Over the past year between projects, I've been working on a short story. I like working on short things between drafts of novels. After a year of work and a dozen revisions, I decided I would send it to a fantasy and science fiction magazine I admire that publishes short stories. I used to write a lot of short stories and spent four years writing cover letters and sending them to magazines--all rejected. I hadn't written a cover letter for a submission since before my first published book, so it felt astounding now to be able to mention my honors and publications. How things had changed! Here's my cover letter, names redacted.
Dear Mr. ---,
Please accept my submission, ----, a 3400-word science fiction story.
I’m a NYT best selling author of twelve novels published by Bloomsbury, including The Goose Girl, Princess Academy, and Book of a Thousand Days. My professional honors include an Eisner nomination, two Mythopoeic Award finalists, a Josette Frank Award, a Newbery Honor, two Cybils, and several state awards. I recently adapted my book Austenland for the screen, and the movie is a 2013 Sundance Film Festival selection.
Thanks for your consideration,
Shannon Hale
I got a response. The story was rejected.
I share this for other hopeful writers out there. I think it's nice to know that it's a pretty level playing field. There's no Publishing Club and once you're in it, everything comes your way. 99% of the time, it's about the story. My story wasn't good enough for this editor, and nothing in my bio would change his mind.
And that's how it should be.
*sigh* Yeah. No such thing as "being in" just because you're the amazing Shannon Hale.
Was it a form rejection or did they give some input on why? I know that's something we all wish, but you've already established your writing ability. It begs the question of why the story didn't fit. Right?
Posted by: Donna K. Weaver | May 13, 2013 at 01:40 PM
Does that mean you will post it here so we can read it?
Posted by: Shannon Costello | May 13, 2013 at 02:57 PM
Awww!I'm so sorry you had to experience the reject though.
But thank you soooo much for sharing with us unpublished folk. It truly gives hope!!!
Posted by: Amelia Loken | May 13, 2013 at 03:11 PM
Wow. Do the rest of us have a chance if yours got rejected. Amazing.
Posted by: alice | May 13, 2013 at 03:50 PM
Some day you'll have to convince someone publish a volume of your short stories. I'm pretty sure I'd love to read them. :)
Posted by: Debra | May 13, 2013 at 05:46 PM
Thanks. While I think it was silly of them to reject you, I think I needed the reminder that I still have a shot!
Posted by: Miranda | May 13, 2013 at 06:23 PM
Thanks so much for being willing to share that with us blog readers. It's a great example of how to turn a seemingly negative thing into something positive and helpful. I've also made a goal this week to send out a new batch of query letters, and this helps fortify me for the coming battle with discouragement :-)
Posted by: jenelcc | May 13, 2013 at 08:52 PM
Sigh. It's what most writers have always known. It's all about writing a 'good' story in the end. Hard to believe though with your high success rate (bet it just needs a few tweaks here and there). Hi, saw you over at Kim's blog and linked to this post. Good post!
Posted by: sharon himsl | May 13, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Lol! I can't believe it! That totally stinks!
Posted by: Bekah | May 14, 2013 at 09:19 AM
That person was either a)sleep deprived b)having a really bad day or c)crazy. That's awesome you're writing science fiction! Hopefully we'll get to read it someday. :)
Posted by: Danielle | May 14, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Well don't worrry, nothing written by you could ever be rejected enough that we wouldn't want to read it. I can honestly say we would all be ecstatic for any ranodom snippet you care to share with us:)
Posted by: Debbie | May 15, 2013 at 04:21 PM
Thank you for sharing this. I think you should publish the story on your blog, cause I'd LOVE to read it1
Posted by: Emily | May 20, 2013 at 08:57 AM