3 Ways to Get Your Manuscript Rejected—Before it even gets read

Art by the lovely Julie Rowan-Zoch

Today's post is all about honesty, folks.

Don't hate us.

From this side of the slush pile, it can get ugly. 

Not only do the submissions pile up LIGHTNING FAST,

CAPTION: These are only the submissions from the last four days that we haven't even opened yet. Since we reopened a week ago, we've read/rated/opened about 50 others.

But sometimes, we shake our heads at what's written in the email body, or scratch our heads about what's on the first page of the manuscript.

Among some recent submissions, we're going to anonymously share 5 ways in which I think our writers would have earned themselves rejections if they weren't just "practicing" with our site:

1) Ignore the submission guidelines.
See that submissions snippet above? That's a snapshot of our email filter notification, which catches any emails sent to us with the word SUBMISSION in the subject line. If you submit a story to RYS that says "Query" or just the title of your piece, it DOES NOT GO IN THE FOLDER TO BE RATED AND READ. (And when you inquire about it three weeks later, we're going to try and write the nicest response. Or we might ignore your follow-up, too, because you've made extra work for us, twice.)

Furthermore, attach your document as an approved file type. No, we can't read dinosaur .wps files or strange binary files with funny characters. Again, your email will be ignored (although sometimes Miranda tries and be as kind as she can and send a note that you're not in compliance...but an editor might not be so nice).


2) Send your submission, like, 10 times in three days. And overload our inbox with messages checking on it.
We have an auto-responder. But sometimes, that doesn't work because of email spam filters. Or if you've already sent us a message that day or with the same header, you might not get one. Instead of freaking out that it didn't send, and hitting submit one, two, or ten more times (the record here at RYS is actually 12 times...), just be patient and see if you get a response within 14 days. Or, if you can't wait that long, send a very polite, very brief note explaining that you aren't sure if your submission was received.

Secondly, if you're re-submitting a revised manuscript that has already been read and rated, it's professional not to send it back the same day we've returned your critique. This actually happens all the time:

"Dear Judges, Thank you so much for these comments I got this morning!
I revised it quickly and I'm resubmitting it to see what you think of it this time."

First of all, that shows you aren't a patient person. This business requires patience and craft. Secondly, the judge who gets it this time probably didn't see it the first time, but they might have. Think about whether or not you've really changed enough and let the feedback resonate!

However, if you're checking on the status of a submission like this wonderful writer:

"I have not yet received a response to the email below, except for the auto-response. 
You all may be swamped at this time. 
Could you please check for me or put me back
in the queue to receive a rating?  Thank you."

We would be more than happy to check on it for you. You are loved.

3) Tell us how much your writing sucks before we even read it.
Pardon our language and brutal honesty, but this has been happening a LOT lately. In your cover letter or pitch to an editor, are you really going to introduce yourself and your book like these writers?

ACTUAL EXAMPLE 1

Dear Editor, “This story has been rejected by XXX because they didn't feel it was appropriate for XXX...."

ACTUAL EXAMPLE 2

Dear Editor, “I wrote a few pages of a possible story (obviously not finished)...”

ACTUAL EXAMPLE 3

Dear Editor, "I am a XX-year old mother of three children and I live in XXX. I write children's picture books, always in a rhyming format (it seems to be a completely useless compulsion I have - to write in rhyme).

I have spent the past ten years trying (intermittently) to have at least one of my stories published, but have not yet been successful. Perhaps I am not being persistent enough, or maybe I am kidding myself. Either way, I am ready to let an impartial professional be the judge!"

(Our thought on that last one: how can the judge be "impartial" now, with that introduction?!)

We realize that you use Rate Your Story as a way to practice or rehearse how you're going to actually send a submission out to an editor. But performers and athletes, especially, know how important it is to practice the way you'd like to perform. Take RYS seriously; we certainly are!!

Now...Miranda's heading back to the slush, both outside and inside, on another wet, sloppy, mix-of-snow-and-rain day in WI.

Happy Writing!