52nd Rejection - I'm not in the IN POSSE

Margaret Kaufman doesn't want to let me into the In Posse.  She didn't even give me a reason.  This reminds me of junior high and I've grown comfortable with this.

51st Rejection - The Road to 100 Begins

Sad day: Monday I received a rejection from Copper Nickel who I enjoy ever so much.  They were, at least, kind, saying they enjoyed reading my story and found the writing strong and hope they'll read more of my work soon, which sounds slightly personal and not entirely like a form-letter to me.  The strange bird of a story to which they responded to this way was "Before We Pass this Way Again." For the sake of making this post more interesting I will tell you that this story was inspired by Cat Power's song "Silver Stallion" and the movie The White Mane.  Most of my stories don't have a real starting point, but this one did. So there ya go.

51st Rejection

A long section of my novel has been impersonally rejected from Packingtown Review.  It stings only because they had encouraged a shorter section and asked for more.

50th REJECTION!!! WooHoo!

Well, I have to say that I could not be happier with the coincidence of who the 50th rejection letter has come from: failbetter.com sadly "enjoyed it, but don't feel it's quite right" for their site.  For a magazine with a tagline of Samuel Beckett's infamous words, "Ever tried.  Ever failed.  No matter. Try again.  Fail again.  Fail better," to be my 50th failure is really perfect.  I get a big frosty beer after work tonight.  Yes, I do. 

Congratulations to me and all of us who have received 50 or 150 or 1050 rejections and keep working. Bravo.  My condolences.

Forgotten Encouragement?

I realized I forgot to post that I received a rejection that might be encouraging from CL Bledsoe at Ghoti, who says, "Unfortunately, we're going to pass on this.  Send us somehting else though" [sic].  I think that's encouraging, right? I sent them more.

Rejections 48 & 49

I used to think bad things came in threes, but it appears I've been receiving my rejections two by two; you know, just like getting the animals onto the ark.  Open City and A Public Space both sadly turned me down yesterday with nary a detail or personal name signed at the bottom of the page.  Both submissions were the same group of poems which should be a loud message.

 I can't wait for the big 5-0.  It's almost here. Care to start taking bets on what day it will come? It's like a baby pool. 

No - the other kind of baby pool. More like a football pool.

An Encouragement from Beloit

John Rosenwald fromBeloit Poetry Journal wrote just a line, but said enough to make me happy: "interesting and solid, but too long for our current need." It was a four page poem called, "a voice, behind." He also crossed off the line printed on the bottom of the slip which said "Please wait 6 months before sending us more work."  Thanks, John.  I won't wait that 6 months. I'm gonna send you more things, shorter things.  I still like you.

Rejections 46 & 47

My 46th and 47th rejections were received yesterday.  Andrea from Parcel informed me that she enjoyed reading my submission, but doesn't think it's right for the next issue. The piece I had submitted to her was my long poem, "mourning parade."  I was taking a chance.  I sent her the LONG format which is 19 pages and involves dreaded white space.  I have some high hopes for "mourning parade," in one format or the other.  It's just been transformed and I hope it might be better received in its new square shape.  It's been with me for 2 1/2 years now and I think the poetry is fine.  It just doesn't know how to live on the page.

The second (or 47th) rejection came from John Wang at Juked.  I am not surprised by this one.  I have heard Juked is a big old reject-or collector, but I do so love it that I had to try.  Poor "Saveliy Kramarov" was the recipient of this rejection which means he must brave the woods and wolves to travel on to the next village.  Good luck, Saveliy!

"Mikhail Boyarsky" will live in Prick of the Spindle

Thank you to Cynthia Reeser, the kindly editor of Prick of the Spindle, who will take in "Mikhail Boyarsky," his prison memories, dying vegetable garden and all.  You are a good woman.

45th Rejection a la decomP

decomP doesn't want "Lya Lys & Innokenty Smoktunovsky," to which I say, "At least you were quick about making your decision & thanks for at least acknowedging that I complimented your journal."  I take it back. Seriously.

No, not seriously.  Just kidding.  I'm not desperate or anything.