How it feels to be rejected (as a writer) every day.

I send out between 300 and 400 submissions a year. Obviously, each one of these isn’t unique. Over the years, I’ve written various poems and short stories. I send them out to various publications in the hope they will be accepted. I’m also sending my novel to agents and publishers, in addition to this. In return, I get at least one rejection a day. I’m on three rejections so far today. My record is five in one day.

Should I be a gibbering wreck on the floor? Maybe. Am I? Not so much; getting rejected on almost a daily basis means rejection is now part of my life. I’m no longer bothered by vague lines such as “It’s not quite right” or “It’s not a fit for us”.

There was a time when I used to tear my writing to pieces, taking the words too literally. What wasn’t right? What was wrong with it? Why didn’t it fit? You publish this kind of writing, I know, because I’ve spent time reading the work you previously published.

Now I understand it’s just a general rejection and doesn’t mean anything at all. I’m not saying my work is faultless, but these form rejections are meaningless.

Very occasionally, I get an acceptance. I’ve had a few poems published (some paid and some not) and an indie publisher accepted one of my books, with a good chance of taking on the rest of the series. I choose…