The only way I’m going to reach 100 rejections and have my cupcake  party is by writing and submitting more. I’ve more or less exhausted my search for a home for my Jenny stories. At present, there are three remaining places considering them, and let’s be honest, after all the rejections I’ve received thus far, I have absolutely zero hope I’ll get a different response. But maybe the universe will surprise me. That’ would be nice. ARE YOU LISTENING UNIVERSE?!

The only reason why I know I got this rejection is because I signed into Submittable and noticed I had one less story in review. Typically, when a story is rejected there, I get an email, but I guess it got eaten because it never came.

Rejection Letter #60 – Virginia Quarterly Review

Dear Gabrielle Olexa, 

Thank you for sending us ‘Jenny Kissed Me.’ We appreciate the chance to consider this submission. Unfortunately, it does not fit our needs at this time. 

Sincerely, 
The Editors 
Virginia Quarterly Review 

A new year, a new rejection! Woo hoo! The more things change, the more they stay the same, right? I had actually thought they’d forgotten about me, and knowing who they were, I wasn’t about to query and ask what was taking them so long. After looking at the names of the people they’ve published, I knew what the answer would be, but since I’m a masochist, (not really) I had to at least try. I mean, the worst they could say was no. And that they did.

Rejection Letter #59 – The Yale Review

This wonderful rejection letter came last year, but I hadn’t gotten around to blogging about it until just now. I mean, what’s the rush for a rejection?

Rejection Letter #58 – Boulevard Magazine

Dear Gabrielle Olexa, 

Thank you very much for sending “Jenny Kissed Me” to Boulevard. Although it doesn’t fill our editorial needs at the moment, we’re glad you thought of us. Good luck placing this with another magazine. 

Sincerely, 

The Editors 

Boulevard 
PMB 325, 6614 Clayton Rd. 
Richmond Heights, MO 63117 
www.boulevardmagazine.org