Once the best possible
short story (or poem) has been written, rewritten and rewritten
again, then the best market has been discovered and the submission
has been made, we wait. That's right, we wait.
We wait some more.
Seasons change. And we
wait. In this waiting process, there are a few things that can
happen. First, there is excitement, after all, we've just written the
best poem (or short story) and we've let it go out into the literary
world. Then the excitement wanes and uncertainty creeps in like a
Lovecraft haze slowly infecting us. Did we really write the best
piece? Was our cover letter good enough? Did we pick the best
magazine for the submission? Are we really fit to be writers? And we
wait. We wait some more.
Then comes the answer.
There are only two answers. Yes, we want that acceptance letter,
“Your piece is perfect for our magazine, and you'll be featured in
the next issue.” The acceptance letter will rejuvenate you,
energize you, make you sure that every decision you've ever made has
been the right decision. But the reality is, the rejection letter is
probably on the way, “Thank you for submitting but after careful
examination, your piece does not fit out needs at this time, good
luck placing elsewhere.” This is the windless sails, the rainy
parade that just sucks after the long wait. It is this very feeling
that prevents writers from continuing. How very unfortunate.
Getting a rejection
letter is the best thing that can possibly happen to you as a writer.
Getting a rejection means that you must rewrite the piece. The
rejection means that you now have something more to do. The rejection
or multiple rejections will force you to concentrate more effort on
your piece and it will become the best thing you've ever written.
Although a rejection does not feel good, it is the best thing for
your piece, for your writing and for your development. Incidentally,
a rejection letter was my inspiration to start Umbrella Factory
Magazine. In short, rejection is
part of the game and if you make it an emotional part of the game you
may leave the game. Take that rejection as a good omen and be
thankful you still have work to do.
The
acceptance is another thing altogether. The acceptance means a
publication, which is great. It also means that your poem or story
has reached its peak, its climax, its over, you never have to look at
that piece again. You have found an editor who likes your work and
wants to give it over to readership. Great. Good. That's it.
At
this stage, please just do what an editor wants you to do. The worst
thing a writer can do to an editor is to make major changes to a
piece AFTER it's been accepted. Worse still, is wanting to make
changes after the piece has been published. Thank an editor and move
on. If the editor wants changes, just do it and know that the editor
may know something that you do not. The story still belongs to you,
it always will. Don't fret small changes. And do not, under any
circumstance, suggest a major overhaul after acceptance.
When
you get a publication there are still things that need doing. First,
you must tell everyone you know about it. You must get as many
readers as you can, not only for your piece, but for the magazine in
total. You must connect with the editors and the other writers.
Follow their blogs. Make professional contacts with them via LinkedIn
or the like. Stop at nothing to promote other writers, the magazine
that published you and be shameless in the promotion of yourself.
Now,
update your CV. If you have a writer's blog, and I think you should,
create links to your story. Update your third person bio. And get the
next piece off to the next magazine.
Continue the process, and
never stop.
Next time: The
Conclusion: my results and some helpful links.
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