No rejections!?

It seems I have to rethink the acquisition of the “rejection file” I mentioned in my previous post. As it turns out, most publishers I’m submitting my stories to have stopped sending out rejection letters! Instead, they contact the author only if they are interested in the manuscript. 

I don’t know if I’m peeved or relieved at this information. For one, how am I supposed to make rejection letter art if I don’t receive any rejection letters? And although I can certainly count the number of publishers that chose not to respond to my submission, it just doesn’t have the same “oompf” as a papier mache tower of rejection-letter terror.

Hrmpf. 

Other than the rejection letter surprise, I learned yesterday that submitting a manuscript takes incredible amounts of time. Researching publishers and their submission guidelines, writing cover letters, addressing envelopes…In addition, Not only do very few publishers accept email submissions, but many don’t even accept unsolicited manuscripts, which means query letter writing. Long story short, yesterday I spent close to 16 hours (off and on so I didn’t totally neglect my poor baby) preparing my submissions. And I’m still not done. My number one issue right now is not being able to find specific editors to submit the manuscripts to. I’ll give that issue one more go today.

Oh, and I probably need to get an agent since many publishers only accept agented submissions. Double hrmpf.

But I’m not complaining, no I’m not! But I’m pretty sure I would if it weren’t for the fact that one of my manuscripts is about a chronic complainer!