The note was from Laurel McHargue, the co-creator of Publishing Syndicate's Not Your Mother's Book...On Being a Stupid Kid. I had sent in a story that I knew didn't have much of a chance. I did my best--writing-wise--but it was a story with a small focus, and I couldn't squeeze any more out of it.
Laurel took the time to tell me the story had made it through a round or two, but ultimately, it didn't make the final cut. She noted that she hoped the bad news didn't discourage me; she wanted me to be sure and submit to the other collections. (She worded it much better than I am right now, and when I figure out where I put the card, I will quote her directly.)
However, I also got some good news at around the same time. Two of my stories are included in the Not Your Mother's Book...On Dogs. This book will be available beginning on December 11.
What is the nicest/weirdest/harshest rejection you've ever received? If it's unflattering to the editor, the names can be changed/omitted to protect the guilty...
I was once told a couple of poems about war were too depressing. I thought that was the point!
ReplyDelete"No, Mary. Didn't you know war poems are supposed to be feel-good pieces, full of sunshine and prancing kittens and tulips that talk?" she said, her tongue firmly jammed into her cheek...
DeleteThat is quite a funny story. What an idiot of a editor.
There used to be a small press editor named Merritt Clifton, who put out a small press magazine called Samisdat. He had a reputation for being needlessly harsh and personal with writers who submitted work to him. "Sorry, no" wasn't good enough for him. He found it necessary to let you know you were basically a waste of oxygen, into the deal. he advised me to take my pen and stab myself in the eye with it, reducing the chance that I would ever submit such dreck to anyone ever again. Oh, and the magazines I had been published in were all worthless wastes of trees.
ReplyDeleteAt the tender age of 23, this taught me two things which I never forgot: first, that anyone with printing press (or a computer, now) can set themselves up as an editor, and scorn all they survey. It doesn't mean a thing, except that their ego needs the boost. Second, although I remember nothing about his poems or his magazine, I have remembered all these years what a flaming asshole Merritt Clifton was.
Fireblossom--And probably he has a combined brain and penis the size of a pencil lead, and was trying to overcompensate.
ReplyDeleteNo one has even bothered with a rejection note... I just find out when the place publishes - that's when I know I didn't make the cut! Ha.
ReplyDeleteNow Fireblossom - good for you to keep writing after your experience with that idiot.
Sioux, congratulations on your new published stories. How exciting! You go girl.
Lynn--That's the case with me most of the time. I hear other writers have gotten a story accepted or a magazine is published, and I wonder, 'Am I late getting notified?' Nope. No news is bad news, usually.
DeleteI also got a rejection note for the 'Stupid Kid' submission. It was very sweet of Laurel to go to all that trouble.
ReplyDeleteBut it wasn't all bad news...she redirected it to the 'Holidays' book (it was a Halloween story) - so there's still a chance.
I wonder if THAT rejection will come via a handwritten note?
Kim--Congratulations for getting redirected. I will keep my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the stories which were accepted!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Sioux. You are racking up those publishing credits.
ReplyDeleteAs far as rejection; it's a way of life for writers.
I get frustrated when I don't get a rejection letter at all then find out my story didn't make the cut when an anthology I submitted to is published.