Slush decisions

The Electric Spec editors are hard at work reading lots and lots of slush stories. (Thank you for submitting!) We have about a week left until our deadline, so let's just say there's been a lot of reading. Perhaps that makes me a little less diplomatic than I might otherwise be. Here's a few behind the scenes insights into some slush decisions...

• I just don't have the stomach right now for stories with brutality and/or terrorism. These are getting a pass. It's unfair, but sometimes real-life interferes with objectivity.
• Loooong stories (more than 6,000) words are a lot of work for editors, so they're more like to get a pass.
• Make sure your story involves something being different at the end. If things are just status quo...did a story really happen?
• We enjoy genre mashups. We also enjoy unusual takes on traditional spec fic tropes. These are more likely to move on to the next level.
• We enjoy stories with a strong authorial voice. This usually involves a protagonist with a strong/unique point-of-view. These are more likely to move on.

I better get back to reading...