By: Mikayla Moss
Every writer, if resilient, must perform the task of relinquishing their art to a publishing company. To be honest, I hate this process, because like most artists, I believe my writing is a million dollars and it hurts to hear that publishers don’t feel the same way. All aspiring authors will experience the dreaded rejection letter (or dozens), whether in hard copy or through email. But no worries, I’ve come with proof that rejection doesn’t necessarily mean to throw away the pen. Here are a few points that will advise and lift your spirits in regards to those rejections.
The rejections I have received were simple “no’s,” but some companies have been known to give critiques. Take those critiques as an opportunity to grow in your skill and to create a better understanding of what the company is searching for. And take their critiques to heart! Sometimes you’re too close to your own story to see its flaws, and there’s no better feedback than from an unbiased third-party.
Maybe that magazine or journal wasn’t the best place for your piece.
When I was in the season of submitting short stories, I spent a couple of days looking for the
right place for my writing. For example, since I was a teen, I looked for teen magazines. The
adolescent magazines were more likely to accept my story than the adult publications. This goes without saying, but when you’re competing against adult-writers with more experience, you’re less likely to be chosen.
Nothing encourages me more than when I hear that JK Rowling’s Harry Potter was rejected from multiple publishing companies, or that Alex Haley, the author of Roots, racked up 200 consecutive rejections. These are living examples that just because publications are not accepting your work doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer.
Perseverance is the number one strategy for becoming a successful writer. You have to develop the skill of absorbing good and bad criticism, applying it effectively, and trying again. Understand that not everyone will fall in love with your book; you simply have to hold out for people who will. So today you sit on a pile of rejection, but tomorrow is just another opportunity for acceptance. Take the chance and send it in one more time!
If you’re looking to get into submitting your work but don’t know where to start, Submittable (https://www.submittable.com) is a great resource for beginners.
Creativity
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Nice words of encouragement.
A good advice and encouraging one that too in these days of hopeless rejections , I liked the air with which its written!