Published writers get rejected. Rejection slips are part of the game, and eventually you'll get used to it. However, the rejections slips won't stop hurting.
It doesn't matter what you do the day you get a rejection slip. Cry. Swear. Get drunk. It doesn't matter. However, what you do the next day does matter.
Within 24 hours of getting that rejection slip, mail your manuscript to another outlet. Regardless of how you feel, write the cover letter, lick the stamp and get the package in the mail. That small act of courage removes your manuscript from your "rejected" pile to your "submitted" pile.
You may be tempted to rewrite your rejected manuscript. Go ahead, rewrite it. But do your rewrite while another publisher is evaluating the original manuscript. Who knows, you may get an acceptance before you complete your revision. Now that's a good problem to have.
Showing posts with label rejection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rejection. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Had Any Good Rejections Lately?
Beginning writers, particularly those not yet published, tend to have thin skins. Minor criticisms hurt, and rejections crush them. Seasoned writers develop thick skins early. Those who can't toughen up quit writing -- or at least quit trying to publish.
You should wear your rejections as badges of honor. Some of the world's most critically and commercially successful writers had difficulty landing agents and publishers. James Joyce's The Dubliners was rejected 22 times. Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind struck out with 38 publishers, and the manuscript for Chicken Soup for the Soul was turned down 140 times.
Your rejection slips put you in some pretty good company. Personally, my most scornful rejection letter offered me the following advice: "Jack up the title and run a real article in under it." That's exactly what I did, and the article was published (eventually).
You should wear your rejections as badges of honor. Some of the world's most critically and commercially successful writers had difficulty landing agents and publishers. James Joyce's The Dubliners was rejected 22 times. Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind struck out with 38 publishers, and the manuscript for Chicken Soup for the Soul was turned down 140 times.
Your rejection slips put you in some pretty good company. Personally, my most scornful rejection letter offered me the following advice: "Jack up the title and run a real article in under it." That's exactly what I did, and the article was published (eventually).
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