Even though rejection can hurt, it’s part of writing. No matter who you are or how hard you slaved over your work, not everyone will like your book. You can polish your words until they sparkle, and somebody will still take exception to them.
Especially when you’re involved in trade submissions to ezines, small publishers, or agents, expect a steady diet of this stuff. It’s not personal. The person you submitted to either doesn’t care for the type of story you write or doesn’t think they can make any money off it. That’s all.
And while a rejection letter is definitely not what you want to find in your inbox, they’re really not soul-crushing. I’ve been querying literary agents lately, and I’ve saved a few of mine. For example:
“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to read your submission.
Unfortunately, after careful review, I have decided to pass on this
project. This industry is incredibly subjective, and there are many
agencies out there with many different tastes. It is for this reason that I
strongly encourage you to keep submitting elsewhere, in the hopes of finding
an agent who will be an enthusiastic champion for you and your work.
I wish you all the very best of luck and success with your writing.”
Or this one:
“Thank you so much for your query, and for your patience during this busy time of year. Unfortunately, your manuscript isn’t the right fit for me at this time, but I truly appreciate the chance to consider your work. Should you find yourself with a new manuscript to query, I hope you’ll keep me in mind.”
Even the terse ones are polite:
“This is not for me, but thank you for the look.”
Overall, I’d rather get a rejection letter than have to sit and wonder. Some agents say on their websites that a certain number of weeks equals a pass on the project. So then you have to keep track of that, too. A rejection letter is straightforward. I offered–they passed.
So if the thought of rejection is keeping you from submitting your work, it might be worth rethinking. I’m getting used to the silly things and can usually brush past the disappointment quickly now. I’m sure you can, too.
Keep writing and submitting. 🙂
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Avid writer and reader of Faerie tales and noblebright fantasy.
Cathleen Townsend 
Oh, can my fragile ego handle them?
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Apparently, some people get really upset about these things. *shrugs* Every professional endeavor has stuff you’d rather not deal with.
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If I got upset about criticism, I don’t think I should be a writer!
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Thank you for the encouragement.
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I’m sure most of use could write a post like this. I’m not one to paper my walls with them (I’ve actually heard of writers who’ve done this), but I don’t think they should shatter our world, either. 🙂
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It does hurt, and my skin doesn’t get any thicker no matter how I try. Sigh.
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Chin up. At least we have other alternatives these days. Although self-pubbing doesn’t exactly look like a walk in the park, either.
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It is disheartening no doubt but keep writing and submitting.
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Absolutely. 🙂
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👍🏼
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Thank you for the encouragement!
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I hope it helped, sister of the querying trenches. 🙂
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This is just what I needed to read. Thank you for the courage to publish these and to add the insight that makes it all bearable, and to know that you are still trying. I wish you well.
Now I must get busy with my queries.
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Well, I’m glad it could help. There’s nothing at all wrong with you if you get rejected. Or at least, not anything that isn’t also wrong with every other writer out there. 🙂
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Thank you for sharing, Cathleen. At least you’re out there knocking on doors (submitting). Good on you. You’ll get there. Happy New Year 2017. ❤ ❤ 🙂
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