The 2005 Rejection Slip Collectors' Club

[Betty W01]

I will step forward to offer my first two slips for 2005: 2 electronic rejections, one from Wish and one from Coffee Cramp Magazine.

So far, no acceptances to report for 2005. But it's early yet...

[batyler65]

We are off and running...

Who's next?


TOTAL REJECTIONS SO FAR:
2

[Cate]

Lucky number three! Rejected by The Lookout--3 days after I sent the piece, via mail!
Cate

[Betty W01]

Got one today for a project that went on the bookshelves in July. Can you say, a bit late??

[ChunkyC]

My wife wasn't in the mood last night ... oh, not that kind of rejection. Sorry. :o

[macalicious731]

Chunk. [Hey, where'd that head-smacking icon run off to? That guy was my favorite.]

[Arisa81]

1 rejection
0 acceptances
so far :D :D

[Lori Basiewicz]

April's makes TOTAL REJECTION COUNT: 5.

(Writing related that is.)

[Betty W01]

no further comment needed, eh?

[rtilryarms]

I got 3 so far, it says.......oh....wait, they are from my wife!

[Anastacia]

Big Apple Parent and MetroKids said no on the same day.

But Birmingham Parent and Baton Rouge Parent said yes.

(Can you tell I query alphabetically? ;) )

[batyler65]

Good for you Anastacia! Congrats on the acceptances.

Wanna come play on the Weekend Progress Report? The more the merrier. (Well, that's what I tell folks over there.)


Barb

[stormie267]

It's a form letter, but it has a scribbled note at the bottom. Now, if I could only read chicken-scrawl, I'd know if it says, "It's stupendous! But not for us. Keep sending more." Or if it says, "It stinks! Keep your work to yourself."
:\

[Cate]

Make it 9. (right? can everyone put the number in the subject line?! This writer is mathmatically challenged)
Fiction rejection.
My first sumbission ever.
Bummer.

Cate

[batyler65]

Good going, anyway, Cate. Now send it out again!

Barb

[Cate]

Thanks Barb!
It is out already . . .
I am undaunted!
Cate

(Um, I just wish there were a FEW other people posting in this thread--ahem! Does no one else get rejections?)

[ChunkyC]

Does no one else get rejections?
I have half a dozen to my credit, but they all came before this thread was started.

[batyler65]

Get busy and collect some more CC.

Cate: Sorry-- I'll garner my share soon, I promise. I've just been so caught up in finishing this novel that I haven't had time to sub much this month.

Barb

[MacAl Stone]

I've only actually sent out one thing so far this year. I'll pin the rejection up here as soon as it comes back...:b

[ChunkyC]

That's IF it comes back, Mac. I'm betting on an acceptance for ya!

[wurdwise]

Ok, Barb told me this is where I throw my latest rejection. I am really disappointed in this one, however. I did an online audition for Poems to Go, turning a history of a couple into a poem for their 50th wedding anniversary as a test. I spent 6 intense hours yesterday sweating over that 60 word poem, and I just now got the email that I didn't make the cut. It was for a permanent part time job doing that.

Oh, well, that wasn't what in my plans anyway, I just picked up the link in a thread yesterday and dropped everything to try it out. Maybe it's for the best. Whaaaaaa!!:b


Edited to add the number in the subject line (~b)

[batyler65]

Congratulations! Yes, I said congrats. Rejections come with the territory, and the fact that you tried something new, even if you didn't get picked this time is still great.

PLUS -- you bumped our count up to ten!


Barb

[Betty W01]

yep, just got another one today, for something I even forgot I submitted! Ray would be proud of me, he always says send it out, forget it, and write something else!

I also got a fan letter, which was cool...

[maestrowork]

Betty, I AM proud of you.

[maestrowork]

I'll add one of my own. It's for something I submitted to Weird Tales in October:

"The ending is more revelation than resolution. Otherwise, it's very well written."

The zinger is "We invite you to submit your other works." Well, if only I write more horror/fantasy stuff...

Edit: Actually there's another one -- I forgot. It's from an agent RE: TPB. After a few months (I think I sent the partial in September), they wrote back and said "[Agent Name], who requested your sample chapters, has moved on."

[batyler65]

Well, Ray, re: TPB some answer is better than no answer I suppose. (And who needs those guys anyway? ;) )

[maestrowork]

Barb, the funny thing is I still have one more full ms out there -- it's been (gasp!) nine months now and I'm tempted to send the agent a note to ask her to cease and desist... ;)

:lol

[batyler65]

I get to lay claim to fabulous number 14 for my query to FamilyFun. No nibble on this one. Next!

Barb

[Arisa81]

I have 3 more to add to the list

*Canadian Living
*Family Circle
and
*Gallant Greetings

Total: 17

[Kudra]

I'm a little late in adding to this thread, but I have these to add, too.

1. Family Circle
2. The Writer

Total: 19

[triceretops]

Just got rejection #1 from agent #1

"You've done an extraordinary job putting this proposal together--absolutely no question about it. Your writing is fine, the story incredibly amazing. I have the feeling that the POV character should have been the paleontologist on the site instead of yourself, it would have made this a bit more interesting since it reads much like an article. Don't get me wrong, this is very, very subjective and I encourage you to place this elsewhere, it's very well done."

It goes on and on with more glowing comments and why he was sorry that his initial reaction to the first email query didn't carry over with the same enthusiasm. This one hurt, even though it was my first in 15 years. I have three other agents who want to see it, so I guess I'll pack it up and get it out there again. This POV thing really bothers me. I told them all in the query that this was written in MY POV, reporting on the facts and circumstances AFTER THE FACT. I'll file this critique and remember it if this summation comes up again.

Never give up, never surrender.

Triceratops

[Birol]

Oops. Nevermind.

[batyler65]

Keep the faith! This agent had nice things to say. Maybe the next one will have nicer words (like: We'll take it, can you sign here?)

I think that makes our grand total rejections 20.

Yay! More rejections. More! More! More!
(It takes so little to make me happy)

[Melina]

I actually posted this at our old home and it was #19. Anyway, here it is again, I got rejected by Family Circle. Blah! Oh well--NEXT!

Melina

[Cate]

I wouldn't even mind posting a rejection if I could ever get a bleepin response!
Grrrrr . . . .

[batyler65]

Hang in there, Cate. The response will come. Now I must go make more subs so I can gather more rejections. Whee!

Barb

[Rose]

In the last couple of weeks I've received a deluge of rejections! The response to one query was encouraging and asked me to submit more ideas, the rest fell into the dreaded form letter rejection category.

On the bright side, this avalanche of NOs has sparked a revelation: my personal essays are really good at generating rejection letters. It's nice to know they can succeed at something...I guess.

Rose

PS - I don't want to list the magazines because they pale in comparison to the heavy hitters the rest of you are targeting. Wow!

[rich]

I had to re-register to get in here. In my other life I was richmar. I'm 64--a bit too old to be switching horses in mid-ciberstream.

Two rejections: Atlantic Monthly and The Smithsonian. I'm beginning to feel they don't like me.

I had one surprising acceptance, however--ten haikus on the subject of angling (Frank, eat your heart out.) It won't be published for at least six to nine months. The pub is Rosebud. I even impressed myself.

[batyler65]

Rose: How many rejections should I add to the tally?

You don't have to name names if you don't want, but you could give us something generic if you like. Frex: 1 rejection Regional Travel Mag... or whatever.

Thanks for helping us add to the total

[batyler65]

Thanks for adding, Rich! That makes the grand total 23 by my reckoning, possibly more if Rose responds. Atlantic Monthly and Smithsonian are tough nuts to crack, Rich. Keep trying.


Come on gang, we're still a long way off from our goal of 1,500 for the year.

More rejections! I wanna see more!

(don't want much, do I?)

Barb

PS GANG: Please add your rejections to the total and post the number in the subject line. It makes it easier to keep track. Thanks!

[Rose]

New total: 29

Sorry Everyone, I didn't follow the instructions.

Between Jan 1 and Feb 15, 2005, I received 6 rejections. Hey, that's not as many as it FELT like. I'm not going to count the non-rejection rejections (subs that have been out for 6 months with no response).

And what the heck, I'll just list the pubs that turned me away:

Dollar Stretcher, Treasure Valley Family, Go World Travel (personal essay), Northwest Travel, and Greatest Escapes (2 personal essays).

Rose

PS - Is the idea to pop back in every once in awhile and update the totals with fresh rejections?

[rich]

An email rejection from 'Confrontation.'

"Sorry. We won't be using your work submitted."

Bad manners, and bad grammar to boot.

[aka eraser]

Congrats on the haikus Rich. I knew they'd find a home.

[batyler65]

PS - Is the idea to pop back in every once in awhile and update the totals with fresh rejections?

Actually, Rose, this thread is an offshoot of a challenge from the weekend progress report. In January, I challenged the whole WPR gang to generate 1,500 rejections slips this year.

You don't have to play in WPR to post rejections here. With a goal that high, we'll take all we can get ;)

And if you are so inclined, feel free to jump on board the Weekend Progress Report thread. We offer nagging, cheerleading, and all the motivation you can swallow in one easy time-released capsule. (Did I mention the nagging? And the taser?)

Don't let the rejections get you down!

Happy writing,
Barb

[ritinrider]

Rose, thanks for listing the mags that had the guts to reject your fine contribution. That gives me a couple more to consider trying.

nita

[maestrowork]

From an agent, whom I sent my query about a year ago. The form letter began with "We're sorry for this late reply..." Geez, I don't even remember sending anything to them. They should really change their listing from "response time: 6-8 weeks" to "response time: 6-12 months or never."

[Birol]

It wasn't a publication, but a service organization on the university campus that helps people look for work. I contacted them to see if I could advertise resume writing services. Was told in essence, "We teach our people to write their own resumes, thank you very much, and would never recommend they go any further than themselves."

Phht.

[Rose]

Hi Ritinrider -

Are you a newbie writer? Send me a personal email (or start a new thread, I guess...I'm not sure about the AW-way to start an off-shoot conversation) if you want to talk about the "much less than $1/word" markets I'm targeting. I have a goal to sell an article to a $0.35/word market this year.

And note to everyone else - I shot off a couple queries to the bigs after posting my message in this thread. You inspired me! If I'm going to be rejected, I want to be rejected by the best.

Rose

[batyler65]

(Current total: 33)

My latest was a batch of humorous greeting cards... which if I were to get technical would total 10 rejections, but since it was one rejection letter, I'm only counting it once.

Did get some positive feedback on a few ideas that I hope to sell elsewhere. We'll have to see.

Still awaiting a bunch of feedback, so I'm sure I'll bump the total soon.

Comgratulations to everyone who has posted here so far. If you are getting rejections you are doing the most important things-- writing and submitting. Give yourselves a round of applause!

Barb:hooray:

[stormie]

After I read your post, Barb, and gave myself a round of applause, the mail came. Two rejections:

34. Family Circle
35. Smithsonian (Last Page)

Well, I still applaud. At least we're submitting!

[batyler65]

Good for you, Stormie.

More! More! More!

[Rose]

ByLine Magazine short essay contest. There's 21 winners, special honorable mentions, and honorable mentions... and I'm nowhere on the list.

[batyler65]

Bummer, Rose.

Dust it off, send it somewhere else. :)

[Yeshanu]

Yes, Ruth the slacker actually got a rejection slip yesterday -- for something I had submitted in July or August!

:Jump: I got one, I got one, I got one! (Now on to infamy -- maybe I can submit something else and get another one...)

[batyler65]

Go, Ruth! Send it back out AND sub something else and maybe you'll get TWO! ;)

[I don't want much, do I?]

[maestrowork]

How come I feel like I'm in AA.... ;)

[batyler65]

You're just jealous because you don't have any new rejections to add, Ray.:wag:

[triceretops]

I'll damn sure take credit for #38 which was a agent query rejection--no biggie.
#39 was a publisher query "get lost" to Arcadia books. I should have read the website--Doh! They can't do Dinosaurs cause their history don't go back that far in time!

Triceratops

[Rose]

Budget Travel.

But I am undaunted. I WILL crack that market this year!

[Rose]

Another one from Budget Travel. On a bright note, the editor included a few lines explaining why it almost fit, but still missed. That's good, right?

[batyler65]

Of course that's good, Rose. Any time an editor gives more than a form-letter response, it is EXCELLENT!

Keep at it. You've almost broken in!

[batyler65]

Yep, another one. Midwest Living query. NEXT!

Barb

42 and counting...

[batyler65]

Oops, Trice. Gotta watch that pesky history thing. Better luck with the next publisher, though.

[WordSoup]

HEY! Yesterday I subbed 5 greeting cards ideas. They rejected every one.

But it feels like progress considering I haven't subbed anything since SEPTEMBER! Good Grief... :o

Barb, count it as 1 or 5 - dealer's choice

[batyler65]

Jen, guess we'll just count it as 1. That's how I counted mine.

*sigh*

We still have a long way to go. Keep subbing!

[Natalia]

Okies... I had submitted a short article to Mslexia and they sent me this brochure type thing that said they had already picked all of their material by the time they got my piece. But that they are keeping my info on file. It sounds like I mostly missed the deadline. Does that count as a rejection?

Confused!

:Wha:

Natalia

[batyler65]

Let's count it.

And later, maybe you can count it as an acceptance, too. ;)


So, let's see... that would make the count 44?

[rich]

All three were short stories to Rosebud.

Consolation: they did accept my poems, and the poetry editor adised me to send them to a certain other lit. pub right after Rosebud airs them.

[rich]

I'm sure some of you have gone through this: You get a good percentage of hits and you swear that almost every piece you submit after that will be accepted, but then you get hit by multiple rejections.

But then I remember a story about Pearl S. Buck. She received a rejection slip for a short story she had submitted. Later on that day she got a phone call informing her she won the Nobel.

[stormie]

But then I remember a story about Pearl S. Buck. She received a rejection slip for a short story she had submitted. Later on that day she got a phone call informing her she won the Nobel.


Thanks, Rich, much needed.

[Melina]

Friendly Exchange magazine. Nice personal note, but rejected nonetheless. NEXT!

[batyler65]

whee! We're getting close to 50!

Keep 'em coming!

Barb

[triceretops]

The Pomada agency sent me the longest most drawn-out form rejection I have every seen! Approprietly, it was printed on BLUE construction paper with exagerated swirley signitures.

Triceratops

[Rose]

Wow, I snagged number 50.

Northwest Travel, with a nice note of explanation and encouragement to keep trying.

[triceretops]

51 is allllll mine. Gak, what a slap in the face. A strickly California regional publisher said that my strickly regional California title "wasn't national enough."
Heydey Books, I'm having a real hard time understanding that rejection. That one takes the Cupie Doll prize up, down, over and around the rest of em'!

Triceratops

[batyler65]

Mine, mine, all mine!

Oh. Sorry. I get carried away.

Greeting card ideas rejected.

Next batch!

Barb

[Penelope]

That's Herbie The Love Bug's number too, btw.

A greeting card idea of mine was rejected by Andrews McMeel.

I submitted a batch of ideas to them on October 18, 2004.
They selected one idea for art development on October 25, 2004.
I was supposed to hear within 4 - 6 weeks whether or not my idea had made the final cut. I didn't hear anything for a few weeks, then all that stuff happened with my grandparents and I forgot about it.
I emailed a query on February 18, 2005, asking about the status of my idea and they got back to me on February 22, 2005, telling me my idea had not made the final cut.

[Vipersniper]

:guns: I got a rejection slip from one publisher that had the terms speculative fiction on it. So I really did not know what that meant and then I wrote that my first book was published through PA and they said that it could not have been any good if I published with them. So I crossed them off. One said my manuscript could not be pulled up in their forum. It was done in WordPerfect and that they did not have that capability to send to them when they got a new Dell. Actually that was funny but the first did tick me off.

[Rose]

Idaho Business Review.

[Anastacia]

Big Apple Parent rejected one article but said yes to another. :)

[Penelope]

Kalan LP (greeting cards and novelty items)

I snail mailed them some ideas on March 7, 2005, and received a rejection on March 14, 2005.

[triceretops]

The Literary Group president sent me a nice reject or is it a maybe? Said I should have somebody who is experienced writing paleontology books help or co-author the manuscript, then he said he'll take it to the next step. Yeah, right. Where am I going to get a scientist to write a book on spec? I'm noticing a bad trend here--no credentials (platform) which is the marketing God. After five months and 100 pages this book's a dump. Sorry. I know my science is right, they want the sheep skin. Had my heart thumpin' but my eyes closed going into this one.

Tri

[maestrowork]

Is mine. Ghost of my submission past. This query was dated March 11... 2004!!! It's from Manus. They should change their submission guidelines and say, "will respond in more than a year, if you are lucky."

[triceretops]

Levine Greenburg Group, and Harvey Klinger Inc.

Tri

[Rose]

Ouch, triceretops, did you get all three today (LG, LGG, and HKI)?

[rich]

Ten weeks of rejections, and only 62? I thought I'd be adding at least five more myself. We're not trying hard enough.

It reminds me of a cartoon from The New Yorker. Whit Burnett, co-editor and co-publisher of the defunct "Story" magazine kept over his desk.

Two pottery-making Indians in Mexico are sitting in the sun before two puzzled-looking American tourists. One peddler is surrounded by his work--jugs, vases, dishes, and pots of all shapes and sizes. The other guy sits half asleep in front of his single pot. Evidently the tourists have asked him if this one pot is all he has. The caption under the cartoon reads: "Why make more? I haven't sold this one yet."

I think we all need to make more pots.

[triceretops]

Yeah, Rose, today, or now (Yesterday). Still got one partial and 6 queries out there--if I get an acceptance for a partial I"m going to turn it down. Any positive queries will also be turned down.

Tri

[batyler65]

Rich: Methinks you are correct.

MAKE MORE! MAKE MORE!

I've got, hmmm, let me see *rifles through log book*
seventeen subs/queries still outstanding.

C'mon, everybody, pitch in!

Barb

[batyler65]

Tri:

You sound SO discouraged.:Hug2:

Don't give up. And don't start writing off those positive responses yet.

Hang tough,
Barb

[batyler65]

More greeting cards!

C'mon people! Surely somebody is out there subbing?

*wonders if everyone is getting way more acceptances*


At this rate we might break 100 by summer! Ack!

Sub people. Sub.

Barb

[rich]

I actually sent a humor writing piece to Absolute Write. This might get a bit embarrassing if I have to list it.

[Birol]

I swear I've got stuff out there, Barb. I'm just waiting to hear back on them. Oh, and writing more stuff, too.

Long about June, I should have all kinds of rejections to add to the count.

[batyler65]

64

Yep. Got another one today. FamilyFun. This one was tempered by the fact that it came with an acceptance for another idea. Whee!

More, more, more.

Barb

[Penelope]

I have an outstanding sub with Schurman. I'm sure they'll send me a rejection soon. They always do. :) Pulp Couture will probably send me a rejection too.

I'm working on more subs and rejections, I swear. :hat:

[rich]

You are a true soldier for the cause, poppyhullings. (love that name.)

Good show, Miss B. FamilyFun is an extraordinary pub.

[Kudra]

From a British magazine I write for regularly. Asked for more ideas, though.

[batyler65]

Thanks, Rich! I love FamilyFun.

Great news, Mridu (well, the send more ideas part, anyway). Thanks for adding to the heap.

Barb

[Penelope]

You are a true soldier for the cause, poppyhullings. (love that name.)

Thanks, rich. I have a sub ready for tomorrow's mail. I included the usual SASE, and asked them in my cover letter if they'd please send my rejection promptly. ;)

As for my name, I've considered marrying Orlando Bloom so I could be Poppy Bloom, or maybe someone with the last name Fields. *tee-hee*

[batyler65]

ROFL, Poppy.

Good luck with the Schurman and Pulp subs, Poppy. I'm glad you're out there subbing. ;)

Barb

[Vipersniper]

:Wha: My count is four so far in that one genre was for people to write erotic vampire stories. One was for middle aged erotica, one was from an old Publisher and one just did not have Word Perfect capability.

[batyler65]

Thanks for bumping our count, Judy!

Don't get discouraged.

Keep Writing!
Barb

[DaveKuzminski]

I just took a look at the first page of this topic. I don't know if the format changes later, but it could be even more valuable to everyone if the response time is included. For instance, posting that you received a rejection after so many days, or weeks, or months, or years could be useful for allowing others to gauge whether that particular market is slow or fast. Then they'll have an idea about when it would be appropriate to do a followup with the publisher about a submission.

[Penelope]

Good idea, Dave. I'll go back and edit my entries accordingly. :)

[sgtsdaughter]

78

I'm new here, but I thought that I would pitch in here . . . for 2005 I am at a grand total of six rejections for the novel, two article rejections, and one grant rejction. My response times took anywhere from two days to three months (hence I got a few this week). But, there is an upside to my year opening rejection run--I have a soft offer from a small press. So maybe this one will be the "golden" lining.

Annessa Babic
Pitfalls Between Nightfall and Daylight

[Birol]

I just took a look at the first page of this topic. I don't know if the format changes later, but it could be even more valuable to everyone if the response time is included. For instance, posting that you received a rejection after so many days, or weeks, or months, or years could be useful for allowing others to gauge whether that particular market is slow or fast. Then they'll have an idea about when it would be appropriate to do a followup with the publisher about a submission.

Dave, that is a good idea, but this thread is really an offshoot of the Weekend Progress Report. It was meant more as encouragement for everyone to get their work out there and as a reminder that, hey, we all get rejected. People don't even have to name publication names if they don't want to. That way, Realms of Fantasy is the same as Bob's Bathroom Press.

It's fun, too. And lets face it, stats are work. *Says the person who recently created pie charts for the novel she's writing.*

[rich]

It's still a good idea, Birol. Reminds me of Ralan's(sp?) site where he lists the turnaround times. I'll list mine as they come in--hopefully, not many.

[batyler65]

Welcome, Annessa!

Thanks for helping us bump our count. Our goal is to get a total of 1,500 rejections by the end of the year. As you can see, we have a long way to go.

Come back any time. ;)

Barb

[batyler65]

79

Yep. Me. AGAIN.

Leanin' Tree Cards -- Subbed via USPS Friday returned today. Wonder if they actually read them or just looked to see who they were from and mailed them back?

More! C'mon ppl. Time's wasting!

[triceretops]

Reece Halsey North Lit Agency. Non-fic book query, with turnaround of 8 days.

Good idea about who they are and turnaround time.

Tri

[Rose]

Front Porch

Two personal essays, both subbed on 12/30/2004. Per guidelines, you should consider them rejected if you don't get a response in two months. Well, it's been over two months and I haven't heard anything...

[Betty W01]

1 from Bylines Calendar, which just folded, and 1 from a local contest that notified winners on the 15th and I didn't hear anything. Rats.

I also got a "can I think about it?" so stay tuned to see if it turns into a rejection.

[rich]

Rose, don't totally count them out just yet. I received an acceptance from FP within two weeks, and another after two and a half months. When two months pass by I send them a reminder that my pieces will be tried elsewhere and I give them a date.

Since they don't send rejections it could be that I'm annoying them with my reminders. So, I wouldn't recommend doing it.

[Rose]

Rose, don't totally count them out just yet. I received an acceptance from FP within two weeks, and another after two and a half months.
Thanks for the encouragement, Rich, but I'm not holding out hope. My personal essays get rejected all the time, and I need to figure out where I'm going wrong. What's YOUR secret? And congrats on your FP acceptance!

[rich]

I'm old--I've worn some of the editors down.

[Penelope]

Still waiting on those rejections...should be anyday now.

Anyone else received any lately?

[Natalia]

Just checked email...got a rejection from London Magazine... the email said they enjoyed it but can't publish it...Can't? or Won't? Hmmmm well... whatever it is, it is a rejection.

Cheers :)

Natalia

[mommie4a]

Hi there. I'm kind of new to the boards but this place lets us contribute in so many ways! So I'm honored to add two rejections last week for oped submissions - one from the New York Times and one from USA Today (the NYT was made at the suggestion of Maureen Dowd). The best part is that both came within 24 hours and were personal rejections. The NYT guy - he even responded to my "thank you for rejecting me" email (well, I didn't exactly write that but that he had time to respond to a response? No wonder the NYT is having troubles!).

[triceretops]

Defiore and Company--Agent said, wonderful writing, facinating story, but too bad it wasn't true narative style, was heartbroken when noticed it was more written like a documentary. Would love to see it re-worked in narrative."
3 weeks Reponse on full proposal and chapters

And you'll never see it reworked in narative, because I CAN'T do it that way. I keep hearing:

Dynamite proposal
Great writing
Dinosaurs really sell and you certainly have loads of them here.
Truly facinating story
Great historical significance.
Get a credentialed co-author and I'll take it to the next step
Make a narative story out of this and we'll consider it

But:
No platform
Not narrative enough

Jeeze...first book I ever had to say," my gawd, it can't be fixed by ME!

Triceratops

[Rose]

Geez tri, these rejections of your dinosaur book are starting to get ME bummed out as if they're my own.

What can I say? Let's keep OUR chin up and hope for the best!

[sgtsdaughter]

not sure if this is a rejection, but i was in talks with a small publishing house . . . but, today after reading the complete manuscript they told me that they loved the story, but they don't have the capital to invest in me right now. so, i should wait six to eight months and then see. but i am free to shop around in the meantime. blah. . . :confused: and :Huh:

[triceretops]

Rose, thanks for the sympatico, dear. It's not all lost, I'm deep into a new book. I knew well enough not to stuff all my eggs in one basket.

Tri

[batyler65]

Annessa:

Hmm. I'm inclined to count it. (I'm inclined to count anything I can! ;)) Here's hoping you get to count it twice -- once as a rejection and another time as an acceptance down the road.

Luck!
Barb

[batyler65]

Tri:
I'm still hearing an awful lot of positive feedback in all those rejections. It sounds like the project has generated some true interest.

Keep the faith.
Barb

[Penelope]

10 greeting card ideas, all rejected by Andrews McMeel. I just submitted to them via email around this time yesterday so at least I only had to wait 24 hours for a response.

[batyler65]

91
10 greeting cards. Same place as Poppy. My response took a week, though.

Think we'll break 100 by the end of the month?

[Penelope]

Hey Barb, they must've heard we were collecting rejections and decided to donate some. :ROFL:

[Birol]

I got another one! (Oh, wait, we're not supposed to be excited by these are we?)

Mine: A short story submitted to Realms of Fantasy.
Response time: 6 months, 11 days
FYI: It was a form rejection but included a handwritten note indicating they are currently overstocked.

The double-bonus? I may get to count this one again later. I had followed up on it at the beginning of the year since it had more than exceeded the turn-around time listed in their guidelines. They indicated they never received it, so I resubmitted it. Based on the envelope I received back, it was the "lost" submission they rejected. The second one is still there somewhere. Still, I'm going to sub this manuscript elsewhere.

[rich]

93. Family Circle--humor. Form letter. Four weeks turnaround. I don't understand those folks. Too much testosterone?

[batyler65]

Way to go, folks! Less than a week to go in the month of March. Keep 'em coming. Get that work circulating!

Barb

[rich]

The Front Porch.

[Rose]

Chick Flicks (33 days)
Coast to Coast (108 days)

[Birol]

Same short story as rejected by Realms of Fantasy. This time, I queried (per their guidelines) an anthology looking for stories with the same theme as mine.

Response Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Reason: Too long for their needs

[Vipersniper]

:Coffee: I got a rejection from a publisher that only wants speculative fiction in erotica from a vampire's point of view. And it had to be a gay vampire at that. When I suggested that Congress was already in session they some how did not find that it fit. But okay nevermind as Gilda Radner would say.

[Anastacia]

Cooking Smart said, "Thanks but I think we'll pass."

Eh. I had an acceptance last week so I guess it all cancels out.

[Penelope]

I'm still waiting...I have 13 outstanding subs right now so I'm bound to receive a rejection soon. Hey Barb, I submitted to AM again. They always reject me within a couple of days so I'll be back here soon to post that one. :D

[Birol]

Hey, Barb, two days left in the month and only one more rejection to go before we hit the century mark.

[maestrowork]

Got a form letter from Peter Rubie Lit Agency. Reponse time: 10 months.

[JAlpha]

Got a rejection yesterday from an American Pen Woman Contest. I placed in another one of their contests earlier this year. But this time I made it to the final found, only to be left out of the winner's circle on account of two misplaced comma's. I'm comma challenged anyway, so I really hate that I let those two slippery little devils trip me up. It was a flash fiction piece, less than 100 words, so yes, every word and comma counted!

A certified member of Ditzy Comma Usage Annoynomous,
JAlpha

[Penelope]

Commas can be tricky, I still have trouble with them sometimes.

[batyler65]

102
Humorous Greeting Cards - Andrews McMeel (subbed 2/28)

[Michele]

I'm new to this thread, but thought I'd add to your list.

I sent an email query to an agent. I received a "Not for me" the same day. OUCH!

[Birol]

Hi, Michelle. Thanks for taking some of the pressure off the rest of us.


Let's see, that makes 103, which means to reach Barb's goal of 1500 rejections by the end of the year, we need another.... And there are 365 days in a year, minus January, February, and the first 30 days of March, that means we have to average.... Hey, now that we've picked up speed, this will be a piece of cake!

[mommie4a]

Birol, do you think you want to count the 298 of us that don't make it into the Idol top ten? That would give the number a nice boost!!

[Birol]

Bwhahahahaha.

:ROFL: Why didn't I come up with that? The thread was Barb's idea. Maybe we should ask her? Or better yet, not tell her and just have all 298 contestants list them; she doesn't require us to say where the rejection came from.

(Barb, why do you have the tazer out? It's not Friday yet. Um, Mommie4a, excuse me, but I need to start running. :gone: )

[batyler65]

hmm....
*scratches head over the idea of counting AW idol rejections*

Would that be cheating?

[batyler65]

Let's see, that makes 103, which means to reach Barb's goal of 1500 rejections by the end of the year, we need another.... And there are 365 days in a year, minus January, February, and the first 30 days of March, that means we have to average.... Hey, now that we've picked up speed, this will be a piece of cake!


We are writers not mathematicians. What use have we for odds?

Sponsored by the Association of Evens

More subs! More subs!
(I'm starting to feel like I should work at a deli)

[Penelope]

By the way, does losing a contest count as a rejection?

If members post their rejections separately, I don't think it would be. I doubt we'll get all 298 over here, but maybe we could get some of them over here.

[Penelope]

I have 14 outstanding subs, Barb, I'm trying...really I am.

[batyler65]

104

Humor Essay (contest)

Next!

[batyler65]

I have 14 outstanding subs, Barb, I'm trying...really I am.

Way to go, Poppy! That's the spirit!

[Torin]

105

Essay on massage. *sigh*

106

"Not for us" from an agent

[WordSoup]

More subs! More subs!
(I'm starting to feel like I should work at a deli)



Don't say that Barb. I do work in the deli (although, in Cajun Country, they call 'em "Po-Boys")

Geez, I'm trying really hard not to feel guilty for taking a sick day today. :(

Rejections 107 & 108 are both from Kalan.

107: The first batch was quips that got lost sometime last year and I resent them.

108: The second batch was greeting cards.

I have a third batch of quips they've not decided on yet. (I'll be back)

[Penelope]

I misunderstood you there for a second, WordSoup. I read resent to mean "feel bitter or indignant about" instead of resent as in "sent again." LOL How'd they get lost anyway? In the mail? At home? Or did Kalan lose them?

I have an outstanding batch at Kalan. I usually hear from them within 10 days (always with a rejection too). It's been a week now. Maybe I'll hear something soon.

Good luck with your subs (or Po-Boys as it were, that's what we call them here too).

[batyler65]

Sorry you aren't feeling well, Jen. :(

But, on the bright side, you could send out more subs. hint-hint.

[batyler65]

Torin:
There, there *pats Torin on back*.

Send 'em back out! ;)

Keep the faith,
Barb

[Jakalyn]

since other people posted competition losses, i thought I would too.

Just found out I didn't win the Erma Bombeck essay comp.
now, with "over 1500 entrants out of 31 countries and 49 states" i honestly didn't expect to be one of the four winners (only one per category).

The thing that bothers me is that the Winner in my category (humor-global) out of "entrants out of 31 countries and 49 states" lives only 20 friggin' miles away from me!

that's...um...weirdly irritating.

[Penelope]

The thing that bothers me is that the Winner in my category (humor-global) out of "entrants out of 31 countries and 49 states" lives only 20 friggin' miles away from me!

that's...um...weirdly irritating.

Bet it makes you want to drive over there, knock on their door, and say HEY YOU! What's the big idea?! Or maybe just congratulations. I don't know. LOL

[mommie4a]

Jakalyn - I'm a loser too - in the Bombeck contest. I'm in Ohio - are you? I noticed that one of the global winners, maybe it was human interest, is in Ohio, so I know what you mean about that swell of brotherly love you're feeling for the winning neighbor near you.

Next year!

[Jakalyn]

No, it was the one winner who wasn't in Ohio that is close to me--Missouri.

yeah, I definitely feel like taking a (short) road trip and asking her "Why do you have to be so funny?!?"

then I might give her congrats...maybe...

Ya know what bothered me most about the contest, though, is that they don't list the runners-up (top 5 or 10, even). Granted, I probably wouldn't have been in it, but those who were might like to know.

[WordSoup]

hehe - Sorry for the misunderstanding. re-sent. Remember late last year (Sept ? ) Kalan switched Editors? I think my stuff got kicked under the desk. I've never had Kalan respond quickly, more like months. I keep trying, tho.

[batyler65]

110

Man, am I hot today or what? This one makes my third for today.

More Leanin' Tree subs. Took about a week.

Onward!

Barb

[JAlpha]

I had one surprising acceptance, however--ten haikus on the subject of angling (Frank, eat your heart out.) It won't be published for at least six to nine months. The pub is Rosebud. I even impressed myself.

Rich,

I'm new to the AW boards, but I just had to pop in here and tell you that is a fabulous pub credit. Rosebud is an awesome lit mag. Please, please, please stop in at my "haikuicide" thread (In the "take it oustide the board" category--long story and leave me a little something I can cherish. Then when you become a rich and famous haiku artist, I can say I knew him when.

Just gotta love a fellow who can write a good haiku, and then to publish 10 at once, well that's nothing short of amazing:Hail:

JAlpha

[JAlpha]

I received a form rejection letter today from Barron's Educational Publishing

Division, for my non-fiction book proposal. I keep very good submission records,


but I had to stop and think . . . did I submit to them? Turns out I did . . . in October of 2003:flag: I surrender, the backlog in the pub business is killing

me! It's just that some days my literary clock (think biological clock), gets to

to ticking so loud it's deafening.

JAlpha

[Michele]

Got another one today! I subbed to Peachtree Publishers last September/October. I received a form letter today. :Smack:

The sad thing is, I had forgotten all about this one.

[Rose]

Just found out I didn't win the Erma Bombeck essay comp.
At least you and mommie4a got rejection notices! Erma didn't even bother to send me a note confirming I'm a loser, too. Can I count the snub as a rejection?

[Kudra]

Urgh. Got one rejection today. They held it for three months before telling me that it's gotten through the first phase and they'll be taking it up in an editorial meeting. Took three months more to say, "Um, sorry." I'm not happy. :guns:

[batyler65]

At least you and mommie4a got rejection notices! Erma didn't even bother to send me a note confirming I'm a loser, too. Can I count the snub as a rejection?

YES! Count it Rose! Make a new post and bump our numbers!


More! More! More!

(I'm a bit demented, you know.)

[Rose]

I got snubbed by the Erma Bombeck contest. Subbed 2/18/05 and declared myself a loser 4/1/2005. (They do notify the winners before telling the losers, right?)

And that's it for this week, folks. I have been a horrible slug in terms of sending queries the past few weeks and this is what happpens. Just one lousy rejection to report.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've need to get back to FREAKING OUT. I've got a bunch of articles to write but desperately need to find time for more queries and I'm out of espresso pods....argggggggggggggggh.

[Anastacia]

Christian Parenting Today said no. Maybe if this Jew converted . . . ? ;)

[batyler65]

116

That makes my FOURTH for this week. I think I need a lie down.

American Girl -- Query -- 8 days.

NEXT!

[Natalia]

I would love to add to the count but I have yet to hear anything :Headbang:

[Penelope]

I mailed out 2 more subs today. That makes 16 subs/possible rejections in all. With any luck they'll reject me soon so I can add to this thread. LOL With my luck though, I'll receive a dozen rejections in one day and either go into a deep depression or become giggly and excited because I can add that to the total number here.

[batyler65]

Poppy, just think of this thread as "the silver lining". ;)

Barb

[mommie4a]

Urgh. Got one rejection today. They held it for three months before telling me that it's gotten through the first phase and they'll be taking it up in an editorial meeting. Took three months more to say, "Um, sorry." I'm not happy. :guns:

That's lousy, Mridu! Six months total, huh? Sheesh! When I say no - like, to my kids - it's FAST.:D

[rich]

Hemisphere, mss., 8 weeks.

[Kudra]

Family Circle. Again.

[Penelope]

Greeting card company, 2 1/2 weeks.

[rich]

Playboy, short story, eleven weeks.

[VA Buckeye]

Absolute Write Idol, about a week.

[Birol]

Realms of Fantasy. The second submission of the story from Rejection #92. RT: 2 months, 1 week, and 2 days. I get the feeling they're doing their Spring Cleaning and clearing out all the slush.

[TashaGoddard]

Barb sent me over here to bolster your numbers :)

Absolute Write Idol, about a week and a half I think.

[mommie4a]

Absolute Idol (honorable mention does not count as a finalist) and Writer's Digest Chronicle (no contact from them therefore, assumed rejected).

WOOHOO!

[Liam Jackson]

My own brother, the evil bastid. He read over a short story of mine and gave me the following review. (Paraphrased but damn close)

"If this is the best you can do, you might find a gig writing text for traffic signs. And you practice really hard, you might eventually work your way up to writing ingredient blurbs for cereal boxes."

[mommie4a]

When I was young, my brothers stole the Whirlpool jingle and serenaded me with this:

Whirlpool makes a washer and dryer
That won't make a mess of your sister's face.

[Liam Jackson]

<<<Whirlpool makes a washer and dryer
That won't make a mess of your sister's face.>>>
:roll:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I should have been an only child.

[Torin]

126

Ephemera cards/slogans. About two or three weeks.

127

Absolute Write Idol. Didn't even get honourable mention. *sniffle*:cry:

[batyler65]

Darn. I got some envelopes yesterday, but they had acceptances in them.

Keep 'em coming folks! Next stop 150!

[maestrowork]

Woo hoo, congrats BARB! It's okay to report acceptances too! From where? For what?

[batyler65]

Ray, one was a reprint to Memphis Parent, the other was my contracts from FamilyFun.

Barb

[rich]

Two more from Playboy, SSS's--1k each. One month turnaround.

Nice sunshine, Miss B.

[Liam Jackson]

Darn. I got some envelopes yesterday, but they had acceptances in them.

Keep 'em coming folks! Next stop 150!

Dang, Barb! We feel your pain. Kinda. Sorta.
:)

[Penelope]

A company looking for poetry for their 2006 datebooks. I submitted to them well over a year ago, got a postcard in the spring of 2004 saying my ideas were under consideration. I had kind of forgotten about them until I got the rejection today.

Next...

[batyler65]

131

Humorous Greeting Cards - 24 hours (!).

[Penelope]

Andrews McMeel - one week

Not a good day for humorous greeting card writers, eh Barb?

[batyler65]

133

More humorous cards -- 8 of 10 (Andrews McMeel) 11 days.

No kidding, Poppy. :)

[batyler65]

134

Flash fiction -- T-Zero - about a month.

[Torin]

135

Erotica publisher, response about 3 days because they don't do the sub-genre fantasy. This is the rejection I whined about in the rejection thread under "worst rejection ever"--it's actually a REALLY good rejection, but almost harder to take when they say "Hey, you're really good, but we can't help you."

Torin

[batyler65]

136

yeah, cards. I sub a lot of cards. hi-ho-hi-ho off to sub the cards I go...

Designer Greetings -- "don't need your services at the moment, but will keep your samples on file" - 2 weeks +/-

[triceretops]

It's okay, Barb. You're destined to wear them bastids down yet!

Tri

[Penelope]

Kalan - humorous greeting card ideas - 2 weeks

:sigh:

[Rose]

Another week without rejections or acceptances. Gotta churn out those queries!

[Penelope]

One good thing about greeting card ideas is that you can usually turn right around and send the rejected ideas to another company whose needs are similar. Kalan may have rejected these ideas, but maybe the next company won't. I'm going to mail them out again tomorrow (not sure to which company though yet).

And I still have over a dozen outstanding submissions I'm waiting to hear about.

Good luck, everyone, with whatever you're working on right now.

[Penelope]

I don't want to say what company because I took a chance and went a bit over my head. Now I'm a little embarrassed. Oh well...

I'm about to query another company by e-mail about an outstanding sub so don't be surprised if I come back soon with another one.

[batyler65]

It's okay, Poppy. Aim big and don't be embarrassed. Next time, they might say "yes". ;)

Barb

[wurdwise]

139 & 140

Got a rejection Saturday from the Chattahoochie Review for some poems I sent, no big surprise. I also never received a response from First Things for my poems I sent Jan 4. They listed their response time as 3 weeks. I guess no answer three months later is a rejection?

[batyler65]

Wurd,
It could be your submission was lost. It happens. (I counted it anyway, because I'll take every rejection I can get ;)) You might want to send a follow up and ask what became of it.

Keep Subbing!

Barb

[Michele]

Rejection on Saturday - Laura Dail Lit Agency. :cry:

Oh well. I'm waiting to hear from eleven more agents. I'm sure I'll have plenty of rejections to add to the list.

[triceretops]

You go Poppy! Gall dang it! I've decided to use a variation of your name for one of my characters in my sci-fi novel. You will see print, by golly, I hope...

Just received my first rejection letter from a lovely AW gal, who I asked out on a date. She T-Rexed me in 45 seconds flat. Reason: "This was just not for me, but it was well intended. Keep in mind this is a very subjective business, and I encourage you to seek other representation."

There's hope! There's hope!

Tri...sucka...tops

[Penelope]

I've kind of lost count so a mod can fix this if necessary.

Pulp Couture. They said my stuff was great, but didn't fit any of their current needs. Six weeks turnaround and I had to query them about the status.

[Penelope]

You go Poppy! Gall dang it! I've decided to use a variation of your name for one of my characters in my sci-fi novel. You will see print, by golly, I hope...

I hope so, too, tri. I hope my name (or its variation) doesn't taint your chances of getting it published. Sweet of you to do that though, I'm flattered. :)

[MacAllister]

heard back from a place about a story I'd completely forgotten about!We have all read, reviewed, and discussed your submission, Together Forever, and we have decided to pass on the story.

Although the story well written and offers an interesting premise, the tale just didn't gain enough votes to claim a spot in an upcoming issue w00t! The rejection-slips are getting more encouraging!

What number does that take us to?

[batyler65]

145

Yeah. Cards. (My weekly rejection from Leanin' Tree) :)

WOOHOO! Mac! Send it back out!

Barb

[daveaguy]

I've gone thirty-three years without a rejection notice. Then again, I've never submitted anything. Not to a paying market anyway. Maybe tomorrow. No, wait, I'm busy tomorrow...

:crazy:

[Birol]

Dave, first welcome to the humor forums and our little corner of insanity. Second, has anyone warned you about Barb? You know, the lanky redhead who wields a taser and wears a braided rawhide whip on her hip?

Just curious. Oops. I see her coming... Please excuse me while I run.

[Penelope]

I'm too bummed to talk names and turnaround times. Just mark me down for 146, 147, and 148.

[Natalia]

The New Yorker rejected an article I sent through email - 12 days

Their exact words:

"We're sorry to say that your piece isn't right for us, despite its evident merit. Thank you for allowing us to consider your work."

EVIDENT MERIT????? Then publish it! :Headbang:

Sorry... was being an angerball for 2 seconds... I'm over it... next!

[rich]

Three pieces to America West. They had one set of writer's guidelines when I sent them, then changed editors who changed the whole philosophy of the mag. Did not get any response after three months. Chalking them up. Going to my next chalk mark. If they had accepted them I would've turned them down--they now want all rights.

[rich]

I've been trying to get into New YOrker's "Shouts and Murmurs" for three years. They've yet to even respond.

[Natalia]

Rich-

I think I might be confused about their sections... I am gonna go out and buy the latest one today...oh and I bought playboy to see what they are printing... were you not trying to get into playboy as well?

My "maket I want to break" is London Magazine... for no particular reason lol... we shall see :)

[Natalia]

Feeling very productive.. lol... I got another rejection.

From Folio...they passed on an article. Form rejection (in ugly biohazard neon orange). And they included a subscription request form.. he he.. It was about a month turnaround.

I guess it's time to start re-submitting.... NEXT!

[batyler65]

154

Family Circle. Too long to look up.

[batyler65]

155

Cards
Andrews McMeel Universal (subbed 4/12)

[batyler65]

156 & 157

Two more batches of cards.

How is everyone else doing? More! More! (We're on our way to 200!)

[maestrowork]

Barb, you're on a roll!

[rich]

Dear girl,

I'm starting to worry about your attitude.

You do know that acceptances are better, no?

[batyler65]

Dear girl,

I'm starting to worry about your attitude.

You do know that acceptances are better, no?

um...
Is that a trick question?

I love all my correspondence equally. ;)
You can't get acceptances if you don't submit.
Same goes for rejections.


More! More! More!

XOXO
Barb

[Penelope]

Two days in a row, I have received no mail whatsoever. I'm not even good enough for rejections and junk mail anymore. :sigh:

[rich]

Ah, Miss B,

All questions are tricky. If this isn't the best topic for beginning writers, I don't know what is.

[Penelope]

I'm sure I'll get mail sooner or later. The bill collectors love to send me stuff. :)

[batyler65]

Sorry, Poppy. I know all about those bill collectors. They seem to like to send me mail, too.

Here's hoping tomorrow brings a big stack of something GOOD.

Barb

[triceretops]

I seem to be missing about 9--12 reponses to email queries I sent out a month ago to agents. My first batch of 10 all arrived except two, but this latest batch are MIA for some reason entirely. Seems like a mass rejection all at once. Don't get it. But I want more, more!

Tri

[batyler65]

Good attitude, Tri. Brownie points for you. :)

Give them time. They may yet return to you.

Barb

[Rose]

163...if Barb's 156 & 157 are the last two, are we counting tri's missing responses?

Paperkuts (no response after 18 weeks and one email follow-up )
For Seniors (no response after 24 weeks and two email followups)
21st Century Adventures (no response after 12 weeks)
International Living #1 (32 weeks, including one reply from editor saying they might be interested in buying 1 or 2 of my 3 submissions)
International Living #2 (32 weeks, including one reply from editor saying they might be interestedin buying 1 or 2 of my 3 submissions)
International Living #3 (32 weeks, including one reply from editor saying they might be interested in buying 1 or 2 of my 3 submissions)

[mommie4a]

Journalism Fellowship in Child & Family Policy: "Regrettably, your application was not chosen." Ugh.

[Penelope]

Snafu - humorous greeting cards - don't have my records right here beside me, but I think turnaround time was a week or two.

[batyler65]

The jury is still out on Tri's missing responses. I'll let him post them and add the numbers when he's ready to call it quits on those.

[batyler65]

166, 167 & 168

Query -- American Profile, 1 week.
Query -- Southern Living, 7 weeks (does not use freelance)
Greeting Cards -- Leanin' Tree, 1 week

[batyler65]

169
greeting cards -- Smart Alex, 3 days.

[Michele]

I'm on a roll...

All agents, all form letters

I should probably post my query for everyone to critique, but I haven't worked up my nerve yet.

[batyler65]

Michele, take heart. Being on a roll means that you are putting your work out there.

Keep the faith.

Barb

[Penelope]

Paramount Cards - 12 days

[KTC]

I received one today. It was for a novel submission. I worked so hard polishing the synopsis and cover letter. I mean I vexed! Here's the reply I got.

"Thanks for your query but we're not interested."
Susan.

[batyler65]

KTC,

Ouch. Maybe you picked the wrong market?

Send it back out and try again.

Barb

[KTC]

Thanks Barb. I thought I was so careful with the market too. I don't let stuff like this get me down too much. I will resend and hopefully if I get a rejection it will be from someone more thoughtful. I would never reply to someone in that tone...the rejection was fine...but it doesn't take more than a few seconds to be nice. (Like you just were! Thanks.)

[Natalia]

KTC's was 177

Mine are two poems rejected by Prose Ax on email. No feedback. It was a month turnaround.

Rejections only mean you are subbing :)

NEXT!!!

[BlueTexas]

Got a nice, helpful rejection from Ideomancer today. They responded in five days!! Nice is good, I suppose.

[rich]

Nice is always good.

Some poems to North American Review--10 week turnaround.

[Michele]

Rejection from agent -- this time it included a handwritten note. :)

I just looked at my user CP. Thanks for all the encouraging notes! If/When I post my query for review, should I omit the specific details or include exactly what I wrote?

Thanks!

Michele

[Natalia]

I am always one to look at the positive...so this is my very short ranting venting.

I wish I'd hear back from editors quickly. I have close to thirty outstanding subs, some dating back to Feb. and have yet to get an answer. I know people have been waiting longer but I am just a bit frustrated.

OK, now I am done complaining and we return you to your scheduled posts :)

[rich]

Thirty out since Feb? You're starting to annoy me.