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HANDLING REJECTION by a Pro
Since I've had some success in getting my work published and because I edited WRITERS RAINBOW for three years, other writers occasionally ask me for advice on how to handle manuscript rejections.
The editor in me responds: "If writers submit inappropriate manuscripts to a market, the work will be rejected. No matter how great writing is, the editor can't publish it if the manuscript doesn't fit their needs."
K.E.R. the ed advises: Study the market
Be sure your manuscript fits the guidelines.
It's a waste of time to submit a 60,000 word contemprary romance to an editor who only publishes 100,000 word historicals. Don't bother a science fiction editor with a regency romance or send a poetry magazine a short story.
K.E.R. the author says: "Hey, I've been getting rejects for years. I'm a real pro at rejection. In fact, my first paid sale was a poem titled REJECT #109. (I really don't count my rejects). I understand how it feels to rip open a S.A.S.E., find a rejection slip paper-clipped to the manuscript and want to stick my head in the oven."
What do I do? First, I resist the impulse to burn that nasty piece of paper. For IRS and my own files, I save them. I record the publisher, date and manuscript. Next, I try to learn something from the rejection. Is it a form reject or a personal note? Are they overstocked and suggest I resubmit? Are they requesting a rewrite?
Sometimes rejections really aren't.
Okay, this really is a reject. Now, what was wrong with my submission? Form letters usually aren't helpful, but a note from an editor can be a gold mine. If a kind editor takes time out a busy schedule to impart advice or encouragement, you're doing something right.
Occasionally, a writer receives a poison pen rejection from an editor. I imagine the only thing to be gleaned from that nightmare is never submit to that editor again. Usually a note from an editor means something about your writing impressed that editor enough to take the time to respond. That is very good.
Study the rejection and decide if it has merit. Maybe you need a cooling off period before deciding. Does your manuscript need to be rewritten? Or should you target another market and send it back out?
No one buys a manuscript hidden in your desk drawer. Be brave and submit it. Again and again, if necessary. It's the only way to publish.
The difference between a published author and an unpublished writer is often persistance. I can't count how many rejections that I've received. But guess what? I can't count how many acceptances, either.
AUTHORS
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