Website Remodel...and Rejection?

I've been a little AWOL on the blog these past couple of months, allowing other staff to post in my stead. Today, I'm happy to announce that the work that's kept me away from the blog is finished--a complete remodel and overhaul of the White Rose Publishing website.

Isn't it great when we finish a project and we take a step back and can say, "Wow, not only did I enjoy that, but it didn't turn out half-bad."? In this instance--the instance of the new website--I had a lot of help. A person who started out a stranger but ended up a friend, did an awesome job, going above-and-beyond to make the website the beaut it is. I could not have done it without him.

When we're writing, though, we don't have a lot of help. Sure, crit partners and family and friends can read what we've written and give us suggestions for improvement, but there's no one who can "do" any of the writing for us. The story is our own, the words, the structure, the plot, the editing--all ours. And when we're finished, we step back in statisfaction and say, "Wow, not only did I enjoy that, but it didn't turn out half-bad."...

Then, we submit it to a publisher, and our baby gets rejected--multiple times, sometimes. It can be frustrating. Disheartening. Maddening. As an editor, I find I have to reject so many more manuscripts than I contract. I don't like having to send rejection letters. I know that when I do, I've just ruined someone's day. It's the worst part of being an editor; so, on this blessed day of Pentecost, when we at White Rose have just been able to experience something joyous in the launch of our new site, I wanted to give this message to every author who's ever received--or will receive--a rejection: Try not to let it bring you down. Many times a rejection is not a reflection of your writing. Sometimes it just means the manuscript is not the right fit for the publisher.

Whenever you get those rejections. Take a moment to remember the  joy and statisfaction you felt when you first got to THE END on that manuscript. Then, when a little time has passed, if the rejection  holds any insight into how you can improve the manuscript, take a serious look at revising. I've rejected a lot of manuscripts in my years as an editor, but I've also contracted a lot of revised and resubmitted stories--stories that went on to win awards and/or receive great reviews.

Don't give up! Keep writing!