Writer's Fallout Shelter

I know when you first start showing people your work, it may seem as if you are putting a part of your heart and soul out there, but that's not true. The work may be, in part, a reflection of who you are, but it is not you, and rejection is not about you. Once you start submitting, it's all about the words and not about the writer at all.

Let me tell you a little secret. Back in February, my Heart Sister and I had the bright idea that we were going to start an ezine. After nearly a year of research, planning, and preparation, our first issue is set to release in January. The first issue was invitational only, but we had an open reading period in September for our second issue, scheduled for release in April. Our second open reading period just started yesterday.

I'm telling you this so you know that I do have, albeit limited, insight into both sides of the submission/rejection process. I assure you, speaking as a fledgling editor, that rejecting a writer is far from personal. I rejected people that I've had online friendships with for years and didn't even realize I had done so until a few days later. I rejected stories that I absolutely loved, too, but when I thought about it, were not the type of story we were looking for.

It's all about the words, the needs of the 'zine, what else we've already accepted or are publishing in other issues, and the budget. Who the author is doesn't even factor into the equation.