Hot off the Press, hot on the springs

Work update: I've gotten two stories accepted recently, I think. Well, I know one, "Perfect Skin," definitely got accepted into some women's magazine, Penwomanship. This was a nice acceptance because, even though it is a market that I don't usually consider, it will appear in the print edition, which is a plus.

The other acceptance, "Heroes of the Diamond," is more tricky. I set it to a journal, Artistry of Life, that has quarterly themes--this particular issue was about myths. I got a response from the editor saying that they were open to publishing my story but only if I re-proofread it (arggh, my own pet peeve as an editor!) and changed the title, presumably because the word "heroes" in the title makes its connection to myth too obvious. I asked them if they had any suggestions for a new title, at which point they responded that my title was actually fine. Therefore, I sent the corrected version, sans new title, and haven't heard from them since. Should I assume that it's accepted? I don't know. I'm too much of a wimp to ask outright.

I have not heard from the New Yorker in four months. I sent an e-mail at the end of October inquiring about my submission but still haven't heard anything. I don't know what the etiquette is in these situation, either. Some writer I am!

Life update: Christmas is too close. The crush of consumerism that surrounds me year-round is that much more suffocating these days. The missus and I have decided to forgo the senseless gift-buying for each other this year and are treating ourselves to a minivacation at a hostel in southern New Mexico that has a hot springs on the premises. And that will be the best present of all: being able to spend time together.