I wrote 46 stories, and all were rejected. Then I sold my 47th story and started making regular sales after that. From what I understand, this is a fairly standard path. One of the most important ingredients to success is persistence.
Ugh. I have such a long way to go yet then! I'm currently writing story #39.
"There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
— W. Somerset Maugham
Drop me a line at https://morganbroadhead.com
SFx1
HMx6
R/RWCx6
I wrote 46 stories, and all were rejected. Then I sold my 47th story and started making regular sales after that. From what I understand, this is a fairly standard path. One of the most important ingredients to success is persistence.
I've got a ways to go too. I would say I have seven short stories that I would call close enough to done that I'd send out. They've all been rejected several times over, though. Augh.
Writers of the Future:
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, Submitted
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM (R Resubmit)
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
@prestondennett as is often the case my experience has been different! I have had a lot of success, but lots of dry periods too. Rejection is definitely the hardest part of being a writer, especially when we know we’ve improved and it doesn’t seem the markets getting it!
V34: R,HM,R
V35: HM,R,R,HM
V36: R,HM,HM,SHM
V37: HM,SF,SHM,SHM
V38: (P)F, SHM, F, F
V39: SHM, SHM, HM, SHM
Published Finalist Volume 38
Pro’d out Q4V39
www.rebeccaetreasure.com
Managing Editor, Apex Magazine
