The Moral of Rejection: Don't Take it Personally

I wrote a blog post not too long ago about the number of rejections I've had and how my attitude toward them has changed. A few readers pointed out that for those authors who've not published yet, rejections are viewed a bit differently. They aren't viewed as merely a rite of passage, as I suggested in my post, but as an indictment of their talent.

The Moral of Rejection

World of Self-Doubt

As an unpublished author, wallowing in self-doubt, and wondering if anything you've ever written will ever be published, getting rejections is tough. I can certainly see how receiving a rejection letter could be an ice pick to the heart, stirring those doubts and tugging at your confidence. It's hard to hear the words 'the moral of rejection is don't take it personally' and accept it. But that's the moral of rejection.

I've been there, and believe me, in a lot of ways, I still am. There are magazines and publishers I thought would be a perfect fit for one of my pieces, and they won't give me the time of day. So, I still see them, those pointy little devils. Those ice picks are still sharp; they're just a little smaller now.

The Moral of Rejection: Don't Take it Personally

It took a while, but I've started to see rejection for what it is. It's not a forever no, it's a no for now. Maybe the publisher already has a similar story lined up for publication. Maybe the story isn't a good fit with the other stories already selected for publication. It might be your piece didn't fit the theme as well as other stories submitted. Sad to say, but maybe the publisher was just in a grumpy mood at the moment they are reviewing your piece.

As Managing Editor of Storyteller Magazine, I had to say no to a lot of authors for a lot of reasons. Some authors went ballistic, others asked why, a few begged, and one even tried a bribe. I was sympathetic to every author's reaction. How could I not be? After all, I'm an author.

Finding the Right Home

In my own journey to publication, I've come to think of the places I submit to as homes for my stories. When I get a rejection letter from one, I know it's not the right home for the story. Every single piece has a home. It's just up to the author to find it. And, in order to find it, authors have to never stop looking and never stop submitting.

Remember, they only win when you stop.

Don't give up.

Keep submitting and write ON!