The Sweet Sorrow of Rejection

Who knew rejection was a big part of writing? Well, apparently a lot of people, but I didn't. Not when I first started writing. But I've come to learn it's part of a writer's life. A big part.

I average about two rejections a week at this point. That's just for my short fiction submissions. Doesn't seem like a whole lot, does it? Well, I've got news for you, it adds up.

Let me put it in perspective. I've sold 96 short stories, which is pretty awesome, right? Sure, it is, you say, and I'd agree with you. Well, in order to get those 96 acceptance letters, I had to wade through 1107 rejections. That's not so awesome. That's a lot of rejections! In mathematical terms, it's a whopping 5% success rate! Not a winning percentage, no matter what game you're playing. I'd be riding the bench for sure.

Sweet Sorrow of Rejection

The funny thing is, at first, it hurt. Rejection always does, doesn't it? I got angry. After all, how could a publisher or a magazine not see how AMAZING my story was? How DARE they not demand to publish it immediately? Well, given the fact that the stubbornness gene was bestowed upon me (yeah, it's a thing), I kept submitting and I kept getting rejected and rejected and a whole lot more rejected until I honestly felt like all the rejections ever written were being forwarded right to my inbox.

It sucked. I was consumed by the sweet sorrow of rejection.

But, I held true to my Scottish, Irish, and German heritage and flipped the stubborn switch and kept submitting, which is when something funny started to happen. I began to get 'nicer' rejection letters giving me feedback and encouragement, and the acceptance letters, while they didn't outpace the rejection letters, began to roll in, too. I began to understand the market better and targeted my stories to magazines looking for specific types of work.

I think it's about perspective, too. I once thought the rejection letters were personal stabs at my ability as a writer. I now know better. They are the badges of honor all writers wear on their sleeves to show they're serious about their craft, and no matter how many times their noses are bloodied, they continue to work and continue to submit.

Never stop writing. Never give up.

Write ON!