Thanks! Most of mine definitely ARE YA, but sounds like that should be ok. I’ll give it a try anyway .
Many years ago, some famous writer (I forget who) wallpapered a room in his house with rejection letters. I could have probably wallpapered an entire house or two by now. LOL. Luckily, we have submission managers now and maybe more trees because of it. I still send out some submissions by mail. And I have gotten rejections with handwritten notes on them that were positive. For awhile, I was saving them. I tacked them up on the wall around my desk. But then I was surrounded by this feeling that I was good, but not good enough. I took them all down and got rid of them. I didn't need the reminder of failed attempts surrounding me. I do sometimes take pictures of them and stick them up on Instagram. But I don't go on Instagram every day. I do have one rejection hanging on the fridge. A really topnotch publication said some great things about a particular story. I'm still trying to sell that story. That rejection reminds me if it was close at this place, someone will take it. I have faith in that particular story. So, that rejection came from a place that's a real long shot. I've submitted to them many times. This is the only rejection I kept from them. I'm not saving it forever. Just for now because it's a bit motivating. Most rejections just suck. This reminds me that I should probably mail out some submissions. I haven't been to the post office in a long time. And I'm sure The Paris Review and Harpers are wondering what happened to me. Don't worry big publications that only take paper submissions. I'm still here and I'm coming for you!
What you have to do is cut them up and try to make coherent sentences with them by piecing them together on the wall - like an author's version of a Rubik cube.
But this is about publishing not playing games. Or every story is like a game or puzzle to figure out. Best spend more time with your material that got you so many rejections in the first place. Really, I don't recommend holding onto these things for long. Though, I am guilty of those little Paris Review slips just randomly showing up throughout my house. It's unintentional, but they are like everywhere. When I did start selling my stuff I started getting hand written notes from the publishers that came with my copies and payment. And I got good and lucky with the few places I have published so these little notes wow me. These notes are big time names in the industry. I have their autographs. They saw something in my work that was important. It still blows my mind. I framed those babies. And you know what? Seeing those every day makes me feel really good. Get enough of those to wallpaper a room and maybe we're talking.
I’m finally joining this thread! Actually kind of happy about it - it means I’m getting out there and doing it. Rejection from agent #1 for my novel. BUT... I made it past the junior reader (who liked it) to the agent, who also read. Generally good feedback, with a couple areas to potentially improve. So - thinking about how I can revise and came up with some good ideas last night. I will try agent #2 before too long....
I’ve had an acceptance from 101 Fiction, although I’m not sure that it counts that much as it’s only 100 words and Duotrope reports a 30% response rate (although the stories are so short that maybe they can just publish more?!) Plus, the Editor has changed my ending slightly. It’s fine, it’s better than mine!
Thank you! I looked back to my ending, he’s not changed it as such just added in a few words so not so bad. 30% is a high acceptance rate but then I guess I’m not one of the 70% of rejections!
Now I’ve been accepted, and one other person was also accepted today, the acceptance rate has risen to 36.36%. Ah well. Perhaps the rejections for this issue haven’t been notified yet?!