Drat Drat & Double Drat

The market that put my story on hold -- the market I *REALLY* wanted an acceptance from -- said no.  I did get a personal reply from Elisabeth Waters saying that she really liked the story and they held it for the final cut, BUT (!  I hate that word!) to quote:  

Typeface, however, is notoriously inelastic, which forces us to return stories we might otherwise have bought.

I assume that meant it wasn't quite good enough and other stories went before mine.  May I just say here:

WAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Another of those near misses that frustrates me so.  One the one hand I'm encouraged by the personal reply and the hold til the final cut, but (that word again!) to come so close and then lose out -- well it's the story of my life.  Ok, I shouldn't start a pity party.

I'm actually not disenheartened like I usually am, I think this one has made me more determined to get a pro market to accept one of my stories one of these days.  

On another note, my story "Tears of the Goddess" which was accepted a year ago by Fantasist Enterprises for their Blood & Devotion anthology has still not seen a publication date.  I'm beginning to worry on this one.  It's still listed on the website.  But. (stupid word)