How To Make a Rejection Letter Work for You

When I told my critique group I was going to give a lecture on how to make the rejection letter your best friend, I got a lot of laughs. So I changed it to making the rejection letter your best buddy. They still laughed but thought maybe I was on to something when I explained myself more clearly. Instead of hating it and getting depressed each time you get one, it's time to change your attitude and learn to like and appreciate this wonderful learning tool, this letter of promise, this letter, your newest friend! Remember, every author receives rejections. You are not alone and in fact, the sooner you realize this is just a normal part of the process, the easier it will be to get a rejection.

1. Learn from your letter: When you think about it, the rejection letter is the one thing that makes you grow and learn as a writer. If you are serious about writing for children, you won't let the rejection letter get you down and get under your skin -- at least not all the time. The editor might not make any comments, but you know that chances are, your work needs help somewhere. Joining a critique group or having someone knowledgeable in children's writing read your work is crucial at this point. Make sure you find that group and get an objective opinion on your story before sending it back out.
2. Embrace the rejection letter. Without it, you might never know that you need help! I tell people over and over, writing for children is hard and it is an art. Many don't believe me then wonder why they are getting rejected by a publisher. Rejection letters humble us and grow our character. They teach us to persevere and learn more about our craft. And if you're lucky, an editor will tell you why he/she rejected your manuscript. But if not, here's a list of reasons I reject manuscripts for my online children's magazine:
   • Poorly written which includes: bad grammar, punctuation and spelling.
   • No plot.
   • No conflict.
   • Writer is talking down to the reader.
   • Characters aren't developed.
   • Too long.
   • Too short.
   • Boring!
   • Writer did not follow my guidelines.
3. Don't take the letter personally! Of course, you might get a rejection not based on your writing abilities, but based on the editor's needs. Your piece might be perfect, but is simply not what the publisher publishes. Following the market trends is vitally important. Knowing who publishes what, and what's new in the publishing world will help you find a home for your manuscript.
4. Follow publisher's guidelines: One way to not get a rejection letter is to follow the publisher's guidelines. These are found on publisher's websites or in writer's market guides. You can also get guidelines by writing to the publisher, but be sure to always include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Other than that, write every day, develop your craft and make your stories interesting! The rejection letters will come, but don't worry; so will that acceptance letter if you keep at it and learn from your mistakes.