For the first handful of years as a writer, I dreaded rejection letters. Every letter I got, I would keep, as a reminder to myself to do better, and would file them away in an ever-growing pile. My office wasn’t the cheeriest of places, and I got discouraged. Now, I see them as an opportunity. Why, you ask? It’s probably not what you think. Read on.
Now, we all know that getting rejected toughens you up. That’s undeniable. But have you ever thought about a rejection letter as a subtle nudging open of the door? Hear me out. Whenever you send out your work to be published, your name goes out with it. That’s a very powerful thing. It’s a chance for the editor to get to know your name! So now, when I send work out to be published, I take a little solace in the fact that I’m a little less anonymous than before.
And this may be the most important step… After I get the rejection letter, I send a simple “thank you” back to the editor, for taking the time to read my work. And I mean it. Having published Twenty-Four Hours for so long, in near-anonymity, any acknowledgement is wonderful. These editors are just like you and me, with car payments and school loans, and chores, and a slew of other things taking up their time. If you send them a note saying you appreciate them, it can only be a good thing. For everyone.
Just some things I was thinking about, and wanted to share.
Have a creative day, folks!
Josh Medsker
Josh Medsker 