[?] Subscribe To This Site

Ever Receive a Rejection Letter?

Rejection letters are all a part of writing. So, if you are waiting to send out your manuscript because you are afraid you will get a rejected...

...you are wasting a whole lot of valuable time.

Now why would we say that?

Because a rejection letter can tell you a lot about your potential and your readiness for publication. As a matter of fact, that rejection you just received, might just be the biggest compliment you've gotten in a while.

Yup!

Let's look at a historical fiction author's real rejection letters and see if we can decipher them for you.

XX,
I've had time to go over your manuscript and
I don't think it's quite ready yet. I think
you need to work on it some more. But you do
have it out elsewhere, so perhaps another editor
will feel differently.
It was nice to meet you at the conference.

XXX XXXX
XXXX House publishing

Okay, so they were rejected, but what did we learn?

The manuscript wasn't ready yet? True. It needed polishing...a lot of polishing, but notice something...

...The rejection letter was a personal reply to the writer. That's good news! Editors don't have time to send out personal replies...unless they think the author has something going for them...like talent.

Lets look at another:

Dear XXX,

Thank you for the opportunity to review your material.You have a very nice writing style. I like your character descriptions and your word choice...it makes your writing flow smoothly. Your dialog is strong. Something that is often hard to accomplish in historical writing. You've done a very nice job.

That said, I'm afraid I write with bad news. Your material is not a fit for XXXXX's fiction program. I think I mentioned when we met that XXXXX is not actively seeking historical fiction for our lineup. I'm sure that historical fiction will gain popularity in our marketplace again. . .but right now it is difficult to sell. I'm so sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I think you have a good story and very nice prose.

I wish you success in your writing endeavors.

Respectfully,

XX

So what did we notice?

Yes, it was another personal reply letter. Once again, very good sign. However, the publishing house was not actively taking historical fiction at that time. Of course, if the story would have been strong, the publishing house may have taken a chance anyway, still, genre and time period, have a lot to do with acceptance.

What else?

This time the editor told the writer what they did right.

...I like your character descriptions and your word choice...it makes your writing flow smoothly. Your dialog is strong.

All kinds of compliments in that one. These tell the writer...publication is not far off but due diligence is warranted to see the dream of publication.

What does due diligence mean?

It means write, read, go to conferences, get critiques, go to reading/critiquing groups, write some more and then when you have done all that...write some more!

It takes time to see your words in print. It's a journey that you must not rush! Read our article on outlining to see what we mean by that not rushing thing.

Okay, now for the form letter rejection.

This is the one that kills you faster than anything.
You open the lid to your mailbox. Lying there is the envelope with the publishing house's logo on it. Your heart pounds out of control just before it skips a beat or two.

...We've all been there.

You open the letter, only to find a rejection letter with another slip of paper inside it. The one suggesting writing courses you might take...stab!

Is it really though?

You see, most publishing houses don't have time to even send out a rejection letter, let alone a personal reply. Usually, you just drop off the face of the earth...no letter...no rejection...no word.

So how do you feel about that rejection letter now?

Once again, any letter that the editor has sent to you, you should consider praise. Publishing houses do NOT have time to send out letters to everyone who sends in a manuscript!

Of course, if you send in a SASE that helps your chances.

Okay, you say, I received a rejection letter, what do I do now?

Responding to Rejection Letters

Always err on the side of politeness. When interviewing a few writers who have had their fair share of rejections, each of them told us that they will send a follow-up Thank-you note to the editor who sent the rejection letter. You can't really go wrong with a Thank-you not. It shows both your consideration and professionalism.

So let's recap:

Rejection letters are...Say it with me..."Rejection letters are good."

Now go and get out that drawer full of rejections and reread them. You might see them in a brand new light!

To ensure that you're writing is the best it can be, make sure to stop by our writing rules pages. To get the most out of YOUR writing! And please, don't forget to send your friends a link to Christian Romance Magazine and let them in on the unique way we are serving the Christian community!

Return to Writing Tips from Rejection Letters

Return to top of Rejection Letters