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Article: Ease Rejection
Did you receive another rejection in the mail? Are you thinking about giving up? Feeling blue? Discouraged? Disheartened? Are you starting to wonder if you really have the talent you thought you had?
Don't despair! First, give yourself a mental hug. You've earned it. Now, try to console yourself with the fact that your situation is not unique or rare. Once you've done that, get back to the work you love!
Rejection is part of the publication process. Even if you're told that daily, even if you know it deep in your heart, it is sometimes very difficult to pull yourself back up when you feel you've read the last rejection notice that you'll ever want to read. I know it!
Know that you will never be alone in being rejected by publishers. Stand tall and proud. Use your rejections for inspiration. Never throw rejections or your writing away. Perseverance and confidence ultimately pay off.
Sometimes it's helpful to understand why your work was rejected. Maximize your odds before submitting.
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Care about your work and the potential publisher. Take the time to:
 Have a title. An untitled poem is like a beau without a name. What are the odds that either could be everlasting?
spell check
use a clear, readable font
familiarize yourself with the magazine/publication
follow the submission guidelines
clearly format your submission
direct it to the correct editor/person in charge
if snail-mailing, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope |
If you did all of the above, did the editor take the time to give you any reasons for rejection? If so, that's fabulous. They cared enough to take the time!
Do they receive more submissions than they could ever print? Is your work not exactly what they're looking for?
Do you want to revise your work? Review your writing and make sure you're as satisfied as you can be. Do you have another place ready for submission for the same work? Plan, plan, and then plan some more. Have more submissions out so you are always looking forward to responses.
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Famous rejections:
Remember the Peter Rabbit books? Beatrix Potter's submissions were turned down so often that she finally published them herself. May we have that confidence in our work.
Emily Bronte sent out her novel, Wuthering Heights, numerous times. Her courage, confidence, and determination are admirable. Each time she received a rejection, she included the growing collection in the next submissions. The potential publisher could then read the list of rival houses that had already refused the manuscript.
Apparently, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' was rejected 121 times before it was accepted. 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' was submitted to forty publishers. The twelfth publisher accepted Norman Mailer's 'The Naked and the Dead.' The most astounding number of rejections would be John Creasey's, a writer of children's books. He collected 743 rejections before he sold a book! Seven hundred and forty-three.
 Rejection Suggestions:
Send us your suggestionsfor how to handle rejection.
Is it a warm bubble bath in a candle filled room? A cuddle with your favorite pet? A motivational book? (if so, which one?) More work? A chat with a fellow writer?
Helpful hint:
Keep track of your submissions. Always know the date of your submissions, the titles of what you sent, the full address, the editor's name, the response date, and the response. Keep notes for future reference. It's handy to have one location and organized format for recording your submission information.
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Links
www.rejectioncollection.com
The writer's and artist's on-line source for misery, commiseration and inspiration. Submit your rejection letters, read others' or just rant. Postings are anonymous, laughs and catharsis are free.
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© Sienna's Poetry Suite |
