Dear Writer,

A “Dear Writer,” note arrived all the way from Iowa City three days before Christmas.

My first real rejection from a literary journal.

I think I’m going to frame it, because notes can be framed, and feelings like the brief, hot flash of rejection thankfully can’t.The note addressed me as “Dear Writer,”; now, that’s a start.

A lot of effort is involved in applying yourself, be it for publication, or for a job, or even for a trophy of some kind (degree, medal, social spot), but so little of this effort converts into tangible success. The rejection note begged (again) the question if it’s better to self-publish or knock on gatekeeping doors.

We discussed the dynamics of submitting-rejection/acceptance, how we do a lot of work for the privilege of others passing judgment without their ever having to explain why. It’s subjective, this evaluation, and maybe that’s why sports tend to be incredibly satisfying. That runner came in first. Give her the trophy. Everyone else, just run faster, okay?

Years ago, too easily impressionable, I would have been crushed away from the entire process of publishing my creative writing. A rejection note from such an esteemed publication would certainly have derailed me from my need to write and share what I write. But, I’m not that insecure kid anymore. (How did that happen??) So, I didn’t need to read Robert McCrum’s list of Fifty things I’ve learned about literary life (although I did and laughed and laughed) to be reminded that no one person knows best what it takes to succeed.

What I needed was to re-frame the experience into something quite logical. This rejection is a form of critique, the kind those in creative writing programs might receive, the kind those who don’t have that opportunity seek by submitting for publication.

So, one person at one journal (and there will probably be more) said Dear Writer, Thank you Though Sincerely, The Editors, and I didn’t run screaming for the hills. I went back to my writing.

Now, that’s an even better start.

See:

Robert McCrum’s Fifty things I’ve learned about the literary life in the Guardian