Directory Writing Workshops

Writers Workshop: Beating the Low Down, Dirty Rejection Blues

Dancing Word Writers Workshop

with Suzanne Eller

October 26, 2000

Hosted by: Anne McDonald

Dancing Word Publisher/Editor

*This chat has been edited for clarity

Anne McDonald: OK, everyone find a comfy seat

WTYates: Brought mine with me.

Anne McDonald: No pushing allowed

* KiwiElle repositions herself

* Jane gets the really cushy chair in the corner

Anne McDonald: We are grateful to have Suzie with us after her ordeal.

* Suzie wipes the sweat off of her brow

WTYates: No pushing - I've got a motor.

Anne McDonald: Let's open in prayer. Lord, thank You for seeing to Suzie's needs...and for getting Rosey back online. Please be with us tonight and guide our conversation. Help those who are getting bounced off to be able to stay for the workshop. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Suzie, the floor is now yours.

Suzanne Eller: Thanks. It really is great to be here. This took some time tonight :), but I hope you enjoy it. I'll start out with a general introduction, and then we'll move to a few questions.

I hope that many of you have a recent rejection with you. Study it as we visit, okay?

You know, in the beginning I didn't think I would ever get used to rejection. In fact, I tried not to take it personal, but somehow each rejection made me feel that I had somehow missed the mark. Then one day I discovered that I had been going about this rejection business backwards. I should have been taking it personally all along, for rejections have much to teach us. Not just perseverance. : )

Did you know that many rejections are invitations? They are, and those that are not can hold nuggets of information to help you as a writer. We'll start by discussing the types of rejections.

The first rejection is a form rejection. They can range from a slip of paper that says "no thanks" to a printed letter. Every beginning writer receives at least a few of these. : )

The second type of rejection is the "checklist". It has several boxes and several ways of rejecting your work. : ) Ouch! But even those can teach us. We'll discuss that later.

The third type of rejection slip is the personal letter or note. This is a rejection typed on letterhead addressed to you and gives a reason for the rejection. Sometimes it can be a handwritten card or a personal letter with a handwritten note. Any questions, at this point, about the types of rejections, before we go on?

Let's begin by understanding what each of these mean.

The FORM REJECTION: Every writer receives some of these, but if you are still receiving form rejections for the same manuscript after several tries, you need to stop and ask some questions. Am I sending this to the right magazine or publication? Did I do my market research? Is this a good fit for this publication or publishing house?

It might also be a good time to take a second look at the manuscript. I recently shelved a children's book project. After a few impersonal rejections, I reread it. I set it aside and will re-look at it in a few weeks, putting distance between me and the emotions that bind me to this work.

Obviously I have missed something. To be honest, when I read this work the second time I knew it was missing something. Perhaps in a few weeks I can rewrite it with a fresh perspective.

It is also a good time to share your work with a trusted few honest friends who will shoot straight.

THE CHECKLIST REJECTION: The checklist rejection tells you that your work has enough merit that an editor is taking time to tell you a few specifics about your manuscript.

Does the checklist read "doesn't meet our editorial needs?" If so, then send for guidelines and theme lists (magazines). Does it say "language level to old for our audience"? Read through a few issues of the magazines or check out recent books by that publisher. Study the language level and rewrite at the appropriate level.

THE PERSONAL REJECTION: After you have written and submitted your work for a time, your rejections should become far more personal. Number one, you've been out there and editors recognize your name and work. Second, you will be writing great queries by now and great manuscripts and proposals. Editors invest much more in a professional writer. If you are receiving rejections on letterhead addressed to you, take heart. :) You're getting there. The editor liked your writing enough to take the time to personalize your writing. Okay, I'm taking a breath here. :)

This is all to introduce the types of rejections, but most of you already know this. So, let's move to the fun part. Did you know that rejection could be fun?

Anne McDonald: hehehe

Suzanne Eller: Okay, fun might be stretching a little bit, but it is informative. Does everybody have a rejection slip in front of them?

Fran: Yes

Suzanne Eller:  I picked a couple out of the pile I have stored

grits: Yes

Suzanne Eller: Great!

Anne McDonald: I have a folder of them

Suzanne Eller: Me too, Annie. : )

Rosey: Me too.

Suzanne Eller: I'm going to share a rejection slip with you and show you a few things. Okay? Then we'll look at one or two of yours. This is a real rejection I am sharing with you. So here goes.

Dear Suzanne, Thanks so much for submitting your article. I've read through it carefully and found it well-crafted and insightful. However, it does not quite meet our editorial needs.

Part of the reason why we'll have to take a pass on this article is that it feels as though it does more telling than showing. There's a bit of depth to this topic that seems to be missing--including more specifics and the impact of the busyness on your marriage and family.

The article has potential and the topic is definitely relatable, but it's just not quite there.

Thanks again for the effort and time you expanded on this piece. I look forward to hearing from you again in the not so distant future.

Okay, this was initially a query sent to a women's magazine. The editor liked my query and asked for the manuscript. After a few weeks, the above rejection was my answer. Bummer, huh?

WTYates: That's not a rejection - that's an invitation!

Suzanne Eller:  What would many of you do with this rejection?

 Thanks, Bill. : ) He's right, but unfortunately many writers would have tossed this into the trash. After all, I had sent a query and manuscript and she said "no thanks!" Or did she?

grits: Rewrite it and send it again.

Suzanne Eller:  Tell me some of the "silver lining" you see in this dark cloud.

KiwiElle: Rewrite it taking into consideration the points they made

Suzanne Eller: Good Kiwi.

Rosey: You needed to give more examples in scene form.

Peg: She told you exactly what was wrong with the ms and what you could do to fix it.

Suzanne Eller:  How and others, help me by using the ! and ?, so I can keep up with you. : ) Okay?

 You are right, Peg. She did. But why didn't she just come out and say "fix it" and send it back?

WTYates: She didn't know if you could.

Suzanne Eller: Anyone else? That's good Bill. Jane?

Jane: perhaps it wasn't the right time for the ms?

Suzanne Eller:  No, remember she said it was "definitely relatable and had potential".

Fran: She did say she hoped to hear from you in the not too distant future. Are we supposed to read between the lines?

Suzanne Eller: Yes, you are.

Rosey: She didn't want to obligate herself in any way. The rest is up to you.

Suzanne Eller:  Bingo.

Peg: As Bill said earlier, it was an invitation, a 'test', to see if you would.

Suzanne Eller:  As writers, we have to understand an editor's job. They don't have the time to coddle us, even though we REALLY want to be coddled. They have a magazine to fill. She liked my topic, and felt it would be a good fit, but I sent her something that was short of what she had hoped. I have to be honest with you, I was SO disappointed when I received this rejection. BUT I learned long ago to sit down with the rejection and find the good and then discover the helps to make my work better so I can resubmit.

I want to show you some words I underlined in this rejection and we'll discuss each. Let's say I have a sheet of paper in front of me. I write the title of the manuscript at the top "Why Can't I Stop and Smell the Roses?" On one side of the paper, I write "positive" and on the other "negative." On positive, I write these words found in the first two lines of the rejection: "Well-crafted and insightful". What is the editor saying to me?

WTYates: You delivered the idea but not the way she thought best. Your writing itself is not a problem.

Suzanne Eller: Hopefully this means that she liked my writing style. BUT that does lead us to the next line. . .She says "it feels as though it does more telling than showing. . ." Again, what is she saying?

Fran: Not enough dialogue?

Suzanne Eller:  This is an article. Sorry Fran, I should have made that clear.

grits: Too much in the passive voice

Cathy: you should have shown more by your actions?

Suzanne Eller:  You guys are doing great, Rosey?

Rosey: You needed more specific examples

Suzanne Eller: Great. That's it. I was telling the reader how tired I was, but I failed to give anecdotes that would show the reader how I felt. I put this comment from the editor in the negative column on my sheet of paper.

The next comment was "there is a bit of depth missing". Ouch. No writer wants to hear that. But it, too, goes under the negative column.

Next I underline these words in the rejection, "article has potential" "Topic is relatable" and in the negative column, I write "this is not quite there yet." Last I pull these words, "I look forward to hearing from you in the not so distant future. Next, I go back to my manuscript and I read it with these comments in mind. How can I add depth? What anecdotes can I share? Then I rewrite and thank the editor for the constructive criticism. Guess what happened?

WTYates: Acceptance!

Suzanne Eller: This article came out last September in Today's Christian Woman retitled as "Life in the Fast Lane" and I got a $450 check. : )

Would anyone wish to share their rejection with the group?

grits: I would

Suzanne Eller: Grits, let's do it.

grits: Do I just type what they said?

Suzanne Eller:  Sure

grits: Dear Gloria,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to Christian Reader . We have looked at it with interest, but unfortunately it does not meet our current editorial needs.

We are however, always interested in new article ideas and so your consideration of our magazine is appreciated.

Again, thanks for your involvement in the ministry of Christian Reader .

Suzanne Eller:  Okay, we'll look at this one. What does it mean when they say "does not meet our current editorial needs"?

grits: I didn't do my homework. The material does not suit their magazine. They also sent me a set of guidelines in with the letter.

WTYates: They just published or will soon publish a similar piece or the theme does not match their theme calendar or it's the wrong approach/subject for their mag.

Suzanne Eller:  Did you read past issues before submitting to make sure the topic had not been covered?

grits: Yes. I thought it fit but guess I was wrong.

Suzanne Eller:  Grits, they may have had a semi-similar piece. They may have decided it wasn't a great fit for their audience or mission. The good thing is they gave you a silver lining in the rejection. It wasn't an invitation to resubmit that same piece after rewriting. . .so what was the invitation?

grits: I guess it was to send something else.

Suzanne Eller:  Sure, and that's a compliment. They liked your writing, but this particular piece wasn't a good fit for whatever reason. So, did you send anything else?

grits: I just received it this week and have not sent anything else.

Suzanne Eller: But you will, right?

grits: Yes!

Suzanne Eller: It also tells you that even though the piece might not have been a good fit for Christian Reader , it is a good piece. Maybe it will be a perfect fit for someone else. That IS a silver lining. : )

Fran, can you share your rejection?

Fran: Yes

Suzanne Eller: Have you sent the piece to other places besides Christian Reader ?

Fran: I am really new at this. It is my second submission and my first rejection. It is a checklist "Does not fit our publishing plan with a comment: No spiritual content. I thought the spiritual was implied but I guess they didn't get it. It was a children's book I sent to Zonderkidz.

Suzanne Eller:  This is a great one to discuss, Fran. The good thing is the editor took the time to explain the comment. No spiritual content is pretty specific. Have you read Zonderkidz guidelines?

Fran: No

Suzanne Eller: First step. Always.

Fran: An editor suggested I send it to them.

Suzanne Eller: Even if an editor suggests it, take the time to know the market before sending. Read some of their books in that line. Read their guidelines. That will help you know what they expect.

Cathy: Why would an editor suggest she send it if it wasn't right

Suzanne Eller: Fran, can you answer that?

WTYates: The editor hadn't read the guidelines. :)

Fran: Not really, she liked and saw a lot of spirituality in it. I don't know.

Cathy: lol

Suzanne Eller: Was this a Zonderkidz editor?

Fran: No

Suzanne Eller:  That is my point. But that is a great learning point. Who was the editor? Would they be interested? Was your first rejection on this same book?

Fran: It was Sandy Brooks. I met with her at the Philadelphia Writers' Conference in August. Gwen Ellis was there so I talked with her and she told me to send it to her.

Suzanne Eller: If Sandy liked it, then you might want to find a market that has books that are similar in content to yours. Or you might want to put your book aside for a couple of weeks and reread it and see if there is something that can be changed. I know this workshop is going long, but I want to share this with you all.

Every single rejection slip has potential to teach us. If we receive a ton of form rejections on a project, it is time to stop and find out what is wrong. But if you are receiving tidbits of help from editors, then you can look at your manuscript in light of those rejections.

By looking at it in an impartial manner, you have taken the sting out of rejection. They are not rejecting you personally, but rather giving you information that will make that manuscript stronger OR send it in the correct direction. Also, rejection slips should be celebrated! It means that you are "out there" circulating your work and that means one day you will be published. :) You will never experience the joy of acceptance until you experience the dirty, low down blues of rejection. : )

Cathy: lol

Suzanne Eller:  Any questions? I've simply gone too long.

Fran: Thank you, I have learned a lot tonight. I really appreciate it!

Suzanne Eller:  Sure. Just NEVER throw away rejections. : )

grits: When you look at a magazine, just how do you go about seeing if your article fits? Are there guidelines to this?

Suzanne Eller: Grits, you study the market through reading Writers' Market books, through sending off for guidelines, through reading back and current issues of magazines. You ask yourself: who is their target audience? Are they denominational? What is the layout and tone of this magazine? What is the language level? Do they use sidebars? Photos? Quizzes?

Once you know the magazine, you can send something that will fit them, rather than trying to find a magazine to fit your article.

Cathy: I want to thank you, also. I'll now know what to do if I get one of those low down, dirty things! Do they stink, too?

Suzanne Eller:  It's sad, but I believe many writers throw away invitations to resubmit or to submit other work. Simply out of anger at being rejected. They take it personal, but in the wrong way.

grits: Thanks so much. This has been very helpful.

Suzanne Eller: You’re welcome.

Jane: Thanks for the chat Suzanne, and do these guidelines serve also for books?

Suzanne Eller: Yes, they do. Take your rejections and write the columns on the sheet of paper as I showed earlier. Write down the comments and see what you learn.

Jane: ok, thanks

Suzanne Eller: Guys, as I quit I want to let you know that after 4 years, my rejections are far apart now, but 100% are like those that I showed you earlier. They are all personal, but that comes with knowing your markets and doing your homework. Okay?

Cathy: lol, are you bragging? ;o)

Suzanne Eller: I'm thankful that I can learn so that I can share the awesome news of the gospel. It's disheartening to know that God has given you a talent, but for that not to find a home. ; ) So yes, I'm glad, glad, glad.

Fran: From now on I do my own homework!!

Suzanne Eller: Good girl. You'll start publishing.

Cathy: :-)

WTYates: Thanks, Suzanne! Great stuff! You must have had a lot of experience! :)

Suzanne Eller: Those first two years I had LOTS of rejections. Not so many now. THANK YOU LORD. : )

Cathy: You must have submitted lots!

Suzanne Eller: A query a day.

Cathy: no way!

Suzanne Eller: Yep, not now because I don't have to do that, but in the beginning, yes.

Cathy: wow, I'm impressed. I should be so diligent.

Anne McDonald: hehehe

Suzanne Eller:  You just do it, Cathy. My biggest challenge is sitting down at the computer and ignoring my e-mail and distractions of life. Put the rear on the seat--that's my motto. : )

Annie? Back to you.

Anne McDonald: Thanks Suzie this has been great! Any other questions or comments?

Cathy: how do you keep from getting distractions during the day phone calls, visits, like that.

Suzanne Eller:  Same way I do if I were working at a job. I'm a writer and my working hours are 10:00 to 3:30 and those hours are sacred.

Cathy: Any suggestions? I've tried to notify my children but they don't believe me.

Suzanne Eller: How old are your kids?

Cathy: I have 6 grown.

Suzanne Eller: They are old enough that you must be firm. Work is not where you go; it is what you do!

Anne McDonald: Unhook the phone, Cathy and post a notice on your door.

Cathy: Each one thinks I mean the other one and if I don't answer the phone.

Suzanne Eller: Make them respect that. Don't answer the phone (CALLER ID, RECORDER).

Cathy: They will knock on the door, and if I don't answer the door, they will yell into the windows.

Anne McDonald: You will just have to send each of them a notice stating your writing hours and that you will not answer.

Suzanne Eller: You will have to establish some ground rules, Cathy. They will not respect your work and environment unless you establish that. Once you begin to see some fruit from your work, they will understand better, but it needs to be done now. Let them in on your work as well, but when it's not your writing hours

Cathy: LOL I should try that!

Anne McDonald: I have just the sign for you too, Cathy. Warning: Disturbed Writer; Do Not Frantic. My dh made it for me. Works well.

Cathy: Maybe I need to hire a lawyer! Good one, Annie!

Jane: lol Annie

Cathy: May I use that, Annie

Anne McDonald: be my guest

Cathy: thanks

Suzanne Eller: Too many writers hang their head and allow people and family to contribute to the thought that you are not a "real" writer by allowing them to disturb that time. They wouldn't do that to someone who was at a job, would they? They shouldn't do it to you. Don't allow it. Be firm. Sounds mean, but I believe in that.

Anne McDonald: You have to stand firm, Cathy

Cathy: I am, but they always think "they " are the one exception to the rule.

Suzanne Eller: No excuses. Zero tolerance. : )

Anne McDonald: Let them know there are no exceptions. They need to respect your boundaries

Suzanne Eller:  Help them understand by calling a family meeting and telling them your dream, and ask them to respect that time.

Cathy: Obviously, if I shout, they’ll listen but I hate to get mad. My friend tells me that all the time.

Anne McDonald: Don't bother shouting, just refuse to answer the door--simple as that.

Suzanne Eller:  In my house, my family knows and respects my writing time. For example, right now my family is in the house but they know that this is part of my writing so they have not disturbed me once.

Cathy: May I tell you what happened once when I did that'

Anne McDonald: sure

Cathy: One son broke into my house thinking something happened to me. Lol.

Suzanne Eller: Fran. I think we have to decide how serious we are about writing because there are so many things out there to distract us.

Anne McDonald: If he can't read a note on your door, he needs medical help, Cathy.

Cathy: LOL...I didn't have a note up but I will tomorrow.

Anne McDonald: Make a sign and post it

Cathy: One made of wood!

Anne McDonald: Yes

Suzanne Eller:  Sorry I was so late and made this such a late night for all of you.

Anne McDonald: It was worth the wait, Suzie

WTYates: Good session, Suzanne!

Fran: Good night and God bless you. Thank you again

grits: I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Suzanne Eller:  Thank you guys. It was a pleasure.

Cathy: nite

Suzanne Eller: My site is www.intellex.com/~eller/tseller.html See you later. Thank you, Bill and Annie. You guys are doing a great job with all of this.

Anne McDonald: Well, Suzie, it helps to have speakers like you.

WTYates: Night!

Anne McDonald: goodnight.

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Suzanne Eller

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