Article: Rejection Slips

Rejection Slips Are Good?

by Russ Noffsinger

If anything in today's society is politically correct, it's the despised rejection letter. This ubiquitous, loathsome, innocent appealing piece of paper can strike all, regardless of ethnic background, sex, or social status And as indiscriminate as it is in whom it strikes, so are the types of rejection slips.

Perhaps the most disheartening is the half-page, preprinted, unsigned rejection. These disgusting missives sometimes are printed on large Post-It pads. My mind visualizes an editor yanking an individual sheet from a huge pad, chuckling as she slaps the slip onto the manuscript. Such a wonderful laborsaving device.

Then there's the "form" letter, sprinkled with semi-flattering words. Sometimes an editor will take the time to sign, but more often the signature is "The Editors."

Next in the hierarchy of rejection slips is the one actually signed by an editor. And if the editor has deigned to add a few handwritten comments, so much the better.

Of course, there's the rejection that sets the heart fluttering. It's prepared JUST FOR YOU. It mentions the title of your manuscript, speaks of how "professional" your writing is. Then says, "unfortunately, it doesn't fit our needs at the present time. Good luck in placing your work elsewhere." Hmm after receiving three identical only title of manuscript changed rejection letters of this type, there's a tendency to check the back of the letter. Looking for Post-It stickum, you know.

Finally, we come to the sincere, almost welcome, rejection. One that says, ". . . if you decide to make the suggested changes, please let me know. I'd sincerely like to take another look at the revised manuscript." Hey! Why can't all rejection letters be like this one? If you've received the latter rejection letter, you now have a choice.

Should you compromise your integrity as a writer and revise your manuscript? Or stand your ground in the knowledge that the manuscript as written can't be improved upon? Hard choice? Don't be silly!

So, what do you do with rejection letters? Paper your wall with them? Not too good an idea. But there is value in keeping rejection slips. They're evidence you've been making a sincere effort to earn money as a writer. Evidence to present to the IRS if you should get queried about deductions on your income tax. As tax laws now stand, you may be able to deduct certain writing expenses, even if you have no income from writing. However, always consult your tax consultant to determine how the tax code applies to you and your circumstances.

Finally, any rejection letter does make a statement: You're writing, submitting, and DOING SOMETHING!