Last month, after a mere 270 days of editing, I submitted my first-ever piece of literature for publication to Highlights Magazine.
On Saturday, I received my first-ever rejection letter from Highlights Magazine.
I’ve come full circle.
The Editors tried to soften the blow with a form letter telling me that I was “competing with hundreds of other authors” when I sent in my manuscript.
I was not comforted by this information. I wanted to be the CHOSEN one. I wanted Ed McMahon to show up at my door with balloons, an over-sized check, a limo, and a magnum of champagne.
My husband tried to bolster my spirits, noting that my form letter didn’t indicate that my story lacked focus or had weak characters. And yes, it helped a bit. I know it wasn’t realistic to think I’d be published on my first submission, but a teeny part of me desperately hoped it would be so.
So, it’s back to the proverbial drawing board for me. I am going to send the piece out to a few other children’s magazines and see how it goes. I have another story idea on tap and will settle down to write it after we return from our summer road trip at the end of July. Wish me luck!
Book, Line, and Sinker 