Writers Not Going to Clarion West – Rejection

Me! 🙂

Survey Says?I thought it was only fair to have a new post about not getting into Clarion West since I’ve been maintaining another post about folks who have…

Nicest Rejection Ever

I have no idea if this is the kind of rejection everyone gets, but I have to say that it is one of the nicest rejections I’ve ever received:

Thank you for applying to the Clarion West Writers Workshop for 2008.

We are sorry to let you know that you were not selected for this year’s class. We had a record number of applicants, and because the workshop can hold only eighteen students we could not find room for all of the promising writers. We realize this is a disappointment, but hope you will apply to Clarion West again in the future, as your work ranked well with our readers.

We wish you the best with your writing and hope you have a productive summer.

Thank you again for your interest in Clarion West.

A big thank you to all of readers and administrators. I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through this year to wade through the massive pile of applications. When Cory shows up, you might want to spank him for posting the deadline on Boing Boing. 🙂

What to do next

I’d by lying if I didn’t say I was disappointed. Of course I am, as is everyone else who didn’t make it. That’s part of game, folks.

So, take a moment to light a candle for your glorious summer plans and then get back to your keyboard. There are more stories to write.

Oh, and you probably spent a lot of time getting your stories ready for the submission, right? Why not submit them for actual publication? After all, they’re already formatted and such. Print and mail, print and mail.

That’s what I did last week.

[Image credits: Kevin Perkins – Flickr]

7 thoughts on “Writers Not Going to Clarion West – Rejection

  1. After I posted this I noticed that iTunes started playing the most depressing songs in my library. I think I’ll go for a walk. 🙂

    [I also noticed that I have three smileys now in this post. Definitely going for a walk.]

  2. Same response received here in Iowa City last night via e-mail. I recommend reading “The Resilient Writer” by Catherine Wald–23 authors discuss rejection. There’s something about sharing one’s “misery” that makes it (a little bit) more bearable. It sounds like you have a good attitude about rejection already–you can’t take it personally.

  3. I am sorry to hear it, but I really admire your attitude. In terms of being a writer I think it’s not just about promise, skill, talent, and luck, but also about being resilient. And well, this sounds like you.

    Good luck next year!

  4. @St. Andrew – Thanks for the recommendation, that’s a book I haven’t read!

    @maggie – No doubt. The big thing is to keep plugging away. Thanks!

    @mallory – Nope, just CW. I looked at the other two and felt that CW was the place I wanted to be most. I know that’s putting the eggs in one basket. I might reconsider next year.

    Yep, you can’t take these things personally but it’s OK to be a little sad. Nothing wrong with that at all as long as you get back up again!

    Okie dokie. Lots of exclamation points there…

    As proof that I am not pathologically cheerful, I offer this video as an accurate portrayal of my current state of mind.

  5. Very sorry you did not make it. People can say rejection is just part of writing, but it still sucks hard. And believe me, I know from experience.

    But however disappointing it is, it’s just one person’s opinion. We all just have to keep banging our heads against the wall. Good luck in your writing, and good luck next year.

    Jim

  6. Thanks, Jim. Yep, it’s disappointing like you said you have to keep on at it.

    I appreciate the comment. Thanks for stopping by!

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