Four Messages

One of the nice parts of being a writer is receiving good news when you least expect it. Yesterday, I was gone until around 4 in the afternoon. After I got home, I sat down to check email. As I scanned the lengthy list, the name of an editor caught my eye, so I clicked on his messages first. Four of them, in fact. 

He sent a message of regret about a story I'd sent six weeks ago. Had a momentary sense of defeat but then moved on to the next message.  That second one was to tell me he loved a story I'd sent and wants to publish it on his ezine for children. The third was same message for another story. Both of the ones he is taking are historical fiction for kids. I think it's a painless way for children to learn history and they're fun to write.  Every time I sell a story, I am thrilled. I'm reminded of my obstetrician who once told me that every baby he delivered was as exciting to him as the very first one. He had a passion for his part in bringing new life into the world, and I think I have a passion for birthing words strung together to create stories. 

The fourth message from the editor was concerning a project we've been discussing. He requested more of it to look at. A good sign but certainly not a "Yes, I want this." So I sent him more of this project and now must wait to hear his thoughts. If receiving good news about a submission is the good part of a writer's life, the waiting to hear is one of the not so hot parts. But wait we must! 

The acceptances overshadow the rejections, and well they should. Far better to enjoy the positives in life than dwell on the negative aspects. Lest you think I am advocating being joyful when you get a rejection, I most certainly am not. A writer has a right to vent a bit of anger, frustration or hurt when the word No looms over her work. Rant awhile, then move on. 

Some months I get several rejections, so I'm not always dong the happy dance like the black cat above, but I sure am ready to do it when a story is on its way to being published. 

Editors Need Consoling Sometimes, Too

I received a rejection yesterday, but it wasn't the usual kind. I ended up wanting to console the editor who sent it instead of feeling sorry for myself. 

Several weeks ago, I sent an essay for Mother's Day to the editor of a monthly senior newspaper that has published many of my stories and essays in the past. I hadn't heard from her regarding the submission which was a bit unusual as she generally responds fairly soon. 

Yesterday, an e-mail arrived addressed to me and three other writers. The editor wrote that they had planned to publish the submissions from all four writers for the Mother's Day edition. She said they had to pull all of them because of the small size of the May issue. Which translates to the fact that not enough advertising was sold to justify a larger edition. 

She went on to say that she was truly sorry because the four pieces would have been a wonderful addition to the paper. She is putting them in the May 2013 folder in hopes that times will be more prosperous then. 

By the time I reached the end of her message, I felt so bad for her that I wanted to give her a hug and tell her things were sure to get better. I ended up replying and telling her that I understood her situation and appreciated her honesty in letting me know the reason the piece is not being published. And maybe next May my story will be published in her newspaper.

Sometimes  editors need consoling just as much as writers do when they receive a rejection. Most editors don't enjoy sending rejections. It's one of the necessary evils of their job. These past few recession years have been particularly hard on small publications that depend on advertising income to stay alive. 

Maybe we need a National Be Nice To An Editor Day. Until that happens, pick one yourself and do something kind and thoughtful. Awww, go ahead and try it. You'll feel good and so will the editor.