Diving Back Into the Waters
Getting to work writing short stories these past few months and submitting to publishers which also includes managing rejections. I look over the acceptance percentages on Submissions Grinder to calm my rejection anxiety which, to be honest, I’ve grown rather accustomed to as a creative person.
From the Top…
I always start with the hardest SF/F magazines to get into first. My thinking is this, if the magazines that are easiest to get into reject the piece, then I’m done playing, game over. So to prolong the fun and the agony of rejection, I start at the top. That way I get a multitude of highs followed by dejecting lows all the way down. At least my story lives and dies a little longer before completely rolling over.
As writers, looking at a 1%-5% acceptance rate, we know the odds are stacked against us. But, it’s a passion and I enjoy the challenge. It’s not a complete waste of time because I’m happy working at it, I enjoy writing and the fun of submitting, and I’m learning a great deal.
If you can hold on to that attitude or something similarly positive, you’ll accomplish much.
Just recently, I saw where a writer submitted 50 times to Clarkesworld and finally was accepted.
And…you have to tier your rejections in this business. Some rejections are better than others, ha. If you’ve received personalized rejections then that’s the best rejection you can hope for. But even if you get the coveted words try us again in the future, then you know you’re on the right track.
I have received a few try us again/hope to read something new from you soon rejections, which means I’m getting close. But no cookie. Hey, in this business, you’re allowed to count the eggs that at least touch your basket as they fall…
Managing Rejections
Some of the rejection emails I’ve received showed ‘managing editor’ or ‘editor’, but there are different interpretations for this; some say it’s still a basic form rejection regardless of who is listed as the email sender. I’m not so sure of that. They say personalized is when the editor mentions something specific about the piece you’ve submitted.
Others say a personalized rejection is any email from the editor(s) that has a personal ‘submit again’ or ‘looking forward to reading more of your work soon’.
I like the following interpretation:
Treasure your personal rejections. Even if they’re just a sentence long. Personal rejections mean someone’s read your work, deemed it worth commenting on, and taken the time to let you know what they think. A personal rejection is a GEM in a pile of rejection-rocks. In most cases, you’re likely to get some useful feedback with a personal rejection – maybe the editor liked your writing but wasn’t so sure about the story, or maybe they didn’t want this particular submission but request that you send them something else. Or maybe they want to offer you some personalised critique to help you improve your writing.
Writer’s HQ
The Stats So Far: I’m Counting the Act of Submitting as Progress:)
I’ve submitted 4 stories to 12 markets. They were Science Fiction, Creative Non-fiction and Literary fiction magazines.
If I use the above interpretation, I’ve had 5 personal rejections and the remaining 7 were form rejections coming from ‘teams’ or first readers. The stats on ‘personal rejections given’ by various magazines are between 3.9% and 14.93%. The magazines to which I’ve submitted range from Smokelong to Black Static to Clarkesworld.
I am particularly pleased that these 5 rejections came from the editor or managing editor and requested to see more of my work. It gives me some hope and motivation:) I’ve also received a few middle tier rejections that came from ‘the team’ or something similar but they included “We look forward to reading further submissions from you.”
If you’ve received emails like this, you’re on the right track:)
So there seems to be a tiered progress for submissions:
- a blanket form rejection with no invitation to see more work
- a middle tier that ‘requests to see more work’ but doesn’t make it to the editor’s desk
- a personalized rejection from the managing editor or the editor-in-chief that extends an invitation to submit more work
- and then one other upper tier variation from the editor that includes a personal comment about the work, how to improve it or what they like about it
It’s the Jacob’s Ladder to Acceptance Heaven I guess, lol!
Summertime
It’s a new week! I have been dreaming of a vacation on the beach, it’s been awhile….and it’s been a terribly long year. So I may have to travel south for a bit this summer. But for now, gonna keep working~
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, many blessings <3
