Rejection, rejection, rejection...

Discussion in 'Traditional Publishing' started by deadrats, Aug 19, 2016.

  1. Medazza

    Medazza Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Messages:
    219
    Likes Received:
    481
    As predicted got a rejection from the Cheshire Prize. No way as a SF book going to have a chance.
    I’m now interested in the feedback they promise to send. Meanwhile I need to get my second book finished, it’s like wading though treacle at the moment
     
  2. X Equestris

    X Equestris Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2015
    Messages:
    2,595
    Likes Received:
    3,186
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    A 55-day personal rejection from Whetstone. They sent me edits and commentary!

    Just a handful of suggestions on word choice. Overall, they were very positive, but I guess the story was ultimately a little “higher” fantasy than they wanted.

    I think I’ll make those edits, toss it in the workshop, and if it’s similarly well received I’ll enter it in the Writers of the Future Contest.
     
  3. B.E. Nugent

    B.E. Nugent Contributor Contributor Contest Winner 2023

    Joined:
    May 23, 2020
    Messages:
    1,262
    Likes Received:
    2,188
    :)
     
  4. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    I've got a bunch of aging submissions that should get responses any day now. Bracing for an avalanche of rejection.
     
  5. AntPoems

    AntPoems Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2021
    Messages:
    1,033
    Likes Received:
    2,261
    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    "Avalanche of Rejection" would make a great emo album title
     
  6. X Equestris

    X Equestris Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2015
    Messages:
    2,595
    Likes Received:
    3,186
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    A 36-day personal rejection that called the piece, “my favorite of the stories I didn’t take.” Which is simultaneously encouraging and really disappointing, since that’s like the third time this story has been right on the edge of an acceptance.

    So of the responses expected this month, that’s two personal rejections full of praise, one submission of fifty-four poems sold to an anthology, and a novelette held for consideration.

    When you lay it all out, things are actually going well, so I don’t know why it feels like they aren’t.
     
  7. Native Ink

    Native Ink Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2021
    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    665
    37-day form rejection from The Sun.
     
  8. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    So, I just got a rejection with a pretty quick response time (about two weeks), but I'm not going to list this one by name. This was for an anthology. The only reason I submitted was because the pay was decent. But I got this weird personal rejection sort of ripping me threads. I can handle rejection. And who doesn't love a personal rejection when a story gets close. But in this case a form would have been better. Their criticism was just a little off-the-wall and insulting. I got a few "tips" on what readers want that made it seem like this publication doesn't really have much of an idea on what readers want and sounded stupid, generic, and off base. Like, come on. I feel like I wasted time and money with this one. I don't want to name this one because I don't want anyone else to waste their time on what appears to be a sub-par publication at best.
     
  9. Native Ink

    Native Ink Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2021
    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    665
    87-day form rejection from Salamander.
     
  10. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    A 21-day form rejection from New Ohio Review.
     
  11. Woodstock Writer

    Woodstock Writer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    1,248
    Two 132/133-day rejections from the Novel Slices contest.
     
  12. CerebralEcstasy

    CerebralEcstasy Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    478
    Location:
    Earth
    Currently Reading::
    The 5AM Club, Robin Sharma
    I haven't been rejected yet. but we're coming up on two months. The publishing house indicated if authors hadn't heard from them within four months it's a no. I'm going to presume it's a no and get on with my life.

    This was my first submission to a traditional publisher.
     
  13. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    Congratulations on making your first submission! I don't know anyone who had work accepted on their first submission. You're in the club now.

    However, publishers often take longer than stated. So, well you are ready to count this as a rejection I think you shouldn't cross this one of completely until the stated timeframe has passed. This could be important if the publication does not allow simultaneous submissions and things like that.

    Good luck with all your future submissions! And stick around the thread. It's great to have another submitter among us.
     
  14. G. J.

    G. J. Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2019
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    29
    Location:
    Tennessee, US
    Currently Reading::
    The Crossing by Micheal Connelly
    Don't give up on it yet. From what I've been hearing, they drag their feet for as long as they dare. While you wait, though, don't just sit around doing nothing. Get involved in a new writing project. Need ideas? Visit the generator websites.
     
  15. Woodstock Writer

    Woodstock Writer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    1,248
    I saw the results of two Writing Magazine competitions on their website today. I had entered both. One I didn’t place in but the other I was shortlisted. That’s 6 times now being shortlisted for their competitions. It’s encouraging but also a bit frustrating. I feel like I’m destined to always be the bridesmaid and never the bride.
     
  16. Woodstock Writer

    Woodstock Writer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    1,248
    34-day form rejection from The First Line.
     
  17. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    A 176-day form rejection from Crazyhorse.
     
  18. Funerary

    Funerary Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2016
    Messages:
    79
    Likes Received:
    151
    Location:
    A Constant State of Terror
    Update: as of yesterday the story is "in-progress" on Submittable, as if the other story I submitted to the annual literary competition in my country. First time my heart has beat like this in a while.
     
  19. Woodstock Writer

    Woodstock Writer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    1,248
    19-day form rejection from Miniskirt Magazine.
     
  20. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    A 190-day form rejection from LitMag.
     
  21. AntPoems

    AntPoems Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2021
    Messages:
    1,033
    Likes Received:
    2,261
    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    A 127-day rejection from Galaxy's Edge, after getting a shortlist notice on 5/24. Dang. That's this story's 5th or 6th close call like that. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. :cry:
     
  22. AntPoems

    AntPoems Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2021
    Messages:
    1,033
    Likes Received:
    2,261
    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    A 131-day form rejection from Proton Reader. That one doesn't sting as much as yesterday's, at least; I know this story's not one of my best. But I keep sending it out in hopes that someone likes it.
     
  23. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    An 81-day form rejection from The Arkansas International.
     
  24. Woodstock Writer

    Woodstock Writer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2019
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    1,248
    A rejection from the TL;DR Press flash fiction competition. Every story was given feedback- mine was mixed, some encouraging comments and others not so good.
     
  25. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Messages:
    6,086
    Likes Received:
    7,419
    What are your thoughts on those mixed-bag personal rejections? Honestly, most of the time I find rejection feedback pretty useless and sometimes insulting if they start to point out flaws that aren't really flaws. It seems like it could be a good thing to know what the editors are thinking, but then it can quickly turn into "What were they thinking?" I'm not saying these places were wrong for rejecting stories. They have every right to do so for whatever reason they want. But I've found the negative feedback useless for the most part.

    The best advice I ever got from one of these rejections was to name an unnamed character, which I did and the story sold to the next place I sent it after that change. The rejection mentioned other reasons for passing on the story, but I ignored all that and just made the one change. I have gotten a few personal rejections from places that were so off-putting I no longer submit to those places. Am I taking these personals too personally?
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice