An unfortunate side effect of this process is that not everything we write will find a home. I'd count you as a lucky soul if everything you submitted got accepted first time every time. But the sad fact is you're darlings are not always going to hit your target the first time. Maybe never.
You have to do the legwork.
Not every editor will love you. Not every editor will think the piece fits. But if you spend the time submitting, moving on to the next story as you wait, the chances are it will eventually find a home. You'll hit pay dirt and all those hours of moaning will seem like a waste of time.
Again, that's not guaranteed though.
If you've submitted only a handful of times and found a rejection slip waiting for you, the chances are it simply doesn't fit at the time. It doesn't always mean what you submitted was bad. Trust me, I know, I've been there lately with a couple of stories.
But if, after a while, the rejections keep coming maybe it's time to go back to it again with fresh eyes. Maybe you missed something. Maybe there's a thread somewhere within the story you didn't quite pull on hard enough. Or maybe, and I'd recommend this personally, stick it in the metaphorical top drawer and leave it a while, move on, and go back later. Who knows, you may just find something you missed.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that you will eventually find a home somewhere if you have spend enough time listening.
But most of all, believe in yourself.
Invest your time and efforts in writers groups and don't be afraid to ask questions. We'd all love to be the next Stephen King or Clive Barker, but it takes time and practice and dedication.
But if you're going to sit and cry like a kicked puppy because your submissions are returned with rejection slips, maybe the writer life, after all, is not for you.
But most of all, don't sit on social networks bemoaning the magazine or the editor because they didn't see what you intended. That won't get you anywhere fast.
Thanks for reading.
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