Ask Sally #13 Reasons for rejection
When a magazine or agent rejects my work, why don't they tell what was wrong with it?
As explained in a previous Ask Sally on Response Times, editors receive thousands of submissions a year. Some receive thousands a month. It's very unlikely they have time to explain why they've rejected your work. Some magazines do it. The Weekly News always give a reason. Others use tick sheets with a list of reasons, for example 'well worn theme' or 'too predictable' then they tick the one that applies to you, though some writers have said that sometimes the reason given doesn't fit their story.
Agents will have the same problems. They receive thousands of manuscripts every year and they just don't have time, along with all their other duties, to tell you why you've been turned down.
I would say that if you're lucky enough to find an editor or agent who does give you a reason for the rejection, be very grateful! Such feedback, because it is rare, is priceless. I've known writers get very stroppy over the reasons given (The Rejection Collection is worth reading).
If you've just been rejected and need cheering up, you can do a lot worse than watch Bernard's Letter.
More Links
Ask Sally #1 Timing Submissions
Ask Sally #3 Response Times
The Rejection Collection
Bernard's Letter
6 Comments - Thank you!:
Love The Rejection Collection. That makes me feel better - at least I think it does!
Thanks for the link to the Rejection Collection.
My personal favorites are the ones from the marketing executive. "I've been told over and over again by published authors to include a SASE! I don't send a SASE! I'm getting huffy that they even mentioned the not-included SASE! They must think the world revolves around them!"
Paraphrased, of course.
I've no room to talk, of course. The reason I've never got a rejection letter to get irate over is because I've never actually finished anything.
You know what they say, B, you've got to be in it to win it!
I know that first step is hard though. Sending your babies out into that cold harsh world of publishing. But it does get easier after the first submission.
I did get a short in a (sadly defunct) horror e-zine once. The funny thing is that every once in a while, I notice the names of other authors from the same 'Zine, the same issue even, on more stories over the web and in print, and once in an issue of Writer's Digest.
These authors are my heroes. They did not spend years patting themselves on the back for one short story. They did not mourn the loss of the one venue. They went on to bigger and better things.
I have to write more stories now. And mail them.
Addendum: Bernard's Letter is brilliant, and cheered me up even though I'm not angry about any rejection letters right now.
And I am addicted to Ask Sally. Thank you!
I'm glad you're enjoying Ask Sally. I hope it will be useful to other writers. If there's anything you'd like to know that I haven't answered yet, do ask. You don't have to email me if you'd rather not. Just leave the question on these comments and I'll still be glad to answer it.
As for that hit in the horror ezine, well done! That just shows that you did it once and you can do it again.
Loads of luck with those submissions.
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