Some thoughts on rejection.

Laurie Alice’s remarks on rejection sparked some thoughts in my brain about the dreaded “r” word. Rejection is a fact of life in the publishing world, no matter what type of writing you do. Somewhere down the line, you’ll be rejected. And there are a thousand and one reasons for rejections, many which don’t have to do with the quality of your writing. A publisher might be over-inventoried on novels similar to your plotline. The market might be too narrow for your speciality nonfiction book. Or the editor could be having a bad day, and unfortunately your manuscript hit her at the wrong time. Editors are only human, after all.

But what we do when we get rejected can make or break a career. Sure, it hurts. Yep, it’s disappointing. And of course the editor or publisher rejecting your material has no concept regarding fabulous writing. But it doesn’t matter, because that rejection letter or email is staring you in the face. You did not make a sale–not this time.

 So what can you do? I employ the plan A, B, C strategy–for everything I write I have at least two other markets I can pitch the work too or two other ways to revise the material for another editor. Sometimes I even have to resort to plan S, if things get that far. By having other options in place, I’m able to shrug off the rejection very quickly and move on to making a sale or getting a freelance gig. It’s taken me a few  years to get to this point, to realize that rejection isn’t devastating, just annoying.

 What are some of the ways you deal with rejection?

 Happy writing,

kathy