Submissions that could be publishable with improvements will be returned to the author with suggestions. In the case of the former, the editor may be willing to work with the author. Submissions that are deemed inappropriate or unacceptable will not be returned. However, the editor promises to try to contact everyone to let them know either way. There is no consolation prize.
Life's a bitch.
This is not the responsibility of Opuntia or any of its staff or volunteers. This rests solely on the author. Legally, when you have created a work such as a short story, you have immediate legal copyright over that work. Proving that later on is something else entirely. Opuntia will never intentionally do anything illegal, immoral, or dishonest with submitted works.