Rejected!

The Rejection Letter
by Felicia Write

     They rejected your baby. The publishing company returned your robust query and first-three chapters along with a letter stating that your manuscript missed the cut. Dumfounded and discouraged, you wonder why. After all, you used active verbs, scrubbed pointless qualifiers, and varied your sentence structures. You created credible protagonists and introduced new characters that energized your story with unimaginable originality. But, according to the publisher, it seems as though your hard word was for naught.


     All writing newbies fear receiving a rejection letter. Rejection stabs the heart and dispirits the will. Yet, as many best-selling authors will say, it happens. Those who readjust their focus often find the motivation needed to put positive energy into getting their books into print. I often advise members of my critique group members to frame their first rejection letter. Hang it prominently, and dare it to affect you anymore. After that, subdue those nagging stomach knots with resolve to learn from this teachable moment. Do all of the above…then contact your editor.

     DIY editing works against you at this point. A part of you feels defeated and almost ready to toss the project in the trash. That kind of energy is counterproductive. If you do not have a professional editor, hire one. You need an expert with a clear mind to read your rejection letter; determine exactly what fell short; and lay out your current options. For example, did the publisher send you a “Thanks, but no thanks,” letter? Or, did they ask you to resubmit your manuscript after making required changes such as providing more supportive facts, or writing in the third person? Whether you need to rewrite then resubmit; research other publishing companies; or self publish; your editor will help chart your next steps.

     All publishers want to their publications to succeed. Many will gladly talk about the strengths and weaknesses of your submission. Perhaps your introductory paragraph could have been more compelling, or your first few sentences were too long, and the reader struggled to follow the flow. Whether a publisher insists on a complete manuscript overhaul or minor tweaks, make sure that you clearly understand what they expect. If in doubt, call and ask for clarification. After that, expand your options by sending out multiple queries to different companies. Perhaps the company that you queried simply has no need for another documentary or urban fiction. Your manuscript may not be what one publisher is looking for, but it could be exactly what another company wants.

     Build relationships with publishing representatives, even those who rejected you before. Demonstrate your willingness to write hard, meet their high standards, and market yourself. Publishers like fortitude. Confirm yours. Be creative and keep trudging forward. That “No” now may become a “Yes” someday.

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