21 Rejections Down and a New Goal

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:

1. Literary publications and competitions get hundreds, sometimes thousands of submissions. That’s a lot to sift through—and a hefty pool to compete against.
2. 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.
3. Look for places that accept simultaneous submissions and reprints. Reprints are excellent for Vocal creators who already have a huge backlog of work.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. If at first you don’t succeed, stop eating from the bird tray and keep sending work out.
7. Some of the pieces I’ve submitted are among my favourites from the last few years.
8. My writing has improved because I haven’t given up. I keep working to get better at what I love most in this world.
9. 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.