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Rejection Fact
by Dana Cleveland Konop
Rejection. It's a dirty word, but here's
the fact: Not all your writing gems were meant to be published.
"But it's so good," you say. "I
love it, my critique group loves it and of course my mom and my children adore it!"
Just like a gymnast who
trains everyday, beautifully executed moves at the gym are practice for the real thing. Whether it's an AAU meet at the
age of 8 or an Olympic competition for the gold, a gymnasts' poetry in motion is mostly seen at the gym - once they've
mastered the skills. And it didn't spring forth during countless efforts their first couple of years!
Need
another metaphor?
You can carefully construct, mount and plant a window box with petunias and ivy tumbling over
the side and then stand back to enjoy its beauty. You can even phone your mom who may gladly zip right over and admire it
with you. However, your lovely window box may not be enough to win you that coveted yard of the month sign.
The same is true of writing. A lot of it is for your own practice and enjoyment. After all, could anyone keep you from writing
if they tried?
As for that rejection, there are tons of possibilities:
1. The
editor or agent doesn't like stories with dogs and never will. (A cat person, no doubt.)
2. The editor/agent saw six other bad stories with a similar beginning. (Yours had six strikes against it from
the get-go.)
3. The editor/agent liked your manuscript but didn't see a way to market
it. (Neither did the marketing department.)
4. It got lost in the mail. (Going postal?
Don't. It's not worth jail, but there could be a story about this brilliant writer whose manuscript got lost in the
m...)
5. Only two slots remain on the editor's list and they have an awesome
idea for two stories. (At this point they're talking to agents to find an author to write them.)
6. The editor/agent just took on a manuscript similar to yours. (Yours was better.  )
7. Pirates are soooo yesterday. (Save your manuscript. In 15 years, resubmit.)
8. The person reading your manuscript has the flu. Something hilarious would make them
feel better - and a snuggly brown bear. (Hey, it works when I get the sniffles!)
9. You
wrote your cover letter in the voice of your protagonist which shows that you can market your project. (You did this because
of the information you got at an SCBWI conference.) However, this editor/agent is different and strictly adheres to a "professional
no voice in cover letter" policy. (Pow! Your manuscript is dead in their hands.)
10. With
meticulous attention to detail, you submitted the perfect manuscript and cover letter. However, you forgot
to sign the flawless cover letter. (Therefore the editor assumed you sent out a massive mailing of your alleged exclusive
manuscript. Ooops!)
BOTTOM LINE: Just like friends making different selections from a restaurant menu, editors
and agents have different tastes too. Don't take rejection personally. Do your best. Keep learning. Get critiques.
Revise, revise, revise. THEN submit your manuscript again.
Good luck and happy writing!
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