Ronald, a would-be writer, receives a scathing rejection letter from a magazine editor. His submission is riddled with bad grammar and there’s little to no narrative arc. It’s barely a story at all. The critic claims that a chimp with a piece of chalk could write better flash fiction.
Tears sting the aspiring wordsmith’s eyes, as he tacks his most brutal rejection letter yet—up on the wall with the others. There are so many, they’re quickly covering the wallpaper. The salty liquid drips off Ronald’s chin, splattering onto the keys of his antique typewriter.
“I don’t understand,” he says to the empty room. “My young nieces and nephews love Scruffy Tales (stories about a family of chipmunks who live beneath a fish market), and all my friends say it’s wonderful children’s literature.”
But editors aren’t a writer’s “friend.” They recognize keenly that there’s a big difference between publishing and the publishing business.
If Ronald is wise, he will see the truth in this latest, withering rejection. He may love to write, but his current offerings are rubbish. (Chipmunks living at a fish market. Gee, why didn’t I think of that?!).
He also frequently ignores a publisher’s submission requirements: they want single space, he does double, they say 400-600 words, but he drones on for 900. The latest acerbic rejection letter came from a magazine that clearly says in their guidelines, “We do not accept children’s fiction.”
Note to the reader: Ronald is also clueless of the fact that the market is already saturated with tales of talking rodents living in harmony with humanity.
Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults. Benjamin Franklin
A Kinder, Gentler Editor’s Checklist for Ronald:
✅ Do your research and submit to the right publishers, ones who accept your genre.
✅ Follow submission guidelines closely, or you will not get a read through.
✅ Solicit honest feedback from other aspiring writers, preferably those not related to you by blood.
✅ If you wake up every morning and want to write, you’re a writer. So keep going and growing!
This post was inspired by Feed back, a short story by Matthew J. Richardson.
Thank you, Matthew. You make me want to be a better wordsmith.
Kind reader, this is not my usual fare. Thank you for your tolerance. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
Davids Daily Dose 
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