Problem with the Theme Submission System

[Justin Cox]

There's a problem with the Theme Submission System as it currently
stands. Currently, we submit a new theme and it is sent to moderation,
which is fine. However, at the same time that theme is now also live
on our theme author page for the world to see.

I submitted one new theme three weeks ago that was rejected within 24
hours. For the life of me I cannot figure out what is causing it to be
rejected and no update has been accepted. That theme has now been
installed three times by random Tumblr users who found my theme page.

I submitted another new theme twelve days ago that has been waiting
for moderation ever since. Again, it is instantly on my author page
and is now installed by two random tumblr users.

This doesn't make any sense. If the theme is rejected, or hasn't even
been moderated in the first place, it shouldn't become live for the
world to see. As a site designer, I don't want unfinished product to
be released. And now, with no way to remove it from my author page,
I'm stuck with a rejected theme I no longer want displayed having been
installed on random users accounts.

Tumblr needs to change the process, so themes don't become live on
author pages until they're approved and give theme authors the ability
to remove rejected themes.

[Sean Zhu]

I second this. Theme moderation should generally be more transparent to the author.

[Anth]

Well, I think the reason they're live once you submit them is that
even if the theme is rejected, you can still share the theme with
people. When you submit a theme, you're submitting it to the Garden,
so when if it's rejected, it's not put up in the Theme Garden, but
it's still usable by people.

[kendall...@gmail.com]

same with me. Idk why, and when I change to update. It never does. And, I wish they would say exactly what is wrong with the theme. 

[rap...@gmail.com]

or at least accept our updates if you have to show it anyway in my author page.

i submitted a theme that got cut off during submission, maybe my mistake, maybe something else, and now I have a theme in my author page completely broken.

No matter how many times i tried to contact them or submit updates.

Nothing happens and I'm the one with a broken theme in my author page, saying that i'm not good at this thing.

It's really really really annoying.

[Justin Cox]

I again am stuck with the same issues I talked about when starting this thread. I now how two "rejected" themes that, despite multiple requests to sup...@tumblr.com, have not been removed and another theme that has been waiting for moderation for over 10 days now.

Seriously Tumblr, fix this system. Even Apple reviews apps quicker than this.

[Sean Zhu]

Were you sent a reason for rejection?

[Justin Cox]

I wasn't emailed anything, though the status says the theme "Does not fit accepted Tumblr blog functionality or aesthetics." The newest theme is now sitting on day 13 waiting for review.

[Sean Zhu]

Can you send me a link to a demo?

[Justin Cox]

http://www.tumblr.com/theme/36058

That's the current one I'm waiting for response on.

[Justin Cox]

The other themes on my author page, save "Mindless," have been rejected for the above stated reason.

[Sean Zhu]

At a glance, I don't see anything wrong with it.

How do you know the theme is currently rejected? Is there a message next to the theme's edit page?

[Justin Cox]

I don't see anything wrong with it either and the only notice I received is on the edit page: Moderator feedback: Does not fit accepted Tumblr blog functionality or aesthetics.

Problem is, any changes I make (even to the screenshots, etc) seem to be completely ignored. It's almost as if once that decision is made, it's final.