I just got rejected and it was AWESOME!

Now, a lot of authors would look at the first line, tear up and take it all far too personally. Not me, this is a bloody lovely rejection letter! Let’s have a look at how I can take a rejection and make it a positive.

Unfortunately we don’t think this piece is right for Inaccurate Realities at this time

This basically means – to my mind at least – that I maybe didn’t hit what they were looking for. The subject was magic and I gave them a member of the Merlins, some kick-ass ghouls that needed killing, and the POV really not coping at all well with things.

But, it wasn’t necessarily what they were looking for. Mine submission was more urban fantasy, Harry Potter meets proper monsters, wets himself and throws up. Even cries a little. I like my heroes flawed. He’s one that I’ll be developing as my daughters loved the story so I have yet another one to keep going for their entertainment.

We really enjoyed your writing but there were a lot of submissions and we just couldn’t fit everyone in.

Some authors would continue to tear up at this point, maybe sacrificing their kittens. Or children. Me, I just saw the fact that they really enjoyed my writing. This is the first time that I’ve written and submitted a YA story and they really enjoyed it! That means my writing is good but that if I tie it in with the first line, it just wasn’t quite what they’re looking for. They enjoyed it! Which means that they’ll remember me when I when I submit again.

Now, that line could well be a sop. A pat on the shoulder. A ‘there, there little man’. But look at the next line.

We strongly encourage you to submit to future issues

Nope. They liked my writing and they want to see more! What an awesome rejection! I’ve been told ‘no, but please keep subbing.’ There are only positives to be taken from this and I’m extremely chuffed that my first YA story went down so well.

I can’t wait for the next rejection!