21 Rejections Down and a New Goal
Finding Motivation Beyond a Growing List of ‘No’s’
As many here will know, on November 10, 2025, I started trying to share my work beyond Vocal and self-publishing. Inspired by my good friend Stephen A. Roddewig and others on this platform like Mackenzie Davis, Blythe, and Stephen Kramer Avitabile, and quite a few others I've likely missed, I began submitting to outside competitions and calls.
I love Vocal, flaws and all. It gave me my first footing and confidence as a writer when I wondered if this might be a worthy pastime. It also gave me my love of poetry and led to my first self-published book. I am all for self-publishing, but there’s a strange allure to the idea of being published more traditionally. To me, it’s one of the ultimate achievements as a writer.
So, starting with the NYC Midnight 250+ microfiction challenge in November, I gradually began submitting pieces, both reprints and originals.
So far, as the title highlights, I’ve had no success—aside from an Honourable Mention for my first-round story in the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge this year. That has been it.
I’ve seen various rejection letters. Most are kind, and I’m glad to say that aside from a few still pending, I’ve heard back from every publication. That in itself feels like an achievement, since many say they never get acknowledgements at all.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
- Literary publications and competitions get hundreds, sometimes thousands of submissions. That’s a lot to sift through—and a hefty pool to compete against.
- Waiting for rejections (or the elusive acceptance) can be aggravating. So, it makes sense to put as many pieces out there as you can, so you’re not sitting on your hands.
- Look for places that accept simultaneous submissions and reprints. Reprints are excellent for Vocal creators who already have a huge backlog of work.
- There is no instant gratification. Vocal is wonderful because you get an audience, interactions, and encouragement. Yes, there are sycophants and game-playing, but compared to the cold world of literary publications, it’s social media-like: you post, someone at least clicks “like,” and you see reads and comments. With rejection letters, there are no comments or commendations.
- The chance of rejection is higher than the chance of publication. Keep expectations in check. Even if you believe in your work—and you’d better, or no one else will—it still may not find success.
- If at first you don’t succeed, stop eating from the bird tray and keep sending work out.
- Some of the pieces I’ve submitted are among my favourites from the last few years.
- My writing has improved because I haven’t given up. I keep working to get better at what I love most in this world.
- Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for advice from someone like one of the two Stephens, who have also published some fine guides and insightful pieces about their own experience on Vocal.
Now, back to those two important words: so far.
It would be easy to take 21+ rejections from 20+ submissions as a sign to give up.
It would also be irrational, given what I’ve outlined above.
I believe I am a good writer. I may not always be the best, or the writer people expect or want. But I write the way I want, mix things up, edit and edit again, and put hard work into everything—from the smallest haiku to the longest fiction piece.
I don’t do this for instant gratification, though it’s nice. I don’t do it because I’m desperate to earn a living from it. I do it because I love writing. I love seeing what my mad, crazy brain can do with the same words most of us have, to create poetry and stories I can feel proud of.
I appreciate all the comments and encouragement here on Vocal. But even if I didn’t get them, I’d still be writing. Still trying.
That’s the point.
I write first and foremost for me. Earning from that would be the best-case scenario, the cherry on the cake. But putting a specific timeframe on it would be ridiculous pressure and would kill my love for it fast.
So, I’ll keep going. Keep sending work to publishers. Keep tracking the numbers. Celebrate each milestone—yes, even the rejections—because when it happens, when I finally publish something outside Vocal and Amazon or finally win something, it will be all the sweeter.
I do like a bit of added pressure, though. So my goal for the rest of the year—today being October 2nd—is to reach 50 submissions by year’s end. Whether they succeed or not, who knows. But I want to up my total. If, by January 1st, 2026, I have 50 rejections, my next goal will be the same.
So, if you’re sitting there dreaming of publication—don’t dillydally. Just do it. It may take a while to succeed, but it won’t happen unless you try.
That’s what I’m going to do.
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Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: You will notice I have dropped links to various pieces throughout the article. These are some of the pieces I've submitted to competitions and publications that have not been successful. In case you wanted to read any of them.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
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Comments (14)
Just wanted to add to my previous reply.... I came across this today and thought it sounded like something for you! Folly magazine! 'Folly is disruptive by design. We unapologetically blend literary merit with cultural resonance in a way that makes some people nervous. Support art that dares to be different.' 'Folly doesn’t have any problem with ruffling a few feathers...a magazine of contradictions that wants to do things differently.”--Stack Magazines, UK. Chill Subs says Folly publishes work 'that's both intellectually rigorous and genuinely fun' ..... THAT IS YOU PAUL! https://www.follyjournal.com
I've recently started doing this too. I love this positivity and perseverance. Keep going and never stop!
Well done and huge congratulations!🥳 This is a fantastic achievement. I’m in a great writing group—Authors Only Collective, which is linked to Flash Fiction Magazine and 191 Words. It’s a really supportive group and we give each other constructive feedback on our work. Shannon has done a fabulous job of creating this group and hosts regular workshops (some paid, some free). You can see where others get work published and try submitting to the same pubs. What I wanted to say is that there’s a sub group called 100 rejections. The idea is to get to 100 rejections because it means that you’ve been working hard and putting your work out there. (Amongst those rejections there could be some acceptances too). The most revered authors have had to face hundreds of rejections. There are so many writers submitting, that rejections are inevitable. It goes without saying that if you get a rejection, it’s not a judgement about the quality of your work. It may not be a fit for them or they may already have something similar for the next issue. Put the work out a few more times because there will likely be a good home for it 👍. https://flashfictionmagazine.com/community/
Congrats on sticking with it guy. No matter the response and strategy, the key to writing is to enjoy the slog. Unfortunately, most writing goes unnoticed; the sad reality of the art
Your persistence is truly inspiring! 21+ submissions takes courage, and that honorable mention is something to celebrate. Keep going, every rejection is just one step closer to that breakthrough. Your passion for writing shines through every word, and that's what matters most. Rooting for you to hit that goal of 50!
Wonderful pep talk. I love the celebration of rejection and determination to keep on putting yourself out there. If I read a few more pieces like this, I might get the courage to start competing against you for publication. On another note, I came home from work today to a package in the mail I've been anxiously awaiting all week. So far my favorite has been How to Forgive Yourself--Recipe--Serves One. Your name may not have made it into any literary journals yet, but it is now nestled on my bookshelf next to Mother Combs & William Shakespeare. It's an elite shelf, reserved for the best of authors.
50 submissions is a great goal! Especially for someone like you who can switch hit and submit poetry, literary fiction, and speculative fiction. This month's list of calls in particular has been especially fruitful for me, so sharing here in case I haven't already (I'm sure I have/you have Erica's site bookmarked): https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2025/09/75-calls-for-submissions-in-october.html Proud to see how you have grown since the initial conversations we've had. Enough to form your own opinions (that numbered list)! Opinions I agree with! Especially the contrast between Vocal and traditional publishing. Most of the time if it's published, that's the last you ever hear of it. If you're very lucky, someone might write a review that namedrops your story/poem as a favorite and/or a friend/family member might read it and tell you what you think. But mostly, silence. It is why I still stay involved with Vocal. Hard to get tired of immediate reactions and feedback. But making money on stories outside of challenges is also lovely 😎
I am shocked to find that people aren't receiving a response from these places. I haven't submitted anything that I didn't eventually hear back on; one took a year and a half, and many take 6 months to a year, but they all eventually sent me something. Using Submitable or Duotrope is key; if you don't submit correctly, that could be the problem. Also, rejection letters seem to be tiered. There are the simple couple sentence rejections, one that's a little longer that encourages you to submit to them again, and a longer one that gives a comment on why it was rejected and encourages you to keep submitting there and anywhere else.
You got it right, Don't Give Up. To be a writer one must have patience and just keep on writing. Good job.
It is people like yourself that have encouraged and given me the belief I can continue writing, if only fir the love of it. I have not been on vocal as much as I too am branching out. So far I have only taken part in challenges and competitions, winning one and runner up in two others. Yet many have failed to gain traction. I will continue on Vocal to read at least and submit once in a while. Good luck Paul
This is such a great exercise of self-reflection and planning, Paul. I'm sure at some point that wall of rejection will break and you'll become a trad published author. Just keep at it, you are indeed a great writer.
This might sound weird to say, but congratulations on 21+ rejections! That means that you have put yourself out there 21+ times, been rejected, and have not totally fallen apart yet! That's more than a lot of people can say. Thank you for the advice, and keep on writing--and submitting!
You should know the Stephen King story: he had a nail on the wall of his room, and every time he got a rejection in the mail, he pushed it onto the nail. And one day, the nail broke. So, what did he do? He got a bigger nail! Keep going, Mr. Stewart!
Thanks for the advice....and to great success as you travel down the writing path!