Thursday, May 17, 2012

A Rejection: Ouch! But I'm Okay

We interrupt this Blog Break (again!)  ~~~~~~

In December of last year, I received an e-mail stating that one of my stories had made it to the Final Selection Round for a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I was really excited because I hadn't submitted anything to them in a couple of years. (And why had I not been sending them stories? I guess it was because of my awful writers block, self-sabotage, etc. etc.)

Below is the first paragraph of that December 2011 e-mail:


 Your story “Rocky Loses by a TKO” has made it to the final selection round for Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Dog Did That! Only a small percent of the submitted stories have made it this far. The vast majority of stories in this “last round” will appear in the book, but we do not make the final decisions until about a month before the publication date.



Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! I signed that contract and sent it immediately, and obviously being aware I wouldn't know for sure if my story would make it into the book or not, I still had confidence. I thought of so many ways to spend that $200! The other times that I'd made it this far, my story was selected.

Well.....not this time. I received this e-mail today:


I am sorry, I just received the final TOC (Table of Contents) from our editor and unfortunately your story was not selected.

And of course, my initial reaction was WHAT? Huh? How can this be?


But for the first time, my surprise, hurt, and disappointment only lasted mere seconds. And I truly believe it's because I'm doing so well with my memoir! Thank goodness for that, or I may have moped around for too long!  I've had my writing rejected before, several times, but that happens to ALL writers, and I always say it's like that slogan for the state lottery: "You can't win, if you don't play."


So, the reason for this blog post is to advise all writers, artists, photographers, etc. to keep on submitting! Don't let a couple of rejections knock you down. Keep on, keepin' on!




Happy Weekend, Everyone!



"I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours – so enjoy the view." – Michael York, actor

24 comments:

  1. Hi Becky,

    That's the spirit!

    Don't let a rejection get you down. I remember your story and it was a good one.

    Donna

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  2. Thanks, Donna! I really liked that story, too. And guess what? It will be included in my memoir! :)

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  3. I am sorry that the selectors did not have the taste they were born with. However, if the story is to be incorporated into your memoir their loss will be our gain. (think of the copyright issues if they had accepted it.)

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  4. You'll get the next one!

    I'm glad the story can become part of your memoir - that'll show 'em!

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  5. Hey, at least your story made it over that major hurdle. I submitted to that collection, and got nothing.

    Congratulations...and I look forward to reading it in your book.

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  6. Many times the end rejection is about page layout, or if they have a similar story. Still hurts, though. It's happened to me a few times with CS too. They will do many animal books. Hold on to it.

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  7. Sorry, Becky! Seems odd a company would go so far before backing away, contract and all...but...to a better place and seems your story found it

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  8. Thanks EC! You are so cute! One of the good things about Chicken Soup for the Soul is that the writers do retain ownership of their stories, so it's okay for me to include the other ones in my memoir. AND I really do appreciate the wonderful people at Chicken Soup. They've helped so many writers by publishing their stories, mine included!

    Hi Kim! Thanks! But truthfully, even if my memoir is a Best Seller, (gotta dream BIG!)my intention is not "to show 'em!" I still love the people there! :)

    Hey Sioux! Thank you! We've both made it into other books and that's quite an accomplishment. Congrats to you on your acceptances, too.

    Hi Linda! Thanks! I remember you telling me those things. It really does help to know!

    Hi Claudia! Yes, that's how they do it. But I can understand it, too, because like Linda said, many times it's about page layout, etc. And they need to know upfront, the writers' acceptances of the agreement. It's all okey dokey with me!

    Thank you all, again! Having supportive friends is the BEST!

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  9. I'm sorry about the rejection Becky, but I love your positive spirit! How awesome that you are making such progress on your memoir. Onward and upward! :)

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  10. Better luck next time girl. Their loss, yes?

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  11. Hi Julie! Thanks! Yes, keeping a positive attitude is the only way to go!

    Hi Delores! Yes, maybe I'll have better luck next time! Thank you!

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  12. I cannot imagine why they didn't choose your story; after all, you are a wonderful writer, and your stories are always so interesting. Obviously, God has other plans for the use of that story.

    I appreciate your encouragement to keep on keepin' on; however, I have given up with regard to Chicken Soup for the Soul. I sent 6 stories last year, and I never heard back from them about a single one. I have come to the conclusion that I have deceived myself into thinking I am a writer.

    Wishing you a lovely day.

    Love,
    Patti

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  13. Hey Patti! Thank you for the compliments, but gosh...you shouldn't give up on being a writer!! I've read some of your work, and it's GOOD. Maybe Chicken Soup just isn't your place to publish. There are THOUSANDS of places, ya know! (I'll send you an e-mail, too!)

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  14. I am sorry, but Becky do what you preach - keep on writing - I have read some of yours and they are great. sandie

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  15. I know just that feeling -WHAT??? What do you mean???? On the plus side, it's a sign of confidence in our work that we are surprised when it's rejected :D I love the memoir title and you are SO cute in those pigtails...but where is the picture of the chin hairs? Keep going - as I said, I need a good book to read :D

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  16. Hang in there Becky - it'll happen. You can never give up!

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  17. Becky, you are SO right, girl! That's why I keep writing. Polish one up purty and then when that starts on submission I start writing the next one. Eventually one will stick :)

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  18. Hi Chatty! Thanks so much! You're always so nice!

    Hey Melissa! You are TOOO funny! I don't think I'll be posting any pictures of chin hairs!

    Hi Karen! Thank you! You're a sweetie!

    Hi Kelley! Thanks! I'm glad you keep on writing, too!

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  19. Sorry, Becky, but as you know, it happens to the best of us!

    Next time, I hope "selection" comes your way instead!

    =)

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  20. That's the spirit! It'll happen eventually! :)

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  21. So proud of your attitude Becky! And you are so right.

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  22. That's a shame. I hate thinking that I've sold an article, just to find out that I didn't after all. I'm glad it didn't get you down.

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  23. Sometimes I wish the CS folks would make up their minds before any "official" notification. I, too, have had the rug pulled out from under me a time or two after getting a contract. Ugh...

    You are right on about not letting that discourage future efforts, though!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  24. Hey, at least you got it THAT far! The next time you'll go ALL THE WAY! Congrats on even SENDING THEM IN! You're already doing more than 95 per cent of the people in the world who set goals and don't even go the FIRST step! You are an encouragement to me!
    sandy

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I'm still getting quite a few spam comments that are Anonymous, so I'm trying "User with Google Accounts." If anyone tries to comment that I know, and it won't let you, send me an email, okay? Thanks so much.