Alright, guys, I have a favor to ask of you – whoever you guys may be – strangers, friends, family, alien life-forms from a far off galaxy or some odd combination of the four.  I have a fellow writing pal, Matt Michaelis, who is about to publish his first story, “Kids Summon the Damndest Things”. Before he does that, though, he needs help summoning funds to have a professional cover for his story made and a website built.  Since money unfortunately doesn’t grow on trees, that is where you come in.

A Kickstarter page has been created to help him reach his goal and bring his dream to fruition.  Dreams, as we all know, are important.  If you have even a few dollars sitting in your wallet, a credit card that’s itching to be electronically swiped or a undeniable urge to spread happiness, I know that he’d greatly appreciate your help.  You can either click here or on the little image below.  He has until April 18th, 2014 to make this happen.  If you can’t donate for whatever reason, please spread the word.

Here is the book’s description:

“Avery has had enough. Between living in a small Southern town and apparently wearing a giant “kick me” sign on his back, he would just about sell his soul for revenge.

Pushed over the edge, he and his friend Angela take matters into their own hands, but discover the hard way that everything has a price.”

I thank you, Matt thanks you.

Happy reading!

This too came ages ago, but like before, I’ve been dealing with an infant who demands my attention 24 hours a day.  And that is only a slight exaggeration.

This is the first rejection letter I’ve received in the mail so far.  It made the whole, “Sorry, we liked something else better.” more real in a way.  I knew as soon I as I touched the envelope, it being so thin, that it wasn’t them replying to tell me how awesome I was and how excited they were to put my work in their magazine.  Being an actual tangible rejection, I debated burning it, but that seemed childish and I didn’t.  I really wish they had something more critical to say about it.

At least I know they read the title and took a few seconds to write it down on their form before stuffing it back in my SASE.

Rejection Letter #39 – The Gettysburg Review

This letter came ages ago, but I was dealing with a newborn and I’ve had zero time to write about it until just now.

38 used to be my lucky number.  Not so much now.

Rejection Letter #38 – ellipsis… literature and art

Dear Gabrielle Olexa:

Thank you for your submission of “Jenny Kissed Me” to ellipsis… literature & art. We consider each manuscript carefully. Unfortunately, we are unable to publish your work at this time.

We wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. We also encourage you to submit additional work for future editions of ellipsis… literature & art.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Fallis
Prose Editor
ellipsis… literature and art

I’m becoming somewhat desensitized to these.  I still have 7 possibilities remaining – 8 if you count the magazine that seems to be on permanent hiatus.

Rejection Letter #37 – Story|Houston

Dear Gabrielle Olexa,

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider “Jenny Kissed Me.” We regret that the piece does not meet our needs at this time. We received hundreds of submissions for this issue, and we appreciate everyone who shared their work with us.

The Editors at Story | Houston

A new year, a new rejection.  Not as catchy as a new dawn, a new day, is it?

I’m still trying to decide if this rejection is a form or a touch personal.  I tried finding other rejection letters online, but couldn’t.  Here’s to hoping 2014 brings me at least one acceptance letter.

Rejection Letter #36 – Writing Tomorrow Magazine

Dear Gabrielle Olexa,

Thank you for sending us “Jenny Kissed Me.” I appreciate your patience while we read and reread your work. It was a very hard decision, and ultimately, we’re going to pass on this round, but we sincerely look forward to considering your next submission.

Thanks again. Best of luck with your work.

Kindest Regards,

Miranda Kopp Filek
Editor, Writing Tomorrow

345 days after submitting “Jenny Kissed Me” to Granta Magazine, I finally got a response, just not the one I wanted.

Rejection Letter #35 – Granta Magazine

Dear Gabrielle Olexa

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider ‘Jenny Kissed Me’. Unfortunately, this particular piece is not right for the magazine.

We wish you the best of luck with your writing.

Yours sincerely,
Granta Magazine

I’m starting to doubt that they will ever post the winners of the 2013 Halloween True Ghost Story Contest over at Rense.com, so I figured I would at least link you to the story I submitted to them.  Camp Old Indian is based on a true experience I had while trying to find my way to the Boy Scout camp of the same name.  It’s nothing fancy, I won’t win any prestigious awards or anything like it, but it did happen.  You can decide whether or not I’m crazy.  (We all know I am, let’s face it.)  It’s a very short piece, less than 1000 words, and I wrote it in an hour and a half, so please don’t judge me too harshly on my writing technique or style or whatever.  It’s just a story.  Oh, and just so you know, it’s not meant to be scary, just weird.  Enjoy.

I guess that part about me saying you wouldn’t hear from me for a while was a lie.  I took this rejection harder than most, but tomorrow is another day.  Three other literary magazines have this piece.  Maybe one of them will bite.

Rejection Letter #34 – McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern

Dear Gabrielle,

Thank you for sending us “Jenny of Lebanon.” We rely on submissions like yours, since a good portion of what we publish comes to us unsolicited. Unfortunately, we can’t find a place for this piece in our next few issues. But please feel free to submit again in the future. Our tastes and needs continuously change.

Thanks again for your efforts, and for letting us see your work.

Sincerely,

McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern

At least they waited until after my birthday to tell me.  There’s that, at least.  It may be a while before #34 shows up.  There’s no indication that the other magazines  I’ve submitted to are currently rejecting or accepting anyone at great speeds.  So, it may be a while until you hear from me again.

Rejection Letter #33 – The Kenyon Review

Dear Gabrielle Olexa,

Thank you for submitting your work “Jenny Kissed Me.” We regret that we are unable to publish it.

Your work has received careful consideration. Unfortunately, the large number of submissions prevents us from commenting on many worthy manuscripts.

We very much appreciate your interest in The Kenyon Review.

The Editors

There’s not a whole lot to say at this point.  Found this waiting for me after taking Meili, our dog, on a late night stroll.

Rejection Letter #32 – Mikrokosmos Literary Journal (MOJO)

Dear Gabrielle,

Thank you for sending us “Jenny Kissed Me.” We appreciate the chance to read it. Unfortunately, the piece is not right for us.

Sincerely,

The Editors of mojo