My Rejection Story
Champagne rejections and more, plus TONS of writing news and resources
*For writing links and resources, scroll down.*
The sting of rejection
Getting rejected is a huge part of the writer lifestyle, so we all have to find healthy ways to deal with the rejection lest we go stark raving mad.
There’s a writer on Twitter who makes “rejection art” — a lovely piece of origami for every rejection (see below) — and another author who painted “rejection flowers” until she finally got book deal. Many Substackers write about rejection and how to handle it (like this one and this one). Also, I’ve written an article on what you can learn from your query rejections, as well as an article about what I learned from 89 agent rejections.
I’m not sure if I have a particular strategy for dealing with rejection, but here are a few things I do:
How I handle rejection:
Remind myself it’s a numbers game. And a game of luck and timing. Hit the right agent/editor with the right piece at the right time. The more you try, the better your chances.
Remind myself that getting rejected doesn’t (necessarily) mean my writing is bad. This is a highly subjective industry.
Just keep working on the next thing (or working on the current thing to make it better). Because that’s something over which I DO have control.
Listen to stories about people who have made it in the publishing industry after many, many rejections. Like in the podcast Queries, Qualms, and Quirks. Or this article from agent Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong. So many of the people who make it in this industry are the ones who simply refused to give up, despite piles and piles of rejections.
And, of course, celebrate the positive and encouraging rejections (“champagne rejections”) when I get them.
A Recent Champagne Rejection
I got a champagne rejection recently that made me so happy it hardly felt like a rejection at all.
I’d applied for a coveted spot at an exclusive writers retreat run by a popular bestselling author. I didn’t get accepted, but I did get a personal note from the author. She said my application "blew her away” and my writing sample was “masterfully done.” She also said I was at the very top of the waitlist, and she hoped I’d apply to the retreat next year, which I definitely plan to do.
That rejection felt like a win, and in this business we can all use some of ego-boosting rejections now and then.
My Rejection Story & Something for Free
I recently started listening to a great new podcast called My Rejection Story. Host Alice Draper interviews bestselling authors about how they navigated the toughest periods of their personal and professional lives. It’s a fantastic reminder that everyone gets rejected, which I find very reassuring. I especially enjoyed the recent episode with Geraldine DeRuiter — how a bad review in the New York Times actually helped her sell more books.
It’s a fantastic idea for a podcast. Alice talks about how reframing your relationship with rejection is your greatest competitive asset, as a creative or professional. And I think that makes sense!
Oh, and check this out: Alice is offering a special gift right now if you subscribe to her podcast: her Pitch to Power course for free!
Pitch to Power shows you how to pitch yourself as a guest to all kinds of podcasts. Her previous students have had tons of success (and being on podcasts is a great way to promote your work). It's normally $59, but it's free if you do these things:
1. Subscribe to Alice’s podcast, My Rejection Story, on either Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Youtube
2. Email media@hustlingwriters.com with screenshots
3. Alice will reply to your email and send you the sign up details for your free access to Pitch Your Power
Basically, you get a free class for a podcast you probably already want to listen to. A great deal!
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
From Good Story Company:
Free online Story Snobs Pitch Contest on Oct. 30
Free online Writing Irresistible First Pages workshop on Nov. 7
Loved these reminders: 5 Ways You’re Overwriting from
.Check out this list of free and cheap resources for writers from
.CRAFT 2024 Flash Prose Prize with $3,600 in awards. Open until Oct. 27.
I really love the latest episode of This Mama is Lit, a podcast from Literary Mama featuring interviews with writer-moms. This episode is with memoir writer Ona Gritz, who talks about investigating family secrets and writing about the tragic death of her older sister.
Check out the free event replays of various workshops at Manuscript Academy.
NYC Midnight’s 250-Word Microfiction Challenge starts Nov. 8.
The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
Writing Workshops also offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
NewPages has tons of submission calls from literary magazines and journals.
For KidLit Writers:
YALLFest, the Book Festival for writers and readers of Young Adult will be held Nov. 15-16 in Charleston, SC. Keynote speakers have finally been announced!
A list of places that publish stories for children from The Write Life.
Voyage YA’s Novel Excerpt Prize is now open (deadline Dec. 15).
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
Submit your children’s book to these publishers: no agent required!
Here’s an incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Check out SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for events, conferences, critique partners and more. (Picture book through YA.)
For Querying Writers:
Reminder that query reviews are available through the Book Pipeline Workshop. Only $75 per review until end of year.
From Good Story Company:
Free online Story Snobs Pitch Contest on Oct. 30
Here’s a list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
Andrea Bartz has a list of successful query letters (many of them thrillers).
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query and first two pages, and, if I chose your submission, I will send you feedback on both. Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
Rooted & Written 2024 Conference, Oct. 27-Nov 2 is a free in-person conference featuring Bay Area Writers of Color.
Recently two separate people recommended this online writing conference to me: Women in Publishing Summit, happening March 5-8, 2025.
If you live in the DC area, this comprehensive Calendar of Local Literary Events, compiled by Washington Independent Review of Books is overwhelming and awesome.
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away? The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm north of Baltimore is open year-round. The only requirement for this peaceful retreat is that you use the time to work on your writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
YALLFest, the Book Festival for writers and readers of Young Adult will be held Nov. 15-16 in Charleston, SC.
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing’s Deep Dive Virtual Conference will be held February 1-2. Early bird registration opens November 29. I also highly recommend listening to their podcast of the same name!
The San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival is happening February 12-16 in beautiful/historic San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I’ve spent a lot of time in San Miguel, and it’s a great place to visit.
Are you an author who's had a book published in the last two years? The Annapolis Book Festival is now accepting submissions for our 2025 Festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences are affordable and helpful. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. For online conferences, attend from anywhere in the world! Check out the upcoming conferences:
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.