Some famous “rejects.”
Just a few weeks ago, I wrote a post about dealing with criticism. Which is hard enough, but in some ways, dealing with rejection is worse.
I “collect” rejection stories. Carrie, by Stephen King, was rejected 30 times. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by JK Rowling, was rejected 12 times. Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell, was rejected 38 times. And on and on and on.
I pull these stories out whenever I need to remind myself that a rejection doesn’t mean the story is bad; it just means that it didn’t find its match. It’s kind of like dating that way. I’ve abandoned many books that other people loved, and loved books other people hate. Unless a book is actually poorly written, whether or not it’s “good” is more about the taste of the reader than the actual story. And even then, I like some “poorly written” stories.
Recently, I had a tough rejection. I have a goal to get a story into a particular online magazine. I read it, I follow it, and I know what type of stories they take. My story is better than some of the stories I read there. Not better than all of them, but better than some. (This is, of course, my extremely biased opinion.)
Usually, this magazine rejects within 30 days, so when a month came and went, my excitement built. And built. I tried to tell myself that it didn’t mean they’d accept my story, but of course, I didn’t listen.
When they had the story 75 days, I got a form rejection back with the usual, “Thank you but this wasn’t a good fit for us.” My heart plummeted. But on the bottom was a “PS,” the email equivalent of a handwritten note. It said: “PS We enjoyed this story, but it didn’t make our final cut.”
(insert screaming face)
Truthfully though, I really appreciated that feedback, because it told me what I believed; it was a good story. Just not quite good enough? Too similar to another story that’s being published soon? Drew the short straw? I don’t know. But since a publication I respect liked it (even if they didn’t publish it), someone else probably will too.
I recently read a story about how someone, inspired by Stephen King’s tale of collecting rejection slips on a nail on his wall, has made it a goal to get 100 rejections this year. Because, with rejections, come acceptances. I think that’s a pretty great attitude.
So, instead of being upset by this latest rejection, I’m just going to add it to my collection, and see how many I can get this year. Last year I got 15 rejections and 1 acceptance on short stories. This year, so far, I’m at 14 rejections and 1 acceptance. Considering we’re only at halfway through the year, I’ve done 100% better than last year.
Now I just need to keep up the good work.
Related posts: Being Perfect, Accepting Criticism, and Generally Getting Over Myself
Doree Weller 
My writing partner and I submitted a comic strip to seven newspaper syndicates thirty-five years ago and received seven rejections… but two of them were very encouraging and asked to see more samples from us. Now, those kinds of rejection don’t cause nearly as much grief!
You’re right about that. Here’s to hoping that my rejections get increasingly more encouraging.
Yes, yes! Remembering that 100 no’s mean 1 yes is crucial. I have to tell myself that all the time about my crafting as well. Andy Andrews talks about rejection too. He had 51 rejections before he got The Traveler’s Gift published. Keep going!
It’s such a good point about the crafting, because I think that philosophy of being open to rejection can apply to anything creative.
Yes, and I have to remember not to take things personally. So you don’t like my card or mini-album this time. Maybe you will think of me next time you need something unique!