What do you do with rejection letters?
By ehlana88
@ehlana88 (330)
United States
March 23, 2007 9:14pm CST
Well yesterday I got offered a monthly column in a statewide magazine that reviews local musicians. They liked the way I interviewed one of my favorite bands and my "sassy" writing style. I am always excited when someone wants to publish any of my writing. The pay is terrible but the exposure is better than I've had in a long while. And all of this is possible because of a blog post on my Myspace.
Can you believe that? The article was posted in several locations, including print and a couple of websites but it was found by the magazine editor in my Myspace blog.
This makes me wonder if I should start sending my new writing out again to the dreaded world of literary agents, editors, and publishers. But, oh how I hate rejection letters! They never are pleasant no matter how nice or generic they are worded. If you've received a rejection letter, what do you do?
I keep all my rejection letters for each article, story, or book with a copy of the piece. If the person who rejected it makes a critique that is noteworthy I make an adjustment and send it off to the next person. This way it helps me keep track of who has already looked at what. I try to never send anybody anything twice.
What do you do?
1 response
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
24 Mar 07
I have a file for my rejection letters. I wouldn't ever throw them out. They remind me of the efforts I have made.
I also have a file of compliments. On a writing board I go to they have weekly writing exercises. When I did one of these writing exercises the responses I got were incredible. I transferred them to a WORD document and then printed them out and put them in my file. Unfortunately I can't save the verbal raves like the ones I received for my recently published short story.
I know the greatest authors had many rejections before they were accepted. It is said that you remember that they are not rejecting YOU, they are rejecting the work as it stood when you submitted it. You have to be patient until you find the right niche for you. Rejection letters come with the territory and you need to develop a thick skin.
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