Stung by bizarre workshop rejection

So I applied to a 2015 summer writing workshop – let’s call it the “Zinc Dwelling” conference. I uploaded my application in Jan., the first week the application page went live. The site had some typos on it, but it worked and I thought I had all the info. I needed.

A week after I sent in my application and the $40 fee, I noticed that way down in the ‘Scholarship’ section of the conference info., there was a caveat – don’t use genre, YA or children’s fiction as your writing sample. I hadn’t applied for a scholarship, but I emailed the conference organizer and asked if I could switch my sample, which was YA/adult crossover. The book I planned to workshop isn’t YA, and I told him that.

Got a nice, prompt reply – no need to substitute the writing sample. ‘I took a look at your application and it’s in line with what we look for.’ Whoo – hoo…I’m in, right? I thought it was weird for him to email that when the app. deadline hadn’t even passed, but I wasn’t about to complain.

The next day, that caveat (no YA, no genre fiction, no children’s) was suddenly way up in the main application materials section where it should have been all along.

Well, this week I got a lovely form rejection.

I have a pretty thick skin, and I know this business is competitive, but it stung. Would I have had a better chance if I’d substituted an adult writing sample as I’d wanted to? Was it too commercial, too YA, or too sucky for ‘Zinc Dwelling’? I’ll never know, right?

If I email the guy I’ll only look like one of those psychos who argue with their rejections. But I feel I was treated shabbily. Thoughts?

Oh I definitely don't want to be there. Not trying to weasel in; I just don't want this to happen to another writer!

Application fees for workshops

It's pretty common. Squaw Valley Writers charges $35 to apply. Bread Loaf is $15. Sewanee is free - an exception (thank you, Tennessee Williams). But, yeah - won't be coughing up another app. fee any time soon. Sadder but wiser.

application guidelines

But see - the guidelines weren't where you could read them. They were on the 'Scholarship' page until I pointed it out.
Anyone not applying for a scholarship wouldn't have seen them. I just happened to be clicking around the site and...

oh, heck. Guess I won't look for any sympathy here. Skin = 1 mm. thicker now.

genre issue or quality issue

True. But why did the guy send an email saying the sample was 'in line with what we're looking for'? Wouldn't he know that would raise my hopes? It's odd.

I feel better just posting here, btw. And the conference would have been $1,700, so I probably saved myself a miserable, expensive week. But - beware of 'Zinc Dwelling' workshop application process. Wait until their application site for 2016 is totally spruced up and don't apply the day it goes live!

Thanks for the sympathy! It helps.

And, robjvargas, I agree that meeting guidelines doesn't mean automatic acceptance.

I'm going to use the money I would have spent on conference to design my own conference. Me + a new laptop + some good bottles of wine.

veinglory - their genre rules are written and very explicit; they just didn't have them listed on the app. at the time I applied, as I explained in the initial post. They corrected that mistake after I contacted them, but didn't allow me to change my writing sample. It was a very weird situation. And yes - rejection might have had zippity to do with genre. Still irks.

mirandashell - the app. fees cover administration, I suppose. A glorified reading fee? $40 is on the high end

Agreed. If you don't get picked, you are subsidizing their (well-respected) lit mag and other writers.

All the more reason that their site should have been ready for prime-time, with genre restrictions posted, on day one of their application cycle.

I did get into another workshop and now have to decide if I'll get more out of that or a week of actual WRITING.
Thanks, guys. Feel much better after airing my grievances here.