Editor Interview: Electric Spec Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.speculative fictionLesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?I personally enjoy Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Asimov's Science Fiction, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Apex, Clarkesworld, Daily Science Ficiton, Lightspeed, Orson Scott Card's InterGlaactic Medicine Show, Strange Horizons, Interzone and others. Hmm... It may be I read too much short ficiton. :)Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?I love all writers! It sort of depends on who I'm reading... RIght now I'm especially loving Connie Willis, Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Lev Grossman, and Cassandra Clare.Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?One thing that definitely sets us apart is we work with writers. ...sort of like the old-school Golden Age of Science Fiction. We often give suggestions to make a story even better and go through some iterations with authors. I think our mix of stories is really lovely as well. We enjoy pushing the envelope with original ideas and genre mashups and your-original-idea-here.Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?I do blog weekly with tips for stories at electricspec.blogspot.comBut the best advice I have is: send it!Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016Describe the ideal submission.An ideal submission is a unique speculative fiction story. I'd love to go somewhere my imagination hasn't been before. We do have a few requirements for cover letters (yes), formatting (rtf), and word limits.Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?If submitters don't submit an rtf file it can muck up the works. If submitters don't put "submisison" in the subject line of their email it can muck up the works. Generally, submitters are pretty good though.Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?We don't want to know anything about the person submitting. The story has to speak for itself.Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?Obviously, this differs by story, but I generally give every story at least two pages and skip to the end to see what it is. (They should relate!) Of course, once in a while you love a story and read eagerly to the very end and then it falls apart.Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?An editor reads it in slush. If it makes it through the first round all the editors read it in a second round. Then, when we pick stories for the issue sometimes genre balance is a concern. So, a more unusual genre would give your story a better chance. (You probably don't want to write about vampires.)Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?I always seem to read with a big cup of coffee...I open my email and start reading. That's about it. :)Lesley L. Smith, Editor on 17 May 2016 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