Rejection Collection


I recieved a new letter this week to add to my pile of rejections. It was from a company called "Peachtree Publishers" I sent this manuscript off so long ago that I can't even remember what piece I sent them. This must have been before I discovered the joy that is duotrope.com.

If you don't know what Duotrope is, you should really check it out. It's basically a database of publishing companies and it helps writers find what companies are looking for their work, and it has a handy submissions tracker which helps you keep track of which manuscripts you sent where.

Anyway, after much thought, I realize they must have rejected one of my children's stories. In my Children's Writers and Illustrators Market book, I had scrawled next to their name, "sent 9/6/2009." Unfortunately, I did not bother to write what I had sent.

It was probably a short story called, "Shelly the Brave and the Creature in her Closet."

I have posted very few of my children's stories on this blog because I can only post things on here that I do not intend to publish first elsewhere. I love my children's stories and I just can't give up on them yet. I think they're good...or at least have the potential to be good.

So my stories sit in my computer, waiting to be revised (yet again) and waiting for my courage to grow enough to send them out to more publishing companies.

The good news is...I am getting a much thicker skin when it comes to rejections. I've recieved almost 30 now for various pieces I have submitted over the past two years, and they just don't really upset me anymore. And they give me something to blog about.

Comments

  1. M.M.E.June 16, 2010 at 12:50 PM

    I'm sorry you have another to add to your pile. It's amazing how many rejection letters one can acquire. That website sounds like a great resource. I'd also recommend the yearly Writers Market. I usually just find it at the library since it's a bit costly to buy each year. I wish you the best of luck with your next try.

    ReplyDelete
  2. NicoleJune 16, 2010 at 3:34 PM

    It just takes one! Remember that :) I did a post on that after receiving a few more of the above letters. Take heart - someone will LOVE it :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Randy4jesusJune 17, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    I've been thinking about how to deal with rejection... then it hit me. No one faces more rejection than a preacher. Week after week the preacher stands before the people asking them to make life changing decisions. They nod and say amen but make no decisions. Sometimes the rejection is 100%!
    I do know one thing: it is really great when the acceptance letter arrives!

    ReplyDelete
  4. RyanJune 19, 2010 at 3:52 AM

    Keep your chin up and persevere, A friend of mine writes beautiful poetry and has been published many times but has been rejected HUNDREDS. And yes she is also very thick skinned and doesn't take rejection personally.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MamasitaJune 21, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    I like what Ryan said. Keep on being rejected Sandy . If you can learn from it then you are growing as a writer but Sandy do not grow weary of your daily exercise remember a page a day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. MiracleJune 29, 2010 at 2:16 PM

    I think that you should keep on trying until you can't try anymore! Did you know that the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books had been rejected more than 100 times but it still became a New York Times Bestseller? Don't give up on your dreams! I hope to publish one day too but I've got to fight and so do you! Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete

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