It seems a little early in the life of this blog to complain, but I will try to keep it brief and informative. In the last week I have received two "creative" rejections. One came from an anthology project that had already accepted my work almost a year ago. Imagine my surprise to find out that eight months later, I was no longer in favor. I wrote the editor (in a fit of passion) saying he could not reject me and supplying the email in which he had accepted me. Yes, it was a mistake and all ended happily. As a former editor, I know how easily letters can go out to the wrong people. However; today's encounter seems more problematic. I received a rejection from a journal that published my work two years ago. You read that correctly. In an SASE I received a rejection slip and a cover letter belonging to another writer whose name is similar to mine. Not the same, but similar. I guess the good news is that neither of the rejection letters were really meant for me. Have you had weird and sundry non-rejection rejection letters? I'd love to hear others experiences. I have to say these two faux rejections right before the holidays have left me a bit bewildered. What will I find in my mailbox tomorrow?
It's a sad commentary on the process of submitting. Your "lucky" turn of events gives me hope that my most recent rejection will be a mistake!
ReplyDeleteBy its very nature, the process is strange. I don't really care for email rejections either. I miss the moment of staring down the envelope - is it fat? Thin? A full-length sheet of paper or a quarter size re-Xeroxed slip? I've also had poems "rejected" that the journal later printed (twice in different journals). May your rejection lead to acceptances galore!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, this post caught my attention. Not long ago I received an e-mail rejection that came in about 7 or 8AM then a few hours later I got an another e-mail rejection identical to the first, followed by another saying I may have received an e-mail in error. This was followed by yet another e-mail promoting the journal. My results were not as uplifting as the first e-mail was in fact correct.
ReplyDeleteI too like the suspense of opening an envelope even if it's a rejection.
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteEmail rejections like that seem a new sort of water torture - for poets at least. A few of the journals still send out old-fashioned acceptance letters -- hand written and personal. I hope that doesn't disappear. Happy Thanksgiving! A day free from rejection or acceptance...
Susan, I was rejected by an MFA program three times for one application: once by the MFA dept., once by the financial aid dept., and once by the regular grad school admissions dept. Luckily, I'd already been accepted at Arkansas while I received those envelopes. As to poem rejections, I received a regular mail rejection from a journal followed three days later by an email acceptance for one of the poems. It was a funny feeling...bewildering as you say.
ReplyDeleteSandy: At least we know we're not alone. I suspect that human error is a way of teaching us to not take rejection personally - or perhaps I am too optimistic. A friend last night told of a rejection story dealing with photographers. I was happy to know that bewildering behavior was not poet-specific!
ReplyDeleteSusan, Yes...human error is a great teacher! After so many years of riding the acceptance/rejection roller coaster, I think I may finally be getting the hang of not taking it personally. Well, at least not taking it personally for more than a minute or two when the thin little rejection envelope arrives.
ReplyDeleteSandy, Yesterday I received in the mail what I've decided is my least favorite response: "We are holding these poems for publication but this does not guarantee their publication." Usually, I think this does end in publication ... but it seems so much the "he loves me, he loves me not" routine. I guess not taking it personally is something we constantly need to relearn. Or perhaps I should just speak for myself. Have a lovely holiday - however you spend it.
ReplyDeleteAh, I had that happen once, and it did end in publication, thankfully. Hope yours ends successfully as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy! There is nothing on the slip that gives a date. The editor says she will be in touch with a contract - or I won't hear a thing. It's a harsh world out there ... Happy Holidays!
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