Editor Interview: Daily Science Fiction Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) This interview is provided for archival purposes. The listing is not currently active.Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.science fiction & fantasyJonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?This is a formula for getting into trouble: Clarkesworld, Fantasy Magazine, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, Electric Velocipede, Hadrosaur Tales, Lightspeed Magazine, Redstone Science Fiction, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Asimovs, F&SF, etc.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?Robert Reed, Nancy Kress, Orson Scott Card, David Brin, Connie Willis, many more.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?We publish more flash than most. We deliver via email directly to readers' inboxes every weekday. We like to think of ourselves as eclectic, representing a broad range of what we like best in science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, etc.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Send us strongly written material that keeps us engaged and leaves us satisfied (or devastated) by the ending.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011Describe the ideal submission.A great story, with sf or fantasy elements integral to the plot, characters we identify strongly with, and an ending that moves us.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?Submitters most often put titles or other ancillary materials in the story box. We're working on our communications on that score.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?We're happy to have authors skip the cover letter. If they do list previous publication credits, we may or may not glance at them. Telling us what we're supposed to get out of your story is unlikely to help you in any way.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?We'd like to say we read every piece 4 or 5 times, analyze it carefully and run it past a sampling of readers before making a final decision. Unfortunately, that kind of time is not available. We do the best we can to read all of each submission. Sometimes, of course, it doesn't take all the way to the end for us to know that the story is not the right fit for Daily Science Fiction.I remember feeling as an author that I was waiting to be judged on whether my story was "good enough" for a publication. From the other side, I notice I'm thinking as often about the right fit and the feel of a story as opposed to some absolute measure of merit per se.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?On most pieces, I function as first reader. Michele and I then review the second round stories and discuss and decide together if each one is a story we would like to publish.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?When I'm lucky, good coffee, a good snack, and a laptop or ipad in front of me. For our second round review process, lively conversation and maybe even some ethiopian food for lunch.Jonathan Laden, Co-Editor, Co-Publisher on 10 March 2011 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only