Happy New Year. Since 2017, I have submitted and tracked my fiction writing, and posted annual updates (here are the notes from 2023 and 2024). How did it go with my short stories in 2025?

• In 2025, I submitted versions and revisions of 21 stories 49 times to 36 different outlets. This included three contests.
• Between January 1 and December 31, 2025, I received 44 rejections (including 11 for stories submitted in 2024) and one acceptance (2.2%) for a 2024 story. I also withdrew one story.
• Select comments from editors in 2025 capturing the potential and persistent troubles with my stories included:
  • “There’s a lot to like here, especially the early section and the tension created… it remained an amusing piece that felt like it had potential, but hadn’t quite gone far enough.”
  • “I liked the slow buildup of tension. The piece is very sure of its characters and setting… maintaining a rare authenticity with an oft-repeated, simple, core premise. Final line is excellent too… [but]…”
  • “This is dark and disturbing and does a good job of letting the reader in slowly… felt like a scene from a Tarantino film. Well written but…”

Stories Published in 2025

Two stories were published by two different venues in 2025.

On February 1^st, Spank the Carp published “Pull-Up Girl” (373 words, 2-minute read). First drafted in 2018, this “love story” required 22 revisions and submissions before finding a home. Editor Ken Schweda wrote, “”What a fun and touching piece, and so well written. “gym ponies” – I almost spit my gum out… and the descriptions get better as you go. Great job!”

On July 14^th, Narrative Magazine published “Castaway Carnivore” (6 words, <1-minute, so feel free to reread it many times). My fifth “professional” story sale (since 2017).

Thank you for reading!