The best piece of advice I've ever seen is: Can you tell your story in two sentences? If not, delete the unnecessary and hone hone hone.

Though she'd probably think that all the sex could be filed under one word. And wow I feel mean because I'm not published. But then again I've spent most of my life being told I have talent and I know my short stories are kick ass and awardwinning, because they have been.

Novel length stuff is what I'm working on now.

(I guess I've honed myself into a corner and can maybe stretch to a novella)