I am "lucky." Some of my rejection letters have indicated why: POV, required happy ending, present tense, etc. I have learned by rejection...........

I was sure I had a contract coming as one acquisitions editor decribed their emotional response to the main character - and rejected the story for its ending.

I have completely rewritten stories because of a rejection and received acceptance in another venue.

DK,

I've had similar experiences. For one publisher I would have loved, my manuscript made it past the acquisition editors, but was rejected by the marketing team.

Another said I needed to show more and tell less, and another told me about being too encyclopedic.

So I keep rewriting, trying again, have other WIPs.

But also, I have self-published a book of fairy tales, and am working on a book written from our cabin journals, a family project I will self publish for Christmas presents and sales. My sister will design a cover, my daughter is helping put the ten years of journals in the computer, and my husband is taking photos around the place. Over fifty family, friends, and friends of family and friends come to this cabin each year and some will purchase copies.

I always need some project, whether it will ever be published or not. And it is all practice.

Carol

You're so right Carol. It's all practice before we get that coveted contract. And in the meantime, you're involved in wonderful projects.

And DK, I had to chuckle at your use of the word 'lucky.' I've been so darned 'lucky' over my writing career that I want to scream enough already!

My favorite rejection came from Sam Merwin, editor of the old Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine. It was written on a stained piece of paper torn from a cocktail napkin and said, "Close, but no cigar."
Not long after I received a note from him concerning another story: "I'll buy it, but don't expect it to become a habit."
I ended up having 16 stories in MSMM before it folded in 1985.

Dick,

I love your stories, the successes as well as the almost successes.

"Close but not cigar" comments show us we're on the right track.

And we can never forget these are real live people making these decisions, not some sort of deities.

Carol