Dear Heavens… The Rejection!

A few days ago, I received what I consider my first 'real' rejection for one of my stories.  (Yay, I popped my... nevermind...) So, after a few tears and some blubbering on the phone to family, I took a deep breath and a step back. My story was for an open call from Samhain, one of the more prominent e-pubs.  On their website, they had an end date, where the authors would know for sure if their story was accepted or not (by the by, I'm not sure I like this end date thing.  Sure, I don't want to be one of those writers waiting six months for an answer, but that end date day, I was useless and checking my email every 5 minutes). While rejection letters hurt by their nature, I'm grateful mine was complimentary.  The editor put in such phrases as 'enjoyed your voice' and 'submit to me directly' which stood out to me. Being the wonderous newbie I am, I contacted a friend of mine who is epubbed.  I wished to know if I was right to hold out hope from these words, or was the editor just trying to make sure I didn't go to the nearest bar and start ordering. While I'm sure my friend often wonders why she puts up with me, she was sensitive enough to my plight not to wonder that aloud that night.  Between what she told me that night and a few other things I've gleaned, I've come up with a couple theories...  Theories being just that, my best guess, though I tried to make educated ones.  Anything I write after this is pure conjecture on my part, but as long as I feel better, why not? With the timing of the rejection and a posting the editor made earlier that same day, I am reasonably sure my story was one of the finalists and in consideration for inclusion in the anthology.  Granted, when I just got my rejection, this theory didn't necessarily make me feel better - more like I was one of those top 5 Beauty Queen contestants who, while others are being called down and given crowns, is forced to stay standing with a fake smile and thinking that the second the cameras are off, they are going to go eat carbs for the first time in months.  Still, now that the initial sting has worn off, this pleases me greatly.  Unlike Beauty Queens, this is not a one shot deal for me.  Also, I've been assured that when an editor says in a rejection letter that they want to see more of your writing and like your stuff, then they really do want to see more of your writing, and though this particular story might not have worked, they think it's a good chance the next one will. Editors are very nice people.  They do not want to crush you under their heel while holding a glass of Pinot Noir and spitting out world domination plans to their assistants - at least that's what I've been told.  They do not want to destroy your dreams of creating a career with your stories.  However, Editors are BUSY people.  They have way too much work, especially in these times with the publishing industry in such flux.  If an editor doesn't connect with your writing, your 'voice', they aren't going to encourage you to keep submitting to them.  From a purely selfish standpoint, they don't have the energy to deal with it.  From a more broad minded support the industry standpoint, they want you to find the editor you do connect with, and tell your stories to the people who want to read them. So when all is said and done, what do we have....  My first rejection - SUCKS!  That's truth, but the other truth is that for at least a little while, and maybe a long while, rejection is what I have to deal with.  This is the life of a writer, and since I do truly wish to be a writer, I deal with it. We have an editor who has said they like my voice and would be amenable to seeing other works of mine - SCORE!  I am indeed in the process of writing a couple other shorter erotic stories, which I feel are a good fit for Samhain.  I have an editor who I can submit these works to when they are ready.  How cool is that? We have a small cry and we go on.  Every single artist is nodding their head in understanding.

Tagged as: Craft, Publishing, Rejection, Romance, Writing