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.