It’s been raining rejection letters lately. Getting close to the end of my pile of possibilities. Got this one on the 7th, around a 3.5 month wait.

Rejection Letter #55 – The Journal

Dear Gabrielle Olexa, 

Thank you for submitting “Jenny Kissed Me” to The Journal. We read every submission with care, and while we can only publish a small fraction of what we receive, the most exciting part of our job is reading such a wide variety of work. Though your manuscript does not suit our current needs, we wish you the best of luck placing it elsewhere. 

Thanks again, 
The Editors

Ugg. That’s how I feel.  I specifically stated I was not going to be accepting any rejections via email or mailbox on my birthday, but you know what? The publishing world doesn’t care about rejecting me on my birthday. I’ll have to look back through my posts, but I think I was rejected on my birthday last year!

Time to eat a massive amount of cupcakes.  That’ll make me feel better – at least until my next rejection.

Rejection Letter #54 – Ploughshares Solos

The Ploughshares Editors

Thank you for submitting to Ploughshares. Although we will not be publishing
your work at this time and are sorry to disappoint you, please be assured
that your manuscript was read carefully by editors and trained screeners. Our
reasons for not accepting particular submissions are varied and often have
more to do with the shape of our recent acquisitions and upcoming issues than
with the quality of writing we receive. Thank you again for the opportunity
to consider your work, and we regret any delay in our response to you. We
hope you’ll continue to read and submit to Ploughshares.

 

Sincerely,

The Ploughshares Editors

I hope that I don’t get a rejection letter on my birthday this year.  This one showed up on my husband’s.

I’ve decided that AGNI really hates my Jenny character, so when I ever I get around to writing the other parts, I’ll just skip them all together. (I’m lying of course. I’ll send my stories anywhere they have even the tiniest chance.)

Rejection Letter #53 – AGNI

Dear Gabrielle Olexa:

Thank you for sending “Jenny Kissed Me.” Your work received careful consideration here.

We’ve decided this manuscript isn’t right for us, but we wish you luck placing it elsewhere.

Kind regards,

The Editors

When I sent this off, my husband said, “Where is that one going?”

“Alaska,” I said.

He looked at me for a second and then started laughing. (Great moral support, yeah, I know.) “I think it’s time to quit and just self-publish.”

But I’m not a quitter.  I’m nothing if not persistent, and my husband knows that. Besides I REALLY want my cupcake rejection party. I’d have that party a lot sooner if I’d write more, but eh, that’s a different story for another day.

This one, I’d like to note, came back quickly, too. Less than a month, so thanks for that!

Anyway . . .

Rejection Letter #52 – Alaska Quarterly Review

A few things about this rejection hailing from Zoetrope: All-Story.

1. They were very fast in responding to me. I sent this out on September 8th, and I got the rejection today, September 26th.  That’s 18 days, folks! So, if nothing else, Zoetrope, thank you for not making me wait a year for how you felt about my little story.

2. They totally got my name wrong. People often mispronounce it or will put an A at the end like they did, but rarely do they mess up when writing it. I’m thinking of changing my name to Gabriella to appease all parties. At least they didn’t write Abagail. For some reason, I get that a lot.  I figure I have an evil twin somewhere. Still looking for her.  If you spy her out in the world, please let me know. 🙂

3. Only 49 more rejections until I get to have my rejection party!

Rejection Letter #51 – Zoetrope: All-Story

I found out about this rejection a day before the email went out because I signed into their system and saw that it was complete. And the email that was sent wasn’t really a rejection. It was more like – “Hey, these guys won, but not you, thanks for playing!” I didn’t even get an honorable mention. Sad face. I’m kinda mad that I took the chance and paid the $20 to enter.  I typically don’t pay any reading fees, but Glimmer Train is legit, and hell, I had to try. I do believe in my story, so that’s why I did it, but I think I’ll not be paying anyone else to read it, regardless of the possible amount I could win in addition to getting published.

But so I don’t look like a sore loser – congratulations to the other guys and gals!

Rejection #50 – Glimmer Train – Fiction Open

No image available. Just a stupid email congratulating everyone except for me.

Currently, I am up to 49 beautiful rejections for the three stories I’ve been trying to find homes for.

16 for Jenny of Lebanon, 30 for Jenny Kissed Me, and three for Honk for Ferry.

Will I get 100 rejections? 200? Could 50 be my lucky number?

Only time will tell, I suppose, but I wish I knew.  Someone, somewhere will eventually publish me, right? Someone other than me?

I’ve spent some time editing both JoL and JKM lately, trying to make them better, but I’m reaching that point, hell, I passed that point years ago, where the story is just as good as it’s gonna get.  Time to move on and write other stories. I’ve used the little criticism I got for JKM and changed her up considerably.  I’m hoping when I submit her again, she will be better received. After 30 rejections, though, are there any legitimate places left to send her?  I suppose I’ll figure that out, too, just as soon as I start looking for some new places.

My number is out there waiting for me. And the only way to get to it is to keep submitting and trying. Even if it means more depressing as shit rejection letters.

Well, that didn’t take long at all.

I manually sent my manuscript to The Paris Review on June 5th, and this past Saturday, June 20th, I received my teeny tiny rejection form.  I thought they would take around five months to get back to me, which is what they say on their website.  I’m glad I don’t have to wait, but a rejection that fast sorta stings! I honestly don’t think they even read the first page. They probably opened up my folder, grabbed my SASE, slipped in their standard rejection form, licked it,  sealed  it and threw it in their outgoing mail stack.  So, the most personal thing I got from them is their spit. Joy.

51 more to go until I get to eat 100 cupcakes!

Rejection Letter #49 – The Paris Review

You know when you’re really upset and someone tells you to calm down and you just get even more stark craving mad?  Well, when you’re at your 48th rejection in your quest for publication and someone tells you not to be disheartened, you kinda can’t help yourself.  So, yeah, I’m pretty freaking disheartened.  Especially since the people who rejected me have a 16% acceptance rating.

Getting closer and closer to my 100 cupcakes.

Rejection Letter #48 – Tincture Journal

Dear Gabrielle,

Thanks very much for sending us this piece, but unfortunately we have decided not to include it in the next issue of Tincture Journal.

It has been the most difficult selection process we’ve ever had, so please don’t be disheartened. As always we would love to see more of your work in future.

Kind regards,
Daniel.

I think the only thing I’m  ever going to be is a mom.

Rejection Letter #47 – Red Bridge Press: Rivet: The Journal of Writing that Risks

Dear Gabrielle Olexa,

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to read “Jenny of Lebanon.” After careful consideration, we decided the work was not a good fit for Rivet.

We wish you all the best with your writing.

Sincerely,
The Rivet Editors