This guy was actually from a group I had joined. I had been accepting friend requests from people in this group since it's sort of a support group that I thought I needed or could help me get through some tough shit. Nothing to do with writing. I reported it to the mods of the group and they banned him. I also posted a warning about what had happened, but some people in the group started calling me a liar and thought I was after attention. It was really sad. The main strike against me was that I'm a writer which it says in my Facebook bio. People were saying you can't trust a writer and I was accused of joining the group in search for stories. I joined the group because I was dealing with some hard real life stuff and was feeling like I was really alone in it. I was shocked. If any of them had clicked on the links to my writing, they would have seen that I was not there for anything other than support. Some support group, right?. The mods closed the conversation before I got a chance to explain myself. I wrote to all of the mods individually asking them what I should do if anything, telling them how unwelcome I felt after sharing several personal things in other posts. I asked each one of the mods to please at least respond to me. None of them did. I find it quite strange that being a writer is what set some people off, thinking everything I had shared must have been lies, not only with my warning but with other stuff I had shared. And it's just weird to think any sort of writer would join this sort of group for other purposes. There is nothing controversial at all that has anything to do with this group. I don't go into my real life struggles on this forum, but those I've become close with on here know what I'm dealing with. I'm still in shock that this went down the way it did. Just let's me know how lucky I am to have formed the friendships and bonds I have with you guys. I'm really hesitant to join any similar groups on Facebook or other places. All of it was quite devastating. I want to thank everyone here who has been part of my rejection journey and the support we have all shown each other. And thanks to those of you who have been there for me for both writing and beyond. I thought I would form similar bonds in that Facebook group. Not even close. You guys are the best and even though we focus on our writing here support is support and my friendships with you are real. Thank you.
Its generally better to report people like that directly to facebook as well as to group admins. facebook are trying to clean up their act and will suspend accounts for that kind of crap
I submitted three things today. They’ll probably all get rejected (two are competitions and one an anthology), but at least I’m trying
There's an old adage in this country, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again...I think you seem to embody that more than anyone I know.
I just want to say that every rejection has been worth it because publishing is amazing and it is something we work very hard for. I'm ready to up my game. I have a few stories that have never been submitted because for some reason I thought they weren't ready. It's time to make them ready. I'm publishing on a somewhat regular basis now. Though, all of you can see I'm rejected a lot on a regular basis as well. I never thought things like this were actually going to happen. selling stories was a dream... COME TRUE. This has been an amazing adventure and I feel like it's just the beginning. Writing and then knowing what I've written is being seen as important by editors and publishers is just super cool. My life is falling apart. But I still have writing. And I think it's okay to let it be almost everything for awhile. I was talking with an old MFA friend tonight and she thinks it's our time. Why not? Some of you have read my writing and I've read yours. We're all pretty damn good. I believe that. Join me, and we will become literary famous.
There is no reason to assume they will be rejected. And so what if they are? Keep it up. I recently sold a story that was rejected well over 100 times. You just have to reach the right editor at the right time. It's hard but possible. These things happen. I love it when they do. Wishing you a lot of luck.
'Rejection once again!' exclaimed deadrats with fists clenched in frustration. 'What sacrifices must I bestow to appease the Gods of literary fortune?' thought deadrats in desperation. This wasn't the first day he tried to have his work published. He strived for weeks, months, years and all for what? Another automated email? Another impersonal, generic message? Just when would an accomplished and distinguished writer get a break? Some vindication. A sense of achievement. His eyes moved frantically towards a clock on the wall. It was "No response o'clock" again. Same time as yesterday and the day before that and the day before. If only there was a magic button somewhere he could press to grant him that elusive publicity. His eyes quickly glanced down at his keyboard with momentary hope before averting in disappointment. No, there was no "success" button there either. <I have no idea what gender you are deadrats, a thousand apologies if I caused any unintended offense with the above!>
I think deadrats is a she , but I may be wrong! This made me laugh. I’ve written a longer story on this subject which I plan to send out at some point (based on my own rejections, obviously! And I wrote it months ago). The thing that I hate the most is the reply ‘Thanks for sending your story. Unfortunately we have decided not to publish it’. So unhelpful, although I appreciate they are busy.
I don't think they are that busy. In fact I would say some of these cerebral types might benefit from exercise and seizure of their vast financial assets. And all part of a little project I am assembling. 'Listen here,' I'll say, 'you foghorns of academia, go bleat in the paddy-fields, march.' Meanwhile a couple of my bricklayer chums can run the editorial, with a picture section and 'Readers' Wives.' All evolution toward progress and a new world symphony I call it.
I think I'm back just to sticking to the rejection thread. Can't take the bullshit of life and forum pettiness. Who knows, maybe I'll get banned. Everything sucks right now. I haven't even sent out a submission in weeks and I;m late on my deadline for the next thing I'm supposed to have published. I don't even know if I care anymore. Thanks for the support and friendships to those who have been part of my writing and publishing rollercoaster.
Hi deadrats, Your honesty, pessimism and cautious reluctance to venture outside the safety of this thread have inspired me to read your work. Could you please kindly point me in the direction of your work you would like reviewed, critiqued or analysed? All the best, Mish
I don't post my work on the forum. And very few people know my true identity. I'm not famous or anything, but I have published in some pretty great places. Still, I like to keep that separate from the forum. I don't want critique or reviews just for the hell of it. I will say I'm pretty selective when it comes to who I share my work with. Once it's published and out there, it's out there and I know there are plenty of people reading it, but I like to keep that separate from the forum. I have traded work with people from this thread once I've gotten to know them. I'm not a fan of critique from people I don't know. And most things I write I submit without having anyone read them first. There's sort of a small circle of us here who have gotten to know each other. We write short stories to send out for publication and sort of celebrate both rejections and achievements. But I have never posted links to my work publicly here. Let's just say I'm not always so popular so I'm a little guarded since this is my profession. I try to post all my rejections and who they are from and how long they took. I think it gives people a sense of what they're getting into. Stick around here. Submit your stories. And we'll go from there.
