by Mary Ann Melton

Created on: December 10, 2006   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

Whenever you send an article (or in my case photos) to an editor, you are sending something that you have created, something that is part of you. Therefore, when the editor sends it back as something that does not meet his needs, it is VERY easy to take this very personally.

Remind yourself immediately that this was a rejection of the story, article, or photo - NOT a personal rejection. That depressing letter does not mean that this editor will never buy your work - this piece just did not match his current needs. When I have interested an editor in one of my articles but it does not make the final cut, I look at the near miss as a minor victory. I also pay attention when an editor makes personal comments or suggestions to improve my work.

To make a living in the creative world, it is very important to keep sending your work out to paying markets. Successful writers are disciplined to send the story out immediately to a different market. The logical step is to start at the top paying market and work your way down. Then keep sending a piece of work out until there are no markets left. While it is easy to lose confidence in your work after it has been rejected a few times, creative work that is sitting at home on your desk is guaranteed not to sell.

While you are waiting for the editor's response, spend your time working on your next piece. Allow time to read the publications where you hope to be published. Be sure to read their submission guidelines. Do everything you can to make your next work the best it can be. The more pieces you send out, the higher your percentage of making sales.

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