Submitting Short Fiction: Rejection Lesson Learned

Should Personal Bias affect Why an Editor Rejects a Submission?

You've carefully selected the publications to submit your work. You've written (and rewritten) your absolute best work. You followed all the submission guidelines. So, why did the editors bounce your short story from their desk into the rejection bin? How much does an editor's personal bias influence the decision to reject a short story?

Most of the time, when you get a rejection from a literary publication, you aren't given any reason at all specific to why your submission got bounced. Instead, like me, you receive generic statements that your story is "not what we're looking for a this time" or even worse, "yours was among hundreds of quality submissions but we're going to have to turn it down. This is not a reflection, necessarily, on the quality of your writing..." 

Rejection can feel like Death walking off with your hard work.

Ever since I received a rejection that hinted at an editor's personal bias--or "issue" with a theme of one of my stories, I started to wonder, Shouldn't editors/reviewers leave that kind of personal stuff at the door when they arrive at work?  One such response I got stated that, "Though your story is a unique spin on Celtic lore and has a compelling storyline, the relationship issue within it just didn't grab me enough to put it all the way through to publication."

Huh? When does a unique story with a compelling storyline not qualify for serious consideration!?
"The relationship issue" refers to the fact that the female protagonist has a bully for a husband, and she's in a relationship she has to get out of before it's too late for her and her unborn child.   

Shouldn't Fiction Make Reviewers Uncomfortable?

Did I make this reviewer uncomfortable? (Shouldn't fiction do just that?) Did he or she have a "fresh relationship wound" that my story sprinkled salt on to? Or, maybe it was a male editor for whom my portrayal of the male character struck a sour note?  Even if these scenarios are true, shouldn't the reviewer have been professional enough to set aside personal issues to make a fair assessment of my story based on the quality of the writing, characterization, and "unique" plot? It would be so wonderful if these folks would help me improve by sending me a rejection letter that addresses those very items.

I want to digress a moment to point out that I understand how agents and publishers of novels may not be able to (or want to) separate reading preferences and personal life "stuff" from the works they choose to represent. These folks have to live with an author and a novel for months, even years, in order to market it. Short stories don't require that commitment in time or passion. 

An Editor Talks About Why Submissions Get Bounced

I searched online to see if any editors or publishers of short story publications (print/digital) had anything helpful to say on this topic. I came across the following comment posted on John Kenny's blog (John is an editor at Albedo One, Ireland's premier sci-fi and fantasy journal):

As to why I didn’t just bounce them and move onto the next submission, they were stories that had a certain indefinable ‘something’ that really appealed to me. It’s an entirely subjective thing, which is why I often say to writers that they shouldn’t feel too dejected when their stories are rejected; it can be because the story is irredeemably awful, but it’s often a case of that particular editor not engaging with the story. Anyway, as to that indefinable ‘something’, it’s usually something to do with the main character being convincing, or the particular voice of the story, or a fresh or intriguing angle on the premise that keeps me reading the story and spurs me to entertain the notion that, with a little work, the story can be brought up a notch to deliver a greater punch.

In another post by Mr. Kenny, he elaborates on two types of writers who frequently submit to the same publication..."the oh no it's that writer again" and the "oh look, so&so writer is going to try again, I hope they nail it this time." He makes the point that writers who persistently submit their work to the same publications are demonstrating both a commitment to their work and a willingness to overcome rejection to improve their work. For these writers, instead of a standard rejection letter, Mr. Kenny is kind enough, in his letters, to provide insight about why a story was rejected.

The Lesson in The Rejection

Any rejection letter can feel like Death is walking off with your best work. But maybe, hidden in what seems like an unfair rejection, there's a hidden gem. After reading several other posts by Mr. Kenny (and other editors where I am submitting my work), I re-read the rejection letter. Let me give this reviewer the benefit of the doubt...maybe her/his significant other didn't just dump them (or worse). What words in that letter jumped out at me? "relationship...didn't engage me enough."  OK, my turn to objectively look at that element in my story.  What could be more engaging about the relationship between these two characters? Was something too artificial about them? Was the resolution unfulfilling (or unrealistic) for the reader's expectation? Could I write it better?

I could and I did and I resubmitted that story...and I'm still waiting to find out if it will be published -- or bounced.

And, full disclosure here... Mr. Kenny is not the editor I refer to above. Although, he did review the story in question, his comments to me were clear, helpful and encouraging. I have resubmitted this story, but I don't know if Mr. Kenny will be the one reviewing it. If he is, I hope I am one of those writers whom, when he sees my work on his desk, he is "rooting for me to nail it, this time."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

• Should editors/reviewers set aside personal bias/issues when making a decision on a story?
• What's the worst rejection letter you've ever received?
• What's the best advice you've received in a rejection letter?

The Writer's Bio Line: Your Personal Elevator Pitch

Never does it fail, when I am asked to provide a bio for an article my brain freezes. It happened just today, when I was due to send in a 2-line bio for an article that will appear in September 2012 issue of THE WRITER magazine (stay tuned for more detail). The article itself seemed easier to write than these two sentences! Of course, this isn't true-- the article did require a round or two of editing :-)


But you all know the feeling I'm talking about when someone asks you to write your personal elevator pitch. Your mind races:  What do I say? What don't I say? How do I say it? Is that the right word? I do so many things, what do I leave out? Do I include my blog address or just my website? Does a website count as a word? 


For emerging writers, like myself, the bio line is much harder to write than it is for, say the published author or experienced freelancer. They have name recognition. They have a few specific publications (book titles or magazines) they can point to in their bio line. I am eager for the day when I can do the same.  

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Your Write Your Bio

After studying quite a lot of bio lines, specifically in magazines I submit to or enjoy reading, I've picked up a few things that have helped me not to panic when it comes time to composing my personal elevator pitch. I work with the following three questions that I hope will help you, too.


1.  What is the focus of the publication and who are its readers?  Answering these two questions helps you with your tone of voice in the bio line: light, humorous, serious, professional, sarcastic.


2.  What is the subject of your article, and your take on it?  If you wrote the article as an expert on the topic, then you want your bio to reflect your expertise:  "… has 10 years experience coaching writers on..." If you wrote the article as a newsier piece, quoting others who are experts, then your bio might reflect your journalistic range "…has published interviews, features and essays on health, medicine and creativity". If you wrote an essay that makes a particular point about a common issue among the audience,  then you may want your bio to connect to that experience "…spends way too much time tinkering with her website instead of writing her novel, but at least she got this article published."


3.  What action would you like the reader to take when they read your bio? The answer to this question helps you determine what to include (or not include) in those two sentences. You might use the first line to connect to the reader, as noted in items one and two above. Then, use the second line to focus on the action by mentioning a book you've published, a new class or workshop, or simply to learn more about your work (which a reader may very well do, if you've made a connection via your article topic and that first line). Then, include method(s) by which the reader can connect with you-- website, blog, FB, etc.


The closer you stay to the line or word count the editor asked for, the better your chance to not have the bio edited down, essentially saying nothing of value about you and your work. Once you write your bio line, let it sit a day (or at least a few hours) before sending. I like to save all the bio lines I've used for various publications in one Word Doc. Save time and agony for the next time around.


My bio for the upcoming article in THE WRITER

Connecticut freelancer Karen M. Rider enjoys writing about success steps for emerging writers. When she's not tinkering with her homepage, she covers holistic health and metaphysical topics for a variety of print & digital publications.

The author of two short stories, Karen is writing her first novel. Blog: www.karenmrider.blogspot.com  Website:  www.karenmrider.com  FB: @KMRiderauthor

What do you think my article was about?

What do you expect I would like the reader to do after they read the article & bio?

YOUR TURN
What's your struggle with writing a bio line?
How do you go about writing your bio line?
Do you have a "bad bio line" story to share? 

Inspiration for Writing Found... in Football

Inspiration for writing comes from lots of places:   A walk in the woods, the loss of a loved one, the celebration of a new life born into the world and in victories and defeats…on the football field. 

Come again?

Yea, that's what I thought. Until the night my husband discovered Friday Night Lights on Netflix. We had seen the movie years ago but were in the midst of new baby chaos when the movie became a TV series in 2006. It's rare for me to find a television show with compelling characters and story arcs, never mind one that revolves around Texas high school football. But this show inspires me-- so much so, I have to be careful not to get lured into watching the archived episodes nightly with my hubby!

OK, I know what you're thinking... it's the eye candy, not the storylines. Well, maybe that helps :-)

Seriously, what a great and unexpected way to find inspiration to chase your own dreams: A TV show about hard working, blue-collar families whose life stories revolve around the victories and defeats on the hometown football field. Who among us wouldn't want a coach who is dedicated to our success not just as players in the game but as human beings? And, when life sacks you so hard you could have never seen it coming, is there anything better than knowing your team has got your back?

I've been fortunate to have had writing coaches who, like football coaches, believe in me long after I stop believing in myself as a writer playing the publishing game. And a writing group is like a "team"-- they get hard on you only to make you better. And, when the rejection letters from the other team ("the publishers and editors") blitz your mail box, it's your teammates who keep you from walking off the field.

Sure, Friday Night Lights is about football. But it's also about life. And the same can be said of writing.

Your Turn

• What has been your most unexpected source of inspiration?

Zen of Writing: Be in the Moment

How Writers Can Be Fully Present for Life...and Their Dreams

When you pursue what really matters to you--in heart and soul-- a lot changes in your life. Since I began pursuing my writing dream, I've become much more focused, happier, and experience a deeper connection to my True Self. Things I once thought were "important" don't matter nearly as much as I once thought. Two-a-day workouts use to consume my time and energy--even with two young children, a house, a husky, a marriage and a part-time job. It wasn't until I really dedicated myself to writing what was in my heart, that I developed a greater presence for the life I want to live.

Present-mindednes: Engage in Life

Present-mindedness, akin to the Zen concept of mindfulness, is to have full awareness of who you are, what you are doing, and where you are going in any given moment. When you are present-minded, you make better choices and adapt more easily to fluctuations in daily routines, like when a child refuses to nap and you lose valuable time for writing (or getting through a load of laundry).

As a a writer-who-also-has-a-life, you want to engage in all the moments of your day with your whole self. Otherwise, what's the point? When I write, whether its good or bad, whether I know it or not, I wan to be fully present. When my child is calling for Mommy and I come running, as much as possible, I want her to sense that I'm fully present for her.  When my husband has had a tough day, I want to not only be aware of it, but be available for when he (finally) opens up about it.  

What happens when we aren't mindfully present in these ways (and so many others)? I don't know about you, but when I don't show up for writing, I get grumpy. When my child senses that I'm not "all there" (and make no mistake she knows!), she gets fussy and I get frustrated with her.  And my spouse, well, guys can feel neglected to, though they may not say it that way. 

When we are mindfully present, we can be more relaxed, patient and responsive  as a parent, partner, friend... and more insightful, creative, disciplined and productive as writers. Whether you are doing the dishes, playing catch in the yard or preparing dinner, or working on a short story be in that moment with as many of your senses as possible. (Try it while cleaning-up the milk your child had spilled behind the couch three-days ago and never told you, and you'll master being mindfully present real quick!)

Disengaging, Centering and Becoming Present

As important as it is to be fully present, fully engaged in life's moments, we also have to be mindful not to get caught up in the daily drama. It takes practice to disengage from the "stuff" of daily life and to shift mind, body and spirit to the task of writing. Present-mindedness makes the process easier.  Disengaging, for you, may begin with a walk around the block, a glass of wine, or playing classical music. For novelist (and good friend) Patricia Sheehy, simply crossing the threshold of her writing space and reading a special quote helps her become present to “the otherworld” of writing.

Practice being mindfully present. And, when you’re getting ready for the work of  writing, notice the cues that most help you to “be here, now.

Ideas for Enhancing Present-Mindedness

Deep Breathing, Make Tea, Read Poetry, Take a Walk, 

Go to a Yoga Class, Sound Healing Gongs or Music, Sit in the Shade (or Sun), Chanting/Mantras/Affirmations; Savor a piece of dark chocolate; Light a candle; 

Get out in Nature...watch a bee buzz about a flower.

YOUR TURN

• What is your Zen of Writing Life Lesson?

Murphy's Law for Writers: Too Many Stories, Not Enough Time

Story ideas--be it for novels, nonfiction, screenplays or short fiction--always seem to spark when you least expect it and when you have least amount of time to really work with them.

How often has it happened to you that you get up in the middle of the night to visit the loo and your mind snaps to life with the perfect storm of character, conflict and setting? Or perhaps the white light of inspiration zaps you the moment you're going into an important meeting with your boss. Maybe it's happened while you're speeding down the highway, already late for your child's baseball game. It seems to happen to me in the grocery store, when all I want is to get the food home before my three year old takes down the end isle display of Rainbow Fish crackers. 

Murphy's Law for Writers: Ideas Strike When You Least Expect

Managing Unexpected Bouts of Inspiration

There are a few things you can do to manage unexpected bouts of inspiration. Depending 

on the situation, some will work better (and be more appropriate) than others:

Excuse Yourself from the Situation- Momentarily.  

Let your boss know you're ready to meet but would like a second to use the loo, or grab

a coffee/water before you sit down. Then...

Record the idea on a SmartPhone (or notebook). At your office, in the car (using 

speaker option), even in the grocery store your SmartPhone's digital recorder (or leave 

yourself a voice memo) can be faster and easier than the paper and pencil your child is 

likely to want to grab from you in the grocer store. 

Take notes. You've heard this one before but instead of trying to write down complete 

thoughts. Use 2-5 word phrases and a picture (if you're like me it will be more like a 

doodle). You want just enough vivid phrases that will trigger your memory when you sit 

down to dive deeper into that idea.

Ideally, you want to keep this snippets of inspiration all in the same place. Check the App 

Store for digital recording programs and note taking programs that respond to your voice, 

not just typing.

Working with the Raw Material of a Story Idea

Get in the Present Moment & Know Your Writing Priorities: 

When you finally have that moment to sit down in your writing space and listen to (or review) these new Story-spirations, breathe deeply a few times. Look at your doodles and keyword phrases. Write a few sentences to describe the premise of the story.

EXAMPLE:   I had a story-spiration following a freak Nor'easter that hit Connecticut last fall. It hit me driven home from the grocery store. I pulled out my phone, tapped record and made these notes:  "motorcycle accident on Avon Mountain" "Big Angelo" "near death" "mysterious rescuer" "no one around for miles" 

I played with this idea and came up with this premise:  This story is about Angelo, six foot six badass with a heart of gold; accident on motorcycle in snowstorm he thought was a weatherman's exaggeration; storm hits, he's thrown from the bike; he's near death and a rescuer comes to his aid but when the ambulance arrives at the hospital with Angelo, we learn that no one was around for miles-- or hours. So who rescued him and how... and why?

Clear your mind so you can focus on where this new idea fits into everything else you've got going on in your writing life. 

• Is this new idea so compelling you have to drop other projects to dive into it? 
• If so, what will you drop and, most importantly WHY? 

Be honest with yourself; don't cop out on a current project because the writing is not going well and something new seems easier to work on. You may wind up in the same rut with the new story. 

If the new story is something you want on your project list, now, where does it fit into the 

writing priorities you already have to tackle? And, how does adding this new project 

affect priorities outside of your writing life (family, work, community, relationships etc).

The most important question you might ask yourself is this: 

Why is this idea worth chasing given the shifts you're going to make with

other projects?

EXAMPLE:  When Writers Digest magazine's editor emailed me that they wanted a story I had pitched 7 months earlier, I was in the middle of getting ready for vacation, celebrating a wedding anniversary, celebrating a child's birthday and meeting two deadlines for paying clients. They wanted the story in about 15 days and I had a lot of work to do with the raw material. I was able to move a few things around (not vacation) with one client and worked extra early in the morning to keep things sane around the house so I could meet WD's deadline. WHY? (1) the byline (2) it paid well (3) I love the magazine.  

And if you're wondering about the Snowstorm story. I played with it on and off for a while over the winter. I kept putting it on my "list" of projects to work on, but I'm not that compelled to write it given other projects I find more intriguing, better paying or more fun to work on. It's in the "ideas" folder--for now.

YOUR TURN:

• How do you manage an influx of story ideas when you have limited time to pursue them?

A Writer's Life: How Public? How Private

Writing Strategically or Tactically? The Difference Can Make a Difference in Your Success as a Writer One of the best lessons I've learned about the writing life came out reading Jeff VanderMeer's BookLife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer. (I want to mention, as Jeff does in the text, that BOOK (in BookLife) can easily be substituted with "creative" or "writing" or  "artist." Any creative project and person will benefit from the tipsin the book.) BookLife makes you think strategically and tactically about your creative endeavors. While the Writer's Six Ps (see this post)  help you to keep writing center-stage on a day-to-day basis,  BookLife provides a larger context for your writing dreams.  Here's an example: How PUBLIC vs. How PRIVATE do You Want Your Writing-life to Be? Public booklife is what you do "out in the world" to market yourself and your work. This can involve maintaining a website, using social media like Twitter and FaceBook, booking speaking engagements, leading workshops or writing groups, etc.  Private booklife is what you do to maintain your writing/creative life (e.g., your passion, priorities, process). According to Jeff, (and I must agree because I'm living this right now), if you don't strategically manage what you do publicly, you'll find yourself over-committed to projects, assignments, tasks and events that will be more distraction than a productive means of growing your career and promoting your work. Having used the Writer's Six Ps in unity with VanderMeer's BookLife strategies, I've moved into a new phase with my writing career. I restructured my website at the end of 2011 as a reflection of changes in my Priorities, Process and Perspective. I've published a short story and have a second in press. The types of freelance work I'm doing has changed, too. I'm able to select assignments rather than take any carrot tossed to me-- and that makes it easier to focus on writing fiction (and makes me a happier person). Consequently, I've been wondering about all the social media outlets available to help writers develop a following and grow a platform. I've got a family; I certainly don't want to broadcast life with kids to strangers, but how do I find the right balance of Public and Private Writing Life? Questions Writers Should Ask 1.  Do I want people to have access to me 24/7 through social media?  2.  Do I have or can I make the time to Tweet, maintain Facebook and  blog?  3.  Should I have a personal profile the public can access? Is it too soon for a fan page? 4.  Why do I want to do any one of these things? What do I offer through these media and what are possible returns on the time invested? Is it worth it? 5.  What will be indicators that something I'm doing isn't right for me (or that it's not working)? It is a huge relief to realize that you--no writer, in fact--do not have to be in evert social media outlet in cyberspace—right now. Answer the above questions and seek out the online  hang-outs that work best for the kind of writer you are and the goals you have for your writing life.

Share your thoughts:  

• How do you decide where to spend your time promoting your writing wares?
• Has social media made a writer's life too public?

Support for the Writing Life

Support-- every writer needs it, especially those of us who balance raising children, maintaining a healthy marriage/partnership and have a job outside the home. 

It's not easy...and I think women writers have a particularly unique set of challenges whether they are just starting out or even if they are established (as in published). 

What makes it possible for any writer to follow her (or his) dream and still be a responsive and responsible partner and provider?  

Here are a few tips culled from my experience, from other writers I know (and those I don't-- e.g. check out what Jodi Picoult has to say about writing and raising a family on her website) and author Jeff VanderMeer's BookLife has an appendix on support.

1.  Constant Communication.  Communication is essential to any healthy relationship. I've found when my spouse and I are not on the same page-- literally-- we become easily frustrated, disillusioned even, with one another. We let each other know through email and a quick phone call about how things are going-- for him, at the office, for me with the kids and any new writing assignments.  Without communication, no one gets what they want or need--individually, as a couple or as a family. And when no one is happy the result is STRESS.

2.  Stress Busters.  It's not healthy to go from the writing desk, to the car with the kids, to the dinner table and then to bed. You (and your partner) need to move!  I've had to rethink my exercise regimen more than a few times in the past year in light of developmental shifts with my young daughters, spouse's work schedule, and my own work. Either you adapt and make keeping active a priority for your writing life, or you allow stress to take a toll on all of your life-- health, writing, relationships.  

In addition to moving your body in whatever way makes you feel good and has a fitness benefit, make time for reflection. If you can, get a massage, go out for a cup of tea, meet with a friend you can confide in. What works for you? 

Sure, I like a massage and do try to connect with friends who are not writers (and some who are) but it can be tricky working around my family's commitments. Sometimes I have to steal a few moments  -- a walk in the park with the kids where we practice "listening"... to the wind, for animal noises, etc. Sure the ideal kind of quiet for me is a lone hike in the woods... but I have to be realistic and be grateful for these moments.

3.  Gratitude.  I didn't appreciate the meaning of this word when I was younger (not that I'm so old, now). Kids have a way of making you look differently at your life and at every moment of your day. I am so grateful for what my children teach me-- about myself, my dreams, the world around us. At the same time, when I have moments without them, when I can just BE.... be still, be in the flow with my writing, be alone with my spouse or friends... I express gratitude. 

4.  Writer Specific Support.  My spouse "mostly understands" that what I am doing, as a freelance writer and emerging fiction writer, is not just a hobby. He's "on board" with my dreams. It took 2 years! But he's not a writer or even an artsy person. He doesn't always "get" that writing isn't just something I like to do -- it is part of who I am. Ink runs in my veins! 

This is why you, as a writer, need writer specific support. Join state or local groups that help you develop your craft.  Go to workshops, writing groups, association meetings and conferences. Even if you find just one other writer to connect with in person-- do it on a regular basis. If you can't find 'live' support, go for an online support system... there are so many out there.

5.  Defrag Your Own Hard Drive.   UNPLUG YOURSELF from the Internet, from all things electronic at least once every two weeks. Write long hand, change your writing location-- your creative muse will thank you for it. (so will your eyes, back, neck and wrists!)

YOUR TURN TO SHARE

1.  Where do you find support for your writing life?

2.  What kind of support do you need, right now, to take the next step for your writing life?

3.  What is your favorite way to cope with stress in the writing life?

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