Just a quick update. If you recall, I did my first-ever submission the other week to a nice, pretty magazine.
Got a response today. It was a rejection, but still very nice.
Dear Summer,
Thank you for allowing ... to consider "A Tender Touch," but I'm going to pass on this one.
Overall, I like the idea presented here; I just don't feel it covers enough new ground for ...'s liking. Best of luck with this one, and please do try us again. Would like to see more from you.
Not bad, right? I wasn't expecting them to accept me anyway, but I had to try!
And now I have my first rejection under my belt!
Is it strange to be somewhat excited about this, instead of sad or disappointed??
39 comments:
Sorry about the rejection, but I'm glad it was such a positive one. :) And it's cool that you're taking it in that way.
That's has to be like the sweetest rejection ever!!
The life and times of being rejected. I haven't submitted in a very long time, but not long enough to remember the sting of those rejection slips. I use to dread checking the mail.
Just one step closer to publication. :)
Hang in there.
No, get excited - the worst is over! That first rejection is always the hardest to take. Now you are one closer to an acceptance.
It's all part of the process! Taking rejection (esp such nice ones!) well is key to getting published! Good luck!!
That was an extremely promising rejection. They took a moment and they said to submit again. Good one! You'll definitely want to submit there again.
I can tell you from experience that's what's called a possitive rejection. To get an actual note for the editor and not a form rejection is good indeed. Keep it up!
No way! You have such a great attitude about it, that's exactly what you need :) I got rejected from a magazine I submitted to a couple years back. I was more disappointed about the form rejection (no feedback, no personal comments) than I was about the rejection itself. *shrug* On to bigger and better things for you!!
That's a very nice rejection! Just send it somewhere else!
Ooh! Rejection! Shiny!
Actually, I was fairly excited by my first rejection. I'd known it was coming, but I LOVED the litmag, so I kept submitting until they accepted something. Cue the dancing around and cheering.
So keep at it, good lady. Acceptances come to those who submit!
Sorry about the rejection......this time. There will be other times I'm sure.
Good luck next time round.
Yvonne,
Welcome to the wonderful world of rejection! You are a true writer now. :)
Sounds like you're taking it in your stride.
Congrats on your rejection! May it be the first of many, but not too many, on your road to publication.
Summer--it really is a numbers game, so good job getting out there and taking a stab at it.
Better luck next time.
Nice! A personal rejection with an invite to submit more work is awesome. I'd polish something else up and send it right away, saying "I was invited to submit more of my work, so here's a short story about..." Regardless, you are looking at it from a great point of view and remembering that rejection is one step closer to an acceptance.
If you're looking for more places to submit, try duotrope.com - it's a great website with really wonderful tools for writers.
That is not a rejection at all! That is an invitation. I hope you send them something else soon!
Good for you! You handled that first rejection with class and dignity. And you can feel any way you want to about them. Me, I head straight for the chocolate.
I don't think it is strange to be more excited than disappointed - at least you took that step and someone looked at your work and made a decision. they probably made a wrong decision, but you did what many people won't do for the very fear of being rejected, Good for you!
Bummer about the rejection, but I thought the wording was very professional and sympathetic to your feelings. And yes, I understand being strangely excited despite a rejection. You submitted a story! It's official, you're an author!
((hugs)) Nicole
This is actually a nice rejection, and you're handling it so well. I was majorly bummed when I received my first rejection (on a query for a novel, but still...) Plus, they said they'd like to see more from you. Rock on!
I was excited about my first rejection, too. Since then, they've gotten less and less exciting. lol I've gotten some nice ones, too. There really are some nice agents out there.
I actually had an experience in which I queried an agent and had the wrong agent's name in the query. She wrote back and said "Sorry. Ain't no ... here." After I'd picked my heart up off the floor, I replied and told her to disregard the query as I'd made the first cardinal mistake. She answered back a couple minutes later and said to resend the query and she would consider it like nothing had ever happened. She's my new favorite agent, even if she ends up passing on me.
I'm sorry that your piece was rejected. You did get a really sweet rejection letter though... I know that helps. :) I despise form letter rejections (though that is better than no response at all).
'Dem gooberheads!! They don't know what they've passed on!
Great attitude! "Thank you sir...may I have another!"
That one was sweet and personal and encouraging. Pretty much the best kind you can get. I almost want to congratulate you for getting a rejection of this caliber :-)
dang! what a nice rejection letter!
glad you're keeping a good attitude :)
Sorry for the rejection... or should I say congratulations?! I think I understand where you are coming from, though I haven't received my first one I think it will just show that I was getting my feet wet and that's where the actual excitement comes form... not the actual rejection!
That's a kind rejection. Congratulations! And good for you for having such a great attitude about it.
That is not strang at all. I read a book that said some multi-million book selling authors are most proud of their rejection pile because it shows the work they have put into it, and how they pushed through.
They said they wanted to read more from you, that's something to be glad about.
Dear Summer,
Please don't be discouraged...remember that PPO...persistence pays off. Keep on sending 'em in.
Ruby
I think it's a pretty good one! I have no basis for this belief but I think the fact that they made it personal is pretty impressive - instead of a cold form letter from the churning machine, I mean.
Some of the best advice I have received was from my Mom, she told me: "You already have the 'no' - so you might as well try for the 'yes'."
Plus, (and this is the fun part) when you are a famous writer you can frame that letter and say "You silly, silly Trollop!" when you pass it in the hall. You'll have a glass of wine in one hand and a man servant in the other and you'll be yelling "Look at me now! I said look at me!" at the letter.
That came out all weird. I hope you liked it :)
That was a nice rejection. When they want to see more, that's a very good thing. :)
Hey, I want one. You've inspired me to do my first submit (after this weekends writer's conference). :)
It was a nice rejection. So sorry. They want to see more though. ;)
At least you got a little bit of feedback. Most of the time I just get form letters that say thanks but no thanks.
oooh - what an awesome rejection! And if you do write something else, you can try them again!
Sorry about your rejection letter. But that was a good one! I totally get that excited feeling over the disappointment. Maybe it's the thrill of putting yourself out there. Such courage! I'm proud of you, Summer!
You know something? That really is a great rejection! Because no one is rejecting your talent--they're not slamming the door in your face; they're saying, "Come on back--for another project!"
How cool is that?!
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