This January, I wrote an article entitled “Writing Tips: Two Ways to Handle Rejection.” In this article, I offered writers tips and strategies to use when grappling with the fact that a submitted work was not accepted for publication. While this sort of advice can be helpful for writers who are attempting to maintain hope in the face of rejection, authors who have their short stories or novels accepted for publication also need to implement strategies to make the most of their new opportunity. Here are two tips that I think you will find helpful.
1. Respond to Editor Requests Promptly.
This is very important. Generally, learning that your work was accepted for publication is only the first step of many to seeing your work in print or online. For example, when I first learned that the editors of Four and Twenty were interested in my poem “Coffee’s Portent, Cadence,” they asked me to make some minor changes to its content before it was approved for publication. This request resulted in me making the modifications, resubmitting my work, and waiting for their response by e-mail. Yet at the same time that I was waiting for their approval, they were also waiting to learn if I would still move forward with publication by making the changes they suggested. By responding quickly with a yes, I kept my spot on their list of new poems to be published and likely saved them the hassle of reaching out to another poet. This is only one of many examples I can cite of why responding to editor requests promptly is advantageous for both parties involved. (I explore this concept further here.)
2. Submit To The Same Publisher Again.
Once an editor has familiarized themselves with your work and developed a good working relationship with you, it is likely that she or he would enjoy reading more from you. This is because editors often want to work with people who have a proven track record of submitting quality work and meeting publication requirements such as submitting bios and thumbnail photographs on time. This is why I encourage writers to continue submitting work to editors who recognize that they have talent and the ability to be professional.
As mentioned earlier, the way a writer handles acceptance for publication is just as important as the way she or he deals with a rejection letter. In the former case, it is important to make the most of the opportunity for publication by being professional and seeking to get republished. Doing so increases the likelihood that you will have an ever-expanding portfolio and list of publishers with whom you can network for bigger and better opportunities. Good luck!
Jocelyn Crawley holds B.A. degrees in English and Religious Studies. Her work has appeared in Jerry Jazz Musician, Nailpolish Stories, Visceral Uterus, Dead Beats, Four and Twenty, and Haggard and Halloo. Other stories are forthcoming in Faces of Feminism, The Idiom, Thrice Fiction and Calliope.
Related Articles From Jocelyn:
Writing Tips: Two Ways to Enhance Your Pitch
Writing Tips: Using Space to Convey Meaning
Writing Tips: Using the Natural Elements to Create Mood