Hi, my name is Bob; and I get rejected.
As a blogger, article writer, game writer, and writer of books, I suffer “rejection” on a nearly daily basis—and not only because of my slovenly appearance. As I often tell people, publishing is a highly subjective business; and what one editor pooh-poohs another may ooh-ooh. “Sure, Bob,” you may say, “but rejection still hurts.” I hear you. It feels awful, doesn’t it? Feels like a kick-in-the-gut. Smells like failure.
But it’s not. Really, it’s not. Rejection is a part of the writing-for-publication deal. It’s not even a necessary evil. It can actually be seen as a good thing, believe it or not. Let me count the ways:
Rejection is critique
I use a three-inch-thick binder in which I record the when/what editor/what newspaper or magazine/what response/what payment of the articles I submit. I’ve used it for years. Each article has its own page. Some were rejected so many times, I had to add more pages to record the nasty torrent of negativism they earned. Mind you, all of them were brilliantly written. But over time I came to see the reasons why, say, this particular piece seemed to get no traction. Even when the pink slip was only a pink slip, the rejection was a critique of something. And sometimes, when an editor actually jotted a comment, it helped me to revise or restrategize, which sometimes led to a sale! Glory be.
Rejection is education
Back in the olden days, I hammered out a short novel—my first—and started submitting it. I sent that proposal (see, I was smart, even back then!) to every editor at any and every publishing house I could find that said they published fiction. (See, I wasn’t so smart, even back then!) It was rejected more than one hundred times. I know, right? It was eventually accepted for publication, though, and was even optioned for a movie. But those many rejections taught me a lot. First and foremost, that I had much to learn. Also, that sending to every fiction editor who ever lived was not a good strategy. And more. Much more. But that’s what I’m talking—er, writing—about. If you pay close attention, you can learn a lot from rejection.
Rejection is redirection
So, Christianity Today didn’t accept your article on “The Sin of Fishing in Territorial Waters”? Huh. Weird. Maybe it’s because that article is much better suited for Today’s Christian Fisherman. See what I mean? It can be discouraging when editors respond to your submission with a curt “not right for us,” but that’s often because it’s not right for them. But the wise writer will pause, if only momentarily, to consider who (if anyone) it is right for. And, sure, you can’t know everything about every publisher out there; but you can, as editors often say, “Read the magazine.” Or, in the case of book publishers, scan the bookshelves or websites carefully.
Rejection is training in righteousness
Every so often, I find it helpful to remind myself that God knows more stuff than I do. (Shocking, I know). He knows if your piece is ready for publication. He knows if you are ready for publication. He knows if critique, education, redirection, or delay will produce something good—better, even—in you or through you. Sure, you and I are both pretty sure that your character and fruit are both fully developed; but always remember that when nothing is working for you, God is.
I hope that makes sense. I hope this blog’s erudite and gracious host and editor will see the value of this post, and that it will land somewhere in your heart and mind. But if not, well, it’s not failure, right? Right? Hello? Someone?
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Rejection seems a bitter hassle
that brings along a hurt,
whether living in a Brentwood castle,
or in a cold-steppe yurt.
The sound of doors a-closing,
the feel of journey’s end…
but try, instead, supposing
that rejection is a friend
come to teach you ways and means
(now don’t say this is daft!)
to achieve your brightest dreams
by polishing your craft,
and that a fall is not a sin;
the sin’s not getting up again.
Oooooh, this is a good one, Andrew! And you know what? I know what a YURT is! I really do! I wrote a children’s story including a yurt. 🙂 Which got rejected. HA! I’ll do something more with it someday.
Thank you, Andrew.
Writer’s rejection
After submission
Is only suggestion
To bring to attention
The humble confession,
Though dare do we mention,
Our own imperfection
Is due resurrection.
I have at least three different versions of the proposal for my current project, Each is better than the one before it — because I’ve tweaked the book, or something’s changed in my platform, or I’ve rethought parts of the proposal. Each version is better than the one before it. When will it be good enough? Time will tell. Each new version grew out of rejection, and I’m a better writer for it.
Thank you for this reminder that rejection is not failure. Rejection is an opportunity for learning 🙂
Safely landed, Bob. Thanks for this. And your check’s in the mail.
Thank you for this article, it seems the bottom line is prayer and God’s plan for the book. The timing is key but I realize the Lord wants me to internalize my message myself before I expect others to embrace it! I find this is more of a challenge than finding a publisher! Prayer is everything!
Huh.
This is so timely.
Weirdly so.
The story of how timely this article is for me this morning is so fascinating (to me), it may make it into a book someday.
Or at least the proposal for a book.
Which may or may not be rejected.
Which, even if said fascinating timely story should make it into possibly proposed and potentially rejected book only to be rejected, you’ve given me four great ways to consider the whole thing as NOT a failure.
For now, I’ll keep the details between me and God. (You’re welcome.)
All that to say thank you, Mr. Hostetler.
Thank you so much. As I receive rejections, I find myself wanting to stop submitting things. You are absolutely right, God is in control, and maybe I need to take the hurt feelings and turn them over to the Master instead of letting hurt control me. Needed your perspective so much at this time as I have just gone thru hurricane Ian, (we live in Matlacha, Fl.) and the devastation has really tapped me out. Hubby and I stayed in our house (big mistake) but God kept us safe thru the flooding and part of the ceiling falling in and all the downstairs having to be trashed. If He can do that for me, He can surely administer my writing. Thanks again.
Be gentle to yourself. You are much loved. And I will pray for you and your family.
My city went through Ida, so I have some experience with the hurricanes. May you fully recover! Meanwhile … be gentle to yourself.
I have always appreciated your blog posts. They encourage me in both my writing and my life. Thank you for sharing.
Love your sense of humor, Bob, as you deliver much needed counsel. Rejection tears mingle with laughter, good medicine. Message received!
I’ve been rejected by publishers and agents for years, but this year (after writing & revising and following suggestions ) a publisher has taken on my books in the Soul’s Warfare series. Thank you, dear Lord!
This article goes in my “writing tips” file, because it is so encouraging.
Yes, superb article. I recently got critiqued for a piece that was not ready for submission. The readers were spot on. I took their constructive criticism, and I rewrote those areas that were subpar. I’m thankful it reached their eyes before those of a publisher.
I’m a therapist by background, and the writing journey reminds me of the process of becoming a therapist over thirty-five years ago. Fine-tuning one’s skills never ends.
I’ve been traditionally published in the personal development field. All writing requires the same techniques of learning and honing your craft, but there’s no comparison between fiction and nonfiction. A sensory experience embodies fiction, and once you begin developing it, piece by piece, you are hooked.
Thank you again!
Rejection is a fact of life. Doesn’t make it any easier.
When I was a tadpole, I was never chosen for a team . . . remember that? Standing on the sidelines while everyone is divvied up between teams while you stand there staring at your feet. Why the adults back then let kids choose their teams is unfathomable to me.
Fast forward. I’m now an adult waiting to get chosen for a team. Sometimes I still stare at my feet, let those feelings wash over me, and long for the bell to ring, but not as much. Instead, I work on the next thing.
Maybe those adults back then were preparing me for life . . . what a concept! 🙂
I wish there was a better name for rejection in regards to a retuned manuscript. It sounds so harsh.
I’m thankful I don’t normally take rejection like so many authors I’ve seen take it ~ so dramatic and sometimes even angry. I truly believe it’s God carving out a path for me.
I am, however, often confused when I believe I’ve heard His prompting to submit something to a certain publishing house or agency. But who knows the reason? Only God …. and I have to trust Him. Not easy sometimes, but always good.
Thank you, Bob, for wrapping truth in humor. I appreciate this part: “He knows if critique, education, redirection, or delay will produce something good—better, even—in you or through you.”
Hi Bob…. I meant to thank you for your exceptional and acceptable rejection article.
Your inspiration
Made application
In ‘poetification.’
Writer’s rejection
After submission
Is only suggestion
To bring to attention
The humble confession,
Though dare do we mention,
Our own imperfection
Is due resurrection.
What happens when the Editor/publisher is unfamiliar with the book’s topic, or does not agree with an approach to a topic with which he/she is familiar? I am surprised to see that a book can be rejected hundreds of times only to become a bestseller. why would that happen?