Rejection Slips/Letters
Here is a question I've gotten many times from fellow writers.
Question from Sue: Form rejection letters are
bad enough, but I actually got one rejection letter that went through my
manuscript and criticized every little thing. How are we to deal with that? I
thought seriously of writing the editor and telling her what I thought of her
opinion.
Answer: First of all, I'm so glad that you didn't write
that letter to the editor. They say "no good deed goes unpunished". This is a
good example. That editor did you a tremendous favor. Think about this: You're
an editor and you have to slug through piles of manuscripts, some of which are
barely legible. Then you come across one where you think the writer has some
talent but they aren't quite up to snuff, so you kindly take the time to tell
them where they need to improve. In return you get a nasty letter back. You
might never take the time to do that again and you certainly aren't going to
remember that writer with any kind of good feelings.
When you receive a letter like that from an editor, take it as a compliment
and if you do write to the editor, do so to thank them kindly for taking the
time to give you some pointers. Then take what they said and go back through
your manuscript to see if you can make the changes they've pointed you to. It's
a fantastic opportunity to make what you've written better.
No one likes to be rejected or to hear that what they've slaved over for
months or years isn't good enough, but most of the time it's not. Even if
accepted by a publisher and assigned an editor, you'll more than likely be doing
tons of rewrites.
The most important thing to remember when receiving rejection form letters
or the rejection letter where the editor kindly tells you what's wrong is,
'never take it as a personal attack'. It's not. It's very hard and it hurts, so
have a stiff drink, go out side and kick the house, swear, go for a run or just
cry for a while. What ever it is you do to relieve stress and frustration,
do it. Then calm down, do the rewrites and submit again and again and again. If
you truly have the wish to be published by a commercial publisher, that's what
it takes. Never give up.
If, on the other hand, you just want your book published, consider self
publishing. Also don't forget the small press/university press. There are many
good small presses. That brings us to our next question which delves into self
publishing or going with a small press. So check back.
ŠElizabeth Melton Parsons