't afford to lose to the competition. They're ready to work, and I want to keep them busy.
Which brings me to an offer.
If you've submitted and want to take your story further – whether it's a rejection you'd like to revise or a piece you're preparing for submission elsewhere – I'm now offering critique and editorial services at rates designed to be a bargain:
$20 for stories up to 7,000 words
$39 for works up to 25,000 words
$99 for full manuscripts
Query assistance and synopsis building also available
Those who have already worked with us are loving the experience – and some have even found success with traditional publishers using our query helper and synopsis builder. Think of it as a way to get professional feedback at a fraction of the usual cost. My team needs the work, and you get the benefit of experienced eyes on your manuscript.
You can learn more and purchase services here:
[REDACTED]
After payment, you'll be directed to another page to submit your work.
I started this anthology to discover new voices, and I've found so many. Now I want to help those voices reach their full potential – whether with Soo Generis or elsewhere.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Warm regards,
-----
(emphasis mine)
$39 for feedback on 25,000 words? No serious editor in the world can offer that kind of rate. Caveat emptor.
Dear Writer,
I wanted to reach out with a quick update on the Soo Generis anthology call.
Since the beginning of this year, I've received over 3,000 submissions. That's more than I ever anticipated. On a daily basis, I'm reading through dozens of manuscripts, providing feedback where I can, and trying to keep up with the incredible volume of work coming in.
To handle this, I've taken on five permanent beta readers – talented editors I couldn't afford to lose to the competition. They're ready to work, and I want to keep them busy.
Which brings me to an offer.
If you've submitted and want to take your story further – whether it's a rejection you'd like to revise or a piece you're preparing for submission elsewhere – I'm now offering critique and editorial services at rates designed to be a bargain:
$20 for stories up to 7,000 words
$39 for works up to 25,000 words
$99 for full manuscripts
Query assistance and synopsis building also available
Those who have already worked with us are loving the experience – and some have even found success with traditional publishers using our query helper and synopsis builder. Think of it as a way to get professional feedback at a fraction of the usual cost. My team needs the work, and you get the benefit of experienced eyes on your manuscript.
You can learn more and purchase services here:
[REDACTED]
After payment, you'll be directed to another page to submit your work.
I started this anthology to discover new voices, and I've found so many. Now I want to help those voices reach their full potential – whether with Soo Generis or elsewhere.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Warm regards,
-----
(emphasis mine)
$39 for feedback on 25,000 words? No serious editor in the world can offer that kind of rate. Caveat emptor.
As did I.
I reported to Duotrope and they tell me that they've put the question regarding AI reviews, waiting on response. They also say that using AI to read and report feedback does not disqualify from their lists, but the practice would be openly declared. I'm ok with that, in one sense. In others, I don't think it ends well.
Which should scare the ever loving shit out of editors.
Do me a favor and keep eyeballs on this and provide me with updates if/when they unfold, please. I have an idea....
Will do. An article?
We're not there yet. When I get there, I'll let you know how it goes, assuming I even make it that far. They may read my story properly next and go "thanks, but no thanks".
I just meant in general, not specific to your situation.
Yeah, no one should have to put up with that shit.
And then there was this:
Dear Writer,
I'm writing to apologize and clarify an email you received from me
earlier today regarding editorial services.
If you have already received an provisional acceptance from Soo Generis:
That email was sent to you in error. Your acceptance stands. There are
no fees associated with publication, and you will never be asked to pay
for editorial services as a condition of inclusion. I am deeply sorry
for the confusion and distress this mistake caused—especially to those
of you who have already been accepted and rightfully felt this
contradicted our agreement.
If you submitted and received a rejection:
The offer for paid editorial services was genuine, but it was never
intended to imply that payment would guarantee anthology acceptance. It
was simply an offer to help writers develop their work, separate from
the anthology selection process. I now see that sending this offer to
everyone who submitted—without clearly separating it from submission
outcomes—created the appearance of a "bait and switch." That was never
my intention, but I understand why it looked that way, and I sincerely
apologize.
If you are still waiting on a publishing agreement:
You will receive a response within the next few weeks. No scheduling
decision has been made about your work yet.
Going forward:
I am separating all editorial service communications from anthology
submissions entirely. You will not receive unsolicited offers like this
again.
To those of you who were angered or hurt by this: you were right to be.
I made a poor decision about how to manage our volume, and I take full
responsibility.
However the offer was sincere and still is available
REDACTED WEBSITE
Respectfully,
Dear Writer,
I'm writing to apologize and clarify an email you received from me
earlier today regarding editorial services.
If you have already received an provisional acceptance from Soo Generis:
That email was sent to you in error. Your acceptance stands. There are
no fees associated with publication, and you will never be asked to pay
for editorial services as a condition of inclusion. I am deeply sorry
for the confusion and distress this mistake caused—especially to those
of you who have already been accepted and rightfully felt this
contradicted our agreement.
If you submitted and received a rejection:
The offer for paid editorial services was genuine, but it was never
intended to imply that payment would guarantee anthology acceptance. It
was simply an offer to help writers develop their work, separate from
the anthology selection process. I now see that sending this offer to
everyone who submitted—without clearly separating it from submission
outcomes—created the appearance of a "bait and switch." That was never
my intention, but I understand why it looked that way, and I sincerely
apologize.
If you are still waiting on a publishing agreement:
You will receive a response within the next few weeks. No scheduling
decision has been made about your work yet.
Going forward:
I am separating all editorial service communications from anthology
submissions entirely. You will not receive unsolicited offers like this
again.
To those of you who were angered or hurt by this: you were right to be.
I made a poor decision about how to manage our volume, and I take full
responsibility.
However the offer was sincere and still is available
REDACTED WEBSITE
Respectfully,
Same.
Jesus Christ... even this forum has multiple emails for its different "departments," as borderline nonexistent as they are.
*quirks an eyebrow ... reads through the whole thing ... * Isaac Asimov on a bicycle. 
$99 for an entire manuscript? Spare me. No serious editor in the world would do so much work for such a pittance.
And then to backpedal like that later -- gosh, I'm so sorry for trying to trick you, but let's do business anyway.
I'd be half-tempted to reply with "I'd rather be dipped in starving rats than work with you. Have the day you deserve."
$99 for an entire manuscript? Spare me. No serious editor in the world would do so much work for such a pittance.
And then to backpedal like that later -- gosh, I'm so sorry for trying to trick you, but let's do business anyway.
I'd be half-tempted to reply with "I'd rather be dipped in starving rats than work with you. Have the day you deserve."
They've been removed from Duotrope.
Duotrope replied to me with another question. I copied one of the original feedback emails and the later apology and sent them on. I'm not sorry to see it go. Plus, I'd be interested to know how many straightforward acceptances they sent out with their 8c per word payment.
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