How to Handle Rejection Slips

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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Rejection is an unavoidable part of the creative life - very few, if any, writers haven't had an idea or a manuscript turned down by an editor. Learn to soften the blow of a rejection slip and make yourself a better, stronger writer.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Writing Classes
Printer Paper
Writing Pens

Step1

Try to remember why you write. If you write because you have something to say or because you enjoy it and not just because you want to be published, your rejection slip may not seem so important.

Step2

Take a long, hard look at your "rejected" piece of writing. Does it need more work? Be honest, and give your manuscript the time and scrutiny it deserves.

Step3

Ask a trusted writer friend to read your work and offer constructive criticism. If you can afford it, hire a professional editor to critique your work.

Step4

Do a revision if you need to. Submit your work to a new publisher.

Step5

Boost your general self-confidence to help yourself weather the ups and downs of the writing life. Work out, jog, lift weights, get a great haircut - whatever makes you feel good about yourself.

Step6

See rejection as a challenge. Persevere, persevere, persevere.

Tips & Warnings

Don't listen to everything the critics say. All editors have different tastes and needs. Author Richard Bach received 26 rejection slips for his book, "Jonathan Livingston Seagull," before on editor accepted his manuscript - and 30 million copies of his book sold worldwide. Robert M. Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" collected - gulp - 121 rejection slips before the book was accepted for publication and went on to sell millions of copies.
If you're writing a book, research your book's market thoroughly before you send in your manuscript. If a publisher only puts out non-fiction books about selected breeds of dogs, for instance, why waste your time mailing him your book on dog training?
You may need to distance yourself from your rejected piece of writing. Put it away for a few days, weeks or even months. When you view the piece later, you will probably see it in a fresh light.

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Comments

jos924 said

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on 3/17/2008 Don't forget this could be the best thing that happens to you. In this day and age it may allow you to develop a sense of self worth and confidence by controlling your own destiny from here on. You may find that new dream job, develop a fantastic home based business, or become your past employer's major competition. keep your attitude positive and yourself confident that this change was meant for a reason.

Sincerly,
Mary Joslin
www.WowMangosteen.biz

Anonymous said

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on 7/3/2006 I can safely assure that most of my colleagues are only looking for the quick buck. The faster something is declined, the faster they'll get the money. Once something is considered to be "good" it's just way too much hassle to deal with and to defend it. So all they do is to find a mistake, elaborate on it and send it back.

It has nothing to do with you, it is a system that seems to work the wrong way. They should get money for improving scripts and recommending them - not declining them.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Always remember that editors and publishers have only so much space to fill (in magazines, for ex.) and so many projects they can handle (publishing novels, for ex.) For them the rejection slip is not personal at all -- just a necessary business decision. So don't take it personally!

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