Hatrack River Writers Workshop: "Good" Rejection

This is topic "Good" Rejection in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :

I'm counting this as a good rejection. Maybe I'm getting closer.

quote:
Thank you for submitting BECOMING LIONESS to [redacted]. The story caught our attention but after consideration we’ve decided it’s not a piece we can use.
Please consider [redacted] again. We wish you luck placing your story elsewhere.

They don't say to send them something else unless they liked it, right?

Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :

Correct.

I just explained to my writer's group today that my hierarchy of possible outcomes of submitting my novel is:

1. Editor wants to buy my novel for loads of money.
2. Editor wants to buy my novel for something greater than naval lint and hershey's kisses.
3. Editor read my submission, says thank you it's not for them, but please consider sending them my next project.
4. Any other result (form rejection, no reply)

Good luck, send it right back out!

Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :

On another thread we came to the conclusion that if they say they want another story form you they mean it. They saw something in your story they liked.

I've always considered it just another phrase like "good luck with your story". Especially since most if not all of my rejections from certain magazines say that. After all how many times do they not say it, it's a form letter after all. But according to some around here if they say it they mean it. It's not just a meaningless phrase.

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

They get too much of the kind of stuff they wish they'd never seen.

If they say they want you to send them something else (in whatever words they use to say it), they mean it. They really do think there's hope for you.

Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :

quote:

If they say they want you to send them something else (in whatever words they use to say it), they mean it. They really do think there's hope for you.

Which would mean that half and maybe most of my stories have gotten on the first level.

and it also means I've been on that level for four years, probably more, years. Except for one short period.