Diagnose your Rejection Letters

Thanks, but no thanks. Rejection letters stink, no matter how they’re worded. Did you know, though, that the words really do matter? What the editor says in the rejection letter makes all the difference in the world.

Typically, rejection letters fall into three basic formats:

Image: sxc.hu

1. The Form Letter
2. The Short Note
3. The Personalized Rejection

Form letters are basic rejection letters that are sent to 99% of writers. It may include you name, but there’s nothing to indicate that anyone ever read your submission. They could have sent that letter to 100 other writers, 1000 other writers, maybe even 10,000 other writers. When you get a form letter, don’t be discouraged. It just means that you weren’t on the right track for that publication. It doesn’t mean you can’t sell your piece elsewhere. It doesn’t mean you can’t sell another piece to that publication. All it means is that you should review the submission guidelines more closely and try harder next time.

Sometimes, editors will send a short note. This could be its own letter, or it might be scribbled in the margin of form letter. Either way, read the note carefully. Someone without much time on his or her hands actually took the time to talk to you! It could mean one of three things (usually):

1. Your writing style is what they want, but the topic was off-base.
2. They published something similar recently.
3. You have a great topic idea, but your writing style isn’t what they need.

When this happens, your piece probably isn’t editable for that publication, but definitely submit again in the future – and make reference to your past submission. Thank the person for their note to you. It reminds them that you were a step above the “form rejection” crowd in the past.

Lastly, you might get a personalized letter. When that happens, be excited; it’s almost as good as getting accepted! It means that you were really close to the mark, and usually a editor wants to read more of your work. Sometimes, the piece you submitted can be salvaged. Pay close attention to what he or she has to say and submit again, as quickly as possible, paying close attention to the tips you were given. You got an “almost” – and that’s a good thing.

Remember, sometimes you have to read between the lines. In college, I took a class where we submitted articles to four publications over the course of a semester. As the rejection letters rolled in (along with a few acceptance letters), we sat around a table and decoded the messages. Editors aren’t always the best at coming out and giving you specific tips.

The most important point to keep in mind, though, is that rejection only makes your writng stronger. Don’t get too down on yourself when you don’t get published. Even if you collect 100 rejections letters, at least you’re getting closer with each submission to that “yes.”