Tag: 2009

the actual rejection

~ Scott W. Baker ~ 14 Comments

For purposes of comparison, I am posting the contents of my rejection below. I hope that doesn’t offend anyone (including Clarion SD personnel). If it does, tell me and I’ll take it down; I’m not looking to step on anyone’s toes here. I simply wonder whether they all say the same thing or not, especially the way this one is worded. It’s very nice and feels halfway between personal and form, like there are two or three different rejection emails depending on your score. 

Dear Scott Baker:

Thank you for applying for the 2009 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop at UC San Diego. Your application has been carefully reviewed. We regret to inform you that you have not been selected for admission. However, the admissions panel feels that you work shows promise and says you came “very close” to being admitted. The reviewers encourage you to keep writing and to reapply in 2010.

Thank you for your interest in Clarion.

Cordially,

Tania Mayer
Program Coordinator
 

This was received three days after the posted deadline for notifying acceptances.  Feel free to compare your message to mine.  I’m curious if they are different.  You can post your letter in a comment if you like.  Whatever.  

For those of you that, like me, got a thanks-but-no-thanks, keep writing and stay in touch.  If we work together, we can all get in next year.  Or better yet, succeed without any workshop but each other.

-Oso

greetings lurkers

~ Scott W. Baker ~ 4 Comments

It has come to my attention that, since about 7:00 last night, the hits on this blog have been flowing in at record pace.  I suspect that, like me, there are lots of you looking for hints of Clarion SD acceptances and rejections.   You are most welcome here.  There aren’t a lot of sites or blogs talking about it right now, while I won’t shut up about it.  Feel free to look around, maybe leave a comment.  A little dialog could help us pass the time.

We are past Clarion’s published deadline for contacting accepted candidates.  But what are we going to do, decline an invitation because it’s too late?  I’m sure that something important or unexpected came up to delay our results.  Maybe they still don’t know.  (One slow reviewer or one lost-in-the-mail set of reviews would really slow things down.  A computer crash would be devastating.  I’m not saying any of these things happened, but I’m trying to view my apprehension through sympathetic eyes.  I’m not very good at it.

If anyone has any news — even if you aren’t supposed to share it — I’d love to know that you know something.  You can whisper it in my ear.  I have heard of one acceptance that was requested not to make the news public.  This is third-hand information and worth what you pay for it, but it’s the only hint I’ve heard.  I have found evidence of no rejections.

I am waitlisted for Seattle, but who wants to sit and wait?  I’ll be happy at either workshop, I just want to know.  Chances of me sliding in to CW can’t be better than fifty-fifty.  I’m really pulling for Clarion to come through for me.  In the words of Willy Wonka, “The suspense is terrible…I hope it lasts.”  Only without the second part.

In the meantime, introduce yourselves.  Share your knowledge or your stress.  We’re all looking for a community of writers.  Accepted or rejected, we can start that community now.

-Oso

My wait is over…or not

~ Scott W. Baker ~ 6 Comments

Ever waited a really long time for something just to realize you have to wait some more?  Welcome to my world.

I got an email from Clarion West.  I’ve been waitlisted.  This means that if John Doe is accepted, says he’s going, then develops a case of malaria that prevents him from attending, I’m in.  Actually it is reasonable that someone would drop out of a six-week event like Clarion West.  Job issues, money issues, love life issues, spontaneous success, spontaneous combustion…lots of possibilities.  I do not wish these issues on anyone, but if they come up, I’m here.

It’s not clear how long the waitlist is.  Just me?  Two or three of us?  A whole minor league team worth?  Do I get a call for any dropout or just another male?  I guess the issue is merely academic.

Still no word from San Diego.  It should come tomorrow.  I’m still holding out hope.  I really think that application was stronger.  We’ll see.

Good luck to the Clarion West class of 2009.  I’ll be watching for your names in the big zines; you watch out for mine.  It will be there.

-Oso