Rejection

First, thanks to Catherine Bybee for inspiring this post. (For those of you who have read Ms. Bybee's book, Kilt Worthy, available from The Wild Rose Press, Chase's story, Kilt-a-licious, is available from Cobblestone Press. Thanks to Ann Campbell for the info.)

Now, onto rejections...

I really don't mind rejections. I like receiving them because, at the very least, they let me know I can submit the story elsewhere, and I can finally stop checking my email like a possessed person...at least for that particular story.

I thought I'd share my most recent round of rejections for a sci-fi flash story I've written. 

"Thanks very much for sending this story... Unfortunately, it's not quite right for us. I found the concept interesting, but the world wasn't as vivid as I'd prefer, and I wished I knew more about why the narrator was living multiple lives.

We appreciate your interest in our magazine.  Please feel free to submit
again."

"Woohoo!" I thought. Interesting is a great word. And then the part starting with "but..." was a huge help in my next round of edits. As for the "Please feel free..." well I certainly will.

"Thank you for sending "Universal Truths," but we've decided to pass. I liked much about this one, and hung onto it through several rounds of reading.  Sorry it's not quite right for us!"

My first thought was "Aargh," but it was quickly followed by a "Woohoo!" This rejection inspired me to send the story out to a handful of readers to see how it struck them. I have to say their responses were more disheartening than the rejection letters, and they reminded me that not all readers like the same thing.

I received a form letter from the last place I submitted it.

"We appreciate your taking the time to send it in for our consideration. Although it does not suit the needs of the magazine at this time, we wish you luck with placing it elsewhere. Please excuse this form letter. The volume of work has unfortunately made it impossible for us to respond to each submission individually, much as we’d like to do so."

To which I just shrug my shoulders. Onto the next magazine!