Send It Somewhere Else
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Send It Somewhere Else

When your writing is rejected.

9
Send It Somewhere Else
Madeline Gressman

When I first started writing, I could barely hold a pencil. As I grew older (and my collection of filled notebooks grew larger,) getting published became my dream. In fact, I set an impossible goal to be a famous, published author by the age of 18 with the unrealistic expectation that it would be easy. I was naive to the concept of rejection because I had never gotten any. And when I wrote my first cover letter and sent my beloved story to a website, it was entirely soul-crushing to receive a “we’re sorry” email not even a week later.

I made three fatal errors with my first submission:

  1. I didn’t research what the website published or their preferred genres
  2. I sent my story to one website and one website only
  3. I gave up

I went through various emotional reactions to the email, including classics like anger, sadness, and loss of self-worth. My mantra: my story wasn’t good enough for this website, therefore I was a terrible writer. I didn’t think about why my story was rejected and focused my attention solely on the rejection itself. All it took was one website to decline my writing; I refused to experience it again. I was so afraid to send my stories anywhere else that I simply didn't. And because of it, my writing became less frequent and my belief in myself shrank with it.

That is the biggest mistake any writer can make. The best remedy for rejection from one publisher is to send it to another. And another. And a few more until you find somewhere that is the right fit. Rejection hurts and to be told your writing sucks will clearly knock some wind out of you, but most publishers don’t reply with anything other than an apology and an explanation that your piece simply isn’t right for their platform. That doesn’t mean your piece is garbage and that definitely doesn’t mean you should stop writing.

Use a rejection email as a learning tool. Edit your story more, tweak the word play, maybe start all over. If you really believe in your piece, you owe it to yourself to do some research and find it a home. Look into what websites or magazines are looking for, what they're publishing, what their audience really enjoys reading. Don’t send your story to a place it wouldn’t fit in and wouldn’t be appreciated to the fullest.

If you do all of that, you’re guaranteed to find a place that will give your story and writing a chance to shine. And if you don't? Well just send it somewhere else.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50609
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32361
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955633
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180711
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments