Not long ago, I was reviewing submissions to this newsletter (which also go on my blog), and something happened I’ve never had happen before. Every single one of them fell short of an acceptance. After a marathon review session, I rejected nine submissions in one day.

Nine submissions may not sound like a lot; however, that reviewing process took me well over an hour, closer to ninety minutes. And at the end of it, I’d expended all that time with nothing to show for it. There I was unpaid for my time with slots still open in my newsletters and blog.

Some writers might say that rejection is worse for them than me, but when you consider the editor has to read through all these, offer feedback, then have nothing to use . . . the editor has lost income and wasted time.

These are the steps in my review process. Assuming submissions meet the word count and requested topics (see www.fundsforwriters.com/submissions) and write as if English was their first language (breaking either of those rules merits instant rejection), then I begin the following:

I read them.
I do a mini-edit to try to make them work.
I determine whether the time invested in edits is worth the expense.
I carefully word the rejection with the reasons why.
If the idea has strong potential, I offer the chance for a rewrite and resubmission.

An editor is not trying to turn you down. Instead, an editor loves finding good pieces. Secondly, an editor loves finding a writer who follows the guidelines to the letter. If they get one or the other, the editor will attempt to make the piece fit.

But if an editor finds someone who writes well, lands the topic, AND follows the guidelines? Then the editor might even suggest they make more submissions, or even suggest another topic for the writer to consider. In 2020, a lot of writers went on a hiatus for some reason, and submissions reduced. One gentleman, however, kept pitching me. He learned the FundsforWriters voice, the preferred subject matter, and followed the guidelines to the letter. He filled half the FundsforWriters slots for the year, and I didn’t mind paying him over and over. He hit the mark, making my life so much easier, and his a little richer.

So, next time you are rejected, try to analyze the reasons why and improve, because out there is an editor dying to have a well-written piece on a good topic. Trust me.