I’ve always had visions of writing for some sort of paycheck. I’ve written for a now defunct Nissan magazine and an online website in my past but nothing ever really serious. Those efforts were easy and they publications were dying for any content whatsoever. Their audience was limited, not exactly caring about form or craft—they simply were looking for coverage in the most basic terms of events or vehicles.
I finally got worked up enough to actually submit my written word to a decent slick and got the following rejection notice back. I take this as a badge of honor! This is the sort of “I wouldn’t want to be a member of any club that would have me as a member” message for me. Now I REALLY want to get something accepted. The article that was rejected was the one on Castro below in my blog here which I posted before getting this response as it took the publication a fair time to respond…but respond they did. On to try again!
“Dan,
Thanks for resubmitting through the online form. Your piece is well written and the tone is on point for the kind of stories we run. However, we aren't down with publishing fluff pieces about Marxist dictators. You're a good writer; please feel free to pick another topic and submit again.
Cheers,
Charlie”