I submitted the following story Hank Iowa: Interstellar Public Relations, to Ray Gun Revival and was rejected. That's okay, it's not going to be the last. Oh I still recommend checking out the short stories on their site, they're usually pretty good. I was surprised to receive direct feedback from the editor. I was expecting a simple form email saying in nice terms, "No thanks."
I'm actually glad I got this rejection especially because of this feedback.
This story has good action, good storytelling, and good characters. Unfortunately, there are no real good guys to root for. I don't care whether Iowa's group is successful because they're just as bad morally as their opponents.
The main character is neither likeable enough or enough of a rogue to be engaging.
Anyway since this story got rejected I might as well throw it up here and see what you guys think.
Continue reading --> Hank Iowa: Interstellar Public RelationsSo what’s it like flying in spaceships and cavorting around with aliens? Well, it’s the most fun you can have with your jumpsuit on, that’s what! Now I’m not going to say that it’s all fun and games, but I get to do most things Captain Jack Stardust and his intrepid crew did on those vid shows I grew up watching as a kid.
The name’s Hank Iowa by the way, and I handle Interstellar Public Relations onboard the Johnny Cash.
“Hank!” a high pitched alien voice called from the corridor.
I unhooked my harness and pushed up from my bunk and shoved my media reader with the latest issue of “Blasters and Beam Guns,” displaying on it into a drawer.
I replied, “Yeah what’s up Xa’tik?”
The Arietisian floated her blue feathered head through the door. “Hank, Captain wants you topside when we set down on Gliese G.”
That made me curious. “Is the Captain expecting trouble?”
She clicked her beak. “Well, how you say, better sorry than safe?”
That meant the Captain was expecting trouble. As I was the best gun hand on the ship Captain Mara mostly kept me around for when ‘public relations’ became strained and running the septic tank vac.